Afterwards my family and I stopped tiptoeing around each. We weren’t back to normal…. but we were taking steps to get there. Which was both good… and bad… since my getaway with stuff card appeared to be have expired.
Xander had told Hastein I wanted to talk to Kingsley. I still hadn’t heard from her though. It wasn’t out of character for her, but I really wanted to tell her what I’d found about the sword. I was positive the Princess was her. I kept researching the books I’d brought back from Faerie.
I’d learned a lot… then I came across a passage that made my blood run cold. I read it several times making sure I understood what I was reading. I jumped up and ran out of my office. Sierra yelled, “Mel?” I turned a corner and ran smack into what felt like a brick wall.
I was caught before I fell to the ground. Eric’s concerned eyes met mine. My father in law asked, “Are you ok, Melanie?” I waved, saying, “Fine… uhhh fine.” Eric sighed, “Your voice still squeaks when you lie.”
I winced, “Ok… well. I need Aiden, Haley, Cassie, Cayden and Xander. I was looking for Xander…. Which is silly… I should’ve just linked him. That would’ve made more sense, but I wasn’t thinking clearly and…”
Eric interrupted me, “That book has a lot of colorful page markers. What did you find?” I answered, “I found out why the Ring is after Xander more than anyone else… and I know why they were after Arion. Even if it didn’t look like it.”
I whispered, “I actually think Haley’s kidnapping wasn’t really about Haley much at all. It was about Arion… and makingsure he died. It’s about me and Megan as the mates of the Enforcer’s too. We need to warn Cassie and Cayden.”
Eric frowned asking, “What does this have to do with Cassie and Cayden?” I held up the book, “It’s all in here. The Enforcers… need to be protected. It’s why Aiden and EJ are so… strong and calm.” Eric said, “I have no idea what you mean, but everyone is in my office. I feel like we need privacy for this conversation.”
Freya snorted, “I told Thor he is correct.” That was good, since I was not really capable of calmly and succinctly saying so. I followed Eric down the hall to his office. I found everyone I had requested with additions.
I gulped because Bjourn and Titus were waiting too. Gosh they had intimidating stares. Xander popped to me and kissed my forehead. My husband asked, “What did you find? Dad was vague.” I cupped his face with my hands.
I vowed here and now I would protect him. Like I had been… I just had more information now… and I did better with having all the information. I knew why the Ring was coming for him, and knowledge was power. Power, I intended to use and give to Xander’s Guard.
I knew beyond a shadow of doubt now… that the vision I was having…. was me. I was going to lay a trap because the Ring wanted me for many reasons. One of which was my mate. I was going to destroy them from the inside out for trying to hurt my Xander.
The Enforcers
Alexander teased Melanie about her punishment. I was definitely ready to give it to her. Oden was thrilled in my head, commenting, “This is going to be, fun, Alexander. Freya is very excited.” So was Melanie. My wife’s arousal was filling the room.
Melanie actually tried to argue her point, but I wasn’t having that. I laid the rules out for my mate about her fight. They were very clear. My Warrior’s were punished when they didn’t follow directions. Theirs was just done in the gym or running patrols. My wife got a different version.
Oden chuckled, “A sexy, dominant, fun version.” I couldn’t stop my smirk because my wolf wasn’t wrong. I started by spanking my mate. I worked her close to her climax but didn’t let her come. I popped her to the bedroom and repeated the same.
I teased her body, trying to get her to agree to follow my directives. When my wife somewhat agreed, I gave her what she wanted until we both fell asleep. I came out of the room the next morning into the living area.
EJ said, “I charmed your room to be soundproof since you forgot to do so.” I laughed, “Sorry, big brother.” EJ nodded, “Uh huh. We have several meetings today, but your mate gave us cheat sheets on them all. I’m ridiculously sad we didn’t have her sooner.”
My big brother turned to our dad asking, “Don’t you wish you had her for your meetings back in the day, dad?” Dad didn’t look up from playing with mom’s thigh as he answered, “I received anonymous emails before and after Melanie was kidnapped when I was the Alpha, and then Council Leader on my meetings.”
I asked, “You what?” Dad continued, “Caleb confirmed the information he could as legit. I now assume that it came frommy daughter in law. Before she was kidnapped, they came from different public places with Wi-Fi. After we found out about her skills, I had Caleb check with Gunner. The email IP addresses all came from places Melanie was for her dance competitions.”
I snorted, “Of course they did.” Mom muttered, “His name is Harper’s Boytoy Lover Prince or as Cali prefers, Harper and Cali’s boytoy lover Prince.” We all laughed before we headed downstairs. The rest of our meetings went by smoothly. It was much easier when you had all this detailed information that we couldn’t legally access.
No wonder dad had been able to spend so much more time with my mom at Summit’s the last several years, compared to other Alphas. He had used Melanie’s information. Well, probably not to this degree. Melanie didn’t know how to hack as well as she does now before she’d left. I was beginning to think she had the basics down though before she met Charles.
EJ linked me, “The women are going out for drinks.” I snorted, “Umm no, EJ. Have you seen the amount of men staring at my mate like she’s something they want to eat?” EJ reasoned, “She’s not going with the guys. I have in fact noticed, and all of us have felt your anger about it. Jase and T have growled more at this Summit than they ever have. It was hard not to notice.”
I groaned but didn’t say anything when Melanie did end up going out with the rest of the women. My mate deserved this, and having normal experiences was important to her. Plus, they weren’t going to a Supernatural bar. These jerks would still be here at the hotel.
EJ led me into a private lounge where all the guys were. Emmett came over to me. My friend commented, “My mate likes yours.” I laughed, “Most people like my mate.” Emmett said, “Alexandria was practically floating on air after the Alpha Mate’sBrunch, which is its new name by the way. The powers that be, that make the signage, are terrified of your mate.”
I replied, “As they should be.” Malachi came over to us saying, “Your mate’s, uhh helpful tips were great.” Emmett snorted, “They were and very illegal. I’ll take it though.” Tristan joined us sighing, “My little sister just keeps doing illegal things.”
Malachi reasoned, “We all do illegal things in the eyes of humans.” I chuckled, “Apparently my dad was getting information before she left.” Emmett offered, “So were my dad and Alpha Peter. I asked them about it. They just kept that information under wraps because it was not at all legal.”
Tristan groaned, “Great. Just great. One of you needs to tell me how I can keep my little sister safe when she’s doing this stuff. Ladybug was even doing it when she lived here, and I had no clue. God. Does anyone else get the sense she would’ve started the Resistance even if she had stayed here? She’d have done it somehow. The question is, would we know about it?”
Emmett answered, “Not if Melanie didn’t want us to. To which I say, better you than me, T.” Tristan made a face. Emmett laughed adding, “My sisters aren’t easy to protect, but your sister makes keeping them safe look like a walk in the park.”
Tristan grumbled, “Thank you so much for that. You prick.” Emmett’s laughter boomed across the room. I asked, “Keaton is alright, isn’t he?” Emmett answered, “He’s fine. My little brother was more upset about his girlfriend being arrested for helping him.”
