Unexpected Homecoming #2
Hastein came and sat by me. I told my cousin, “I still haven’t heard about the sword.” Hastein laughed, “If you knew about the sword, I’d have a talk with you about pleasing your mate, cousin. You’d have been doing it wrong if you had a talk about my mate’s sword. That she loves by the way.”
I told him, “It’s cool.” Dylan agreed, “Yes, the flame is so cool. The flame of a…” The man intentionally trailed off. Hastein laughed, “That wasn’t even subtle.” Dylan snorted, “Who was being subtle? I can’t get anyone to slip up. I’ll solve this mystery, I will.”
Hastein commented, “When you see her other side, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Until then, I seriously doubt it.” Dylan gasped, “You wound me so Creepy Crown Prince Ninja Assassin.” Hastein shrugged, “I don’t really care.”
Dylan now looked positively scandalized. The man shouted, “SGAP these youngsters have no respect!” Dad laughed, “He does for me.” Hastein nodded. Dylan sighed, “I didn’t focus enough on the Creepy Ninja Assassins. I left them up to SGAP’s devices. I have no one to blame but myself.”
Hastein said, “Sure. Just forget that I was an adult when I met Uncle Eric. I’m older than my aunt too. I was a grown ass man when my Aunt and Uncle met.” Dylan replied, “I hear a whisper on the wind talking nonsense with facts.” Hastein rolled his eyes saying, “Let’s go get our mates, cousin.”
We got up and went upstairs where Kingsley had a file. Hastein muttered, “Your mate and her files. She’s so cute.” Yes, she was. Hastein was impressed with Melanie’s system. I could tell he didn’t expect her to do all the things she’d done. I wasn’t surprised though.
Melanie was always thorough. EJ linked me, “Come back downstairs. We are all sitting here talking and you guys are missing.” I led our group of four back downstairs.
I couldn’t help but look around the room and think this is how it should always be.
This room was filled with so much love and laughter.
I held Melanie tightly to my side and kissed the top of her head.
The next few weeks flew by making plans for the big Alpha meeting. The day of, I was surprised when I woke up before Melanie. I got ready then kissed my mate before I left. I knew Melanie wanted to come. Hell, I wanted her to come.
It was only two days though. What could go wrong in two days? Grandpa was coming in three days. Mom had a huge party planned for his return and I knew she was excited. I popped us outside and we loaded into the car. I watched until my wife faded from my line of sight, then huffed.
Maverick groaned, “God, he’s going to be so annoying. At least this time we’ll know why.” Theo said, “As if you won’t be as bad.” Maverick grumbled, “There’s going to be a lot of people there. I don’t want Olivia to feel overwhelmed.”
I countered, “I don’t want the Supernatural Council to try and abduct my mate.” Oden growled. Maverick said, “Melanie would just electrocute them and then we could pop her away. Or she’d kill them in some spectacular fashion. It would’ve been fun.”
I snorted because my brother probably wasn’t wrong, it would’ve.
Elise chimed in, “Nah, Melanie would’ve talked them into a corner and they would’ve tried to retaliate.
In doing so they would have admitted something Alexnader, Haley or Eric could kill them for.
” That was just as likely. Oden agreed, “It probably depends on mate’s mood. ”
When we got out of the cars mom had a look on her face. She looked at her phone and her frown deepened, but she didn’t say anything. Dad studied her. I felt our connection, but mom was locked down tight. That didn’t bode well.
I linked her, “Mom?” She answered, “Alexander.” I growled because she knew what I was asking. She went inside. I linked, “Dad?” He replied, “I don’t know, son.” Melanie felt surprised about whatever was going on. It might even be more than that.
EJ gripped my shoulder saying, “Someone will call if we need to go home, focus on what we are doing here.” I nodded and pushed everything aside. Gage and Phil were worried and at a loss too. I could tell. I linked Oden, “You’ll monitor Freya, right?”
Oden answered, “Of course. We’ve been talking, but she’s been quiet.” That was weird. Oden would figure it out though. Oden replied sincerely, “Thank you for the vote of confidence, I will figure it out.” I snorted and walked inside.
We checked into our rooms. I laid down on my temporary bed, already missing Melanie. Oden was restless but he didn’t know why. I got up and went downstairs and met with several new Alphas. They all wanted to meet me.
EJ linked, “You’re popular.” Elise teased me, “Well, if it isn’t Melanie’s Xander.” A voice broke through, “Yes, just the man I want to speak to.” I turned, braced for a fight because I knew that voice. Oden snarled, “He’s ours someday.” Yeah, he would be.
The Supernatural Council Leader was a Vampire named Herman Young. That man was smiling at me. Herman looked around me then frowned before asking, “Where is the woman of the hour?” I asked, “Who would that be?”
Oden snorted, “Evasive.” Yeah, I was going to be a dick to this guy. Herman glared at me before answering, “Your mate. I wished to meet her.” I told him, “My wife isn’t here.” A Demon shimmered in and laughed.
Said Demon commented, “I do love winning money. I knew you wouldn’t bring her, Alpha Alexander. Like father, like son. A lot of people will be upset about that move.” Oden scoffed, “Like we give a single fuck.” Exactly.
I countered, “Like so many of these packs here are upset with you for signing off on their packs being in good standing when they weren’t.
” Several people stiffened. Herman hissed, “You insolent little brat!” A pop sounded.
Mom punched Herman in the gut, then kneed him in the balls, before I put her behind me as EJ stepped beside me.
Herman hissed. Gage gasped down the link and I felt Phil’s fury. I raised an eyebrow saying, “I know you didn’t just hiss at my mother.” Herman spouted like a petulant pup, “She attacked me!” Mom angrily shot back, “You insulted my son. You are LUCKY I didn’t kill you for your disrespect.”
I glanced back and saw that dad had mom in his arms. Mom added, “Maybe if you pulled your head out of your ass and did you goddamn job, you wouldn’t be so embarrassed about the FACT my son stated.”
Herman scoffed, “Maybe if your daughter in law didn’t amass an army, we wouldn’t be here.” I snarled, “Be very care, Herman. You are very close to being an enemy of my family and our allies. As a strategist. I can tell you that’s a very serious error in judgment on your part.”
“You can’t beat us. Even before my mate joined us, you’d have gone down in flames. As you said, we have an army. You have minions who aren’t even loyal to you and can be bought. I have money. You have nowhere near the numbers we do.”
Herman told me, “I’m simply interested in why your mate has an army.” Oden snarled, “He’s lying.” I knew that. Alpha Tao walked up and said, “Because Luna Duchess Melanie saved us. She didn’t ask for an army or anything, really.”
Alpha Tao continued, “Melanie offered to help us and trained us. She has our loyalty because that woman is the one who offered us a helping hand while you turned your backs on us. You won’t find any love in this room. Particularly with how you’re speaking of Luna Duchess Melanie.”
Herman’s jaw ticked before he looked at me. Herman stated, “The Council received interesting information about your mate. We are summoning Melanie to come to us. Your mate will appear or we issue a warrant to arrest her.” I snarled at him.
Gage and Phil moved to my side ready to defend their Luna. EJ grabbed my shoulder before saying with full authority as the Lead Alpha of Black Mountain, “You can’t summon my sister in law. You have to go through the Werewolf Council first.”
My brother paused dramatically, then said, “As my dad hasn’t informed Melanie of such a request, because it’s a request, gentlemen, you’ve gone about this the wrong way.
I’m sure our lawyers will have fun with that.
You know how litigation goes. Now, you’re not likely to get an audience with Melanie for years.
Because I pay our lawyers so much money. Enjoy your evening.” We walked away.
EJ told me, “They are baiting you. They want to take you in for striking them, so Melanie comes for you.” I snorted, “I don’t think they’d like how she’d come for me.
” Elise agreed, “They absolutely wouldn’t.
They would feel stupid, probably owe you an apology based on their own rules, and get their ass kicked. If they didn’t die.”
I saw my parents in a serious link conversation. I could tell mom was pissed. She was in a bad mood for some reason. I shoved that all aside. We spent two days making new alliances and meeting new people. I was mentally exhausted.
I’d texted Melanie but hadn’t gotten much out of her. Everyone here wanted to meet me. I’d met so many damn people because they were all curious about me because of who my wife was. When it was time to go, I couldn’t wait to leave.
We loaded up in the car. The closer we got the more I knew something was wrong. I began to tap my foot. The second EJ parked the car I was practically inside. What I saw stunned me. I yelled, “GRANDPA NATHAN!” I wrapped my arms around him, then smelled the amount of whiskey on him.
I startled, backed up, and took my grandpa in. Then took in the room of haggard, worried faces. I asked, “What happened?” Sierra ignored what I asked, “Nathan, here’s some coffee.” Dad came in and questioned, “Dad, what’s going on?” I looked around realizing who wasn’t here.