Chapter 14 Unapproved Likeness #7
Everly asked, “How did you know I was in danger?” Melanie answered, “I watch over you, Kai and Jase. I have alerts on your names specifically. I know now it was Robert… but at the time I didn’t know who gave up your travel plans.”
“It wasn’t a fully formed plan… and I was going through some personal things… and wasn’t clued in… until later… or it never would’ve happened. They decided after they got you to pull in Julianna. I’m sure they’d have tried to Cassie…. but she’s not in your phone as Cassie.”
Everly gaped, “You know what people are saved in my phone as?” Melanie answered, “Just a few people. I didn’t hack your phone …
completely… or anything.” Everly muttered, “It kind of sounds like you did.” Sierra whispered, “Do not get on the technical talk of how she totally didn’t fully hack you, Everly. ” Several people snickered.
Jason said, “You hacked mine.” Melanie snorted, “Apparently not very well. I’m not sure how I didn’t hear your calls with mom, dad, and T… yet I heard them with other people. Your calls with Everly cut out a lot.” Jason huffed, “Of course, or you’d have realized she was my sister in law.”
Melanie frowned, “It was probably magic… of some kind.” Paige hissed, “Definitely magic. Definitely Valdoma.” Melanie groaned, “I hate that lady.” Freya snarled taking over, “I will GET HER! THAT EVIL WITCH THINKS SHE IS MORE POWERFUL THAN ME!” Uh oh.
Dylan cooed, “Pretty precious Freya, we know Valdoma will QUAKE in her boots over you. I got you some popcorn you pretty wolf.” Dylan threw it and Freya caught it. Dylan squealed, “OMG! A wolf caught popcorn I threw. Do you see how it’s done Alpha wolves?” A lot of people rolled their eyes.
Paige’s eyes darkened as she said, “Join the club, Freya. We will take that evil Witch down, with Melanie.” Melanie took back over and squeezed her friend’s hand. There was definitely something more going on with that.
Micah asked, “Can I get my watch tutorial?” Melanie asked, “What do you mean?” Dylan laughed, “Us mere mortals do not understand how it works.” Melanie frowned, “Really? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize everyone didn’t… know how to use them.”
Uncle Bjourn chimed in, “For the record, I’d like one.
” Melanie replied, “You have one. So do your brothers, children, and all the mates.” Grammy Veronica threw out, “I want one too.” Melanie chuckled, “You have one too… like who excludes the former Queen of the Hackura? Not me. The watches are in the lab. Let’s go! ” She jumped up and ran outside.
EJ groaned, “God, she’s too fast.” Tristan snorted, “I think we will have her open her presents another day.” Paige said, “Mel will not have realized there are presents.” My heart broke and burst with anger for my mate.
Mom got up and walked out of the room cursing, “Motherfucking assholes in Black Path with their stupid ruining birthday’s for people shit! People who fucking know their birthdays are celebrated too.” I winced. Dad was already out of the room behind mom.
Melanie ran back in with a duffle bag and began passing out watches. Dylan said, “Look at that, everyone was on Santa’s nice list this year. LSGAP was even there because he got one first. I also had mine ahead of the curve.”
“I know there was a debate on whether or not LSGAP deserved to be there, but the jolly fat man with the white beard and red outfit has spoken. Who are we to argue with his bowl full of jelly? It’s got to be such a difference from his human naughty nice list.”
Kingsley was beside herself with laughter. Melanie passed out the watches then paused at MaryBeth and Melinda. My wife squealed, “You guys wanted to make cookies! Let’s go.” Melinda instantly agreed, “Let’s.” and walked with Melanie.
MaryBeth was frozen for a second until Dane nudged her. He said, “Go, babe. It’s what you’ve wanted since Ladybug got back. Go have a normal moment with her.” MaryBeth sighed, “So we have to get Ladybug drunk to want to hang out with us?”
Dylan interrupted, “Not to be nitpicky, but I got her drunk.” Dane rolled his eyes, “We know, Dylan.” He told MaryBeth, “Just go spend time with Mel. Because drunk or not, she wants to spend time with you.” MaryBeth slowly broke into a smile and followed the other two women into the kitchen.
Dylan said, “And so my time of answers came and went. I’ve been foiled by cookies. I swear cookies should be declared our mortal enemy in these here parts.” Everyone cringed a little. Drake offered, “I agree. I’m a personal no cookie ever kick and peanut butter cookies are banned in our pack.”
Sam said, “Our daughter likes to bake. I’m sure she makes cookies, Drake.” Drake sighed, “I said peanut butter cookies. I doubt our daughter makes those, but I’ll amend my statement. I’ll eat any cookies that Melanie bakes but that’s it.”
Addison made a face saying, “Yeah, Melanie does not make peanut butter cookies. We also do not mention them. Ever. Especially when she’s Drunk Melanie. The rant is hours long and I’m not even sure her Xander kissing her would stop it. She’d just start all over again. She loathes those cookies.”
I voiced, “I’m with Drake. Peanut butter cookies do not exist to me anymore.” EJ snorted, “Right. One never knows when someone is dosing the peanut butter cookies.” Mom snorted as she entered the room again.
Dylan asked, “That was s loaded snort, tell me more.” The man whispered, “I already know but I know the Alpha bloods don’t. I’m such a giver.” Mom explained, “If one of you had mentioned to me you got those damn headaches I’d have suspected the fucking cookies.”
Corbin waved his arms, “Hello? I suspected the cookies once Cayden told me about them. I looked into them and discovered they were the culprit. Melanie just figured it out before I could tell everyone. She stole my moment of glory.” He ended teasingly.
Paige snickered, “Get used to it. Melanie does that a lot. Even when you think you’ve figured something out, she works it out and is off to save the world.” Addison sighed, “Usually against the popular vote.” Avery teased, “It’s not a democracy, Ads.” All of them rolled their eyes.
We could hear the girls laughing in the kitchen. Ben McAlister wiped away tears, and Esther McAlister squeezed his leg. Ben whispered to his mate, “It’s just like it should’ve been with them. Our girls are suffering because I didn’t protect our family.”
Drake winced, “Dad.” Dylan interjected, “This is going in a depressing way, let’s bring it back to fun.
Hendrick and Mason you’re on deck. Why did you believe so much in a fourteen year old’s vision that you put money into funding it?
You couldn’t have thought she’d get your money back to you at fourteen. ”
Hendrick laughed, “Mel had a business proposal with charts and graphs. It was very professional. We’d have given her the money without it though. That girl was the reason people stopped sneering at us. As much as I’d like to say it didn’t hurt me, there were days it was hard.”
“It bothered Mason more than me, which upset me even more. We should’ve been Warriors the whole time, which Melanie pushed for that to happen. She suggested several investments for us that returned far more than she asked for.”
“Melanie barely waited a beat before she took the Alpha to task and got us the profits from our diner we had actually earned. We loved her as a daughter from the moment we met her. We believed in her and knew if anyone could accomplish it, Melanie could.”
Dylan said, “Hear, Hear! Good man. You have Beta blood, don’t you?” Hendrick smiled, “A little, yes.” Dylan clapped his hands together, “AH HA! I knew it! You should be in my Beta Chat. I’ll add you.” Melanie and her aunts ran out of the house laughing.
Dane said, “Well, there was no fire in the kitchen. That’s an improvement for MaryBeth.” Several people laughed. Phil linked me, “You should listen to the pack link.” I opened the connection and my eyes widened.
I snorted, “Big Brother, you might have to follow through on buying Melanie that bakery. She’s proposing said business to one of the pack members.” EJ asked, “Which one?” I answered, “Karina.” EJ started laughing.
After an hour Bradford linked me, “The Muffin Luna has passed out on our couch after drawing up a business plan and proposal for a bakery.” I snorted.
Bradford kept going, “She’s just not like normal drunk girls.
” I agreed, “There’s nothing normal about my mate.
” I left and went to go get Melanie. I carried her back to our room.
Elise linked me the next morning, “Is Melanie up? There’s a Luna meeting. I don’t know if Sierra got a chance to tell her about it.” I asked, “Where is it?” Elise said, “Well, we are getting popped in because it’s in Kentucky. Sierra said Melanie has a holoport she can use to drive there.”
I snorted, “If she’ll drive.” Elise acknowledged, “Fair point. Just tell Mel when she wakes up, please.” I kissed her forehead and went to my office after leaving a note for her to come find me. After an hour, I felt her panic.
I linked my mate, “What’s wrong?” Melanie replied, “I just looked at my calendar… and I’m late! I’m never later… unless there’s an emergency!” I assured my wife, “Everyone understood. Sierra said you had a holoport you could use to drive.”
Melanie snorted, “Then I’m taking my motorcycle. I’m done with cars… and if someone wrecked the car you bought me, I’d have to commit murder… possibly mass murder…. and I’d be even later than I am now.” I snickered and kept doing paperwork.
Dad, Dylan, Uncle Bjourn, and my Werewolf uncles walked in with Lucas. I looked at EJ who shrugged. Dylan squealed, “Sooo, this is full of intrigue and I’m excited. What do you need us for?” I asked, “What are you talking about?”
Gage said, “Yeah, and why isn’t this giving me warm fuzzies? Phil? Did a Gamma just not get read in?” Phil said, “I have no idea what’s going on.” Our allies came onto the screen. Dalton asked, “What’s the emergency meeting for?” Dread filled me.
Melanie’s determination filled our bond.
I linked her, “Mel?” My mate answered, “I’m working on it.
” I asked, “Working on what? Did you send out an emergency meeting?” Melanie answered, “No… but just so you know, everyone thinks EJ did. The text piggy backed off his phone. I sent the information to Micah…. to try and track down.”
I closed my eyes explaining, “EJ, they think you texted them.” Dylan hummed, “Can we go to a fun place where MelAshley did that so we could watch her open her presents?” I replied, “Melanie didn’t do it, but she knows about it.”
Dad growled. EJ popped and was thrown back. I frowned asking, “Where did you try to go?” EJ gritted his teeth answering, “Elise.” My eyes widened and Dylan jumped up. A video call came in. Gage quickly accepted.
The territory our mates were in came up and all of them were outside. Our watches beeped black. Great. What did that mean? Oden said, “People on that end know.” Sierra, Paige, Abigail, Avery, Olivia, and Valentina screamed, “GET DOWN!” Everyone did.
Then, to our astonishment, Dylan ran onto the screen. Dylan growled, “OHHHHHHH HELL TO THE NO! They are using my likeness, and I did NOT approve of this! I am offended at the highest of levels!” We heard the roar of a motorcycle.
I asked dad, “Where is mom?” Dad growled, “She’s with them.” I didn’t see her on screen yet. Buttercup yelled, “Daddy, get down!” The fake Dylan yelled, “I’m coming to you, baby. Just stay there!” Shots started to ring out, aimed at the girl’s hiding spots. Return fire was coming from off screen.
Buttercup screamed, “DAD, LOOK OUT!” My sister in law jumped up and began to run. Our Dylan yelled, “NO, BABY!” Wesley snarled and tried to pop to Buttercup, but he was thrown back. I grabbed him by the shoulders.
I said confidently, “Melanie is going to get there. Wesley growled, “I WILL TEAR THEM TO PIECES!” Melanie yelled, “BUTTERCUP, NO! STOP!” Buttercup was running towards the man she thought was her dad with everything in her.
The fake Dylan held out his arms to her with a smirk on his face. Lacy ran into the room on their end at a dead run and snarled, “I WILL FUCKING KILL THEM!” I asked, “Why aren’t you there?” Lacy frowned, “Emmaline said…”
Emmaline interrupted, “No, you said….” Dad interrupted, “Neither of you fucking said shit to the other via text. Lacy would’ve known that wasn’t Dylan immediately. The Ring didn’t want you guys there.” Lacy snarled.
Right before Buttercup reached the fake Dylan, Melanie flashed onto the screen and tackled Buttercup to the ground. Fake Dylan screamed in pain as a shot went through his shoulder. Right where Buttercup’s head would’ve been.
Buttercup screamed, “DAD, NO! DAD! LET ME GO, Melanie!” My wife willingly took several punches from Buttercup as she dragged our sister in law away to cover. EJ linked, “Thank god Melanie is refusing to let go.” Agreed.
Wesley snarled in anger. I heard my mom yell, “DYLAN!” I watched in horror as my mom popped next to him.
Melanie yelled, “NO!” Mom put her hands out and the fake Dylan blew something in her face.
Surprise, then realization that he wasn't our Dylan, flashed across her face before she passed out cold.
Magic reverberated all around us. My bond was trying to yank me to my mom through our empathetic connection. My siblings and I bent down as the call to go to our mother was so strong. I heard my Uncle Aiden yelling on the other end of the video call now.
I tried to pop to them, but I was thrown. How did Uncle Aiden get close enough? Dad yelled, “NO!” He broke the table, and I turned to see what was going on. I saw the fake Dylan had pulled out a dagger. He was going to stab my mom. Oden snarled and roared in anger.
I stared in horror and tried to pop again in vain. I watched as the man went to stab my unconscious mother. Uncle Aiden screamed her name as the wind flew around. Then a blur appeared on the screen. I felt pain radiating through my being.
I heard screams, but I couldn’t breathe as I hit my knees, feeling like I couldn’t breathe if someone paid me to. I looked up and saw my mate on her knees with the dagger sticking out of her stomach. My wife had taken the dagger meant for my mother.
Oden growled in pain and anger. I choked out a breath. How was this happening? Melanie’s labored breathing was ringing in my ears. Dad Alpha Commanded, “Alexander, you breathe right now!” The order had me pulling in a much needed breath.
I stood shouting “We have to get there! We have to do something!” I was tired of helplessly watching this shit happen to my mate. Dad replied, “I know the feeling you feel quite well, and I’m sorry for it. Your Uncle Aiden is there and the Hackura. Blade will get to your mother and mate.”
KJ, Fowler, and Chason were probably there too. They would’ve had Melanie’s schedule, but I had to get there. I needed to stop seeing this shit happen to my mate.