Xander linked me, “Mel?” I answered, “I’m fine… I mean… well… mostly… physically… only my butt hurts… because of the spankings… you gave… and Oden… it’s just an emotional conversation.” My mate replied, “Let me know if you need me.”
Alpha Peter rubbed my back. I admitted, “I wanted you to let me come home…. so badly. I wanted you to be proud of me.” Alpha Peter said, “Ladybug, the whole pack is proud of you, especially me. What you did is so impressive.”
“The fact that you kept looking out for people you thought abandoned you shows what kind of person you are. I am beyond proud of the woman you have become.” I wiped my tears whispering, “Thank you… umm… Peter.” He engulfed me in a hug.
I felt like that fourteen year old little girl who just wanted her family back. I clung to him and cried. I cried for him, the situation, but mostly I cried for the little girl who lost her innocence… and had to put up a shell to keep people out. In other words… I cried for myself.
Eventually, I gathered myself enough to stand up and leave… because being awkward was my thing. I bumped into Haley and she squeezed my shoulder. My mother in law said, “I’m really fucking proud of you. I didn’t mean to spy on you guys…”
I held my hand up interrupting, “I get it. You were waiting to see if you needed you…. to step in. I appreciate it. I’m happy that you… well, that you like me enough to do that.” Haley snorted, “You’re one of my fucking kids now. I love you, Melanie Conners.” Tears filled my eyes again.
I hugged her acknowledging that I’d always really wanted her to like me. Haley nudged me saying, “I can’t believe I have to go to this damn meeting next month. I was going to have an in law day with you guys.” I asked, “You get to go?”
Haley snorted, “Get to. That’s a way to put it.” I questioned, “How would you put it?” Haley sighed dramatically, “Fucking forced. After some shit that those bitches told us, my mate has decided my ass won’t be very far from him. It’s that fucking Vampires fault.”
Haley paused then admitted, “I can’t even blame Eric. Those weeks I was kidnapped aren’t something I want to relive again.” I told her, “I can’t blame you… or Eric.” Haley laughed, “That’s really fucking good because my son is a lot like his father. If the Supernatural Council wasn’t a threat to you, your ass would be right beside his at this meeting.”
I muttered, “I should be at the meeting.” Haley said, “I agree. I also know that no argument will get through to my son.” I snorted, “Maybe on a different day… it would’ve. Not so close to the whole battle… I can’t have a conversation after… that whole thing happened.” Haley laughed.
My mother in law held out her hands and healed me. Freya said, “There. That wasn’t even my fault.” I asked out loud, “How did you know?” Haley winked, “Eric once got me to agree to not heal myself for a day after he spanked the shit out of me. It’s like they think it’s fair when we agree in orgasmic bliss.”
I laughed, skipped away, until I reached my room and stepped inside. I jumped on my pillow and groaned, “Oh gosh…. I missed this bed and pillow. It wasn’t even that long. I havebeen spoiled… by this most likely insanely expensive mattress and pillow.”
Kingsley spoke, “Not to interrupt this moment but….” I shrieked and jumped up. Kingsley smiled at me, holding Ormr in front of her. I told her, “Your super cool sword has a name.” Kingsley laughed, “Does it?” I nodded, “It’s called Ormr.”
Kingsley picked it up and muttered, “Ormr.” It glowed red then stopped. My friend commented, “It responds to my thoughts. If I don’t want it to come out it doesn’t, like right now.” I admitted, “I didn’t know that.” I got up and pulled out the file I had for her.
I told her, “This is everything I have… on Ormr… your sword… which I said. I have a copy for Aiden too.” A pop sounded. Aiden smiled, “How nice.” I asked, “How did you know… that’s weird right, K?” Kingsley said, “I’ve discovered things getting past this particular group of men, outside of women being attracted to them, is an anomaly. Aiden seems to be the only man aware when women flirt with him.” She nodded to Aiden.
Aiden wiggled his eyebrows as he read the folder. My mate’s Fairy Uncle said, “Delightful. Let me know when you are ready, Dragon Princess.” Kingsley groaned, “I don’t know how to get back to the Dragon realm.”
Aiden offered, “It’s likely that will be revealed in your memories. Or there’s more in a passage Melanie hasn’t found yet. I’ll go in and do a charm so any book pertaining to Dragons will come to me. I’ll take them back with me and study them.”
I wanted to argue but I was strapped for time, and Kingsley deserved some answers. I felt like part of my brain was scratching itself though. Freya assured me, “You’ll be ok and you have digital copies.” I did… but I liked the physical books.
Kingsley cooed, “Aww, Mel. You love me.” Aiden asked, “Was that in doubt?” Kingsley snickered, “You have no idea what youjust did to her brain. That Mel’s willing to give something up for research purposes shows her love. She likes to look into things herself and only shares copies.”
Aiden laughed, “My now niece knows I can find it faster. I have more time and charms to perform that will help.” I muttered, “The ‘she’… you are referring to…. is right here.” Kingsley kissed the top of my head saying, “So you are. Don’t you ever take the fall for me again.”
I said, “Well… you love me and stuff… and I love you back.” Kingsley laughed, because she always used to say that when we first met. She admitted, “Kayda was very happy you told all those bad guys you were our pet. One day, those that escaped will discover what I am, and on that day it will give them pause about coming for you again.” That was definitely true.
Kingsley said, “You knew that though given the prophecy I’m reading.” I told her, “I didn’t actually consider it… at the time. Now I might have.” Aiden popped away. Kingsley asked, “So, did you get mind blowing sex too?” I admitted, “Uhh… yeah. There was a lot of spanking.”
Kingsley laughed, “I noticed from that wince when you sat down. Why didn’t your wolf heal you?” I snorted, “Yeah Freya… why?” My wolf whimpered in my head. I told Kingsley, “She agreed with her mate to let me feel it for a while before she healed it.”
Kingsley laughed, “It’s so cute they think you won’t run headfirst into the next dangerous situation that arises.” I frowned saying, “I’ll work with Xander.” Kingsley smiled and put a hand on my shoulder before saying, “Little Melanie, I’ve heard stories about you from Levi, who got them from T.”
I asked, “So?” Kingsley grinned saying, “Even as a child, you protected others. It’s ingrained in you. If you have to act before you think it through, you’ll rush off again. It won’t even be you trying to cut your Xander out or anything. It will be you beingyourself. Which your mate understands to a degree. His mother is quite selfless.”
We talked a little bit more before Hastein and Xander came in. Kingsley waved the file saying, “We have homework, H.” Hastein laughed, “I have not done homework in a long time.” Kingsley teased, “You’re lucky this is a research folder from Mel. Other folders with research for missions come with pop quizzes and tests.”
Hastein asked, “Do they really? That’s actually impressive, Melanie.” I blushed, “Well, I wanted everyone to be safe. I didn’t think it was a crime… to have people be prepared. How else was anyone going to test their knowledge… if there weren’t pop quizzes?”
“Or questions asked? Hastein has to have people quizzed… on their mission information. Which is totally not a thing… I know, for a fact…. that he did… nope not me. You can’t falter for even a second and…”
I was cut off as Xander kissed me. I stared at my mate when he pulled back. How did I get so lucky? Xander declared, “I love you, Melanie.” I said, “I love you too.” Hastein commented, “They are so adorable.” Kingsley chuckled, “They really are.”
We ended up going back downstairs. to sit with Xander’s family, my friends, and all the mates. We were laughing and drinking like one big happy family. I felt warmth spread all over me. Me and my band of misfits, as Angelique called us, finally belonged somewhere.
