Chapter 13
Unwelcome Guests
Alexander studied the name of the Resistance business front and its proprietor some more. Eventually I shook my head and stood. I told the room, “I’ve got to go and get Melanie, then head to the gym. Keep me up to date on any progress with this.”
Uncle Gunner assured me, “I will. I plan to keep trying to figure out Melanie’s coding signature.
Your mate has more than one, which I’ve only known one other hacker to have besides myself.
I’ve checked out the security on your businesses, Alexander, and they are no joke.
I can’t look too hard at it, or I’ll trip Melanie’s defenses.
There are lots of little traps. It’s impressive. ”
EJ snorted adding, “You forgot to mention annoying when we are trying to figure out her code.” I asked, “Who else has multiple signatures?” Uncle Gunner answered, “A reclusive and old Vampire. He actually created the Dark Web.” Interesting.
EJ groaned, “And we are back to annoying.” Uncle Gunner laughed, “I enjoy it. It’s been a long time since I've had a challenge like this.” Micah said, “We could just ask her, since we aren’t Fairies who agreed not to.”
Uncle Gunner snorted, “No, but we are Hackura and we like a challenge.” Micah smirked, “That’s true.
” I left them behind thinking over the name Manford at Modd.
Something about that was nagging at me. Oden offered, “It’s not your wolf side.
” Which meant it was my Hackura or Fairy side.
Given my light seemed unsettled, it was the Fairy side. I wondered why.
I shoved it aside and stopped in the family room. I asked Oden, “Where is Mel?” Oden answered, “I smell her upstairs. I’d assume she’s in our room.” I took off in that direction. I made it up the stairs and into our room in no time.
Melanie was sitting on the bed. I did not believe for one second she’d been sitting there like that, just waiting for me. I could hear her laptop’s fan’s running, so she must have been doing something on it. I pushed that aside and told her we were heading to the gym.
I popped us in, and people took note. Several even studied us. I told everyone, “You all know the schedule. My mate and I will be jumping in as needed. Get to it.” I linked Melanie, “You can observe and get used to how things run.” My mate nodded.
I was about to walk away when Bradford came walking up to Melanie. I growled at him in warning. Cory popped over to us with Gage who looked utterly frustrated. KJ, Chason, and Fowler stepped up behind Melanie.
Melanie snorted, “You guys can calm down. I can handle Bradford… plus… I told him if he wanted to learn and was serious about it… I’d help him.” I asked, “You did what now?” Melanie smiled at me. Gage groaned, “She did say that. Gosh darn it.”
My mate explained, “Bradford here had his moment of realization that I actually am a skilled fighter. He understands now that my skills are not exaggerated because I was in a bad pack that I was the Female Lead Warrior of.”
She winced, “That I guess I was never a part of… but I was the Female Lead Warrior of… gosh that seems like a paperwork headache....” She seemed to think about something then frowned. Melanie shook her head, “Anyway… I told Bradford that if he was serious about training… I’d help him.”
Bradford spoke, “I mean no disrespect, Alpha Alexander. I just want to apologize. My dad and I had a long talk. Several actually.” He cleared his throat continuing, “I’ve actually moved into the pack house which is long overdue.
I was rude to the Muffin Luna and Luna Elise.
Hell, all the Luna’s and Alpha males. Then I compounded that by fighting the Muffin Luna. ”
“I guess the best reality check is getting your ass kicked and having that same person point out you should be helped to the hospital. At that moment, I realized not even my friends respected me. I’m not sure they even like me.
Honestly, I’m not sure I like me.” Melanie snorted but the fact was no one liked him. Oden agreed, “We don’t.”
Bradford laughed at her response telling her, “I know you don’t like me, but you do strike me as someone who means what they say. So, I’d like to work with you.” Melanie nodded, “I do mean what I say. I’ll observe you today, and I'll get you a training plan for tomorrow.”
“You will follow it to the letter… or you will not get my help in training ever again. I already have this sense that you could be a great Warrior. I think you just don’t put in the effort… I’ll push you harder than you ever have been, but you’ll be better for it.”
Bradford nodded, “I can’t promise I won’t complain, but I’ll be here.” That was more than we’d ever gotten out of him. Melanie nodded, “I’ll be sure to take your other duties into consideration when I put together the plan.” Bradford grimaced but nodded before he walked away.
Cory said, “That was a nice way of saying the dispute mandated gardening and pack lesson classes, Melanie.” Melanie smiled, “It was the diplomatic way to say it… which I can do. I don’t actually try to embarrass people that don’t deserve it.”
“Bradford already taking and eating a whole humble pie for himself. He seems moderately sexist, so asking me for help after I kicked his ass… was hard enough for him. There is no need to rub salt in the wound. Warriors tend to be proud… there’s no point in pissing him off when he’s asking for help.
It’s a big step for people. Asking for help is hard. ”
Sierra made her way over to us before she eyed Melanie and smirked. Sierra faked concern, “Aww, Mommy dearest probably isn’t happy her little pup moved out.” Melanie snorted, “I’ll just bet she’s not.” They seemed to have a linking conversation.
Melanie kissed my cheek, and she began to watch the Warriors. Gage said, “Ok, so I thought this was off the rails already. It seems firmly back on said rails, but I still feel leery.” Cory offered, “Same.” Well, I didn’t like that.
I watched as my mate focused on Bradford, but noted she was watching everyone. Melanie stepped in and offered suggestions here and there. I stepped into the ring, satisfied she was doing just fine. Chason jumped in with me first, then Fowler. I had a steady stream of people I was fighting.
When I finished I turned around looking for Melanie, but she wasn’t there. Cory answered my unspoken question, “Melanie is in your office. Sierra came back with her laptop and she’s working. I’d imagine she’s creating some of the Warriors new schedules and programs.”
“After her third fight several people wanted her to look at their training plans. Most are those we have marked as putting in the bare minimum. A lot of those people showed up after Melanie took a few to the side to have private talks with.” I smiled, “Good.”
It wasn’t that we hadn’t put in the work with those people.
It was that we couldn’t dedicate anymore time into pushing them to be better anymore.
We had a large pack. If they didn’t have the drive, as long as they met the qualifications and could defend the pack, I just didn’t have the time or inclination to push them.
They’d just stay as Warriors. Never a lead of any kind or taking charge and making assignments or offering suggestions. They ran patrols like everyone else and defended our pack like everyone else. They would never be considered our strongest Warriors though. Maybe Melanie could change that.
I walked into my office and instantly raised an eyebrow at the sight that greeted me.
I linked Phil, “What the hell is wrong with our mates?” Phil asked, “Wrong? I don’t know.
I am wrapping up a fight. They were fine.
Gage was on making sure they were fine duty.
So, they are definitely fine.” They were not.
I asked out loud, “What’s going on with you two?” Melanie sighed, “I made several training plans… given that I was in Black Path… I can help with the people that aren’t as motivated. Your training plans are great, but they are geared towards people who are self-starters and self-motivated.”
“I can help with those not trying to ever make themselves any better…. so… yeah. Not that you guys don’t do that. I found the files… so… it was easy to get them all here for discussions… which went well. Though in my experience they do.”
I tilted my head asking, “You found my brothers and my locked electronic files about our pack members?” Melanie flushed answering, “Umm yes…. so I see you guys tried but it’s such a big pack you can’t focus on them. That makes sense, but I can.”
“I also want to get the wolf less more involved. There’s no better motivator for someone with a wolf than being outshined by someone without one. As silly as that is…. it does motivate people. Plus, those with wolves can see… that they can be replaced.”
“Having a wolf is not the be all and end all in a pack.
You have a few wolf less in high level Warrior classes…
but I want to have a separate session with them.
I want to see their skills and talk to them one on one.
Most… even in a pack like this… will think less of themselves even if others don't. It hurts your self-esteem to not get a wolf, and I get that.”
I nodded, “I don’t have a problem with that. Just let Phil and Gage know when you want to have the session, and they will work it out for everyone.” Melanie smiled, “Umm… so… about that.” I laughed, “You already did it, didn't you?”
Phil walked in with Gage. My Beta answered me, “She did. I was cc’d on the email. Cc’d Alexander.” I laughed. Gage said, “I personally don’t care about being cc’d. I’m just happy to be included. Thank you, Melanie.” My mate nodded.
Phil smiled at Melanie and told her, “Normally, I’d be upset about someone stealing my thunder; however, I SHALL be present at this event tomorrow.” Melanie made a face countering, “Uhh… Then you’ll want to be faded in the background… so no one sees you.”