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 noidea 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.
Drunk Melanie
Melanie looked around the room of her surprise party. I couldn’t help but be excited. Dylan Frost practically materialized beside me with a drink. His eyes were bright and excited. I shrugged and took a drink of what tasted like Hawaiian punch, which I loved.
Freya said, “With a little something extra.” That’s weird. I didn't taste any alcohol, but Xander confirmed there was some in this drink. Oh well. I could have a few drinks. It was my twenty-first birthday, and I hadn’t celebrated since I was fourteen.
I also wasn’t going to deny myself a kiss from my mate on my birthday. It had been my birthday wish for quite some time to have a kiss from Xander. I saw my parents leave, but I hadn’t even gotten to say hi yet. I frowned, hoping they’d come back.
Dylan said, “No, no. This will not do. The birthday girl cannot be sad. Turn that frown upside down. Have a drink.” I shrugged and chugged it. Dylan clapped, “That’s the spirit, MelAshley! I shall bring you another. Consider me your birthday cup bearer.” He left.
I linked Sierra, “Is Dylan Frost trying to get me drunk?” Sierra answered, “It seems several people would like to see Drunk Melanie.” I snorted replying, “It’s been a while since she came out. They already know about the Resistance and that I run it. What’s the harm in Drunk Melanie making an appearance?” Sierra clapped and high-fived Paige.
I rolled my eyes at them because they were being silly. I linked Tristan, “Umm so mom and dad left… and…” Tristan jumped in, “They just left the house, they are still here.” I asked,“So, is everyone here except the Haskins?” Tristan replied, “They must be here.”
