Arion sobered to ask, “What do you think it is?” I groaned, “I don’t know, but I just have this feeling… it’s going to rock the family.” Arion said, “If I find out, I will find a way to let you know.” I said, “Thank you, Arion.”
Arion laughed, “No, thank you. You have done so much and ask for nothing. You are a treasure. I am glad we are related by marriage. My nephew will take good care of you like you deserve. If he steps out of line like he did with that Cheyenne twerp, I’ll prank him.” I laughed, “That would be…. kind of funny.” Arion winked at me.
My eyes began to close, and it felt like I was falling. I yelled and landed on our bed. I sat up and looked around. I said, “Well, I guess that’s how I get back. At least I landed on a bed.” Freya snorted, “You were always on the bed. You just came back to your body here.”
Well… falling felt unnecessary then. I got up to leave, then Xander’s scent hit me strongly. I whirled back around smiling. My mate teased me about whether or not I was his Melanie. We talked about our revelations, then we fell asleep.
When I woke up Xander was gone. EJ linked me, “Is Alexander coming for our run?” I asked, “He’s not out there?He’s not here… so… I assumed he was out there… umm… one second.” I checked our bond then told my brother in law, “I think he’s in the Ribbon based on what I feel.”
EJ snorted, “Damn, he’s just getting an all-star pass lately.” He kind of was. I was pretty sure this was Azoney being petty. Which… was annoying. She was mad at me… not him. Because in her mind it would be my fault that he was mad at her.
I grabbed my computer and, on an impulse…. I tried to look more into Katie. She didn’t even take a picture for her student I.D. Did this girl hate cameras? What the hell? My computer beeped before I could dig more.
I frowned, noting Kingsley had a few inquiries out she hadn’t mentioned. Well, to be fair, I hadn’t talked to my friend yet. So…. I put alerts on them to make sure if she got a bite I’d get a text. I needed to figure out how I was going to bait the Ring to protect Xander.
Before I could get into that, Xander appeared. He teased me over a version of me who was still in Red Run that started the Resistance. Well, good for that me. I changed the subject to Katie. He wanted me to let it go.
Freya linked, “We do have a lot on our plate.” I replied, “It’s just something about her… it’s nagging me.” Freya replied, “We will eventually meet her, and you have your alerts up. Let’s focus on other things for now.” I suppose she had a point.
We needed to come up with a plan to protect Xander, and I did have my alerts set up. The days started bleeding into each other. I got a notification and checked my computer. I smiled seeing Paige and Dalton got a marriage license. Good.
My phone rang in the next second. I answered, “Hello.” Paige said, “Mel, I need you.” I asked, “What happened? Does someone need to die? I have a gun… no wait…. you got a marriage license… you want me at city hall in Red Run… or somewhere you can have a small thing… that’s the obviousanswer…. but someone probably does need to die… statistically speaking.
Paige cackled, “Oh my god, I love how ready to kill you are. It’s just family today, and you’re my family. I can’t do this without you. Can you get to your dancing spot in Red Run?” I replied, “Totally… I’m coming.” This was fine. I hung up and took a deep breath. Freya whispered, “Melanie.” I said, “I’m going to be there for Paige.”
I linked Xander, “I need a dress… and a… well… you’re in a meeting…I’ll ask Haley… but I’m going to stand up for Paige… at her small… wedding… that’s what she says… anyway… they are going to do a big thing later.” Xander asked, “Are you ok?” I answered, “Totally.”
Xander popped in front of me with an eyebrow raised. I said, “It’s in my old dancing spot… but I need to go.” Xander snapped me into a dress and pulled me in for a kiss, popped us to the spot, then pulled back saying, “I’ll be here if you need me.” Then he faded back.
Paige squealed, “You’re here!” I was here… in a space that meant so much to me once upon a time. I asked, “Why are back here where no one can see us?” Paige whispered, “Can you walk me to Dalton?” I answered, “Of course… and I’m totally fine you asked… this is me... being so fine.” I heard a bunch of people laugh. Great.
Freya snorted, “Lying is still not your skill.” I looped my arm with Paige, and we walked out into a small, intimate group of Kyle’s. Elise winked at me while Cooper shot me a ‘we need to talk look.’ Hye, we’d talked! So did Sebastian, Christopher, and Dane. Ok.. so them I had not spoken to. Goodie… yay me.
I warned Dalton, “Make her happy… please… because… I said you were a good guy… so prove me right… because I’m usually right.” That made him laugh. I watched Paige marry Dalton and everyone clapped when they kissed.
Paige hugged me saying, “Thanks for being here.” She and Dalton took off laughing. I stood there and looked around this place where I used to dance. So many memories were held here for me. Cooper broke the silence, “It didn’t change.”
I agreed, “Nope… it’s exactly as I remember.” Cooper said, “I love you as a sister, you know.” I whispered, “Uh huh… totally… you didn’t call me annoying… or anything… or wish me dead… so that’s…” Cooper snarled, “I would never do that.” He gave me a hug.
Sebastian Kyle spoke next, “You are like a niece to me.” Well… that’s… just… they wanted me to cry. Freya said, “They don’t.” Christoper said, “I love you too, kiddo. I would’ve walloped my brother and brought you in with us.”
Dane said, “You’re technically actually my niece, and I always liked you.” I hummed, “Totally… that’s …umm... I’m fine.” Sebastian chuckled, “You got worse at lying.” I grumbled, “People need to stop saying that.”
I heard a voice I knew, “Well, as I live and breathe. I should’ve known you’d be out in this field. I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” I whispered, “Mrs. Dutton.” I turned and realized she’d come to tear down the decorations.
Mrs. Dutton opened her arms, and I ran in for a hug. I whispered, “I missed you.” Mrs. Dutton said, “I missed you too, sweet girl.” She wiped my eyes saying, “We’ll talk more later. This would be a lot for you to be here after all this time.” She nodded her head to Xander.
I took off into my mate’s arms and he popped us home. He stayed with me until I collected myself and the days went on. I was researching the books from Faerie when the diary of Aeidelyn Holloran fell out of the duffle bag.
Ok… that was a clear sign… right? Freya snorted, “No, but I sense you’re going to take it as one.” I asked, “What else could a book literally falling out of the duffle bag mean. That’s clearlythe universe saying ‘Melanie, read this.’ If there ever was such a sign.”
I added, “Plus.. the universe dislikes me enough… I can’t ignore when they universe tells me to read a book…something terrible would obviously happen to me.” Freya snorted, “I know that you know we don’t have time for this book.”
My wolf wasn’t wrong. I really shouldn’t read it. I had other priorities… but I was curious. That was just my Beta blood really… when you thought about it. I opened it and started to read.
Dear Diary,
I’ve decided to keep a record of my life in print because a port would be too obvious. I must keep certain things secret. Fairies would be bored by a book, so I will write my thoughts here. Everything is strange. The plot to overthrow the O’Toole’s is in the works.
