Freya whispered, “Melanie.” I shrugged, “But… it’s definitely fair you were mad at the fake me for the decline… because.. well one… I’d have come… and it’s horrible to decline…. Two… I’m mad at whoever impersonated you guys saying… ummm…. quite harshly I could not come to your ceremonies.” I wished I didn’t flash to those times, but I did.
Flashback
Melanie whispered, “Pick up, pick up.” MaryBeth answered, “I hope this isn’t Melanie and you’re calling to say she died.” Ichoked, “Umm… no… it’s me… and I was just… well your mating ceremony is this weekend and…”
Marybeth growled, “Don’t ruin this for me.” I gasped, “I don’t want to! I was just wondering…. If I could come… and…” Marybeth snarked, “If you come in a casket like my brother, then sure.” I cried, “MaryBeth, please.” MaryBeth snarked, “Just die, Melanie. That’s all we want from you.” She hung up.
I stared at my phone pleading with myself, “Don’t make the call, Melanie.” I still punched in the number for Melinda. My other Aunt answered with a scoff, “I can’t believe you called me after MaryBeth clearly told you our feelings. You’re supposed to be smart.”
I replied, “Umm… you know I’m a genius.” Melinda snorted, “I think you’re an utter moron. You’re not coming to my Mating Ceremony either. Ok? Just stop. This is utterly pathetic. We don’t want anything to do with your trash ass. Stop trying to ruin happy moments for us like you haven’t taken enough from us.” She hung up.
A sob bubbled up in my chest. I grabbed a vodka bottle and chugged. I screamed, “I DIDN’T TAKE ANYTHING!” I looked at the picture of our whole family, extended and all. I pointed at them, “You guys took everything! I lost them too and then I lost you! You’re so mean and I didn’t do anything.”
I threw the vodka bottle and watched it shatter like a perfect depiction for my heart. I slid down the wall and sobbed. I cried, “I was supposed to stand with you… we promised. You guys break every single promise to me! I MATTER TOO! I WANT MY LIFE BACK!” I punched the nightstand in front of me and curled into a ball and sobbed. I would never get my family back, and their hatred would remain all-consuming until I died.
Flashback Ends
MaryBeth brought me back to the present asking, “You hacked into the cameras to watch our Mating Ceremonies?” I snorted, “Of course I did. You guys were two of my best friends and my aunts. I didn’t want to miss yours like I missed Jase’s… we were supposed to stand together… and stuff...”
I kept stirring before adding, “Well, I guess I didn’t miss Jase’s. I missed T’s…but I didn’t know that. I technically did see Jason’s…just through binoculars at a distance…but I still saw it. Hmmm, I need to figure out a way to watch T’s.”
“I bet it was recorded….so I could find that. That’s a thing I could do. I bet it was pretty. Everly is pretty. I’m trying not to be mad at her for the things she didn’t say… but her letters were really mean. They wouldn’t let me meet Kai and…” I wiped a tear away.
MaryBeth said, “Ladybug, they wanted you to meet Kai so badly and Everly always wanted to meet you.” I said, “She’s probably underwhelmed since I barely speak to her… and anytime we make progress… we go backwards. We did run as a family… so there’s that.”
Melinda chimed in, “Everly understands, Ladybug. Hell, we all do.” I asked, “Do you? Some days I don’t. We go from fine to not… and it feel like whiplash… because you guys are the same… and I feel like you’re worried it’s you… but it’s me… so I don’t get it… why sometimes it’s fine… then it’s not… because my brain just works differently.” I really didn’t. It was all so hard.
Melinda said, “Your brain has always worked on such a high level, like my brother.” She meant my dad. MaryBeth said, “Also, it’s not weird. We get glimpses of the us we were and the one that will come, but we can’t pretend everyone isn’t hurt. Grief and hurt doesn’t work like that.” That was true.
We put the cookies in the oven. MaryBeth changed the subject, “You should have a bakery.” I shrugged, “I’m too busy to run a bakery… full time anyway. I have more time now… butnot to run a bakery… that’s so much work. I know people think I could do it; however, logically it just wouldn’t work. There’s the day to day of running a business I just don’t have time for. I mean I run the Resistance…”
Melinda interrupted, “Which is super impressive.” I smiled saying, “Thank you. Then there’s being a Luna. I need to train on my white wolf powers… I really need to start that. I should probably start with TJ. Sometimes people’s strong emotions nearly knock me down.”
“TJ has had to help me multiple times. Why haven’t I talked to him? Hmm… I have been pretty busy. Being newly mated… and spying on people… is kind of a lot. Then I dance more… and run… then things keep happening…. one after another… in dramatic fashion.”
The cookies beeped in the oven. I pulled them out and MaryBeth grabbed one, blew on it until it cooled, then ate it. My Aunt moaned, “God, these are so good. Karina’s are the only cookies I’ve tasted this fluffy.” I gasped, “Karina! That’s perfect! Brilliant, MaryBeth! Come on guys!”
Melinda asked, “Where?” MaryBeth chuckled, “Who cares? She wants us to come with her, let’s go!” I could hear them chasing after me. I spotted Chason first. He was with a little boy and a pretty woman. I called, “Hey, Chason! I’m looking for Karina. Do you know where she and Bradford live?”
I bent down asking, “Who is this little cutie? You look like your dad… so I’m guessing you’re Chason’s son. OHHH that means you're his mate! Hi, I’m Melanie. You are SO pretty! What’s your name?” Freya snorted, “You know the answer.” I did.
Desiree laughed then confirmed, “Thank you and I’m Desiree.” I said, “Well, Desiree, thank you for letting your mate follow me around because mine is overprotective and whatnot.I mean really… I don’t need him to follow me around, I’m perfectly capable.”
“But Chason is a good fighter though. So… I know why Xander picked him. I think he could be a Male Lead Warrior if he wanted to. Do you want to, Chason? Of the fighters I’ve fought here I’d say you’re top three, and Fowler is up there with you.”
“Cory is good too. So are his brothers… but they are in EJ’s pack and you’re in Xander’s… and mine… I guess it’s ours… so that’s an adjustment… I did know you were in his though. I have you marked with a probability of being the Male Lead Warrior if you wanted it.”
Chason laughed, “How many drinks have you had?” I admitted, “I don’t know. Dylan Frost just handed me drink after drink because it’s my birthday. I’m even twenty-one. Humans would even approve of my drunken state because it’s legal. Look at me being above board… doing legal things… this is odd… I am not usually above board about things.” Chason snorted.
Desiree said, “Happy Birthday Muffin Luna.” I snorted, “It’s just Melanie for you… and I totally pulled off already knowing you…without you finding out.” Several people snorted. I nudged my guard saying, “Seriously Chason… you lucked out. She’s so pretty.” I touched her face.
Melinda urged, “Uhh Mel, let’s not do that.” I said, “K and H do it…a lot. Plus, I’m right… I mean Chason’s not Xander but on the attractive scale he’s on it. He’s cute… she’s so pretty though! What is your skincare routine? Your face is flawless.” Chason laughed and so did Desiree.
The little boy gasped, “Momma, you said she’s the Muffin Luna! You make the best muffins EVER!” I laughed, “Well thank you, little man.” He puffed out his chest and said, “I’m Tyler.” I smiled, “Nice to meet you, Tyler… I totally didn’t know that was your name already.” MaryBeth groaned, “Stop lying.”I whispered, “You shush… I’m pulling things off.” MaryBeth smirked at me.
Chason’s pup said, “Bradford and Karina live in the pack house. Karina babysits me sometimes. They are going to apply for a cottage soon.” I tapped his nose saying, “Thank you little man named Tyler… that I totally just discovered your name…right now… when you told me.” I turned to Chason and Desiree.
I waved, “Bye, guys! Good to see you.” Chason said, “You as well. Happy Birthday, Melanie.” I yelled over my shoulder, “Thanks, Chason! See you around. Please do bring me your mates skincare routine. She should put out a memo for all the she wolves… I could make her money… it’s my thing.”
