Chapter 7 That’s Three #5
We walked into my friend’s house I’d bought for her in a safe, gated community and waited for Olivia to come out after she showered.
When she did come out my jaw dropped. Olivia was in a tight, long sleeve dress that came to her mid-thigh.
It was red and black checkered and had cut outs on the side, paired with black boots.
Olivia asked, “What do you think?” I said, “I think dang… you’re hot! Mav is going to… umm… lose it… in a good way.” Freya snorted, “You mean Magnus is going to claim her. It’s good for the men to lose their minds over us.” Well… yes. I did mean he was going to claim her. Sierra laughed, “Agreed.”
Abigail cat called, “Damn, Olivia! You’re hot girlfriend!
” Olivia smiled admitting, “This used to be more of my style before things happened. I could change.” I quickly said, “Absolutely not! You’re wearing your Maverick outfit…
he will quite literally lose his mind…. and my wolf says that’s a good thing… that men need to have happen.”
Olivia sighed, “What if he’s not my mate?” I told her, “I’m fairly certain he is, but he’ll still fall over you even if he’s not.” Olivia giggled but I was serious. Sierra laughed, “I knew there was a curvy miss under your usual layers.”
Olivia smiled, “Yeah, I’ve been trying to buy more ‘me’ outfits.
I feel comfortable again and with Mav, I just feel like myself.
” I smiled because that comment made me feel he was definitely her mate.
Freya said, “Might I remind you, like our big brother did, you are often right.” Yeah well…
I didn’t want to be wrong and crush people.
We drove back to the main house and quickly got her inside without anyone noticing. I linked Egres “You joined the pack, right? I mean… I know you did. Ok, I’m going to start over… you made sure the area was clear… didn’t you?”
Egres replied, “I did join the pack, but you knew that. We will make sure Duchess Olivia is comfortable any chance we get. Gordon coordinated with KJ to make sure everything was clear for her. I know you could have her shimmered inside, or popped, but she should get to the see the territory. It’s beautiful. ” He was right.
I replied, “Well… that’s super sweet of you…
and I do hope she’s a Duchess. It’s just that people act like I’m right about mates and…
” Egres cut me off, “You are the white wolf, and you have excellent intuition. That’s actually something I knew about you before we met.
Every pair you said was cute, were fated mates. ” Well… ok then.
Sierra said, “I’ll go find out where Maverick is.” Olivia sat down on the couch in my room and laughed to herself. Olivia whispered, “I can’t believe I’m going to meet Mav, and he wants to meet me.” Abigail snorted, “He practically begged Melanie here for the chance to meet you, actually.”
I smiled saying, “He really does want to meet you. If, for no other reason, than to thank you because he knows you've been protecting him.” Sierra came back in announcing, “Maverick’s in the gym.” That would not have been my guess for where he was.
Freya told me, “Magnus is trying Oden’s way of stress relief.” That made sense. Olivia gasped, “The gym? People talk about the gym here. It’s huge. That’s a no. I can’t go there with all those people.” I grabbed her by the shoulder, “I’ll clear the gym, don’t worry.”
Olivia frowned asking,” You can do that?” I snorted, “I’m one of the Luna’s here. I can clear the gym… it’s kind of small thing one can do as a Luna.” I linked Chason, “I need you to link everyone in the gym except for the Conners to leave…. on orders from me.”
Chason snorted, “Of course Muffin Luna, give me a moment.” KJ linked, “Clearing the gym. You know I kind of thought you’d have us do that for the first time when you wanted to have a sexy fight with your mate.
” I replied, “Ummm we’ve fought in there before.
” KJ chuckled, “True.” Freya said, “Sexy fight, Melanie. He means sex.” Oh…
well that had potential as an order. Freya agreed, “Yeah it does.”
I linked Valentina, “Are you here?” Valentina shimmered into my room. My friend clapped, “I knew you’d bring Olivia to Maverick. I told Julian this was all but resolved and would’ve been even without T’s advice, but with it this was a total certainty.”
I laughed, “Well, we are having the gym cleared. I was hoping you’d shimmer us there… once that’s done… since more people will be outside. Considering I told them all to get out… or I told Chason to tell them to get out… but they know it’s me saying it.”
Valentina did a little bow and said, “Of course I will.” Chason linked, “Everyone is out.” Xander linked me because he’d caught on. I asked Olivia, “Are you ready?” My friends hands were shaking. She whispered, “Yes, but also no. Mostly yes. God, we need to go or I’ll chicken out.”
I said, “Oh god! Real quick… I should mention there’s a possibility when Maverick marks you that you could get a wolf.
” Olivia gasped, “Really? Like seriously?” I nodded, “Those with Fairy blood with unranked wolves have just needed their mate’s mark for their wolf to appear.
It might not happen, but I didn’t want to freak out if it did. ”
Olivia smiled, “It would be cool. We will just have to see. I never expected to have one, so it wasn’t ever something that let me down.
” Like me. Freya growled, “You always had one.” I replied, “I know… but it rocked me and not her…. Which I’m glad for.
Because when it rocks you… it’s just awful.
” I noticed everyone was looking at me, so I nodded.
Valentina grabbed all our hands, and we were off. We didn’t have to wait long. Maverick had already declared her his before I made introductions. Olivia was star struck. Freya snorted, “I told all the wolves that Olivia knows who all the Conners brothers are.”
Actually, Olivia had never had any problem identifying who was who in the Conners family. Another sure sign she was mated into the family. Freya sighed, “Will you stop thinking you should know everything all the time?”
I teased her, “Said the goddess wolf to the human.” Freya said, “We are both goddesses so there is that.” I laughed silently. Olivia and Maverick talked. My brother in law’s eyes shined a little brighter than they had before. I was really happy for both of them.
The family teased me about bringing them their mates.
I mean…I was certain I knew more, and the odds were on my side.
I knew a lot of people. Freya snickered, “They have no idea how many people you know. They think they do, but they don’t.
” She wasn’t wrong. I had a vast network.
Between Paige, Valentina, and Virgil I could go anywhere… . so I’d met a decent number of people.
After we left the gym, I went back to office. I jolted, “Oh umm…” I turned knowing someone was in here. I gasped, “Cooper.” Cooper Kyle sat on the couch and stood to come give me a hug. Cooper said, “It’s damn good to see you, Ladybug.”
I choked up but managed to say, “You too.” Cooper pulled back then said, “I can’t believe you’re really home.
” I replied, “I mean kind of… my new home… yes… but like we lived elsewhere.” Cooper snorted, “I don’t care where you are, you’re where you meant to be.
That’s home. This area is home, and the closest I thought you’d been in years. ”
I winced, “You’re mad.” Cooper said, “I’m a lot of things. Mad is one, yes. I was compelled and that pisses me off. I was pretty annoyed with the fake you. She asked me on a date as herself.” I hummed, “I know… I mean…that is brand new information.”
Cooper laughed, “Yeah, you never need to do that with me.” I admitted, “That’s true… you just always understood… when I did things.” Cooper laughed, “Yes, I’m one of the few who knew you hacked. Which makes me angrier at the compulsion bullshit.”
I conceded, “That’s fair.” Cooper said, “You saved my parents.” I acknowledged, “Yup…that’s a thing that I did.” Cooper sighed, “Everyone keeps saying that you didn’t have to do that, but I think we might be the only ones who know that’s not true.”
I shouted, “Finally! Someone gets it.” Cooper agreed, “I do. I wish you’d come to yell at us in person.
” I admitted, “I thought about it… especially when…” I trailed off.
Cooper finished, “You got home sick.” I admitted, “I did.” Cooper gave me another hug and whispered, “I’m so sorry, Ladybug.
” I held him tightly and we talked for a bit longer before he left.
Weeks passed by in a blur. Olivia was acclimating really well to pack life.. plus she had her wolf now. She hadn’t met the full pack yet. Maverick was being very protective…. and it was so cute. My friend had met with lots of small groups.
I’d sat with her in my office to watch disputes and go over decisions made with her. Olivia was fascinated by them. Getting her around other partial Fairies had proved to work wonders for her. She was really coming out of her shell. I was really proud of her.
Everything had been quiet from the Ring. Almost too quiet. Sierra sighed, “Don’t borrow trouble, Melanie. Let’s unplug for the day. It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow, this is your favorite holiday. It’s almost time to pick our tree.”
I snorted, “Alright, and I wasn’t borrowing trouble. I’m just saying… it’s been quiet…. but I am excited to go pick a tree… and decorate it… It’s just my first Christmas… back and it’s all… umm I just never envisioned I have this… and I should get everyone’s presents from over the years.”
Sierra advised, “Just enjoy it and I’ll arrange for the presents to be here.” It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the quiet. The problem was I didn’t trust it. Abigail said, “I’m excited. My first Christmas that will have a happy ending.” I hugged her then Sierra.