Changing #7
Dad growled, “I understand that. You had no idea who the Resistance was though when you blamed that first murder on them. I understand you didn’t know it was Melanie who gave you permission, but she could’ve come for you when she figured out the first one was you.”
I sighed, “I studied the Resistance Leader before I did that. I knew that either they’d out me to allies, or not say anything.
It was likely they weren’t going to say anything.
There were days I toyed with mentioning I had an in with the group everyone wanted, but ultimately I didn’t. ” For some reason.
Dad growled, “That was a calculated risk that could’ve cost your life.” I had a reply on the tip of my tongue, but we should discuss it in person. I told him, “I have answers, but we should talk about it in person.” Dad agreed, “Yes, we should.”
I sighed, “Odette’s asleep, and I don’t want to slip out just in case she wakes up. I don’t want her worrying that anything that came out about Luke made me think anything bad about her.” Dad conceded, “That’s understandable. Take care of your mate, son.”
I winced, “I love you, old man.” Dad replied, “I love you too, Keaton. Get some sleep and know this conversation isn’t over. I’m damn proud of you even though I am ROYALLY pissed off.” Fair enough. I managed to close my eyes even though I was worried my family might kick my ass tomorrow.
I woke up to whispering and opened my eyes, finding Odette and Melanie on the couches. I asked, “Is this going to happen a lot?” Odette giggled. Melanie stammered, “I mean… probably… well… this is uhh… different and…” That was too many words for the morning.
I snorted, “Good lord, where is Alexander?” Odette laughed, “Why?” Melanie sighed, “They all want him to be around…. to kiss me…. so I’ll stop talking.” Odette shrugged, “We usually just let Mel ramble.” Alexander popped in and kissed her.
The man boasted, “So I’ve heard, but I love being on call to kiss my beautiful mate.” I asked, “How did you know?” Channing snorted, “I told Oden.” Alexander winked at me. Melanie picked at her sleeve, “So… we actually have a meeting to get to.”
I sighed, “With my family? How pissed are they?” Melanie winced, “Uh, no… with some other people… I didn’t have time to check on your family… but I’d guess… angry. I don’t know why people get so pissy about the people we kill secretly.”
“I said you were practically…. a Resistance member by proxy. I mean we couldn’t tell you who we were…. but I knew what you were doing. I had your back… that’s a thing. I don’t know why they are so mad… other than they didn’t know…. people are so testy about not knowing things.”
“Anyway, Xander should pop us to the gym. That’s where we are meeting the others…. then he can pop us to a treehouse before anyone sees us. Because…. that’s super important to my plan… in like… every facet.”
I frowned, “What’s going on?” Odette winced. Alexander titled his head, “I have a meeting, Lovebug.” Odette squealed, “AWWWW! I didn’t think it would get more adorable, but it does! Your family called you Ladybug, so he calls you Lovebug. That’s the sweetest thing ever.”
I smirked and got up, pulling my mate into my arms. Melanie picked at her sleeve, “I kind of… blocked off your calendar… so... you’re free for this meeting.” Alexander snorted, “Phil has been bamboozled again. I’ll have to tell him.”
Melanie shrugged, “Phil’s…. upgraded software is good…. but I actually wrote the code.” I snorted, “WHAT?!” Melanie sighed, “The company most of you use… I own it.” Alexander threw his head back and laughed.
I linked Emmett, “Get ready for this.” Emmett growled, “Oh joy. What news do you have? Did you go on a mass murdering spree? No, no, your mate is pregnant. I am fast enough I can get there before the meeting we have scheduled to stop Nathan from killing you. He’s still in a mood that he’ll get over, but that would put him over the edge. You’re on your own with mom.”
I snorted, “No, Odette’s not pregnant.” I didn’t think so anyway. I told my brother, “The scary techy Muffin Luna owns a security software system.” Emmett was silent then said, “Don’t even tell me.” I replied, “It’s whichever one Phil just upgraded to.”
Emmett said, “I’ll ask Malachi, I’ll just bet we use it. Jesus ever loving Christ. I’m glad she likes us.” Me too. Emmett asked, “So, you did not go on a killing spree, correct?” I snorted, “No.” Emmett retorted, “I don’t think you get to use that tone.” Probably not.
Alexander popped us to the gym. I raised an eyebrow seeing the group. Drake McAlister, Dylan, Tristan, Jason, and Caleb Kruthers. Ok. This wasn’t good. Matt walked in, “Sorry I’m late.” I raised both eyebrows.
Matt shrugged and linked, “I’m as confused as you are. My phone went off letting me know I had a meeting. I just calmed your dad down like three hours ago.” I winced, “That’s my bad.” Matt agreed, “Yes, it really was Keaton. Clara is reviewing all things she knows.” Oops.
Alexander popped us to his treehouse, “Ok Mel, what’s going on?” Melanie looked at Odette, “That room is soundproof…or Xander can make it soundproof… if it’s not… but I think it is…. if you want to take Keaton in there to explain.”
Odette sighed, “I don’t know how to say it.
” Melanie winced, “Ok…. That’s…. I got this.
I totally got this. I can say things… with tact.
No…. I actually can’t. That’s why we are all gathered, because Odette can see the past …
. and she found out something that…. we need this group to figure out how… to break to the larger group.”
Haley popped in before Melanie could continue, “Sorry I’m late.” Odette linked me, “What’s that smell all over Haley?” I snorted, “Your brother. They were having sex.” Odette made a horrified face while Melanie began picking at her sleeve.
I looked at Odette, but it was obvious whatever Odette saw, she didn’t want to tell us herself. My mate’s lips were literally locked together. Channing said, “Tatum is locked up.” Well, this was bad. Odette was even looking at the ground.
I pulled my mate into me. Melanie sighed, “Ok, so Odette saw… well frankly… a lot we need to talk about…. but one that we need everyone’s help for is…Well, we have to break bad news… about the Daniels.”
I stiffened, “What?” Melanie winced, “Well, there’s…
this whole plot that goes back to Cassandra…
.” Haley snorted, “Of fucking course it does.” Melanie winced, “This one wasn’t as bad…
I mean, other Luna’s would’ve done the same.
Not you or me because… choices. Cassandra was a new future Luna. She was trying to protect Nathan and…”
I asked, “How would you know that if Odette saw it?” Odette replied, “I don’t even know who Cassandra is, she wasn’t in Melanie’s stories.
” Melanie sighed, “Because I hate her… which is tame… really, for my feelings. Ok, so I did… a thing… last night… into this morning… I have more information. That’s not the point. ” It felt like it might be.
Alexander pulled Melanie into his lap and rubbed circles on her back.
Dylan held up a finger as he continued to drink his coffee.
When he finished, he said, “Ahhhh. Ok Dylan has had his coffee. My Beta brain is fired up. What must we break to the Daniels group that Cassandra did? Because is anyone surprised? Matt? No? Yeah, it’s always her. How about you, Drake?”
Drake winced. Dylan said, “That’s a no. Nothing you tell us will surprise us, MelAshley.
” Odette snorted, clearly not agreeing. Melanie rolled her eyes, “Sure… because telling you that Cassandra aligned with Harpies… to help Nathan defeat his dad… which… for the record…. he didn’t end up needing…
led to a grudge match that led to Frank’s first mate, Emma Daniels being murdered…
would be something you expect and…” Melanie gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. Breath left my body.
Haley’s jaw dropped while I froze. Matt inhaled sharply. Keith linked me, “Ok, I’m having twin intuition going haywire. What’s wrong? You’re not here in the house. I went up to Odette’s room, and I may have made grandpa, Emmett, dad, and mom come early.”
I replied hoarsely, “I can’t talk right now.” Channing growled, “HOW DARE THEY!” No joke. Harpies killed my Grandma Emma! I looked at Odette, “You saw my grandma Emma die?” Odette shook her head, “No, that actually wasn’t in the past. The guy who kidnapped me told me.”
I growled, “That’s what they meant that you knew too much. They were going to wipe your memory!” Haley snorted, “Which they couldn’t have fucking done without Sherman because Odette is a Royal.”
Odette whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
Drake said, “I am as well, but you were talking about things in the past. That didn’t have anything to do with seeing the past.” Melanie winced, “The Harpies…. are still trying to get into the Daniels pack.” What?
Melanie continued, “Odette saw Haley in a coma… when Xander was ten…. Which everyone knows… mostly. So… that was Harpy magic…. they were trying to kill Lexi Daniels…. to bring Chase a new mate with Harpy blood.” I snarled, “WHAT?!”
Channing roared, “MOM IS IN DANGER!” Yeah, I would get a lot of people on that. Keith linked, “Me again. Twin senses going HAYWIRE! I’m going to need something here. A sliver, and offering, if you would.” I replied, “Get people on mom. NOW!” Keith growled, “On that.”
Odette grabbed my hand. I snarled, “We are saying Harpies are after my mother?!” Odette whispered, “No, they got someone else into your pack. They went after you next.” I frowned, “Huh?” Odette told me, “Lisa is a Harpy.” Everything clicked into place.
I was never interested in her, I was coerced to be.
Channing muttered, “Honestly, thank god.”
Odette continued, “I did a thing at my apartment one night. I called Caspian because we kissed and you froze. You thought we had this intense sexual experience in my Deadpool outfit, but we didn’t. I kissed you and you froze while Sassy hissed.”