Chapter 12 #8
Max said, “I am so confused.” Buck argued, “I’m not a masochist.” I disagreed, “You want them to hit you… it’s why you came to talk to them right now.
You are still punishing yourself for letting Avery believe you were going to let her get hurt…
when you literally made sure I was there… you didn’t even leave.”
“I found the tapes… you killed one of those guys… and would’ve killed more if they hadn’t linked the pack, ergo…
.you are a masochist who is punishing himself…
instead of TALKING to his sister. Fair warning…
you can tell Avery all that LATER because today is not the day… or I’ll tell her eventually.”
Micah cooed, “Don’t worry Max, I’ll clear it all up for you.” I groaned, “Do you have to?” Micah laughed, “I’ve had to keep secrets about you, from him for quite some time. It’s nice being able to tell him everything.” That was fair.
I sighed, “Fine! There will be no punching anyone until Avery isn’t around, and that goes for all three of you.
” Buck asked, “Did you abide by that rule? Or did you hit my dad?” I gasped, “That’s different!
Avery doesn’t even know they are here. Plus, I didn’t hit him…
.it felt like personal growth.” Buck cackled and Max snorted.
I hummed, “Fine. Someone might have after I left…because maybe…I riled up the Alpha’s bloods present…and everyone else of Warrior status. Dalton DEFINATELY looked like he might punch your dad… and I only riled him up to the point he might have killed them….but it wasn’t trending in that direction.”
“Although, Dylan Frost showed up… and probably encouraged someone to punch your dad. From what I’ve read about the man, he’d have encouraged a death if Eric ends up there. Hastein and Gabe were there too… there are lots of options for people who could punch your parents.”
“Or they might be dead… so… that’s an option. Only like five percent given my mate wasn’t there or his dad. Zane was ready to go though. So, if you want them to be among the living you’d better hope Dylan Frost encouraged Dalton only to punch them in the face.”
“He was the only Beta blood there when I left… but it really depends on how Dylan want the day to go. He could easily continue to rile Dalton… or Zane… to kill them…that’s just a low probability if Eric didn’t go and I see him right there.
Plus, there’s the other factor….Dylan can’t stop the strongest men there… nor would he.”
Buck frowned, “Who would be stronger than their Alpha?” Cayden asked, “Seriously? Do you know someone else named Hastein? Melanie is referring to Prince Hastein and Prince Gabe Cambridge.” Buck actually laughed, which caused everyone in our group to be surprised, except me.
I snorted, “You guys act like any of the pups in Black Path like their parents. It’s rare.
Not as much for the boys. Surprisingly Buck here…
was not a fan of how his parents acted with Avery.
It’s rare… which is another reason I said he should be the Gamma.
He behaved how Dax and Caine did with their sisters.
The point of me coming out here was to say that everyone needs to behave. For Avery.”
I turned to Buck and said, “For one… I’m defending you to good people… it’s a weird change… normally I only defend you to people who suck.” Buck smiled saying, “It’s kind of nice.” I snorted, “It’s how it always should’ve been… that what counterparts do.”
I paused then added, “Well, they do it against people who suck too. They just don’t fight without their counterpart because of made up rules.
” Buck growled, “I was not a fan of those.” I replied, “I know… because if certain people weren’t around…
you basically said screw the rules and killed people…
then lied on the report about how they died…
and didn’t blame me. It was all weird…when you consider it was always my doing. ”
Max asked, “What the fuck?!” I playfully hit Buck in the arm, “I guess that was our last for previous counterpart things sake moments… probably not though. I’ll always defend you.
” Buck replied, “As I will defend you, the way I can now and should’ve always done. ” I was not going to cry so I took off.
Buck and I might find ground where we were legitimate friends. I linked Caine, “There is no way Buck’s parents are happy he crossed the border when they were not allowed to. They would’ve told him to stay with them until they were allowed in.”
Caine growled, “They were not supposed to come.” I replied, “They did.” Caine assured me, “I’ll handle them.
” I knew he would. Dax linked, “You riled up the Alpha blood’s on the border with Avery and Buck’s parents didn’t you?
” I replied, “Just the Alpha bloods? No…I got them all going.” Dax laughed back.
I walked back inside and glanced in the mirror at the full picture of my dress.
It was off the shoulder dress and form fitting in navy.
The top had some beading with a sheer back.
Avery smiled, “You look beautiful, Mel.” I squeaked, “Me? Look at you!” She was in a stunning white dress. It was the same style as ours.
When we got outside Buck was waiting for his sister. Avery beamed with happiness over his presence…. which is why I saved him from getting a black eye before. I guess if he really wanted one, he could seek out Cayden or Micah later.
Freya snorted, “You don’t want them to hit him.
” I acknowledged, “I don’t. Buck doesn’t actually deserve it.
I hit him back then… and it’s not like he was ever an evil person…
just insanely and annoyingly passive… which irked me.
I can understand how hard it was to be the man he was then.
It had to be scary, and he was trying. Now, he’s doing good. ”
The ceremony passed without incident, thankfully. I was super nervous that something would happen. Xander and I spent most of the night together. I really didn’t want to get caught by any of the pack members who all seemed to be waiting to pounce the moment I was alone.
I really did want a drink though. I was right though….it was as if the floodgates opened the second I left Xander’s side. Several people were around me and saying, “Ladybug! Oh, I so want to talk to you.” Repeatedly, from every possible direction.
Before I could even answer MaryBeth was beside me. My Aunt ordered, “Shoo! I’m stealing her, and I’m family so I win.” That pain hit my heart again even though I was grateful to her. MaryBeth took me aside.
Paige linked me, “I could step over and interrupt.” I compromised, “Do that in a minute.” I did actually want to talk to Paige. MaryBeth said, “I didn’t get the chance to thank you.” I shrugged, “You don’t owe me any type of thanks.”
MaryBeth argued, “I do though. You saved me and Emma. They didn’t even want me. God only knows what they’d have done to me.” I knew exactly what they’d have done to her, but I didn’t think now was the moment to say so.
Freya agreed, “It is not. Maybe never on that one.” MaryBeth commented, “I hear you like cooking now.” I nodded, “I do.” MaryBeth smiled, “Well, I want to spend time with you doing something you're comfortable with. So, do you think you could teach me to make cookies from scratch? Dane likes these double chocolate chip cookies his mom makes.”
I stared at her before I started laughing. I asked, “Did something change since I left? You almost burned your kitchen down… by microwaving a meal… in the box it came in. Then another time you tried to boil breaded chicken.”
MaryBeth smirked and gasped, “Hey! My mom said to boil the chicken in the freezer! The fried chicken was the only chicken in the freezer!” I laughed, “Yeah, but it was already cooked FRIED chicken… and you tried to put it in boiling water to cook it…again.” We both started laughing.
I told her, “In the interest of saving everyone, should you try to make those cookies alone… come to Black Mountain sometime and I’ll help you. I figured out the recipe years ago.” MaryBeth snorted, “Of course you did. How did you manage to do that? Marissa guards that recipe with her life.”
I shrugged, “I just figured it out.” I’d missed those cookies and wanted a piece of home. Paige walked up greeting, “Hi, MaryBeth.” MaryBeth said, “I’ll take that as my exit cue. I’ll come back if the vultures descend on you guys. I’m excited to cook with you, Ladybug.”
I laughed, “That’s… a scary thought, but I’m sure we can make a baker out of you if you want. A supervised baker only…. but a baker…. maybe by proxy… you can be a sous chef who observes… that’s an option that’s probably… good.” MaryBeth laughed and walked away.
Paige smiled at me. I demanded, “Spill it.” Paige asked, “Spill what?” I laughed, “I know you, Paige. I know your tells. You thought you wanted to wait to have your wedding to Dalton… but you don’t. You don’t just want him to propose… you want to be married.”
Paige sighed, “First of all, thank you for calling it a wedding.” I laughed, “I did that just for you.” Paige reasoned halfheartedly, “I just should wait.” I replied, “You should? Why? Because who said so? Humans? We aren’t humans, and I’ve told you that often.
That thought process is a problem with Witches and Warlocks more than most Supernatural’s. ”
“We have soul mates who are our other halves. Honestly, we are lucky. Humans have to date and find a person they are compatible with… and they get hurt a lot along the way to finding their person. We found ours early, and they are great men.”
“Not like the ones you saw in Black Path. If you want time… take it….but you need to understand that no one will be upset if you take three months instead of six. Or if you want an even shorter timeline or a longer one. We have a ton of Fairies running around here who will snap you the wedding of your dreams.”