Chapter 11 #3
I sighed, “I feel so helpless and….” Oden and I stiffened. EJ asked, “What now?” I frowned telling him, “Something is wrong.” EJ sighed, “Not much has gone right lately but….” I shifted and took off back towards the house before he could finish that sentence.
EJ yelled, “Wait for me!” I was not waiting, and I was much faster than my big brother was now. I ran back into the house. My dad raised an eyebrow. The McAlister’s were all here too because of course they were. I ran past them all and their questioning gazes.
I ran into my room with my dad and EJ right behind me, but Melanie was still gone. I turned asking my dad, “Did she come by you guys downstairs?” My dad shook his head, “No, she didn’t.” I linked Julian, “Where are you?”
Julian answered, “With Valentina and her brother. My mate wanted to come see him after the whole night went to crap.” I asked, “Have either of them left?” Julian answered, “No, why? What’s wrong?
” I answered, “Melanie is missing.” Julian speculated, “She could be in the Ribbon then.” I closed my eyes knowing he was right.
My mom said, “If Melanie feels near but far away then she could be in the Ribbon.” I sighed, “We haven’t had our Hackura bonding ceremony yet. It’s probably going to be this weekend. That’s what she said when we talked about our Mating Ceremony.”
My mom smiled encouragingly saying, “That’s great!
” I tried to smile. My dad said, “Melanie will be ok, Alexander.” I snorted, “We don’t know if she went off for the Resistance or if she’s in the Ribbon.
We can’t ask her friends directly because they don’t know that we know they are in the Resistance. ”
EJ said, “I seriously doubt she went out because Ladybug was clearly exhausted. I could see that on her face and she’s had a hell of day.
” My mom snorted, “Then it’s settled. She’s absofuckinglutely in the Ribbon.
She’s had a whole ass day. I think we all have, but more than anyone else she definitely has. The Ribbon is crappy with its timing.”
My dad snorted in derision and added, “Your mother is right.” Elise said, “I’m sure her friends would have an excuse ready for her if she wasn’t here because of the Ribbon.” That was all true. I’m sure Sierra would know.
I linked Phil, “Has Sierra said anything about Mel?” Phil linked, “Yes, she’s worried about her, and we are almost to your room.” Sierra burst into the room and looked around. Sierra instantly asked, “Where is Mel?”
I shrugged, “We are guessing the Ribbon.” Sierra shouted, “Oh come on! She needs a freaking minute! Mel saw her old house for the first time tonight. She’s been having that stupid dream where she’s pulled in every year and sees their deaths all over again.”
Drake asked, “What?” I winced. Sierra sighed, “I did not see you back there.” Drake replied, “I am. So, why don’t you go ahead and tell me what you meant by that comment.” Sierra admitted, “Every year on the anniversary of your not deaths, when Melanie was kidnapped, she was put into this….”
She trailed off then waved her hand, “Paige said Illusion, where she saw it all over again. Mel tried to change it every time, but she never could.” Sam started crying and buried her face in Drake’s chest. Sam sobbed, “Why did they torture our pup like this, Drake? She didn’t do anything wrong.
Ladybug didn’t deserve any of this.” Drake had silent tears coursing down his cheeks.
I took one look at my childhood best friend. I grabbed Jason and Tristan then popped us to the gym. EJ popped in seconds later with Elise. I saw a group of Warriors. I told them, “Your Luna’s brothers need a fight so give them a good one.”
I turned to hit a bag. EJ called, “I don’t think so. It’s you and me in the ring together, little brother.” I replied, “I don’t want to hurt you.” EJ shrugged, “You can heal me so it will be fine. You were manic after you came back from the Ribbon. I can handle it.”
I took the first swing, but I wasn’t trying to injure him. EJ wasn’t really going full force at me either. I sensed someone behind me and ducked. I snorted, “Cayden.” My brother in law commented, “I heard you needed a good fight.”
I fought him and EJ for what felt like hours until I heard a pop. Angela announced, “Melanie will be coming back in ten minutes give or take a few. You should shower, Alexander.” I whirled asking, “So, Mel’s in the Ribbon?”
Angela nodded, “Yes, she wasn’t blurry at all this time. Melanie has actually been clear to me since she took off those rings. Your mate has had a rough day and needs you.” I nodded, “Don’t worry, little one. Melanie has me. Thank you, Ang.”
I turned to Cayden and EJ, “Thank you.” Angela said, “Melanie will be in the living room when she returns. With company.” I smiled saying, “You are great.” Angela snorted, “If you all could remember that I see things, that would be great.” My little sister popped away.
I had to smile. EJ sighed, “She might have a point.” Elise snorted, “MIGHT?! SHE MIGHT?! Oh dear god.” I popped into the shower in my room. I quickly snapped myself into clothes once I stepped out, then popped downstairs.
A portal opened, and to my surprise Melanie walked through. I grabbed her and crushed her to me. I nearly fell over when my cousin, Hastein, stepped through behind her. He must have just gotten home. Everyone talked around me as I breathed in her scent.
I didn’t care where she came back because she was here and was found by my cousin.
Hastein brought her home to me and I sent him my love for that in the bond.
Hastein teased me about Melanie being mine.
Oden said, “This will all go over quite poorly with our cousin. He will be on a warpath.” He could join me because I was furious about how my mate had been treated.
EJ and Elise came in the room. EJ linked me, “Where was the heads up, little brother? Like oh hey, my mate is finally back.” I bit my lip, “My bad. Except ANGELA gave us a timeline so that’s more on you.
” EJ rolled his eyes at me, but I could tell he actually understood in our bond why I hadn’t thought to link him yet.
Melanie explained the basics of what happened. EJ linked me, “So drunk Melanie is chatty. I sensed a challenge in that, little brother.” I snorted, “Yeah, it’s not a bad idea. Not too drunk but she rambles soberly. So, drunk I’d bet it’s a fountain of information pouring out of those lips.”
EJ snorted, “I wonder if it’s awkward rambling like sober Melanie but easier to get talking.
” I responded, “Maybe we should find out.” EJ smirked, “Maybe we should.” Gage linked, “I’m so on the plan of getting the minions in Phil’s brain to figure out how to get our Luna drunk. She’ll give us all the secrets.”
Melanie described her eighteenth birthday to us, and I couldn’t stop my roar of anger. Hastein’s eyes were blazing. EJ sighed, “It’s like the punches I took mean nothing anymore. Alexander just gets all worked up less than hour after we calm him down. Why do I do this to myself?”
Elise answered, “Because Alexander is your brother, and you love him.” EJ sighed, “You’re so smart.” Elise snorted, “Remember that.” EJ nuzzled her saying, “I always remember that. You are everything to me and you always have been.”
Hastein was pissed and ready to recall the family. Oden said, “As he should be.” That was their call, and it meant a lot to me that he’d do it. Hastein had commiserated with me on many occasions about not having a mate.
My oldest cousin still hadn’t met his mate yet. He often told me the key was having fun, and that I was not having any. People threw themselves at him because he was the future King and unmated. People threw themselves at his brothers too. I had only ever wanted Melanie though.
EJ wanted to brief everyone. I linked him, “Melanie needs actual sleep. Not laying down and getting pulled into the Ribbon sleep.” EJ said, “I’ll bring H up to speed. You go take care of Ladybug.” My mom of course ordered me to take Melanie to bed.
I winked my mom linking, “I already told EJ I’d be doing just that.” Mom replied, “Because I raised you to be a fucking kind and considerate man and mate. I was just stating it for the group that wanted to attack you two with questions.” I nodded to her.
Melanie ran through the girl’s night problem. We’d worried about Melanie going out since she was the white wolf, but this attack had not been about her at all. We were completely unprepared for it too. Melanie was tipped off because Adlee was behind the bar. Dear lord.
I wouldn’t have thought anything of that because it had happened before.
Clearly neither Emmett nor Malachi thought it was weird either.
Melanie walked us through everything. What stuck out to me was she knew Cassie’s drink wasn’t water, but Cassie did not.
I knew the girls had mentioned they knew the scent, but Cassie should’ve smelled something besides water.
I popped my mate upstairs. I linked Elise, “You’re outside my door, aren’t you?
” Elise answered, “Well, not yet. I practically am since I’m on the way though.
Now I am. I already told EJ my version of events.
I know you’re going to him once she’s asleep, but you won’t feel comfortable unless someone is with her.
So, I’ll be that someone. Or I’ll be coming with you.
” I asked, “Huh?” Elise didn’t answer me.
I told Melanie to get some sleep. It’s not like she could change facts right now. She was the white wolf and that was what it was. She saved Emma and MaryBeth, not to mention Cassie tonight. We’d gotten too relaxed and that was going to change.
I had Trevor and Francis now to play with. When I’d get the time to do so was the question. Melanie’s Luna Ceremony and our Mating Ceremony would be happening this week. EJ would want her Luna Ceremony as soon as possible given that she was the white wolf.