Stronger With Me #6
I muttered, “Of course you did.” Malachi shivered, “Can you imagine what that feels like?” I thought about Emma or Allison living the life Melanie had. Channing growled angrily in my head and my hands started to shift, but I managed not to fully shift.
I answered, “No, and I don’t want to.” I walked away before I could picture it more. Emma was always off with Finn. Allison spent a lot of time with TJ Conners. She could’ve been just like Melanie if TJ hadn’t met her. Thank god he did when mom was pregnant with Allison and Arden.
I walked back inside asking, “Where’s mom?
” Dad gritted his teeth, “With Haley in Missouri working on Fairy stuff while the Witches and Warlocks work.” I asked, “Suited up?” Dad laughed, “Of course.” Channing growled, “Don’t even think about it.
” I sighed but I knew it wouldn’t be fair to Channing to get into Silver Blade gear.
I groaned, “Fine.” My wolf went right back to being happy.
Malachi whispered, “Oh, boy. Someone, get a bucket. We have Betas to douse because they will be on fire angry.” I asked, ‘Why?” He showed me his tablet. Melanie McAlister was on the floor of cell bleeding from a head wound and was very unconscious.
Emmett said, “Well she’s certainly dedicated.
You have to give the woman that.” Malachi snorted, “If you were her brother….” Emmett interrupted, “Yeah, I’ll stop you there.
I like and respect her, but I am glad she’s not my sibling.
I have enough trouble with mine. No need to add being worried about all the things she could know that I don’t. I’ve got a headache thinking about it.”
I snorted knowing he was going to flip the fuck out when he found out I was quasi in the Resistance. Channing busted up laughing in my head. Emmett insisted, “I have enough to worry about.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
My big brother rolled his eyes, “Very mature, Keaton.” I teased, “Here I was about to point something out to you that I now won’t.
” Emmette growled, “Keaton.” I grinned, “Fine. Twist my arm. You’re worried about the Betas.
Did you really forget that Melanie’s mate is our close family friend who explodes heads when mad? ”
Malachi snorted, “It goes without saying Alexander will be pissed.” It should probably be stated, a lot. Dad laughed, “Alright, Annie is popping us to the party.” Annie popped in with Kreed. Then we were popped to our Warriors who were waiting in Missouri.
We watched Melanie wake up. She met a new Warlock friend in the dungeons. Channing cackled, “Oden is going to get so mad.” Emmett snorted, “Does Melanie just know everyone? Seriously? She’s just like oh I know you because I know everyone.” I laughed because it was really looking like he was right.
Beta Dylan skipped by, passing out cards with a website on it. The man skipped away calling over his shoulder, “That’s my blog. You’ll want to watch it for entries about the Supernatural’s I’ve met today. I’m looking at you Keaton Daniels with your unidentified Supernatural girlfriend.”
Dylan whispered, “I’ve been told that’s the tone we use, and you should just acknowledge we all know things at this point; based on that tone alone.” At regular volume he continued, “If only I had more time in my day to swing on over and see her myself.”
Dylan paused the admitted, “That’s a lie, I have time. I just don’t have any more allotted slots for another mystery in my life. My son is in fits over how she reminds him of someone. I’m far too fun to have that plaguing my day.” I snorted as he went off.
I slipped back and flashed around the area. I didn’t feel anyone who felt like what Odette was. Great. Keith linked me when I got back, “Anything feeling similar to your mate?” I replied, “Nope.” I smelled a scent I didn’t want to.
I snarled and whirled around. The guy raised his hands, “I mean you and your family no harm.” I retorted, “Your people nearly killed my sister. You should not have come here but particularly in this area.” The Werebengal sighed, “The people I came with today had nothing to do with what happened to your sister. We are here for Luna Melanie and to assist.”
Emmett growled, “Assist by another pack, or I’ll forget you’re here to help. Go near my sister, and you’re dead. That goes for any of you. Do I make myself clear?” The Werebengal sighed, “Crystal.” Freaking Werebengals. The guy shifted and ran away.
Keith linked me, “He better stay gone.” May was holding him back. I focused back on the tablet since Odette wasn’t here. I linked Malachi, “Is it me, or is Luna Melanie intentionally baiting a bunch of Vampires?”
Malachi replied, “No, it’s not you; she absolutely is.” Ok, that was going to go over so well. I was stunned we didn’t hear Alexander growling yet. I saw someone on the corner of the screen. I asked out loud, “Emmett, isn’t that…”
My brother answered before I could finish my question, “Slade Carter.” I’d done a threat assessment on him when we’d been given his name. I thought there was easily more to Slade than I had access to. The man had too low of a profile, almost too squeaky clean.
We all heard Alexander when Melanie was smacked. Emmett winced, “Oh boy. Heads are going to explode.” I thought my brother was underselling that. Channing agreed, “Definitely. Oden is raging.” That wasn’t surprising, nor could I fault Alexander for that.
A lot of heads were going to explode. I was certain if Melanie could explode heads, Slade would be dead since he was acting like he had no idea who she was. There was no way he didn’t. The man I’d studied was meticulous. So, he had to know who Melanie was.
I laughed out loud when Melanie insulted the Vampire’s slap.
I commented, “She’s got brass ones, man.
” Emmett agreed, “She really does. There is no fear in that woman.” Alexandria commented, “I like it.” I added, “Also, it’s not a lack of fear.
Someone with Melanie’s intelligence just considers it stating facts.
” Dad snorted out a laugh, “That’s hilarious.
Probably because she’s not my daughter in law. ” Probably.
I looked around and spotted Alpha Allister and their pack. I asked, “Where’s Scarlett?” Alexandria answered, “She had an exam her teacher wouldn’t let her reschedule. My sister is deeply annoyed she’s missing all this, but these classes are important to her.” I nodded.
I knew Scarlett was studying to be a marine biologist. I wasn’t sure where she was going to put that to use in Tennessee, but I was sure Allister or Teke would build her an aquarium to run here if she wanted. It would probably be very profitable.
Malachi choked and spat out his water. I asked, “What?” Malachi answered, “Melanie just said SOME Vampires could tell the soon to be dead Missouri Vampire King how her blood tastes.” Emmett nodded, “Right, Charles.”
Malachi pointed out, “That is ONE Vampire, and Melanie said SOME.” I winced, “Well, she just said she had an owner and that’s worse. What is Melanie talking about?” Emmett joked, “Herself.” I asked, “Who is Kayda?” No one had that answer, or if they did, they weren’t sharing.
A song began to play. Malachi announced, “That’s the signal.” Of course it was. That was always the Resistance’s signal because Melanie loved dancing. I’d always noted that as interesting in my reports. Melanie killed the Vampire King in a very dramatic fashion.
Malachi reasoned, “The guy really had that coming for the chairs alone.” He was right. We didn’t have silver chairs anywhere around the pack. What stunned me into action was when I saw Melanie debating going after Slade.
I flashed to Emmett’s tablet asking, “What’s she doing? Killing this guy has been her driving focus since she was fourteen years old. What could be so important…?” I trailed off when Melanie went after a sword. I frowned because I couldn’t figure out why she would do that.
For years, all Melanie wanted was that guy dead at her hands. Now, she had him and was giving him up? We all watched in silence while Melanie got the sword, but it still didn’t work. She was also injured getting it. Channing grumbled, “This doesn’t make sense.” No, it didn’t.
Then Melanie threw the sword to a girl with purple hair she called K.
Malachi muttered, “Don’t you just bet, that’s the Crown Prince’s of the Hackura’s mate?
” Keith asked, “Why?” Malachi answered, “Because she’s in there, his mate is in there, his favorite color is purple, and her hair is purple.
Plus, the techy Luna knows her and gave up Slade to get that woman that sword. ” It was as solid logic as any.
We watched in awe as the sword came to life in the woman’s hand. It had a flame coming out the other side. I said, “I don’t know why it works for her, but that’s seriously cool. A sword with a flame is pretty bad ass. Maybe there’s a charm that will do that for us.”
I wanted the Silver Blade’s sword to have a fire on them that had its own thoughts. I was pretty sure I’d know by now if that would be a possible charm though. Someone could work on it. Immy would probably love if I asked about that.
Melanie finally went after Slade. Emmett gasped, “Oh, shit.” Yeah, this was not the best moment to go after him. Channing snorted, “You knew she would.” I did but the building was going to blow any minute.
To our collective shock, Melanie jumped off the roof and managed to grab the helicopter runner then hurl herself inside said helicopter. A Warrior in our pack gasped, “Holy shit that chick is crazy. Awesome but crazy. Best of luck to Alpha Alexander with his super cool crazy mate.” I snorted.
Emmett linked, “This does not shock me, nor should it shock anyone who read Keaton’s assessment. He said she was obsessed with Slade dying to the point of recklessness.” I admitted, “Not shocked and oddly not happy to be right. That was something.” Dad agreed, “It was that.”