Oden said, “Charming. Green for go. UGH! Worst plan ever!” I could feel Melanie’s amusement and excitement. Oden was grumbling loudly in my head. My wife wanted us to keep the McAlister’s from losing it.
Gage snorted, “The McAlister’s? Melanie does realizeyouare going to lose it, right? You can’t keep them from losing it if you’ve also lost it. I deserve this phone call over you if we are trying to keep people calm.”
Our call disconnected. Max and Wesley looked at me while I glared at my guard. I asked, “How the FUCK did you let this happen?!” Hastein, Kingsley, and Aaron came through a portal. Kingsley groaned, “Mel went already, didn’t she?” Aaron sighed.
Egres said, “We went in as soon as you called us, Aaron.” Melanie’s pain exploded in my chest. I snarled, “She let them take her.” Kingsley let out a huff and clenched her fists. I asked, “Aaron, what the hell do you have to do with this?”
Aaron answered, “Melanie tried to call you, and probably several other people. She didn’t have Hastein’s number on hand. I tried to get her to wait.” I held up my hand, “You weren’t even here.” Dad chimed in, “I tried to stop her.”
I snorted, “No one is fast enough. Micah is going to have to take my phone and set it up so that Melanie’s calls come with some sort of panic alarm beeping noise, so I answer it no matter what.” Max confirmed, “He can do that.” Oden grumbled, “We already knew that!”
I linked Phil, “Get out here with Sierra.” Phil replied, “Umm, I lost Sierra. Her watch blinked green and she took off like she’d been shot. Where are you?” I answered, “Outside with Gage and a conglomerate of people.” Phil came outside and shot Gage a look.
I linked Julian, “Where is your mate?” Julian answered, “Val shimmered away. What’s going on?” I ordered, “Get outside.” I pulled all my siblings to me. EJ popped in first asking, “Did something go wrong with the meeting?”
Kingsley snorted, “Not his meeting. I could’ve handled this.” Hastein rubbed her arm. EJ sighed, “Oh god. What did Melanie do?” Julian said, “Something tells me there’s a plan that’s in motion. I saw a green flash on Val’s watch.”
I growled, “There is. Phil, link Sierra to send Micah information on how to track Melanie. I have to make a damn call.” Dad asked, “To who?” I growled, “Charles. Freaking Vampires.” Oden growled, “I dislike that I understand we have to call him.”
I stepped away and called the Vampire I didn’t want to. Charles answered, “Young wolf, I must say I’m surprised.” I surmised, “Then you aren’t wearing your watch.” Charles laughed, “I do have it somewhere. What code was sent out?” I growled, “Green.” Charles was quiet before saying, “I’m on the way.” He hung up.
I stared at the phone for what felt like several minutes. I walked back to the group grumbling, “The damn Vampire knows what the code means. I don’t know what the code means. It’s so hard to like him as it is. I already have to be grateful to him for being there for her when I wasn’t. Now, he knows the damn plan.”
Dad told me, “I filtered everyone inside. Are you ok?” I snorted, “No, I’m surprised mom isn’t out here.” Dad explained, “She’s inside. I’m the one you need to vent this one through with. Your mom would do something similar. Actually no, your mom would do exactly what your mate did if she had the opportunity. So, your mom is not going to say what you need to hear right now.”
I conjured a heavy bag and hit it. I roared in anger, “Melanie had this plan, but we could’ve talked about it. I’m an Enforcer for god’s sake! Planning is something I’m good at.” Dad agreed, “You’re right, you could’ve talked about it.”
I growled, “I know that.” Dad offered, “I’m sure Melanie didn’t think it would happen this fast. It’s something you should discuss when we get your mate home. Because we will get her home. You both are new at this.” Oden grumbled in my head.
Dad continued, “Melanie’s used to unilaterally making decisions and doing things immediately. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s just something you have to work on together. Your mom and I didn’t become a unit overnight.”
“Communication is always something that we work on and it’s never a walk in the park. Everyone messes up, son. Every relationship takes work, and the work is never done. Melanie is going to be ok. She’s tougher than nails, and we will learn what the plan is…” He trailed off and looked behind me.
I turned around and saw Cory standing there. I asked, “What’s going on?” Sierra spoke from behind me, “The first of the arrivals are here. It will be Caine, Dax, and some other packs from Nashville.” I warned, “I do not want to hear the word Nashville right now. This plan is that places fucking fault! Melanie NEVER would’ve done something like this if she’d stayed in Red Run without ONE of us.”
Sierra said, “Be that as it may, Melanie sent the message so everyone is coming.” I asked, “Who the hell is everyone?” Sierra sighed, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. What you need to know is there’s an army coming, along with your own allies.”
Gage asked, “Run that back, please. Army?” Sierra replied, “Melanie has the loyalty of a lot of people. They will all come to fight by her side. We’ve been preparing for this for seven years.” I bitterly retorted, “Well good for you.” Phil winced.
Sierra told me, “Mel didn’t mean to make you mad. That’s actually the opposite of her entire life’s goal.” I snorted. Sierra insisted, “She really didn’t do this to upset you. Melanie just looks for the perfect opportunity for things, and when they fall in her lap, she jumps full speed. Mel’s trying to protect you.”
I closed my eyes before saying, “You all do realize I’m an Alpha Enforcer. In the promised Fairy family, and I’m a Hackura royalty. My wolf family is the STRONGEST one in the Werewolf community. That is a thing you all realize.” Sierra sighed.
From behind me someone cleared their throat. I turned around greeting, “Alpha Caine.” Oden warned, “They are going to say they know, but I don’t think they do.” Yeah, their actions to shield me did say otherwise.
Alpha Caine said, “Believe me when I say everyone who knows Melanie is fully aware of your titles and strength. What you are not aware of is how many times Melanie protected you. It’s always about you. Trying to get her to worry about herself more than you is never going to happen.”
Drake McAlister came out of the house asking, “What’s going on?” Levi and Tristan came through a portal and Jason came out from behind Drake. I retorted, “Great question. All I know is that it’s some plan Melanie has.”
Tristan asked, “Where is Ladybug?” I growled, “Missouri.” Jason asked, “After the shit she gave me for going there? Well, turnabout is fair play.” Kingsley snorted, “No, it’s exactly what you did in Missouri, but there’s more of a plan for it. Melanie walked into a trap.”
Drake stiffened, then growled, “Alexander, do not tell me the Ring has my pup again.” Dad said, “We tried to stop her, but she’s too fast.” Tristan snarled, “What is she thinking?!” Jason offered, “Clearly, she wasn’t.”
Growls came from the wolves that were coming into our territory. Oden said, “Yeah, mate is always thinking.” I warned,“Jase, don’t.” Gage snorted, “Particularly with your running off cowboy style routine to that exact place.” Jason made a face.
I saw Charles and Amabella flash in and go inside. Alpha Caine commented, “Melanie is always thinking. She’s been putting this plan together for a long time. You could trust your sister.” Jason sighed, “Are you ever not going to talk to me in that tone, like you think I’m the worst person in the world?”
Caine stared at him with a level look. Jason continued, “If nothing else, could you try for the sake of your sister? Addison hates that you hate me. I am annoyed that you hate me because I didn’t do anything.” Dax looked at Caine.
