Chapter 11 #8
The ceremony was beautiful, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Melanie in her skintight navy dress.
She looked stunning. EJ linked me, “We’ve got to get the new girls in on the slit rule when dresses are worn.
” I looked over the rest of the girls and discovered what prompted my brother to say that.
Elise was in the same dress. I snorted, “You’re preaching to the choir, big brother. ”
As soon as the ceremony was over, I was on Melanie, kissing her deeply. I linked her, “Your friends need to learn that slits are your friends.” Melanie flushed red. Jason said, “Whatever is happening, stop it.” Addison elbowed him in the rib cage.
We went into the reception, and I danced with Melanie several times. The number of people that clearly wanted to talk to her wasn’t low. When my mate stepped away to get a drink, I saw several people swarm to talk to her. Eventually MaryBeth whisked Melanie away.
I watched for any sign I should step in but didn’t see one. Dane stood beside me and commented, “It’s such bullshit. Those three were always so close. Mel, Melinda, and MaryBeth were close in age and they hung out all the time, and then this shit happens. It’s killing MaryBeth.”
I looked at him and told him honestly, “I’m fairly certain it kills Melanie too.” Dane nodded, “She’s not dealing with her feelings. You can literally watch her shut them down. I’m worried.” I nodded and caught my parents’ eyes. I told Dane, “You are not alone.”
Elise walked over gently saying, “Ladybug has a session with your mom tomorrow, Alexander.” Dane and I did a double take. Elise shrugged, “She mentioned it to me yesterday.” I nodded, “Well, that’s good.” Melanie and I danced for most of the rest of the night.
I think she was afraid to get cornered by another family, or old pack, member. I spotted Adeline talking to her which seemed to go well. Melanie would officially break with them on Thursday when we had her Luna Ceremony.
Unofficially, she was part of our pack as my Luna and that was good enough for me. She could link anyone she wanted too anyway. Several Red Run pack members were watching her with open interest. They knew she was the white wolf and seemed particularly anxious for her shift at a moment's notice.
I popped us home after we congratulated Dakota and Avery then worshipped my mate all night long. I wasn’t overly surprised when I woke up and found her side of the bed cold. I linked Oden, “What time did she wake up?” Oden answered, “Freya said she didn’t go to sleep.”
I groaned and got up. The whole house smelled like food, but to my surprise Melanie wasn’t in the kitchen though. The food was on warmers. I asked, “Where’s Melanie?” Zoe came around the corner to answer, “She wasn’t here when I got here.”
Panic filled my chest shooting up from my foot. It took a second to realize it was not my own. EJ came around the corner at a dead run. He looked at my face immediately asking, “What’s wrong, Alexander?” His question halted all my brothers on their way out the door.
I snarled, “Wherever Melanie is, she’s panicking.” My chest felt heavy. My mom advised, “Pop to her.” SHIT! I’d forgotten I could do that now. I popped to Melanie and found her in a dark closet. Her breath was coming too fast.
I grabbed my mate and she scratched and clawed at me. I consoled her, “Mel, I’ve got you.” My mate was somehow sobbing while hyperventilating. I popped her to an open field. I held her tightly, “You’re outside. It’s ok.” I linked, “Mom, I need you.” My parents popped to me.
My mom studied Melanie, then popped away returning with Sam McAlister. Sam ran over shouting, “Ladybug? Melanie, sweetie. Open your eyes.” Melanie did. Her mom grabbed her face and said, “Focus on me, pup.”
Melanie’s breath started to even out. My mate sank back into me but kept her eyes on her mom. My mate eventually calmed down. I asked, “What happened?” Melanie whispered, “I don’t know… I put breakfast down and some teenagers asked for something…. In the pantry….but someone shut the door.”
I linked EJ, “Find out what the hell happened. Someone locked Melanie in some pantry.” EJ replied, “Elise and I are on the way to the pack house now.” My mom said, “Well, I think we should go have ourselves some breakfast. Then we will have our therapy session outside today, Melanie.”
Melanie frowned asking, “Won’t you be cold?” My mom snorted, “I will be fine. My outside office space is charmed.” I linked Melanie, “I can pop us to our room for a second.” Melanie told my mom, “I’ll just shower and meet you in the living room.” My mom nodded.
Melanie hugged her mom and whispered, “Thanks, mom.” Sam hugged her tightly and whispered, “Of course, Ladybug. I’ll do anything for you.” Sam wiped her tears so Melanie wouldn’t see them. Oden snarled, “I want heads.” I wasn’t about to say my wolf was wrong with that desire.
I popped us to our room and Melanie silently went to shower.
Oden growled, “I don’t like it. Mate is too quiet and it’s disconcerting.
” It really was. EJ linked me, “So, don’t overreaction to what I’m about to say.
Apparently what happened was an attempt at a prank.
I have dealt with it, and before you ask no you will not deal with it.
Ever. Elise was pissed enough for the both of us. ”
I snarled, “They scared MY MATE so badly she had a panic attack!” EJ told me, “I understand that. In their defense, and I use the term loosely, they thought it was a joke. They now know it is not a laughing matter. Elise and I dealt with it. It will not happen again.”
I linked Fowler, “Where the HELL are you, KJ, and Chason?” Fowler answered, “With the new border patrol schedule, we had the early shift because Luna Melanie gets up so early. We just finished up.” I growled, “I’ll change it.” Fowler asked, “Did something happen to the Muffin Luna?”
I snarled, “Yes, she got locked in a pantry of some kind.” Fowler growled, “Did she really? Is the Muffin Luna ok?” I admitted, “I’m not sure.
She has a session with my mom today so stay far back in the shadows.
” Fowler agreed, “Yes, Alpha.” KJ linked, “I’ll just be on figuring out what the hell happened and making sure it’s not done again.
” It wouldn’t be hard for him to find out.
Melanie came out and immediately snuggled into my lap. I held her and whispered, “I am so sorry. It was some stupid teenagers idea of a prank.” Melanie whispered, “If I was normal…. it might have been funny. I think Freya was about to take over and shift.” It wouldn’t have been a bad plan.
I held her tightly saying, “Normal is boring and no one here is. Even the humans that live here are mated to a supernatural being, so we are definitely not normal.” Melanie snorted, “Everyone else is normal for a Supernatural.”
I hugged her declaring, “I love you the way you are.” Eventually my mate took a deep breath and told me, “I’m ready to go see your mom.
” I nodded and popped her to the living room.
My mom linked me, “I’ll take good care of her, and your Guard is here.
” I replied, “Good.” They’d be following both my mom and mate since they were going to stick with Melanie.
I went to the gym. I had a few meetings I’d be joining, but for the most part, I’d be here this week. I was not easy on the men. Phil walked up commenting, “So, I heard this morning started well. Sierra is very upset.” I gave him a hard look and added, “Sierra can join the club.”
Gage grumbled, “Gage is also upset about it. For several reasons.” Phil nodded, “Sure, is it really fair to take that out on the Warriors though? They LOVE the Muffin Luna.” I glared at him.
Gage hummed, “Phil has a point.” I let my eyes blaze.
Phil held up his hands, “Sure. Ok then. This is completely fair. What was I thinking? I was not, that’s what Phil wasn’t doing. Thinking.”
By the time I made it to our room for the night Melanie was already asleep. My fiancée’s eyes were puffy, and I could easily tell she’d been crying. I snuggled tightly in with her. My mate was gone the next morning as well.
I popped to her this time and found her in the kitchen. Melanie smiled greeting, “I’ll have breakfast ready when you guys get done with your run. I put food out at the pack house already and I….” I leaned down and kissed her.
I pulled back to say, “Then I’ll see you after the run.
” My mate smiled, “Ok. Are we in the gym this week?” I nodded, “Yes, I’ll meet you there later.
I have a meeting this morning, but then I’ll be there.
” My mate smiled and saluted me. I laughed and kissed her again before popping outside a little late.
My brothers were already running. Oden linked, “Let’s give them a mile head start.” I laughed, “Alright.” We caught them easily then beat them. EJ snorted, “Can we get part of your speed since we are related?” I shrugged, “I have no idea.”
Max muttered, “H’e becoming a ridiculously fast wolf because he’s mated to a legend.
Our lives are so normal.” I snorted, “Our lives have never been normal.” Max smirked, “Very true.” Zoe saw us in the hall and promptly announced, “I put all your breakfast in the office for your meeting.” We all thanked her.
We all walked into our office. Uncle Gunner and Micah were waiting with Hastein, Hugo, Uncle Bjourn, Cayden, and Uncle Marcus. I nodded to them. Uncle Gunner projected his computer onto our screen. I asked, “What is that?”
Gunner answered, “The company, and the name behind said company, for the two buildings you asked me to look into. It’s safe to say it’s the company and person behind the Resistance.” EJ spoke aloud, “Manford at Modd owned by Estelle Mia McNair. That company name makes no sense.”
Uncle Gunner shrugged, “I agree but that’s the name.
Estelle has a small digital footprint. I don’t actually think she’s real.
I do think that Melanie has protected their identity.
The code surrounding getting more information is very intense.
We are trying to nail down her signature, but it’s complicated. This is what we have so far.”
EJ said, “Does Estelle have any social media?” Micah snorted and put up a picture.
Micah added, “I reversed the image and did a search. It’s a really good photoshop job, but it’s photoshop.
Estelle could be real, but this isn’t what she looks like.
” I nodded, “Well, at least we have more of a starting point.”
Uncle Gunner snorted, “It’s scratching the surface.
” Uncle Bjourn said, “It’s more than we’ve ever had.
Once we get Melanie to open up more, we will have a direct path.
If Alexander’s mate is like the Fairies around here, she will give you her signature to crack the code instead of telling you how to find Estelle directly. ”
I urged, “Well, let’s see what we can do to find Estelle in the meantime.” Only time would tell whether or not Estelle Mia McNair was the enemy that I’d been looking for. Or if she just held the key to finding out who recruited Melanie to the Resistance. I would find out that much I knew.