About That
Out of the Loop
Alexander was lost in Melanie. After a while I was trying not to lose myself to the projections running through my mind. The images were obviously Melanie and I having sex in her office in Nashville. Which was interesting.
Oden commented, “We’ve never done that there, but it could be arranged if mate wanted. Hearing that our mate pictured this while pleasuring herself is something.” Hell yes it was. Just like I was afflicted with musings of her, she was of me.
Melanie’s entire body was shaking by the time I was done with her. My wife’s eyes were fluttering shut. I smirked as her body didn’t hesitate to succumb to sleep. I knew she must be tired. All my mate’s anxious energy had to go somewhere from being worried about yesterday and the meeting today.
I was positive Melanie didn’t get much sleep. Oden snorted, “She did not.” Well, he knew we had a personal goal of helping her get more sleep. I definitely wasn’t going to complain if this is how I had to accomplish that.
I conjured a wash rag and cleaned her up. I snapped my wife into my hoodie and shorts, then picked her up and popped her to our room. I laid her on the bed when EJ linked, “Where did you disappear to?” I answered, “Other places.”
EJ snorted, “I swear to god little brother.” Then he trailed off. That did not help me understand why he needed to know. I asked, “Was there something else that went with the rest of that sentence?” EJ snorted, “You leave me to deal with all the craziness lately.”
I asked, “What craziness? Everyone was absorbing the information. We left while everyone was still there, and now my mate is sleeping. Melanie’s exhausted because she’s been running on fumes the past few days. I’m pretty sure her anxiety had anxiety.”
EJ wryly retorted, “There’s a smell that suggests why she’s so damn exhausted coming from her office.” I snorted, “I’ll get my mate to get more sleep however I choose.” EJ huffed in response. I teased, “As if you’re any better with your own mate.” EJ chuckled, “Touche.”
A pop sounded in my room. I smiled greeting my youngest sister, “Hi, Angela.” She smiled back saying, “Alabama. Specifically Bankhead Forest is a place we know someone who has cameras around.” I replied, “Ok. Why do I need to know that?”
Angela laughed, “You’ll find out and be glad you know all that. Just keep it as top of mind information.” My little sister popped away before I could ask anything else. What on god’s green earth just happened?
I linked Phil, “Do we have surveillance in Alabama I don’t know about?” Phil answered, “No, but I know who does.” I asked, “And that would be?” Phil replied, “Uncle Bjourn. Jeffery set it up for him a few weeks ago.”
I groaned, “Why?” Phil explained, “Melanie had previously given Cayden information on a drug Ring around there. Uncle Bjourn wanted to be thorough and see if she evasively left anything out. I don’t know what they’ve found so far, but I can ask Jeffery.”
I questioned, “And what is my other cousin doing lately?” Phil snorted, “My brother has been spending quality time with the son of a bitch who wanted my mate. In other words, Jeffery’s rounding up people for me on Melanie’s list.”
I admitted, “I’m surprised you’re not doing it.” Phil snorted, “I have to manage the chaos that is your Luna and my mate is neck deep in that chaos. Since my brother has spare time, and I’m constantly searching for answers in the abyss of the unknown where answers do not live he offered to do so.”
I grumbled, “I didn’t get a list.” Phil said, “Well, everyone else did. The people on mine are hiding, but they can’t hide from Jeffery for long.” I needed to go back and have some time with Trevor again. I said, “Thanks.”
I’d need to ask Melanie’s friends for my own list because they might give it to me.
Oden said, “Mate considers their lists more important.” I agreed, “Yes, because it was her friends who were wronged and Melanie, at her core, is all about others. I’d imagine her friends are just as protective of her.
I asked the wrong person for the list.” That I could fix. Oden hummed his agreement.
I called Micah next. My brother in law answered, “You do know I’m downstairs.” I snorted, “I didn’t know that. Come upstairs with my brother, please.” Micah agreed, “Sure.” A few moments later they knocked on the door.
I stepped outside. Max quickly grabbed me then popped me to his room. I told Micah, “I need you to find a Warlock named Yuri for me.” Micah nodded, “Sure. Why?” I answered, “He helped Trevor with a spell on Melanie’s back, and I want to return the favor.”
Max grinned at me, “How so?” I explained, “I want to bring him to my partial Witch, Hackura and Fairy cousins. Lila should practice her Fairy powers or spells on him. It seems fair to do to him after what he did to my mate.” I felt Max agree with me in the bond.
Micah said, “I’ll look for him. I know the name already because he was on a list Melanie gave us. We’ve been looking for him, but not too hard. That will change now.” I gratefully said, “Thanks. I’ll go get him once Yuri is found.” Max snorted, “Or I will.” I raised an eyebrow at my little brother.
Max asked, “What? You asked my mate to track this Warlock down which means I’ll probably know before you. You act like it didn’t drive us all crazy all these years not knowing what you were so upset about. We do not like you being in pain.”
I argued, “I wasn’t in pain.” My wolf was but he didn’t tell me. Oden whined in my head. Max scoffed, “Emotional pain, is pain. You’re our big brother. Wesley has been pretty upset about it, which upsets me.”
“It’s a chain reaction. We all know Angela has been struggling with this. Our baby sister has wanted to see you happy for a long time. This was done to Melanie, and I understand that’s your mate, but in the way we see family she’s my new sister.”
“I know this had to be hell for you, but we were right there beside you. As a mated member of this family, I can’t imagine feeling pulled towards someone and not being able to do anything about it. I understand the moods you were in now.”
Max paused the scoffed, “I also cannot believe I didn’t see it. None of us can. It’s so obvious now that we know. All the pieces were there for us to see, but we didn’t. If only Wes had punched T harder that day, maybe we would’ve gotten answers sooner.”
I rolled my eyes disagreeing, “I don’t think that would’ve helped.” Max shrugged, “I’d feel better about it.” I reasoned, “It wasn’t the McAlister’s fault.” Max shrugged, “Yes and no. We were all under the spell of magical cookies and they were under Vampire voodoo on top of it.”
“There were fourteen years where this should’ve been resolved.
Fourteen years of chances where a single decision could’ve changed things.
Like letting her come to their surprise anniversary party.
I know they didn’t know, but if they weren’t so insane about her leaving the territory; this would not have happened. ”
I reasoned, “That’s part of the cookie deal.” Max argued, “T and Jase KNEW it was a surprise party. As a brother, I get they weren’t trying to tip off their parents; however, from what I’ve learned Melanie planned that damn thing.”
“I’d have found a way for her to be there. There were popping Fairies. I acknowledge that I’m biased, and it’s easy to say now, but I’m mad for you and Melanie because the fact remains it would’ve changed everything.”
“I can’t imagine how Melanie, felt constantly being sidelined or held back over a lie.
That would drive a Beta blood nuts. Plus, your mate attempting to lie is truly sad.
The amount of magic in those cookies had to be astronomical, but I still find it sad that they didn’t realize something was wrong given her attempts to lie. ”
“Our parents feel really bad, and I hate that. Red Run is our ally, and Jase is your friend. Neither he nor T are my friends though, and I don’t see that changing.
” I frowned, “Max.” Max reasoned, “I’m not cutting out a friend.
I’m nice and will continue to be. I’m just not going to become their best friend.
You were in hell for over a decade. I’m allowed to be pissed at them. ”
“For the record, I’m pissed at the cookie and all of us too. There’s plenty of blame to go around, and there were things out of all our control. I just don’t find it acceptable when people hurt my family. Roles reversed, and this was any of us, you’d feel the same way.” He was right.
I conceded, “Fine. I just don’t want to make things harder for Melanie.” Max shrugged, “I don’t intend to. It’s not like I’m passing up on their invitations to hang out. I’ve never been friends with the McAlister’s.”
I sighed, “I don’t want you to dislike someone because of me.
I had choices here too, and I ignored my instincts.
” Max punched me in the shoulder which made me laugh.
Oden grumbled, “I am getting read the riot act by Magnus.” Fair enough.
My brother’s wolf was griping at mine while he aired out his feelings to me.
Max said, “There. Now I feel better. You're my brother so I don’t care what you do wrong, I’ll always love you. I cannot say the same for the McAlister’s. I’ll always be their ally who fights beside them, but I don’t forgive them for hurting you. Maybe in a century or two I’ll get over it.”
I snorted, “You are one of a kind, Max.” I gave him a hug.
Micah agreed, “Hell yes he is.” I turned to my brother in law, “I’ve been meaning to thank you and Cayden.
I know you saved her when she was almost forcibly marked, badly beaten, and in a car accident.
You forged those AMA documents, didn’t you? ”