Chapter 14 #5
Bradford laughed, “Good lord. I feel like my life has changed and I’ve been insulted.” I admitted, “I have no idea how I insulted you… but… I am sorry about the information I had to give you about your mom.” Sierra offered, “Mel really doesn’t know why you think you should be insulted.”
Abigial offered, “It was the like-minded people comment.” I replied, “Statistically speaking, they gather together. So… it’s not insulting… it’s just a fact.” Mike chuckled. Bradford sighed, “I’m going to the pack house because I need to think.”
Mike stood to leave with him. Bradford turned around saying, “Mom did this because of me.” I shook my head, “No, she did this for her. You’ve been an adult for a long time. Patricia wanted you under her thumb.”
“In her mind, this is all my fault. The facts remain the same. It’s neither of our fault that you want to grow up. I’m proud of you. Change is hard, but you’re trying. I think you’ll do great things here. It’s too bad she couldn’t see past her own vision for your life to notice.”
“Patricia made a lot of money doing this and… I’m not going to let her have it… but I would give it to you. You and your dad can decide.” Mike said, “Bradford can have it. I don’t want a thing to do with it.” Bradford nodded sadly, “I’ll think about it.” They both left.
I thought about Mike’s situation and knew I needed to talk to Duchess Luna Emmaline Lyons. I’d wanted to many times with the situations I’d faced, but for the first time it was an actual option I could explore. I found her number and dialed it.
Sierra asked, “What are you doing?” Dylan Frost answered to my surprise, “This is Emmaline’s phone. She’s frolicking in the lake, like the precious Water Fairy she is. Who is this? Because I answered since I saw the Black Mountain Pack number. I’m a giver. How can I help you?”
I laughed, “I’m surprised you don’t know my number.” Dylan shrieked, “MelAshley? I have your number in my phone, not Emmaline’s. Why are you calling my precious Water Fairy Luna? Color me oh so intrigued.”
I explained, “I need to talk to her about a power she has.” Dylan yelled, “OHHHH EMMALINE!!!!! Interesting things are happening. Pop yourself and the Sleep Tyrant out of the lake so we may uncover the secrets MelAshley holds.”
I told him, “It’s not really a secret.” Dylan pouted, “Phoo. You have so many, and I just want one. Don’t be selfish.” I heard a rustling. Emmaline’s voice came across the line, “This is Emmaline. How can I help you, Melanie?”
Dylan coughed, “It’s MelAshley.” I bit my lip then asked, “Can you pop here? Well… to me. It might be easier to explain in person.” Emmaline answered, “Of course.” In the next second a pop sounded. Emmaline, Lucas, Lacy, and Dylan were in the room.
Fowler came back into the room. I sighed, “I’m going to lock the door if you don’t stop that.” Fowler sighed, “I needed to make sure you were still here.” I raised an eyebrow urging, “Try again….you could smell I was still here.” Fowler groaned, “You make protecting you so complicated.”
I retorted, “Well, you make having a meeting complicated….so out you go.” Dylan laughed, “Pot meet kettle. I believe the meetings I’ve been in with you, MelAshley, always end up with so much fun. Speaking of what’s this impromptu one about? Lacy and I are ready.”
I answered, “Emmaline’s power to grant a second chance mate.
” Lacy gasped, “Wow. I did not see that coming.” Former Alpha Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Dylan squealed, “FOR WHO? GOD this day was boring. I should’ve known it was going to turn around.
” Lacy laughed, “You were bored because I was in class.”
Dylan grumbled, “I know. You and your desire to further your education cramps my style. I don’t get to frolic in the lake with my bestie and his Water Fairy because one can only be a third wheel on solid ground.
Now, you are here and in on the fun. You have to admit this is so much better than classes. ” Dylan swooped in and gave her a kiss.
I told Emmaline, “I have had thoughts… about this for a while… because I was around crappy people... for the last… several years. The point is… Nathan Conners had done research on rejecting your mate if you’re marked.
So… the bond doesn’t sever completely… but the pain of cheating isn’t there as strongly.
They can’t mark someone else, if their mate is still living, without their permission. ”
Dylan interjected, “Nor would they get a fated mate. It would have to be a chosen mate. Also, I love that you hacked Nathan. That’s joyous, say more about that.
” Lacy chuckled and kissed his cheek. I groaned, “So…my thought revolve around that rule… Dylan just said… because I think there’s a way around it. ”
Dylan screamed, “I LOVE ALL THOSE WORDS! SAY SO MUCH MORE!” I explained, “So, the guy is a nice man. Who was led astray and took a woman as his chosen mate who then showed her true colors.”
“They don’t love each other, and she almost got their son killed… which he just found out. She’s betraying the pack… and I just think he deserves to be happy. He’s been with her for over twenty years. I think that's enough penance for being tricked about who a person really is as a young man.”
“He almost lost his son. His son has been in a position he doesn’t even really like, without exploring his other options, all because this woman pushed him into it.
I know you grant second chances… as part of the promised family.
My theory is your power could probably circumvent the whole…
rules about no fated mates and crap.” Lucas’s jaw dropped.
Emmaline studied me for several moments. Dylan crunched on popcorn he was sharing with Lacy. Eventually Emmaline said, “Your soul tells me your intentions here are pure. Who is the man?” I quickly pulled his file and printed it for her.
I handed it over to for Emmaline to review. I added, “Oh… and uhhh, I need both Dylan and Lucas not to say anything about this. There’s a meeting tomorrow morning… I’ll explain everything there.” Dylan laughed, “As long as I’m invited.” I agreed, “Sure, it’s first thing in the morning.”
Dylan clapped, “That’s perfect, Lacy has more classes… and Lucas was worried about me being bored. Yet MelAshley is here for me. I told you that I love her, Lucas. MelAshley, where are we on you being my adoptive daughter? Lacy is all in.”
Lacy bit her lip, “I always considered Melanie to be ours. Ashley could be as well. You’re Sam’s daughter and we’ve been friends since we were pups.” I laughed. Dylan smirked, “I’m going to tell your dad we are co-walking you down the aisle.”
My heart stopped because I still needed to talk to my dad about that. I snorted, “I don't think that would end well for you… he’s a Beta whose pup was in danger… and we… I’m weird around him… he’d go full dad wolf on you… which would be bad.”
Dylan laughed, “Which makes it fun and keeps him sane. You have to balance people when they are on edge.” Emmaline cleared her throat, “If it’s possible, I will do it.
I’ll talk to Aiden, but I agree that Mike should not have to wait for trials and everything to be happy.
He’s been unhappy for quite some time. I see they divorced a while ago. ”
Dylan said, “To be exact, that particular couple has been divorced for ten years and my Super Special Fun Sized Fairy Ninja Goddess HATES his mate.” Lacy gasped, “It’s Patricia? Oh no. All the men here are in trouble.”
I laughed nervously, “What I have will not help with that… at all. It will make it so much worse.” Dylan smiled saying, “As you said the mate of this person betrayed the pack, I’d say it’s a safe bet it’s going to get worse. Patricia will get charmed, and not in a fun way for her.”
Lacy added, “But fun for us.” Dylan kissed her cheek, “You are the love of my life. You get my soul.” Aww.
They were cute. Emmaline told me, “You are a good person, Melanie. I am truly sorry.” I frowned asking, “Uhh for what? You haven’t said I’m crazy for having theories on your powers… and abilities… which I have more of.”
Dylan screamed, “TELL ME EVERYTHING! I will listen, I swear.” Emmaline sighed ignoring that comment, “When Dylan’s parents came home, I was discussing with the group that suppressing a wolf would be used. I got a flash of Alexander, but he already has his wolf so I surmised it would be his mate.”
“I knew you were his mate. Alexander just didn’t want to know who his mate was, and I respected that. I didn’t push him on why. I just figured he wanted to be like Lexi Scott. I made a mistake and didn’t realize it was because he didn’t want to hear it wasn’t you.”
“I asked Sam about you all the time. Especially around your sixteenth birthday. I relaxed when she showed me pictures of your wolf. I thought I’d just been crazy back then. I was relatively new to my powers, and I let it go. I’m so sorry.”
I told her, “There's nothing for you to be sorry for and I’m not upset with you….at all.” Emmaline replied, “But you are upset with many others.” The Soul Searcher would know that.
I nodded, “I am.” Emmaline wiped tears away, “I can feel the hurt and mistrust in your soul. I am sorry. I should’ve helped you. ”
I told her, “There was nothing you could’ve done. I wasn't a member of your pack.” Emmaline sighed sadly saying, “There we disagree. I should’ve done something.” I told her, “Please don’t feel bad. I’m here now… with Xander.”
Emmaline smiled, “And for that I am happy. Thank you for calling me. I will speak with Aiden about this and see you in the morning.” Dylan gasped, “Don’t pop us away. I have questions about the powers, but if we are picking questions I would go with a different one.”
“Particularly about what’s on those monitors right there. Plus, I have to tell Finn to get that file in your hands… let’s go with the right way. We can’t have people knowing our MelAshley just gives out pack files at will.” Emmaline laughed and popped him away.