Charles paused then said, “It’s quite a powerful group of Witches around here. Paige alone is impressive, but together they’ve made steady work of that ward. I’ve come across Valdoma a few times. She’s a nasty piece of work and means business.”
“Her wards take weeks, if not months, for normal Witches to bring down. This lot should have it down pretty soon. I always knew the rumors of how impressive this family was as a unit, and I knew Arthur believed it. Seeing it is quite something.” I nodded even though he didn’t answer my question.
Oden repeated, “We know the answer already.” I sighed, “I should’ve helped EJ with the planning.” Charles laughed, “Wesley and Max simply put Melanie’s plan into place. They kicked your elder brother out to be with his family because, and I quote ‘We can read a damn piece of paper and put it into action, big brother.’ So that’s what they did.”
I snorted, “Melanie had written instructions put together with the plan?” Charles replied, “Of course she did. Your wife is a Beta blood.” I had to smile despite the situation. Charles and I walked outside together. I walked through a portal and wound up beside Hastein and EJ.
I looked at the tablet again and relief filled me when Melanie started to wake up. She started speaking to a prisoner. I heard several gasps when she said his name was Patrick Cromwell. I asked, “Who is Patrick Cromwell?”
Mom groaned, “Great. Another fucking Warlock. That’s just fucking great. My life is a cosmic joke.” Aunt Katie answered me, “The Cromwell’s were basically Witch and Warlock royalty. They’ve been in hiding. Actually, my dad always wanted to find them. I thought it was to be their allies, but obviouslythat’s not what he would’ve done. He would’ve killed them. The Cromwell’s died in a car accident.” Oh, son of a bitch.
I said, “Evidently the children did not.” Aunt Katie reasoned, “Well Patrick didn’t. His sister died, but no one ever knew her name.” I simply said, “Dalton.” My friend glanced back at me. I linked him, “Melanie knows who Partrick is so she’s going to say Paige is his sister.”
Dustin snorted, “No goddamn way.” Mom questioned, “Were you not paying attention to my topic sentence, Dustin? My life is a fucking cosmic joke. His sister is exactly who you think she is.” Corbin commented, “I knew Paige was cool.”
Dalton said, “Paige’s birth last name in Cromwell, but she has amnesia. Not a Witch spell or anything. She can’t remember certain things about her family.” Mom surmised, “That’s probably traumatic amnesia. Don’t you just bet their parents didn’t die in a fucking car crash? God damn it!”
Mom rubbed her temples saying, “Paige probably saw her parents murdered. That goes on the list of shit to deal with later. I’m going to have to talk to her. Eventually, her mind will start to remember. I can help her with that.”
I focused back on the tablet. Uncle Aiden laughed, “Oh that’s so cute. They think they can recreate the promised siblings. The O’Toole’s are such delusional a….” My mom interrupted, “Asshat trolls.” My Uncle Aiden smiled at her.
Mom asked, “What? You weren’t going to appropriately title them. So, I’m helping. They are asshat trolls WHOM I’m going to call TROLLS to their FACES!” My Uncle Aiden simply kissed mom on the forehead.
Dylan skipped over saying, “My blog has such life. I have met so many intriguing new people. I have a lead on a pet squirrel. Don’t be jealous, it’s an actual squirrel. It likes me because I’m awesome. I just have to convince the squirrel to stay with me.I’ve been feeding it nuts and acorns. Soon the squirrel shall be in the palm of my hand.”
I asked, “Why would you want a squirrel?” Dylan replied, “So the Weresquirrels hang out around our pack. Obviously.” Sure. I snarled when Booker came onto the screen. Dylan sighed, “Isn’t anyone going to ask if I found Bigfoot?” No one answered him.
Dylan grumbled, “I am taken for granted when Lacy isn’t around to ask me about my finds. That’s what I am. Bigfoot is not here. So LSGAP, get on that. Draw my Bigfoot to yourself with your prickishness.”
Dad rolled his eyes saying, “I’ll get right on that.” Dylan clapped saying, “Finally! You’re listening to me.” A Vampire grabbed Melanie, but I felt relief and excitement from her. I looked at Charles, “You know that Vampire.”
Charles admitted, “He’s my second youngest child.” I growled, “How old is that?” Charles laughed and said, “Calm down, young wolf. He’s a century old. My youngest is almost a century old. I have not made a new child in quite some time.” Fabulous. The selective Vampire wanted my mate as his Vampire child. Perfect.
I studied Melanie then asked, “What is my wife waiting for?” Wesley hummed, “That was not in your mate’s plan.” I retorted, “It was absolutely in her plan.” Valentina chimed in, “Yes, but not in the part they got the pages to.” Max groaned.
I asked Valentina, “What is Melanie waiting for?” Valentina was clearly linking Julian. Finally, she told me, “The signal from Mason. He’s going to play theCrunk in Timeremix. Melanie’s going to stall as long as she can for Paige to get through though.”
I asked, “So, you’re saying my mate is going to intentionally piss off a bunch of Vampires and Ring conglomerate? That’s what you’re saying the plan is?” Valentina nodded, “Actually one of Melanie’s plans if she got captured was to talk so much they gave her back.” Peachy. Oden growled in my head.
Gage asked, “Can we change the plan? Because I’m not a fan.” Sierra snorted, “We do not possess the powers to get Mel to change the plan. That would be him.” She pointed at me. Charles gravely said, “Oh no.” Valentina gasped.
I asked, “What now?” Oden huffed, “They need to start giving us good news.” Charles said, “The one thing that could mess up the whole plan just arrived, and Melanie is going to see him.” I closed my eyes then opened them to look at my tablet.
I snarled, “Slade Carter is here?!” The McAlister’s roared in anger while Dylan was crunching on popcorn. We all looked at him. Dylan said, “Don’t mind me. I’m just getting blog posts ready. MelAshley won’t blow the plan.”
He pointed at me saying, “If she had Alpha blood, she absolutely would. MelAshley’s a Beta though, and it’s her plan. Have some faith. I can sing a song for you. Have a little faith in MelAshley….” I interrupted, “We get it. There is no need to keep singing.”
Dylan sighed, “I get no respect in this younger group. I blame myself. I focused too much on Wesley, and you all suffered for it.” Gage replied, “You could serenade the pack with the song. Two packs even.” Dylan threw popcorn at my Gamma saying, “I always knew I liked you, Gage.”
I had to link Melanie when her rage hit me because I roared loudly. Dylan said, “Good thing the area is sight and soundproof or you’d have blown us.” I told him, “It wasn’t my anger.” Dylan snorted, “I know that. I had to learn by trial and error with LSGAP. I had to know what was his anger, versus your mom’s.”
Dylan added, “The Beta’s all have a lovely guide to know with those with a Hackura bond. I literally sweat for that research. Your dad didn’t like some of my methods. He’s a hater.” Dad growled, “SOME?! Some of your methods, Dylan?! ALL. All of them.”
Dylan cooed, “Because you’re no fun.” He threw popcorn at dad. Thor took over to growl. Dylan cooed, “Thor, I know you’re on edge but the popcorn would help. Me personally, I told everyone you’d be in Alpha Berserker mode and they didn’t believe me.”
Hastein snorted, but he was focused on Kingsley when she came into view. My cousin commented, “Uh oh. Kingsley is upset.” Dylan said, “Yay for us. Maybe your Ostrich, Jaguar, Bigfoot, Panther will shift.” Hastein snorted, “I doubt that.”
Oden linked me, “Freya said Melanie is all kinds of offended because she thinks Slade doesn’t remember her.” I winced asking, “Charles, do you know if Slade remembers Melanie? Because I think a whole lot of people will die quite brutally if he doesn’t.”
