I asked, “Umm… aren’t you busy? You just had two new grandpups. I feel like you’re busy… and…” Eric interrupted, “I am often busy. I recognized that look on your face though. I’ve seen it on my wife’s many times in Faerie, and on occasion in our home when my mother was still alive. You feel like you don’t belong here.”
I opened my mouth, but what could I say? He was right. Eric said, “Melanie McAlister Conners, you belong here. We are your family, this is your pack, and nothing will change that. I know you watched us for a long time from the outside.”
“I can’t say I know how that feels. My wife can speak to that, unfortunately. You can talk to me if you’d like, or to her, but I do think you should talk to someone. Haley held those feelings inside her. It caused some insecurities I didn’t fully understand, and it did eventually blow up and come out.”
“Haley felt terrible about how everything came out. I felt terrible about not seeing how she felt. Aiden was also hurt because my wife felt that way. Feelings are complicated. Insecurities suck ass. Just don’t hold onto them. Talk to someone because you do belong here. You are my daughter in law.”
I smiled softly saying, “Thanks.” Eric asked, “Will you come back inside?” I looked away before saying “I need to keep researching something. It’s big.” Eric laughed, “Isn’t it always when you find something? Do you need a sounding board?”
I shook my head and said, “No… not yet. I’m going to tell Xander when he gets back.” Eric nodded and gave me a hug. I was surprised but hugged him back. My father in law told me, “I’m always here for you if you need something.” Then he went back inside.
Alpha Peter passed him in the doorway. I groaned, “Oh no… you both can’t be out here… you have new grandpups. So… go be there.” Alpha Peter ignored me saying, “You have somethingyou want to look into so you’re testy. You still belong here. Your place was always with Elise.”
I muttered, “People need to stop… noticing me…doing things. People don’t notice me anymore… but you did… and so did Eric.” Alpha Peter said, “Everyone in that room notices you. You’ve always stood out in a room. So, if those people didn’t notice you, then they have serious problem. You’re family Melanie.” Then he walked back inside.
I stood there for a moment trying not to cry before my watch beeped. I looked at it and took off inside. Kingsley had gotten a bite on one of her inquiries. I frowned when I saw it because something seemed off about it. I dug into it and panicked.
Kingsley’s questions had triggered someone… and they’d set a trap. They didn’t know it was Kingsley trying to get information about the Vampire that could compel… but whoever found this inquiry was in the Ring.
They were baiting my friend. My rage box rattled and threatened to burst open. The Ring thought they could take one of my people?! One of my friends?! Freya offered, “She’s also the Hackura’s future Queen. That’s suicide.” Yes, it was… because Hastein would rage with me… and he’d totally love lid off the rage box Melanie… in that instance.
I quickly called Kingsley on her emergency only phone, but she didn’t answer. I grumbled, “Dang it, Kingsley! Now is so not the time…. to have your phone off.” I called Xander but he didn’t answer. I checked Kingsley’s location… she was in the Hackura realm. Ok. I could work with that. Then she left… no… that was no good.
I huffed, “Why don’t I have Hastein’s phone number memorized?!” I didn’t have time to hack and find it. Freya said, “You could contact Kingsley on her watch. Or use ILYX to contact Hastein.” Yes… but then Kingsley would go to the meet…probably... and they couldn’t get their hands on her to be curious about her Supernatural side.
I hit my desk with my hand and called Xander again and left a message. I called Cayden but he didn’t answer either. I kicked my desk in frustration and a card floated to the ground. He said he’d answer if I called.
It rang once before the answer came, “This is Aaron Crawford.” I said, “I know that… I called you. I don’t understand why people answer the phone that way. OH MY GOD MELANIE… now is NOT the time! You need to get to Hastein. He needs to get to Kingsley right now! He has to stop her or she’ll be blown!”
Aaron was instantly alert, “Hastein is in the gym and I just left there. We’ll get to future Queen Kingsley.” I said, “Good… that’s good.” Aaron was clearly running as he asked, “What are you going to do? Couldn't you get to her?”
I pointed out, “Hastein can get to her faster.” Aaron said, “I’ve been around a lot of Fairies, Melanie. That was evasive.” It was… but that was because I had visions… and he didn’t. I knew how I was going to bait the Ring. I was going to show up instead of Kingsley.
Freya reasoned, “We need to talk this through with mate.” I argued, “I called him… but he’s not answering the phone.” Freya said, “Then pull him to us.” She had a point, but then my husband wouldn’t let me go.
My mate would say we didn’t have enough time to plan. That was part of the allies problem. They wanted to plan things thoroughly. They didn’t always take the opportunity in front of them, and it was a miscalculation on their part.
I hung up on Aaron. I’m sure that would… get me in trouble… but it would be later. I took a deep breath and jumped out the window in my office as Xander’s guard ran in. I had a few steps on them. I just needed to get to the holoport before they did.
Eric linked me, “Why do I have a border patrol asking me why you are running from your guard?” I linked, “Technically speaking…. they are Xander’s guard… not mine.” Eric snorted, “They are both your guards. Why are you running from them?”
I saw his wolf out of the corner of my eye. He should’ve had Haley pop to me. It worked in my favor that he was trying to deal with this while letting her spend time with her grandpups. Freya snorted, “Thor would like us to stop and talk to them.” No.
I linked Eric, “I have an opportunity to save my friend… keep interest away from her… while protecting Xander. So… I’m taking it. It’s kind of what I do… all the time… it’s fine.” Eric asked, “What are you talking about?”
I instructed my father in law, “Call Charles. He’ll be able to track me. He can get into any camera… like literally anywhere. Plus…. Gunner…. He definitely can. I know this is big. Prepare for battle.” Eric shouted, “Oh hell no! Get your ass back here right now! We can coordinate. We need more time. I meant it when I said you belong here. You are not alone, Melanie.”
I linked Freya, “See? This is their problem. They want to take all this time to plan.” Freya snorted, “Uh huh.” Whatever…. I was right. KJ, Fowler, and Chason were running towards me from the opposite direction… but they weren’t going to make it in time.
I ran through the holoport to Nashville, then through to Missouri. I grabbed our fastest car and took off for the meeting spot. I felt it when I passed through a barrier. I stopped the car and looked around. I asked Freya, “What the hell was that? It didn’t look like anything.”
Freya answered, “We can sense barriers to magic now. There is something preventing Fairies from popping here, Hackura portaling, or a Demon from shimmering.” That didn’t sound ominous… or anything… it was also that EVIL scientist lady’s fault. I was so going to kill her one day.
Freya declared, “We are alone.” I told her, “I’m alone a lot… so that’s not really new.” Freya argued, “I meant without backup. I’m always here with you now, and you know that.” I couldn’t help but smile at that.
My phone rang and I checked who was calling. I promptly winced knowing someone called Xander.
I answered, “Umm hi… I called you but you didn’t answer and…” My husband snarled, “What the fuck is going on? Dad said you went off on your own and I can’t pop to you.”
