Chapter 12 #9
“Xander would do it because I want you to be happy. His mom would probably cut the line… that woman really likes parties from what I know. The Richards would also jump all over themselves to help or do it themselves. Sharon loves planning things. You could also plan the wedding you want and marry him at the courthouse. Dalton would do it for you, just like Xander offered to do for me.”
Paige snorted and wiped a tear away subtly. My friend said, “You know, some days I wonder what I did to deserve a friend like you. No one else calls me on my shit like you do. Everyone else just lets me be.” I snorted, “You came into my life and refused to leave. Even though I’m prickly.”
Paige laughed, “You did save my life, and refusing to leave did seem to be the only way to get to be your friend.” I nodded, “I’m just telling you…
it’s ok to change your timeline. Or what it looks like.
Get married at city hall and plan a massive wedding later.
There’s no manual that says you have to do it at this time or that time.
I’ll go tell Dalton you’re thinking you want the wedding sooner rather than later if you want. ”
Paige smiled saying, “You would, wouldn’t you?” I snorted, “I would.” Paige told me, “We’ll just see when he proposes.” False. I’d already told him to propose… so he was going to do so soon. Paige kissed my cheek and walked away.
I linked Tristan as I walked back to Alexander. “Hello, big brother.” Tristan laughed, “Ladybug, you have your ‘I need to get you to do something’ tone on.” I said, “I have some information your Alpha would like to know.”
Tristan asked, “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Which one?” I answered, “Dalton.” Tristan groaned, “Well, he could use some good news. He’s pretty pissed about whatever went down with you and Avery’s parents. So please, be good news.”
I ignored the obvious answer he wanted about Avery’s parents. I told him, “Dalton knows Paige wants to get engaged… because I told him…. but now I know she wants to have their mating ceremony sooner than she thought too. It might be a city hall thing with a big party later.”
“She’ll probably have Fairies help get it all perfect. You could warn him about the fact that Paige always wanted to do a fourth of July ceremony though… I forgot that… until just now. Ok… he might not like my update… because… that’s not exactly close.”
“Orrrr…. and this is the part he will like… He can agree to…or suggest the small ceremony or City Hall thing…and have a big mating ceremony in July. So… these are all thoughts… you could tell him. Especially the one where he suggests it…that would be good. It made me feel very seen and wanted when Xander did it.”
Tristan asked, “Are you serious?” I replied, “I’m always serious…
so…I feel you knew that answer to that was yes.
” Tristan laughed, “Well, thank you. Dalton will do a backflip. He will definitely have a small ceremony if Paige wants or go to city hall then have a big party for the pack on the fourth of July.” I said, “Good… because she did mention that… and I do have it written… in my Paige file.”
Tristan asked, “And can I get that file?” I replied, “Umm yes… also Paige likes pear shaped diamonds. Addison can show Jason a picture of Paige’s dream ring… which means Dalton can see it too. Or it’s in the file… that I’ll send you…so you could show him to…there are options.”
Tristan snorted, “You’re going to be Dalton’s favorite person, Ladybug. He’s been trying to pick the perfect ring.” I didn’t bother to answer that because I wasn’t doing it for Dalton….and my brother already knew that. I tapped a few buttons on my watch behind my back.
I told my brother, “You have the file… for Paige… and Avery… because you obviously wanted both… so… ok I sent Addison’s too…
because you’d want hers too… so… all files are now in your possession.
Just show Dalton the ring in the file.” Tristan replied, “Roger that. I’ll just be scouring for a ring picture in the file first.”
The next time I left Xander’s side Adeline was there. It felt like my heart stuttered. I glanced at her mate and tears filled my eyes. I was so happy for him. Freya said, “It’s the both of them you are happy for.” My wolf was calling me out.
Adeline greeted, “Melanie Jane McAlister, you’re here.” I answered, “I am.” Adeline snorted, “Just so you know, I’ve written the fake you several strongly worded emails about how you were being so brief in your replies to me.”
“I’m deeply annoyed that I was compelled to think that you just left without talking to me. Others, ok. Me? I was like ummm no girl. Then your emails were so weird. I see all that now. Heck, I thought it then too, but compulsions are bullshit.”
I jolted, “You… ummm… you emailed me?” Adeline said, “I’ve emailed you on and off since you left. Despite the fact your evil actress body double was brushing me off. I met her, you know? That bitch is lucky she died before I got over there.”
Her mate chuckled, “That woman is lucky because, as you suggested Melanie, I worked with Tank on my skills. He caught me up.” Tank and Ziggy joined us. Tank said, “He did. In fact, a lot of people that came to our pack asked specific people to help them.”
I picked at my dress on my hips, “Well… I knew you’d help and…I just thought Adeline would match… with him… which meant you’d definitely help and… you did… which I totally didn’t know… until I was told… just now.”
Adeline gasped, “Oh my god! You got WORSE at lying.” My jaw dropped. I stammered, “No... I didn’t… it would be hard to get worse… and…” Tank interrupted, “And yet you are.” I rubbed my face. Adeline laughed, “I love it. This conversation is so you. Now, I hear you’re getting married.”
I linked Cassie, “Can you conjure me two of the invitations to my mating ceremony.” She did and I handed it to Adeline and Ziggy. I said, “Yeah… and if you guys….all four of you… came… it would be great.”
“I mean… it’s just that… I… well you remember we talked about our mating ceremonies, and you were going to stand beside me… but I understand that… time has passed… you thought I was being rude… and I thought you were ignoring me... so, you don’t want to… and that’s…”
Adeline interrupted, “Is this your way of asking if I’d stand up with you at your Mating Ceremony?
” I squeaked, “What? No… that would be weird… for me to ask, since… we haven’t talked in…
gosh… years… oh god… I made this more weird…
because I was asking…in a way….well…my way…
but it’s silly so if you’d just come and… ”
Adeline jumped back in, “Girl, I’ll be up there with bells on.
I never got over our friendship. You are the best friend I’ve ever had.
I told Ziggy that a million times. It’s why I never stopped emailing you.
I couldn’t let go of that friendship, even if were just pups.
I asked the fake you to come back for mine. ”
I gasped, “You did?! AND SHE SAID NO? THAT AWFUL WENCH!” Freya snarled at the end. I took a deep breath, “I’m fine… I’m totally fine… everything is fine… she is so lucky she’s dead. I have new skills she could never dream of… and I have connections.”
“People would’ve tortured her for me. How dare she say no! I would’ve said yes! And I totally…. didn’t hack cameras to watch your Mating Ceremony…over a grainy livestream….that’s not a thing….that I did.” Tank busted up laughing.
Adeline chuckled, “I believe all that except that you didn’t watch it. You clearly did.” Tank said, “She definitely did. I also think Ladybug means Cayden would’ve tortured that woman. Who I also met.” I asked, “Did she freaking meet everyone?!”
Ziggy scoffed, “If it makes you feel better, I punched her.” Everyone in the group whirled to her. I admitted, “I knew that… I just didn’t know why.” That got everyone’s head swirling back to me. Freya snorted, “Good job. The focus was off you.” Dang it.
I squeaked, “I mean… I totally didn’t know that you punched her… in the parking lot… of the airport….or somewhere else…that you could’ve punched her…that wasn’t specially the right place. Nor did I delete the footage… so you could not be charged with assault.”
“Because there was no evidence of any assault… and I didn’t provide an alibi with time stamped footage of you elsewhere in case charges were filed…
which they weren’t. I didn’t know any of that happened.
I had no clue you punched her….Nor did I provide a fake alibi…
or delete airport footage… because that is crime. ”
“I just couldn’t find a connection between you two. Not that I looked hard… or I would’ve found her darn stage name was my name… or not… since I didn’t do any of those things… and it totally doesn’t bother me that I don’t know why you hit her… since you don’t seem to know her.”
Tank started laughing harder. Adeline bumped me, “Damn. You got so much worse at lying. I think I really helped you with that skill.” I muttered, “You could help now.” Adeline replied, “The only way to go is up at this point, so maybe.” Freya agreed, “You are bad at lying, but it’s funny.”
Ziggy explained, “The fake you flirted with Tank and tried to kiss him as herself.” My jaw dropped and I blinked several times.
Adeline growled, “That bitch was the Melanie imposter?!” Tristan agreed, “It was. She met me at the airport when I was waiting for Melanie when she didn’t show. Tank was in the truck outside.”
Tank said, “And it makes more sense now because I thought this random woman came up to me, but I emailed the fake Melanie too. I would send pictures of me, Ziggy, and Adeline. Once August joined us, him too.” August smirked at me. I knew, when we met, he would match Adeline.