Chapter 7 That’s Three #2
Still… Sierra wasn’t wrong….I just wanted to help Olivia. I’d really like to see Olivia back to the bubbly girl she used to be from what we’d discover about her. Not blindingly trusting people but still… it had to be Olivia’s choice.
Tristan linked me, “I see you’re thinking of things.” I replied, “I’m not the Soul Searcher, but they would be cute.” Tristan urged, “Get your friend to Maverick then.” I argued, “It’s not that simple… I really did invite her to my Mating Ceremony.”
Tristan replied, “Literally no one doubts that.” I reasoned, “If I’m wrong and Maverick isn’t hers, she’ll be crushed and…” Tristan interrupted, “You’ve yet to be wrong.” Except I had been… with him. I believed Everly and Jason were together all these years, and they didn’t fit to me.
Freya offered, “Because you were right, they don’t match at all.
” I knew that, but I’d believed they had…
when I was so sure Everly would be with Tristan.
My big brother reasoned, “Convince her to come meet him. I know you want that to be her choice, but you’re influential to these people. ” I inclined my head.
Freya linked, “You see a lot of yourself in Olivia.” That was true. I replied, “I do. She’s a really nice person and the Ring tried to take that from her. I hate that for her… and I just I hate them in general.” Freya replied, “So do I.”
I had to quickly explain that the Fairy Rings were shut down, but that partial Fairies with blood other than just Fairy…
were still fair game from what I’d found.
It was a risk for the Ring so they didn’t do it often; however, I knew they were excited when they found one.
Olivia had a little human blood… that was her mom’s side though. Which was mostly wolf.
It did make me happy Edward and Jean were in VERY sour moods the few days after I rescued Olivia. Because it turned out that they were the ones who tipped off the Ring to her existence. They’d found her cell with nothing but a Ring Resistance circle there. That had been SUCH a good week.
Xander took me away from the meeting. I thought I could actually hear my pillow calling my name. Freya agreed, “It is.” We briefly talked about the Ribbon I went into. I’d had a lot of plans for how things would work with Xander and me.
I’d planned on being killed by the rejection or by the people around here. Freya snarled, “Mate would never do that to us.” I replied, “Well… from what I knew, I thought at minimum living the rest of life in a dungeon until he took a chosen mate was my path.”
Honestly, I’d probably die of a heart attack or panic attack. It was only in my wildest dreams that Xander gave me a chance. I didn’t dare to dream we’d be this happy. I thought maybe he’d have me live on the property and I’d prove myself.
I had plans to work up my way through the Warrior ranks. I’d keep running things with my friends. I’d protect them all. Instead, it had all been a lie and my mate and I were happier than I’d ever imagined. Hell, we are mated and married.
I really loved my Xander. I always had, but being here with him. We fell asleep in each other's arms. When I woke up I looked at his face, loving that he looked so peaceful. I got up and quickly went out to dance. Egres came out when I finished.
Egres surmised, “You are going to see the woman Duke Maverick may be mated to today and we want to come.” I frowned, “How do you know that?” Egres snorted, “Knowing people is what I do.” I sighed, “I know that….I mean…. No I don’t…if she’s fine with it… you can come.”
Fowler came out adding, “With us of course.” KJ and Chason were here too.
I sighed, “Shouldn’t you get some vacation time or something to get to know your mate?
” Fowler smiled, “I’ve gotten to know her.
She’s ALL about getting back into training.
We’ve gone to the gym together a lot.” That made sense.
Fowler added, “Plus, I know she wants some time to catch up with her siblings. I’ll still see her and keep up with everything. Have no fear.” I wasn’t worried because I was confident they could balance everything. All mated couples did.
I ran back into the house and called Olivia. My friend answered with a groan, “Hello.” I winced, “Did I wake you up?” Olivia squealed, “MEL! How are you?” I answered, “I’m good. I was hoping you’d have time to meet somewhere today.”
Olivia agreed, “I could meet a little before lunch. We can meet at the coffee house I work at.” I instructed, “Go ahead and ask for the afternoon off.” Olivia asked, “Is someone coming for Mav? I don’t have anything on that. Did I miss something?”
I snorted, “No, I want to talk to you about Maverick though.” Olivia sighed in relief, “Oh, ok. I’ll do that.
” I told her, “I’ll see you soon… and uhhh, some guests want to come…
they guard me… which is a little crazy… when you think about it.
” Olivia laughed, “I have to see who guards you, definitely bring them.” Then she hung up.
Later Sierra came into my office. I told her, “We are meeting up with Olivia before lunch.” Sierra nodded, “Alright. We can do that. I’ll grab Abigail for it. Aaron Crawford is here to see you.” I stood asking, “What? Cayden’s dad? Here? Why?”
Sierra rolled her eyes, “You saved his daughter.” Ok… well that was true. I also drove his son somewhat insane, demanding proof of being in a group he did in fact know I was in. Sierra left and Aaron walked in.
The man sat down and studied me. I decided to break the silence, “Umm… so… hi… you’re Cayden’s dad… and Tenley’s… ok you have more kids… but those two are…” Aaron laughed interrupting, “I see the rumors are true. You don’t like silence, do you?”
I agreed, “Not often… I mean silence can be fine when you know what’s going on… but I’m not… great at not filling it. I can do it…. but it’s physically painful.” Aaron inclined his head saying, “I came to thank you for saving my daughter. My wife sends her gratitude as well.” He gave me a card.
Aaron said, “My personal number is on here. You call anytime you need someone to answer, I will. I have thoroughly chastised my son for not answering your call. There are certain numbers we always answer. Cayden gave me your sniper number, and your regular number. I promise you that I will always answer if you call.”
I picked up the card saying, “Thanks, this is….” Aaron interrupted, “You also helped my sister from what I hear. I’d prefer Astrid not enter a bar where people know she’s Hackura royalty. There are people who would love to get their hands on her.”
“That’s not easy by any means; however, I’d prefer the odds never be against her. You’ve been a good source for my son and have helped us a lot. I want you to know it’s greatly appreciated. Do you know what all my children look like?”
I nodded, “Yes. Cayden showed me their pictures.” Aaron chuckled, “I don’t think I’d have caught that evasion if I wasn’t told you were more like a Fairy.
You knew before he showed you, didn’t you?
” I admitted, “Umm yes… it’s just that they are important to Cassie…
and that’s important to Xander… so… yeah.
I know all the people important to him.”
Aaron stood saying, “I won’t take up more of your time. I just wanted to give you my number. If you need anything, you give me a call. I’ll have someone help you or I’ll be there myself. My wife conveys the same message. Her number is on the back.”
I told him sincerely, “It’s an honor. I totally don’t know that you rarely give out your number.” Aaron laughed, “The honor is ours. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Melanie. I will quite literally never believe your personality changed ever again.”
I nodded, “It was an honor to meet you as well. I mean… I’m kind of meaner than I used to be so… I did change… whole personality? Well… I already went through a massive trauma and I’m still… me, with jagged edges.”
Aaron disagreed, “You’re not mean. You’re cautious with people but you are brutally honest. I heard you were that way before.
The change is that you used to respect the title, deserved or not.
From my observations you’ve somewhat adopted how the Hackura behave.
You just have a hair pin trigger on disrespect where we give people leeway.
” I replied, “Leeway is often a mistake… Iblis tells Bjourn that a lot… I mean… maybe he doesn’t. ”
Aaron laughed, “Iblis does tell my brother in law that. I don’t mind your hair pin trigger because you pull it for people I probably would myself. Just know that I, as a former Commander, can easily help make an assignment if you need one.”
“Also, I’m retired and I have free time should someone need to die. I can easily wear black or check our own files for someone who is available. No one would bat an eye if we offed people we were already watching.”
With that he walked out of my office. Well…
that was certainly a start to the day. Also, adding the former Commander of the Hackura Army…
as a member or honorary Resistance member sounded fun.
Freya snorted, “Are you going to talk to Keaton about that?” No…
and odds were he wasn’t going to talk to me about it either…
but now he could go out with me and be an actual member.
Freya snickered, “The current and former Commanders of the Hackura Army like you.” I replied, “Well, that stands to reason… Cayden’s dad would like me. They are similar, I provide good intel… and I did save his daughter.”
Freya snorted, “That’s not why he likes you. You are likable.” To some people, I guess. Maybe I’d just finally found my people. Or… just bad guys didn’t like me because I didn’t buy the way of life they were selling.
Freya agreed, “That’s absolutely part of their problem.” Yes well… I didn’t think a woman only had two uses. That way of thinking was archaic. I also didn’t believe men or women were wrong for who they loved… or what they loved to do. People had passions… and that was that.