“I can’t deny I’m proud of her. I also can’t deny the deep fear I feel in my gut. You are my only hope to reach my daughter. I know she has a destiny, and to be quite blunt I’m bitter my daughter was chosen for it.”
“Melanie is the best pieces of her mom and I and always has been, along with my boys. I wanted her to have a good life. I thought I was providing her that, and I was wrong. My pup was being beaten, wiped, drugged, and emotionally tortured. I wanted her to find her mate and live a happy life. The Ring took it first then destiny swooped in next.”
I interrupted him, “Aren’t you proud the White Wolf is in your line?” Drake answered, “In a way. In another way my heart breaks for my pup. In other realities where she’s with us, I think I’ll be scared for what being the White Wolf means. There she’ll have people around her to help like our Melanie should’ve.”
“Instead, in our reality, my pup was thrown into the fire and Selene left her to burn. That goddess interfered with destiny and tampered with paths. I’m not even blameless. I held onto Melanie so tightly when she was a pup and I know it.”
“I’m proud of my daughter, and I always will be. You didn’t know about this plan though. Ladybug was already gone when you found out. It’s selfish, but I at least need you to know. You’re an Enforcer. Your brain comes up with strategies better than anyone else, along with your strength being unparalleled.”
“If you knew Mel’s plan, you’d have a better way to make sure she didn’t get hurt. My daughter will put her body in the line of fire. If you at least know about the plan I can sleep at night knowing that won’t happen. It kills me she’s with those people again.”
I acknowledged, “It kills me too.” Drake sighed, “I feel like a failure to my family.” I told him, “It might not help to hear, but you’re not. Melanie wouldn’t want you to feel that way either. Selene got in the way of destiny.”
I added, “I’ve seen Aesir. He let me know that for a while it was your protectiveness that kept us apart, but it stopped being that a long time ago. Selene allowed others to interfere. Powerful magic was at play, and I doubted my wolf. There are so many little decisions here and there that change things. I’m going to do my best to make sure Melanie and I work as a team.”
Drake nodded, “Thank you, Alexander.” I snorted, “You don’t have to thank me. I’m her mate, and I love your daughter.” Oden chuckled, “Pepper is raging.” Which amused my wolf, for some reason. Oden said, “He’s on a rant. I think mate might get it from her dad.”
Drake turned to leave, then paused at the door and said over his shoulder, “I would’ve never kept her from you. If I’m being honest, I hoped you were her mate. I don’t know anyone else more capable of taking care of my daughter.”
“I thought Melanie had a crush on you, I just didn’t want to admit it. If you have a daughter, you’ll understand that. I’m happy it’s you though, and I’m sorry you two were apart for solong. I wish with everything in me you had met before those assholes kidnapped my pup.”
“I pray to god you go into some realities where you can make that happen before they take her from us. Maybe some version of me will get to watch his little girl be safe. Because this is hell. My family is in tatters and Melanie is off making the world her dance floor. Just like I told her to, but I never meant for her to do that alone.” He left before I could reply.
I turned around and punched the bag so hard it flew off the holder. I went through the moves letting time pass me by. When I stopped, I was breathing heavily. Dad told me, “It’s not your fault, Alexander.” I turned back around asking, “When did you get in here? And how did I not notice?”
I linked Oden, “What the hell?” He grumbled, “Some of us sleep.” Dad evaded, “I have snuck up on you pups before.” I snorted calling him out, “That’s evasive, dad.” Dad smiled and offered, “I can conceal my scent when I want to. I started being able to do that when you guys were ten.”
I sighed, “I’ve had so many conversations today.” Dad nailed the problem without blinking, “Just not the conversation you want to have, with the person you want to have it with.” I grumbled, “Well, my wife has gone and gotten herself locked in a dungeon. So, no.”
Dad informed me, “Kingsley is there, but Hastein couldn’t get in. There was some barrier, but Kingsley was able to go back to her place. Charles has eyes on Melanie, but she’s not conscious yet. The Witches and Warlocks we know, both partial and full blooded, are working on the area around the Vampire King of Missouri’s home.”
I asked, “How the hell do their day people not know that?” Then I thought about it. Horror filled me as I yelled, “MOM IS IN MISSOURI?!” Dad gritted his teeth answering, “With your Hackura uncles. Aiden has to be there, because they placed thecharm around to make sure they couldn’t be seen. I was there, and your Uncle Jackson is still there with your mom’s whole guard.”
I asked, “Why are you back?” Dad rolled his eyes answering, “I was kicked out to go talk to you. Your Uncle Aiden found it all quite entertaining. Your Uncle is with Melanie.” I frowned, “How? You said they couldn’t get in yet. How did Uncle Aiden get in?”
Dad quietly corrected, “Not that uncle.” Understanding filled me. I whispered, “Uncle Arion is with Melanie.” My dad confirmed, “Yes. Arion has his uses, being dead. He hasn’t taken physical form, but he is with her. He told your mom that he will take physical form if he needs to, in order to protect Melanie.”
I nodded, “Thanks, dad. I’m sure you’ve been updated on the count of people arriving for my mate.” Dad answered, “It’s six thousand. Sierra said five hundred more will arrive before we leave.” I couldn’t stop my laugh.
“If that just doesn’t smack all our allies in the face about what the goddesses have concealed from us, I don’t know what will. This wasn’t just a pack here and there. Thousands of people follow my mate, dad. Thousands.” Dad nodded and his eyes tightened telling me he was angry.
Before I could say anything else, Phil ran in without noticing my dad. My cousin and Beta groaned, “GOD! I hate to be the one to tell you this, but we need a plan. To keep everyone from imploding. This plan is in motion, and god knows you need a distraction before Toby makes me lose my hearing over link.”
I asked, “What’s going on now?” Phil answered, “Sierra told me about a meeting your mate had.” I groaned, “With who?” Phil sighed, “She went to see Cassandra in Limbo, and it didn’t go well. According to Sierra, Melanie found out Cassandra has some secret she’s keeping.”
I went to say something, but Phil continued, “Your Uncle Arion goes to see her regularly and he didn’t know or he would’ve told Haley. Melanie guesses it has something to do with your grandpa. Well, it might not be a guess.”
“Melanie just knows things. I guess whatever this is, your grandma is waiting in Limbo to see if we ever find out. Melanie believes it’s going to hurt the family when they find out. So, we need a plan. To keep your grandpa, dad, and uncles from losing their shit. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s a doozy.”
I winced. Oden snorted, “Rocket is sleeping or he’d have mentioned to our Beta Thor is here.” Dad growled, “What?!” Phil whirled around casually saying, “Oh hey Cousin Eric, I didn’t see you there.” Dad retorted, “Obviously. What is this about my mother? She wouldn’t keep anything to herself that would hurt my dad.” Phil winced.
I said it so Phil didn’t have to. “Dad, I’m sorry but Cassandra would do that. She was always selfish. If she knows who grandpa’s second chance is, she wouldn’t tell Uncle Arion or Melanie. Even when confronted.” Dad sighed but nodded.
Phil linked me, “Melanie didn’t think that’s what it was.” I groaned, “Great.” I turned around and started punching the heavy bag over and over. Eventually someone cleared their throat again. I turned around and Oden growled softly in my head.
I warned, “Charles, I’m not having any more heart to hearts today.” Charles replied, “Good. I’m here to tell you we are leaving.” The Vampire handed me a tablet. I whispered, “Melanie.” Charles nodded, “She’ll be waking up soon.” How did he know that?
I questioned, “Does this watch monitor biometrics?” Oden snorted, “We already knew that after New Year’s Eve.” Right. Charles smirked saying, “The party celebrating Melanie’scapture has started. Your brother has Melanie’s army and your allies stationed around the ward that’s up.”
