He didn’t continue, which meant my father in law didn’t intend to tell us. Fine. I knew that this game was going to teach us all with Hackura blood how to catch the Resistance. Uncle Bjourn wasn’t trying to catch them at all because he was observing along my Grandpa Titus.
After several hours of chasing them around we’d only caught Mason, but I was pretty sure he took pity on us. Oden grumbled, “We need to catch mate.” I knew that. I sat down and closed my eyes. I was going use my ridiculously good hearing to listen to them.
Then my mate slammed into me as the scent of strawberries and rum hit me. Melanie tapped my shoulder saying, “Hi, Xander.” My eyes snapped open. My wife snickered, “I told you guys you wouldn’t catch us unless we crawled into your lap and said hi.” Her friends were all laughing.
All their mates were wrapped around them. I caged Melanie in my arms acknowledging, “You did say that.” Dylan yelled, “Hell yes MelAshley did!” I slammed my lips on hers. Jason yelled, “Come on! I don’t want to see that.”
Melanie pulled away to shout, “Then go home, Jase!” Her lips were back on mine and I couldn’t hide my smile. Jason grumbled, “Well, I wanted to see you open your presents and spend time with you.” If Melanie heard him, she didn’t reply.
When I pulled back, I stood up and walked back inside with my arm wrapped around her shoulder. Mom announced, “I feel the need to point out that none of you tried to pop to them.” My eyes widened in shock. Oden huffed, “Well, I’m a wolf.” I snorted, “Whose been with me my entire life.”
I linked Gage and Phil, “Where was that idea from you two?” Gage snorted, “Oh, I’m sorry my mate got IN on the game and my wolf was on the PROWL to hunt our mate down.” Phil said, “Yeah, I need this party to end because I am primed for claiming my mate.”
Melanie snickered, “We still would’ve gotten away. The Hackura were portalling to Kingsley’s phone.” I laughed, “Did Kingsley have her phone?” Melanie winked, “No, we were passing it around.” I snorted, “Of course you were.”
Melanie asked, “Why didn’t you pop to us?” EJ answered, “We are used to not being able to pop to you guys, especially you.” Melanie shrugged, “You could’ve now.” Elise laughed. Drake said, “Jared was popping to you guys, but you did get away.” So, that had been part of his plan he didn’t share.
Melanie winked, “Told ya we’d still get away.” Uncle Bjourn asked, “How much did you all practice that?” Melanie said, “Oh… ummm… well… a lot. We’ve spent hours practicing. I usually make everyone try to… run from me. I’m a lot better at catching people than you guys though… like a lot.”
I tickled her sides and my wife squealed with laughter. Paige smiled at me from Dalton’s arms. Oden linked, “Why on earth are we still down here? Go claim mate.” I answered him, “She’s drunk.” Oden reasoned, “Freya and I aren’t.” Well, he and Freya could discuss that later.
Dylan said, “How fun. Back to my questions, which you are just answering.” Melanie replied, “That’s what people usually do when one asks a question.” Cayden snorted, “Not you.” Melanie frowned, “That was different! I thought you guys would go away…. if I answered your questions.”
Cayden sighed, “That wouldn’t have happened.” Melanie said, “Well, obviously I know that now. Hindsight… and all… is a thing… but I didn’t want you to go away… and I was so helpful… like not to brag… but I was kind of the best Hackura source ever… not that I checked… to be super confident in that answer.” Her voice squeaked so high I nearly winced.
My mate whispered to me, “I totally checked… and I’m right.” I chuckled, “We all knew you checked because you can’t lie when drunk either. It’s actually worse.” Melanie snickered, “I think being around good people is making me be worse at it. Which… is silly…but no one gets made when I lie now… you guys smirk… so much smirking.” Because it was hilarious.
Dylan asked, “How did you start your super secret fun getting away from our resident Creepy Ninja Assassins who are an oh so competitive group?” Melanie laughed, “I bet they’d be able to catch some of us now. The ones who didn’t join the game watched us…. and the ones playing were learning strategies.”
Hastein commented, “You are too smart.” Melanie said, “I don’t know how one could be too smart… that’s not a thing that… besides T and dad could catch some too… since… T is pretty good at stuff like that…which… I always said… and…”
Hastein interrupted, “Cousin.” I kissed Melanie. Dylan snorted, “Mini Moody enjoys that too much.” I pulled back agreeing, “I really do.” Dylan said, “Annnnnddd back to my question.” I noticed the McAlister’s had all returned and were interested in this answer.
Melanie said, “Oh well, I was forced to fight in the Undergrounds and realized there was this big group of people already…. like super pissed off at the Ring. I had given away all my money… previously … after purchasing… land and lying stones… commemorating people who didn’t die…. like a crazy person.”
I interrupted, “It wasn’t crazy. You were honoring your parents and your brother.” Melanie hummed, “Over a lie. I did give a lot of money away to good charities… then I was like… let’s start this whole Resistance.”
“Which… would’ve been helpful… with my money… but good causes and all. I talked with Mason and Hendrick about what I wanted to do… and they fronted me the money… because I blackmailed Edward into giving them all the money.. .that he owed them… which… was justified when you think about it.”
“I only had to blackmail Edward because he was doing bad things… and stealing from them. The Resistance just started with meetings in the bunker below the diner. I was forced towork with the Hunters …. and used that to start growing a network as Red One.”
“That was easy because I knew what packs those people were coming from so I would visit them. That was much easier after I became the Female Lead Warrior. Then I was sent to some more places…by myself… because I ran the pack…with Buck…and me the team decided to send me to people.”
“When I met Cayden and Micah… it was super helpful… and I met a bunch of other groups of people… hiding… when I kind of thought they were terrible at it… but it turns out… I see past charms… there’s so much to fix with some that… Then you know word of mouth and what not.”
Uncle Bjourn snorted, “You amassed a group of people by word of mouth.” Melanie said, “Well, yes… but we do have to be careful. You can’t just accept people like the Ring does. We have people undercover with them…. and they have no freaking clue.”
“All because they just accept people. It’s a little rude… when you consider the EXTENSIVE backgrounds… I give people… only for them not to even check. Barely even a cursory look. The Resistance actually vet people…. because I’m aware the Ring would love nothing more than to have our plans and know our faces.”
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 yourphone … 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.
