Stronger With Me #5
“She was in charge of these people. Responsible because she knew how life was supposed to be, and they didn’t.
Melanie feels it’s all on her. The safety of Alexander, his family, and even us was missing.
She’s been watching from the outside so long, I’m not sure she knows how to integrate. ” Emmett nodded.
After a while mom said, “That’s pretty on par with the analysis I’ve heard.” Which meant Aunt Haley thought I was right. I couldn’t help but smile. I asked, “Does that not tell you all something?” Emmett asked, “Uh what?” Malachi said, “I don’t know.”
I said, “Malachi, would you agree the Resistance Leader makes decisions that make sense to you.” Malachi answered, “Of course.” I asked, “Emmett, can you say the same thing?” Emmett snorted, “No. I’d never have one of my people working themselves to the bone like they had Melanie doing.”
Malachi gasped, “Oh my god.” Matt said, “No way.” Dad asked, “What?” Mom said, “Keaton is saying Melanie runs the Resistance. It’s a Beta running it all, which is why her decisions match Malachi’s more than Emmett’s.”
Dad said, “That would explain why Black Mountain stopped trying to find who was behind it. In fact, they did an abrupt turn on it in the meetings the Werewolf Council had on it. So Did Lucas and Theo. Son of a bitch, it came out when Melanie questioned Ezra.”
I grinned, “Alexander would’ve locked that down tight on who needed to know.
It came out because Melanie felt safe enough to through in that man’s face who she was.
He’s been a thorn in her side. I’ll be he said she was like him or that he was smarter than her.
Melanie would scream it from the rafters it was her if Ezra said something like that. ” I hated that I’d missed that.
Channing snorted, “Melanie really did give us permission to use the Resistance Circle. We are basically in the Resistance.” Yeah, we were. Malachi asked, “How long have you thought it was her?” I admitted, “A while. I was actually fairly certain but I didn’t want to say anything.”
Dad asked, “Are you considering a psychology degree, son?” I admitted, “I honestly haven’t thought about it.
” I really hadn’t. Lisa told me I wasn’t smart enough for college, but I did enjoy studying people.
I’ve looked up to my Aunt Haley my whole life.
Her and Uncle Eric may not be family by blood, but they were family to me. I looked up to them both.
I walked outside locked in my thoughts. Channing took over and caught a rock. I snarled when I looked back up. Lisa was hanging outside her window. I raised an eyebrow. Oh really? I said, “Unless you want me to break your window when I throw this back at you; I wouldn’t throw things at me.”
Lisa hissed, “You can’t go tomorrow!” I snorted, “I’m walking away.” Lisa shouted, “They will be vulnerable with you there.” I growled, “They will be vulnerable without me.” Lisa reprimanded me, “You know that’s not true. You haven’t been training as much as they do.”
I scoffed, “Yes, I have.” Lisa frowned, “No, you spent time with me instead.” I said, “I spent my nights training.” Lisa smirked, “Alone. The Warriors had no idea you could fight them.” I growled.
My ex said, “You don’t have the stamina they do.
You couldn’t keep up in a fight….” She was cut off by a furious snarl.
To my surprise, Isaac Miller’s wolf came forward then he shifted back. Isaac growled, “You vicious little viper! Shut the damn window, and don’t be surprised when it’s nailed shut tomorrow.” Lisa glared at me as if it was my fault.
Isaac warned, “If you link Keaton one single word, I’ll see you put down in your place in front of the whole pack.” My jaw dropped. Lisa gasped, “Keaton would never let you do that!” Isaac laughed, “Are you under the impression that Keaton is my boss? He’s not.”
I added, “For the record, I would not try to stop him.” Isacc winked at Lisa, “Haven’t you heard? Us older folks have a ‘do what we want and get away with it’ card. You are the stain this pack can’t get rid of no matter how much bleach we use.”
“I’m the former Beta with a beloved family line. I’m positive I’d get away with firmly putting you in your place. I might even get a cake from my wife. I’d definitely get you’re a sexy man sex from my mate.” I winced, “Why did you say that?’ Lisa hissed, “Ew.” She slammed her window shut.
Isaac turned to me, “I wanted to tell you how proud everyone was back there for that assessment.” I pointed out, “I give those all the time.” Isaac disagreed, “You’ve never verbally given your assessments. You hand a report to Emmett, but you never stay for him to read them.”
Isaac clapped me on the shoulder, “You’re stepping up in big ways, and we all see it. That vicious viper up there doesn’t know shit. She’s never run a pack. I’ve never blown smoke up anyone’s ass about anything.”
“I’m proud of you and the man you’ve become since you met not Katie. Not to say I wasn’t before, I was. I just wanted you to be who I’ve known you could be your whole life. You lost yourself with that girl, and I’m started to see why.”
“I mean, I figured it was her, but I never suspected the depths she sunk to. You are an asset to this family and pack who is a strong Alpha which your Hood blood enhances. You are faster than my pups, and you received two different styles of training. You have advantages that Lisa didn’t want you to see.
Use them.” I nodded, gave me a hug then we left Lisa and her lies behind.
I checked the reports from the guys on Odette. Satisfied with them, I made myself get some sleep. I woke up and went downstairs. Dad smiled announcing, “Dylan Frost is living his best life. I guess Melanie knows Supernatural groups we don’t.”
I couldn’t help but hope I met someone who was like Odette.
Maybe her brothers would be there. I’m not sure how we would explain it, but if I could give her the connections she wants, I’d give it to her.
Except the brother that left her behind, he could rot for all I cared.
That guy was going to meet the end of my fist one day.
Emmett was talking to Joe in hushed tones.
I asked the group, “What’s up with them?
” Dad answered, “Some of those gathered were partial Hood members.” I whispered, “Damn.” Dad nodded, “Yup. Joe went to talk to some, but he felt they would respond better to Jasmine. They are a little skittish with men in charge.”
Dad winked adding, “Apparently, Melanie told them all they could come talk to Joe. Not only that but they all had his personal number. Which both amuses and annoys him. They also have his work number, and he doesn’t know how Melanie got either one.”
I snorted, “I could tell him, she probably hacked him.” Channing boasted, “We are right. Freya’s human leads the Resistance.” Yeah, it was going to be hard to convince me otherwise. Dad laughed, “That’s the conclusion your cousin came to as well.”
I asked, “How many have come to assist us for Luna Melanie?” Emmett answered, “Five thousand.” I yelled, “Did you say five THOUSAND?! As in three zero’s?
” Emmett nodded, “Yes, she’s a terrifying techy Luna with a freaking army.
HOW, dear god HOW, did all these people just go unnoticed by us?
What else are we missing? What else is she just going to casually drop in our laps? ”
I shrugged because I didn’t know. Channing chuckled, “I bet we could if we talked to Freya’s human about the fact we are basically a member.” Maybe. Emmett added, “Might I add, Melanie’s not even here to watch our brains implode.”
I pointed out, “She has to know we’d have quite the reaction. Her friends definitely know the reaction and the Conners have cameras. So, Melanie could replay our shock should she so choose.” Emmett grumbled, “The woman is such a scary techy Luna.”
I laughed, “Big brother, are you scared of her?” Emmett snorted, “I have a healthy respect for the fact that she’s smarter than I am.
Along with the fact that she has hacked into everything I own.
Even if I hire someone to find it, they probably won’t be able to.
I’m just going to live with the fact she’s in my files.
At least Melanie likes me. If she didn’t, I would live in fear. My anxiety would have anxiety.”
I laughed even though I knew my big brother had a very valid point. I saw Malachi outside and joined him. I asked, “Is Beta T ok?” Malachi snorted, “No, Keaton he’s not. Beta T is rip roaring pissed off. I’ve taken him on a few angry runs.”
Malachi admitted, “In fact, the Betas are all rotating with him, and Male Lead Warriors are rotating with Jase. Former Beta’s are rotating with Former Beta Drake and Werewolf Council Beta members are rotating with Former Beta Ben McAlister.
The Former Betas got to take a break because Beta Drake went to talk to Alexander. ”
I asked, “Why?” Malachi laughed, “Because if you want someone to listen to you, who do you go to? Especially if they are notoriously bad at listening to you?” I laughed, “Their mate.” Malachi clicked his tongue at me, “We have a winner. I feel bad for T. I can’t imagine having that kind of rift between me and my sisters. ”
I laughed, “Are you saying Immy isn’t pissed at you?
Because I gotta tell ya if you think she’s not, you’re wrong.
” Malachi reasoned, “Being pissed at me is different than thinking I died protecting her, and those left behind blamed her. Or that I blamed her for Bryce or TJ’s death because they saved her. ”
Malachi teared up saying, “My sister thinking that I left her to be abused and treated like dirt would gut me. That’s a layer our relationship will never have because I am now paranoid. I have a system. The Betas implemented one for all pack members.”