Chapter 6 Out in the Open #7
Dylan disagreed, “MelAshley said it, not us. That’s my only critique of what you just said.” I answered Tristan’s question, “Yes, it is her. She told me just a few moments ago.” Tristan growled, “Damn it! We probably hurt her feelings.”
Uncle Bjourn realized, “The business and the woman’s name is an anagram.
That’s how the Fairy King knew. Which means my little sister also knew it was Melanie.
” Uncle Aiden practically sang, “I did see the piece of paper with a fascinating bit of information on it as to who was behind the Resistance.”
Dad muttered, “And you didn’t think it would ANY fun to drop that knowledge on us? How can that possibly be true?” Uncle Aiden replied, “I knew the girl in question would drop the information in a far more fun way, and I was right.”
“Plus, my sister would’ve been upset with me if I told you. In case anyone was curious, unscrambled the name is Melanie McAlister and the company name is for Mom, dad and T.” Sam started to cry while Drake rubbed her back.
Lux said, “So, Melanie runs it all. Damn. It makes sense, other than her age when it started.” Alpha Theo said, “It was right there in all our faces that Melanie was in the Resistance, and a damn cookie kept us from seeing it. This I don’t think we can blame the cookie on.
This is crazy that a fourteen year old did that. Impressive but crazy.”
Tristan whispered, “She did it for us?” Everly told him, “Melanie loves you so much.” Uncle Aiden offered, “She did it to avenge you and protect my nephew. Along with the brother she thought was living.” Jason said, “Ladybug thought I disowned her.”
Aiden replied, “Not at first. It wouldn’t have mattered if you did though, clearly.
Since Melanie did think eventually believe you had, and she still protected you quite fiercely.
All of Red Run actually.” Mom snorted, “Melanie formed the Resistance to keep us all safe. Along with the innocents in the fucking forgotten packs.”
“My daughter in law had access we did not. When she lived here, she was kept out of things because she was a child. Melanie had to quickly realize down there no one was trying to help anyone. So, there wasn’t anyone to stop or suspect her of it.
She used it to get revenge and protect the people she loves.
It’s fucking brilliant because she had to know no one would suspect her as the person who runs it because of her age. ”
Sam wiped her eyes chiming in, “Ladybug has always been this smart. I honestly wondered if she had started it. I just didn’t know how a fourteen year old could pull this off.
I didn’t think she had the money to do it.
I even checked our accounts and went back to when she left. Melanie never touched our money.”
Dylan threw out, “MelAshley fought in the undergrounds for money. That’s gotta be how some of the cash flowed in. I’ll also take Mason and Hendrick gave her the startup money for one thousand, MMSGAP.”
I acknowledged, “You’re right.” Gage snorted, “He knew he was right. We all did.” Dylan replied, “It’s nice to hear though.” EJ asked, “How long have you known, little brother?” I explained, “I just found out, which I feel like I said already. My wife was worried she’d blurt it out, which she did.”
I watched Melanie run out of the dungeon, shaking in rage. I knew she was so angry she needed to shift. I popped outside and joined her for a run. Dad linked me, “You know everyone wants to talk to Melanie, right?”
I answered, “Yes, I do know that. So does Melanie. Someone ALWAYS wants to talk to her, but they can wait until she is ready. Is Theo taking Ezra with him back to their pack?” Dad answered, “Lucas and Theo are having words with Ezra. Lucas went first because Theo is still processing.”
Dad paused then added, “I’d imagine Theo will ultimately want to keep Ezra here and come visit. It’s what I’m going to advise, because Theo won’t want that man in his territory near where memories of Aaron are.” That made sense.
I honestly couldn’t imagine how Alpha Theo felt. I’d known the man my entire life, and he was practically family to us. If I didn’t know that one of my brother’s was spelled to go crazy, I’d feel like a bad brother and I’d be pissed.
When Melanie stopped running, I teased her about her announcement delivery. We took a moment for her to collect herself. When she was ready, I popped her back where everyone was waiting. I frowned taking in the tone of the room. What the hell?
I linked EJ, “Why does everyone look mad? They weren’t mad when I left.
” EJ answered, “We filled them in on the whole Ezra, Robert, Melanie being hunted thing. They aren’t mad at her.
” Ok that was fine. Oden told me, “Pepper is going to get this conversation moving.” Drake made that declaration instead of Pepper though.
Melanie sighed, “Ok… what do you want to talk about?” Tristan snorted and my wife bit her lip before adding, “It was a little funny. I thought more than T would laugh though.” Jason said, “We just got some upsetting news.” Melanie frowned.
I felt her hurt barrel into the bond and nearly growled the room down. My mate asked, “Why is it so bad that I started and run the Resistance?” Jason faltered, “What? No, not that.” Melanie checked her watch, and I felt her confusion swirl around.
My wife admitted, “I have no idea what you could be upset about then.” Which annoyed her quite deeply. Sam said, “We can talk about that another time, Ladybug.” My mate’s mom walked over and hugged her.
When my mother in law pulled back, she kissed my wife’s forehead.
Sam told her, “I have always been proud of you. This, your Resistance, is an amazing accomplishment. The more we learn about what you’ve been doing while you were taken gets more impressive by the second. It’s baffling how you stood so strong.”
“It’s heartbreaking what was done to you, and I wish I could change that for you. How you chose to deal with the situation though, it’s so impressive Ladybug. You were just a teenager, but you rose to the challenge.”
“You fought for people who didn’t have the skills to do so.
You were the voice of those too beaten down by a system to fight back anymore.
Or at all. I won’t lie and say this doesn’t scare me, it does.
There’s a target on your back, and I feel like it just gets bigger the more we learn.
It was big enough for me as your mother when you were just in the Resistance. ”
Melanie reasoned, “It’s not like a lot of people know that I run everything…. It’s a small group of people that has that information. Other people just think exactly what you guys did. That I’m high up in the Resistance… and that I recruit people because I was in placed with the Hunters.”
Uncle Bjourn asked, “Roughly, not including us, how many people know you run the Resistance?” Melanie answered immediately, “Twelve people.” Ok, that was a doable number, and I could figure out most of the names.
Hastein surmised, “That’s why Kingsley can do whatever she wants whenever. Because you don’t care if she does what you ask or not.” Melanie nodded, “I mean… well… Kingsley often does what I ask… but we talk about it. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable where she is and….”
Hastein snorted, “Cousin, I broke her again. Do fix that.” I leaned down and kissed Melanie. When we broke apart my mate was flushed. Oden purred, “We should take our mate to bed and celebrate all her impressive accomplishments.” I was onboard with that.
Gage chimed in, “How firm is that only twelve people knowing before us thing?” Melanie replied, “Ummm very?” Phil asked, “Is that a question?” Sierra answered, “It’s not.” Dad asked, “How much of the Ring’s network do you have?”
Melanie said, “Probably sixty-five percent at this point. I’ve had to go slow.” Uncle Bjourn said, “And that’s why you didn’t have to ask to add Gunner or Micah to the system. Not only is the system yours, but it’s your call.” Melanie nodded.
Drake asked, “How did you always know when someone was in danger around here?” Melanie sighed, “I’ve tapped into several people’s phones. It goes around their network when they think they will deliver a blow to the allies.”
“It’s not smart, but it works for me. They do it to get everyone excited, but really it gives away their plans. I also have a very large network. Just because people aren’t in the field, doesn’t mean they don’t feed us information.”
“In the forgotten packs, all the pack leaderships think they have everyone so brainwashed they can speak in front of Omega’s, and those they consider pack slaves, freely.
When you do that… people talk. They don’t seem to understand that you can push people so far, and when they feel they can do so, they’ll fight back. ”
“Even if it’s in a way that is perceived as small. Like sending a text on a phone I got for them… they feel powerful. Anyone who has felt powerless likes to feel like they have control or power over something. Or they got one over on the bad guy.”
“Especially, if that person is one of your tormentors. Anything to damage their happiness, or plans, is something those people jump at. People from all over the world want to fight, but they don’t know how.
Giving details and hearing later how plans fell apart made them feel hope.
That’s what those people all live for, and when you give it to them they want more. ”
Tristan said, “You must have a lot of people ready to take over packs then.” Melanie nodded, “I do. Some aren’t ready… quite yet. More than a few need mentors. That’s a hard thing to get people, without… other people knowing.” I laughed because that sounded a little familiar.