Chapter A lot of Talking #7
Aiden burst into laughter. I waved, “Yeah so… while Cassandra claimed she wanted what was best for Eric… in my opinion that was more about what was best for Cassandra… which she does have in common with Alania and maybe someone wanted to say that to her… in person… and never got to. Because they had a lot of evidence to support that claim.” Aiden was all out cackling now.
I continued, “Anyway, what was best for Haley didn’t actually matter to Cassandra. That woman couldn’t have hidden that because she truly felt that way. Cassandra could lie to herself… but not to her motivations.”
“Which means she couldn’t lie to or trick Haley once she saw who she really was. From what I heard… while… umm… in other places… Cassandra didn’t bother to hide from Haley how much she hated her when they were alone.” Everyone stared at me.
I blushed, “I mean… that’s just what I’ve heard… from… well…ok it was a lot of people… but it’s not like it’s firsthand information. I could be wrong…. and…” Aiden interrupted, “Wow. Melanie, you are just as advertised and it’s marvelous.” It didn’t sound marvelous.
Aiden chuckled, “You are not wrong, but I am curious where you heard it. I doubt anyone was talking about Cassandra in Red Run. I would adore the evidence you compiled as a pup before Cassandra died about how she treated her children.”
Bjourn snorted, “Melanie was best friends with Elise. EJ’s mate hated Cassandra as well.” That was true… but I specifically mentioned when I lived elsewhere. Maybe I had an inside the head thought. Freya warned, “You did not.” UGH! One brief moment that felt like progress.
Aiden nodded, “True. That’s not what she was talking about though.” I frowned. Eric asked, “What were you talking about then, Melanie?” Aiden gasped, “You believe me? Oh, be still my beating heart this is an odd sensation.”
Eric growled, “You can’t lie, Aiden. I’ve believed you many times in the past, so don’t act like that’s new. Plus, I’ve never been more certain you are right.” I looked at the floor and desperately wished it would swallow me.
Me and my stupid inability to quiet talk. I’d kept the secret about being in the Resistance and being its leader so long… yet everything else just flies right out of my mouth. Bjourn cleared his throat, and I glanced up.
Gosh he had an imposing stare. No wonder Kingsley was mated to Hastein. She could withstand any cold stare. That thought made me laugh. All three men looked at me surprised. I explained, “You’re screwed. K can withstand any stare.” Bjourn smirked replying, “I’m sure she can. She will be our Queen.”
Eric said, “I’m sure the woman in question will be fine. Where did you hear about my mother and Haley? And where are these interviews from former coaches of my brothers?” I sighed, “I mean… on my computer…if they existed…which they totally don’t.”
Aiden chuckled, “Melanie, please stop trying to lie and give him the information.” I hummed, “Fine… just… one second.” I pulled up my old files and sent them to Eric and copied Jackson, Harold, Darrin, and their Betas.
I announced, “There you go. I was going to give it to you when I was younger….I was hoping mostly for Haley…but I wasn’t going to let it blindside you or anything…
we just never met… then Cassandra died, and it felt mean to besmirch her name…
even though everyone said she was awful… they didn’t even know the half of it.”
Aiden scoffed, “It would not have been mean at all.” I hummed, “I’m pretty sure you’re wrong… and I don’t have the firmest grasp on social constructs. Plus, she died and stopped hurting people… mostly… but she was dead so… it was... that’s a whole thing.”
Eric growled, “What is?” I explained, “You guys are kind of popular gossip. Everyone thinks it’s interesting. Even now… almost seventeen years later. Cassandra… umm… well… she… to be fair… it wasn’t completely her fault… I mean it was... but I’ll give her a margin of error.”
Eric growled, “What does that mean?” I winced, “She… well… she thought… a Luna was her friend… that was not.” Everyone was silent.
Aiden laughed, “It’s too good. Cassandra had a secret friend in a forgotten pack that wasn’t a true friend.
Let’s just take that logic a step further and add it was a friend that she didn’t tell anyone about.
I did not think this meeting would be so fun. ”
I replied, “I didn’t say she was in a forgotten pack.” Aiden smiled asking, “Didn’t you? How else would you have known about it? Plus, I caught the evasion earlier.” UGH! Talking to the Fairy King was hard when one could not lie to save their life…and he caught all the evasions.
I reasoned, “I lived in Red Run.” Aiden nodded, “Yes, but you were sheltered. You didn’t meet anyone outside the pack. Elise would’ve told us if she knew Cassandra was talking about Haley to other packs because she didn’t like how Cassandra treated EJ.” Because Cassandra sucked.
Aiden continued, “Other than the girl you danced with from New York, who I have extensively watched, and other dancers, who didn’t know Cassandra, you were kept segregated. Tiffany had nothing to do with what happened to you. Which you know since she was at your wedding.”
“Tiffany was sad you stopped being around to compete against because you pushed her. Without you she lost the drive for competitions and dancing. She did go to that school and meet the fake you; however, she saw her real face.” I knew that.
Aiden admitted, “Tiffany unknowingly supplied that girl with some details about you, but her presence here tells me I was correct all along. Tiffany missed you. I’m glad you’re talking to her.
I say all that to say that I know while Tiffany does know who Cassandra Conners is, she doesn’t know much else.
Other than you don’t like her.” That was true.
Tiffany knew me when we were young pups, so she did know I didn’t like Cassandra. Aiden added, “Tiffany’s mother was in a pack that avoided Cassandra, which leads me to believe you told Tiffany who told her mother how Cassandra treated people.”
“That all means that Tiffany wouldn’t have gossiped about her Luna and Cassandra talking to pass off to you.
Dancers all looked up to you, which means they all felt the same way.
None of them were Cassandra fans, and that explains so much of the behavior we saw.
They hated Cassandra because you did and were barely tolerant of the woman.
It was truly glorious.” Dang. Aiden really was smart.
Eric growled. I sighed, “I did hear about that particular friendship once I was in Nashville. Everyone there has. Cassandra would tell a certain Luna things and she’d basically get on her phone tree of friends and tell everyone else.
All those packs LOVE that kind of gossip.
It makes you guys a little more normal to them.
They were miserable in their lives, and they liked knowing that… umm never mind.”
I HAD to stop talking. Freya said, “The topic is too far gone at this point, you might as well finish the thought.” No, it wasn’t. I changed the subject, “So anyway, the Supernatural Council… yup that’s what we were talking about. The corrupt big bad… that could help us take down the Ring.”
Bjourn snorted, “Nice try. We are three seasoned men at getting the answers we want.” I smiled warning them, “I’m seasoned at talking a lot until people just want me to stop. It typically involves them rubbing their heads, being irritated about my ranting, and yelling at me to go away.”
“I’ve got to say, it’s worked a lot and, in my experience, it works best on men.
Because for some reason, I haven’t figured out if it is biology or just a shorter patience for things…
but they seem to be annoyed by ranting women.
ESPECIALLY if someone starts talking about their period.
Nothing gets a man to tell you to shut up and go away faster. ”
Aiden laughed, “I like her, but such topics do not bother me.” Bjourn said, “I could quite literally care less and could have an entire discussion with you on the female reproductive system and their periods.” Huh.
That tracked for the Hackura, honestly. They were very body positive… and he was a doctor.
Eric said, “I could also have a conversation with you about it and be fine. I’m guessing what you were about to say was knowing that my mom was making my mate miserable, while I didn’t know, made people happy.”
“Considering I pride myself on knowing things, and the fact that my mother was causing such strife and unhappiness in my own home, with my own mate and pups, made everyone giddy. I’m sure it was delightful dinner conversation for all.”
My face flushed. Aiden laughed, “I do believe that’s it.” I sighed, “Yeah… but like, people just like others being miserable if they are… which… they didn’t understand Haley wasn’t miserable. She was more annoyed… but she had you, so… it’s ummm… their world view is skewed, as is their data.”
“Because not everything Cassandra told them was remotely true… so she didn’t bother Haley as much as she wanted or thought she did.
I personally think she crafted this other narrative in her mind because even she knew she came out looking insane when she was always sniping at Haley… who didn’t care.”
Eric sighed, “Great. Another happy thing to tell my dad when he comes back.” I frowned, “Nathan doesn’t need to know.” Eric snorted, “We are already going to be in trouble for keeping all this from him.” Now I laughed.
Bjourn asked, “What’s funny now?” I explained, “Nathan knows everything that’s going on. There’s no way he doesn’t know, at least about me. I know he knows we got married and had a link to watch… like my Aunt and Uncle that are traveling…and some friends of mine.”