Caine rolled his eyes, “I’ll try, for Addison. I’ve just hated you a lot longer than the amount of time we all found out you weren’t a jackass. Those feelings don’t disappear.” Jason sighed, “The girls got over it just fine.” Beta Dax interjected, “In our roles, would you?”
Jason questioned, “What?” Dax reasoned, “If Cassie Conners was in your pack being abused and her brothers sent her hateful letters, had horrible phone calls, and told her she deserved to be punished for their family’s deaths, wouldn’t you hate them?” Jason winced.
Dax pressed, “Even if you found out seven years later it wasn’t true. Look, all I’m saying is that it will take you time to get over it. Our mates like advocate for you, but it’s hard to adjust to the reality when we lived one way for so long.” I snarled along with my brothers. Dad’s thunderous growl filled the air.
Beta Dax said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought and why I used Cassie’s name.” I decided to change the subject before my family killed someone thinking about that shit happening to Cassie. I asked, “Who are these people?”
Alpha Caine answered, “The forgotten packs will be having Warriors make their way here.” Beta Dax asked him, “Are wegoing for shock and awe?” Alpha Caine smirked. I asked, “What does that even mean?”
Beta Dax answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.” Oden was grumbling away in my head. Wesley linked me, “Do we like them?” I snorted, “I don’t really know. Am I grateful to them that they were there for Melanie? Yes. Which means I will help them out and deal with their snark because I’d be pissed too, if I were them. They are also mated to our allies.” Wesley nodded.
The tension between the McAlister’s and the new packs that arrived was off the charts. I cleared my throat, “Let’s all go inside. You’re here for Melanie, and so are they. Let’s all keep that in mind. The McAlister’s and the Red Run wolves are our allies.”
“They are Melanie’s family, and everything in that situation was a lie. I’ll leave it at saying, we defend our allies. On a personal note, thank you. To each and every one of you that were there for my mate when we were kept away. There’s nothing I can say that will convey how grateful we are for that. Or how grateful I am for each of you standing here. Melanie’s my whole world, and you helped her so thank you. You’re here now as well and I truly appreciate it.”
Max linked me, “Nice speech, big brother.” I really wasn’t one for speeches that weren’t rallying the troops to fight. That was usually EJ, I just needed these people to know I was grateful. Someone told me, “It’s her we are grateful to. She reached her hand out and saved us all.” Oden purred.
Another said, “The Supernatural Council left us to flounder and hid that from the Werewolf Council. We were cut off by our packs in communication. Melanie walked through our hell and made our lives more than we could’ve dreamed of. She saved us, not the other way around.”
I replied, “You gave my wife a purpose when all the lies surrounding her gave her no reason to go on. You were herreason to live, to fight, and continue on in her causes. I’ll always be grateful for that.” One girl asked, “How grateful?”
Oden snarled at her implication and she immediately flushed. Alpha Caine said, “This is Melanie’s Xander. He’s Melanie’s mate and husband. I know you don’t get news in your pack, but he’s actually her fated mate.”
The girl deflated and spoke quietly, “I hoped she was wrong.” I said, “Melanie is mine and I am hers.” She nodded and backed away. Zoe came outside with Buttercup. I instructed, “Find accommodations for them. If you need some conjured, call Bexley or any of my cousins.” Zoe nodded.
Max linked, “That comment wasn’t exactly loyal to Melanie.” I replied, “That girl is maybe fifteen. She’s got to overcome years of being told she only had two purposes in life. I have a powerful aura and I’m not a shit head like she’s used to. That girl saw a possible chance to get out of her hell and tried to take it.”
Oden snorted, “It still was a direct slap at mate.” I knew that. Max nodded. We walked inside to several people on computers. What surprised me was the fact that Charles was barely typing anything whereas Uncle Gunner and Micah were typing away.
I asked, “Why aren’t you typing?” Charles replied, “I already have the answers I want.” Uncle Gunner and Micah looked up. I questioned, “You know where Melanie is?” Charles answered, “Yes, she’s in the dungeons in the home of the Vampire King of Missouri.”
Uncle Gunner said, “You could’ve said that. Micah let’s hack into their system. That place is crawling with cameras.” Charles said, “I already have that.” Micah snarked, “Then by all means let us keep hacking and say nothing.” Charles smirked at them.
Uncle Gunner sighed, “Great. Another person who thinks it’s no fun to tell people things.” I commented, “That’s not why he did it.” Charles turned to me complimenting, “Very good, young wolf. Do you know why I didn’t say anything?”
I replied, “Yes, because you wanted to evaluate their skills.” Charles laughed, “You’re right. They are both very impressive.” Uncle Gunner’s eyes blazed. Uncle Harper gripped his shoulder. Uncle Gunner warned, “I don’t like tests, Vampire. I liked efficiency. I don’t care who finds those I am looking for, first. That is my nephew’s mate in there surrounded by people who don’t like her. This is a girl who has suffered enough in her life.”
My Uncle continued, “Your games are wasting time. I could have sent Katie and my nephews that are Warlocks to test the area because they will have barriers to stop us getting in. Don’t waste our damn time, Vampire. I can’t believe I was excited to work with you.”
Charles told him, “I can tell you everything you need to know about the area. There’s no need to send anyone. I can tell them the supplies they need.” It clicked for me. I said, “You have a child there. Melanie sent one of your progenies to Missouri.”
Charles smiled, “I do have people there that infiltrated their group, yes.” Uncle Gunner asked, “Is there anything else you want to share?” Charles answered, “You were several hours ahead of where I thought you would be.”
Uncle Gunner snorted, “Well, yay for me. I don’t do tests of abilities when people’s lives are on the line.” Charles chuckled, “Melanie’s life is quite safe, I assure you.” I needed to get the subject changed before Charles lost his undead life.
I somewhat demanded, “Someone break this plan down for me.” Sierra jumped in, “Melanie always thought that eventually there would be a big gathering to celebrate some perceived big win. There were a few times throughout the years that this opportunity could’ve happened.”
EJ asked, “When?” I linked him, “You can go be with the boys and Elise.” EJ said, “My wife and pups are sleeping. Chelsea is with them. I’m the Lead Alpha here, and I’m needed.” Sierradidn’t answer right away. She cleared her throat, “Not relevant.” Charles laughed.
Dylan spoke from the back of the room, “I’m here for you all right now. You see, Sierra, these lovely folks sometimes forget that other people can lie. As someone of Beta blood, you know that it is absolutely relevant.” Oden huffed, “I knew that too.”
Dylan continued, “I can probably fill in some blanks. The lovely MelAshley, who we must get back because the show must go on, gave up opportunities for this big celebration and battle of the Ring versus the Resistance because of her Xander.” I glared at him. Dylan smiled and asked me, “What? That’s what she so adorably calls you.”
Sierra said, “Mostly.” I semi-ordered, “Just tell us.” Sierra sighed, “Obviously, if they’d succeeded in taking you out, they would’ve celebrated.” I scoffed, “I’m fully aware my wife never considered that to be an option, so I don’t buy that’s it.”
Dylan clapped animatedly, “Ohhh look at MMSGAP coming through with some logic. I am SO proud. It’s my shining moment, not LGSAP’S. He doesn’t get to be proud about the good questions and inferred logic. That is my domain.” Dad rolled his eyes.
Sierra sighed, “One time was when they believed they nearly got Cassie when she was betrayed by the chick who loved Cayden. In the Ring’s mind, they thought they had her. If we didn’t step in, they would’ve. There was a holoport there ready to take her to a place you couldn’t pop or portal to. Melanie made the choice to save Cassie rather than starting a big battle and saving her later.”
