No Time to Plan #6
My brother and his wife have blinders where that boy is concerned. I fear that may be their downfall. I’ve done what I can do there though. I have told him the truth about his son. He either does something or not. I believe he won’t.
It brings me back to what do I do? Do I stay here and help rule as a Holloran? Or do I go into the unknown where my path is unclear? Can I let this happen? Can I not? If I don’t go will everyone be safe? Altering memories would be the only way to make everyone safe.
Maybe I can have both. Maybe I can alter memories, leave, but still return to Faerie. I did need to stay close to Alania. I could have both. Couldn’t I?
Aeidelyn Holloran
People were talking around me, but my mind was swirling. Was it Aeidelyn or her sister that had an O’Toole mate? One of them clearly did. I knew from reading that Aeidelyn loved her sister. She practically raised her because the Holloran’s were planning their take over.
If her sister had an O’Toole mate and they met… in battle or something…. or even spying… Fairies were curious by nature… then Aeidelyn’s sister would’ve told her. That could be her struggle. Or was it Aeidelyn herself that had an O’Toole mate?
She was obviously the reason no one talked about her or her sister. They didn’t remember her. Aiden probably never met her. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Aeidelyn was the one Alania confessed to about her children being the promised siblings.
Aeidelyn already knew how to manipulate Alania…
and she admitted that. She probably didn’t even try that hard to manipulate Alania about the promised siblings.
She simply told Alania how dangerous it was for her children.
Because that was true… it was dangerous, because of the people coming for them.
Alexander nudged me and I looked up in surprise. Valentina laughed, “It’s just how Mel is with research, Alexander.” I frowned asking, “What?” Xander answered, “Our nephews have been born.” I quickly shut the book and stood up.
We walked into Elise’s room. EJ proudly introduced, “This is Alex Nathan Conners and Kaiser Peter Conners.” I walked over and smiled at my nephews. I held each one trying to stay focused in the moment, but my mind was wandering.
Xander told his brother, “I’ll take the meeting EJ. You stay here with your mate and pups.” EJ admitted, “I completely forgot about that. I can…” Xander interrupted, “No, you can’t. Stay with your family, big brother. I’ll take Wes and Max.”
What meeting? Gosh…I didn’t like not knowing that type of thing. Cassie and Cayden left, having to get back to their own twins. Xander gave me a kiss before saying, “I’ll be back in a few hours tops.” I replied, “Ok… that’s umm… so …. I need to talk to you about something when you get back.”
I wanted to tell him first… about my discovery. It was his aunt…. with a couple great’s in there. I guess I could tell Haley… No, I should tell Xander first. He winked at me and popped away. It felt like my reason to be here vanished.
I looked around the room where everyone was smiling and talking to each other. Would I have felt more like I belonged here if I’d grown up knowing people in this pack? At this moment…. I felt like an outsider watching everyone. Just like I had been the last seven years. Watching.
Was that truly my place? I shook myself. Where did that even come from? Freya offered, “Years of being on the outside and being hurt by it. We aren’t going to heal or not have those feelings just because we are here now. You need to talk to someone about it though.” I sighed.
I told my wolf, “This moment isn’t about me.
It’s about Elise, EJ, Alex, and Kaiser.” Plus, Alex had obviously been named for Xander.
It was a nice gesture… and I wasn’t going to make it about my issues.
I slipped out of the room, just like I used to in Black Path. So… it’s not like anyone would notice.
I walked out of the hospital then heard a throat clear behind me. I jumped and turned around, completely surprised to see Eric. Freya teased, “They noticed.” Well… that wasn’t the point! They weren’t supposed to… people didn’t care when I left rooms.
I asked, “Umm… aren’t you busy? You just had two new grandpups.
I feel like you’re busy… and…” Eric interrupted, “I am often busy. I recognized that look on your face though. I’ve seen it on my wife’s many times in Faerie, and on occasion in our home when my mother was still alive. You feel like you don’t belong here.”
I opened my mouth, but what could I say? He was right. Eric said, “Melanie McAlister Conners, you belong here. We are your family, this is your pack, and nothing will change that. I know you watched us for a long time from the outside.”
“I can’t say I know how that feels. My wife can speak to that, unfortunately.
You can talk to me if you’d like, or to her, but I do think you should talk to someone.
Haley held those feelings inside her. It caused some insecurities I didn’t fully understand, and it did eventually blow up and come out. ”
“Haley felt terrible about how everything came out. I felt terrible about not seeing how she felt. Aiden was also hurt because my wife felt that way. Feelings are complicated. Insecurities suck ass. Just don’t hold onto them. Talk to someone because you do belong here. You are my daughter in law.”
I smiled softly saying, “Thanks.” Eric asked, “Will you come back inside?” I looked away before saying “I need to keep researching something. It’s big.” Eric laughed, “Isn’t it always when you find something? Do you need a sounding board?”
I shook my head and said, “No… not yet. I’m going to tell Xander when he gets back.” Eric nodded and gave me a hug. I was surprised but hugged him back. My father in law told me, “I’m always here for you if you need something.” Then he went back inside.
Alpha Peter passed him in the doorway. I groaned, “Oh no… you both can’t be out here… you have new grandpups. So… go be there.” Alpha Peter ignored me saying, “You have something you want to look into so you’re testy. You still belong here. Your place was always with Elise.”
I muttered, “People need to stop… noticing me…doing things. People don’t notice me anymore…
but you did… and so did Eric.” Alpha Peter said, “Everyone in that room notices you. You’ve always stood out in a room.
So, if those people didn’t notice you, then they have serious problem.
You’re family Melanie.” Then he walked back inside.
I stood there for a moment trying not to cry before my watch beeped. I looked at it and took off inside. Kingsley had gotten a bite on one of her inquiries. I frowned when I saw it because something seemed off about it. I dug into it and panicked.
Kingsley’s questions had triggered someone… and they’d set a trap. They didn’t know it was Kingsley trying to get information about the Vampire that could compel… but whoever found this inquiry was in the Ring.
They were baiting my friend. My rage box rattled and threatened to burst open.
The Ring thought they could take one of my people?
! One of my friends?! Freya offered, “She’s also the Hackura’s future Queen.
That’s suicide.” Yes, it was… because Hastein would rage with me…
and he’d totally love lid off the rage box Melanie… in that instance.
I quickly called Kingsley on her emergency only phone, but she didn’t answer.
I grumbled, “Dang it, Kingsley! Now is so not the time…. to have your phone off.” I called Xander but he didn’t answer.
I checked Kingsley’s location… she was in the Hackura realm.
Ok. I could work with that. Then she left… no… that was no good.
I huffed, “Why don’t I have Hastein’s phone number memorized?
!” I didn’t have time to hack and find it.
Freya said, “You could contact Kingsley on her watch. Or use ILYX to contact Hastein.” Yes…
but then Kingsley would go to the meet… probably.
.. and they couldn’t get their hands on her to be curious about her Supernatural side.
I hit my desk with my hand and called Xander again and left a message. I called Cayden but he didn’t answer either. I kicked my desk in frustration and a card floated to the ground. He said he’d answer if I called.
It rang once before the answer came, “This is Aaron Crawford.” I said, “I know that… I called you. I don’t understand why people answer the phone that way.
OH MY GOD MELANIE… now is NOT the time! You need to get to Hastein.
He needs to get to Kingsley right now! He has to stop her or she’ll be blown! ”
Aaron was instantly alert, “Hastein is in the gym and I just left there. We’ll get to future Queen Kingsley.” I said, “Good… that’s good.” Aaron was clearly running as he asked, “What are you going to do? Couldn't you get to her?”
I pointed out, “Hastein can get to her faster.” Aaron said, “I’ve been around a lot of Fairies, Melanie. That was evasive.” It was… but that was because I had visions… and he didn’t. I knew how I was going to bait the Ring. I was going to show up instead of Kingsley.
Freya reasoned, “We need to talk this through with mate.” I argued, “I called him… but he’s not answering the phone.” Freya said, “Then pull him to us.” She had a point, but then my husband wouldn’t let me go.
My mate would say we didn’t have enough time to plan. That was part of the allies problem. They wanted to plan things thoroughly. They didn’t always take the opportunity in front of them, and it was a miscalculation on their part.
I hung up on Aaron. I’m sure that would… get me in trouble… but it would be later. I took a deep breath and jumped out the window in my office as Xander’s guard ran in. I had a few steps on them. I just needed to get to the holoport before they did.