Interesting. Demi continued, “She probably wants to go for a run. I haven’t been able to shift in so long and….” She trailed off then groaned, “For the love of god. Nate, I NEED you to go to the cafeteria and get me the cinnamon sourdough bread I smell. For some reason I’d swear it was a warm just out of the oven too. God, it smells good.”
Melanie offered, “Fowler smells like cinnamon sourdough bread.” Oh my god, she was right. Fowler burst into the room and locked eyes on Demi. Chason called, “Dude, what part of hang back was unclear? We hang back.” KJ snorted, “Young people.”
Fowler growled, “MINE!” Demi growled right back, “MINE!” Nate rubbed his temples saying, “I just got them back and one’s already mated. At least I like that guy.” Destiny fanned her face sniffling, “That’s just so sweet. Is he a Warrior? Tell me he’s a Warrior. Dem’s always wanted a Warrior mate.”
I answered, “He’s a Warrior.” Destiny smiled, “That’s just so great. I’m so happy for you Demi.” Demi was currently locked on Fowler’s lips. Demi broke apart to say, “Your dream girl is out there too Destiny.”
Destiny smiled, “I hope so. I need some time to myself first, I think. Well, I guess when you meet your mate you might not. I want to speak to the therapist Princess Haley told me about when she came. I have a lot of stuff to work on though.” Demi’s eyes filled with tears as did Nate’s.
Demi growled, “I hate that! I wish those assholes had taken me.” Destiny whispered, “I don’t. I wouldn’t wish one day I had on you Dem. I’m stronger than I ever was before. I went through fire, and I came out alive, just like Princess Haley said. We both did. Our experiences were different, but we survived. We are still here, and they can’t take that away from us.”
Demi broke away from Fowler to hug her sister. Fowler looked a little lost on what to do. I linked him, “My guard will be around Melanie with Chason and KJ. Go spend time with your mate and get to know her.”
Fowler asked, “What happened to my mate?” I told him, “I’m honestly not sure. Just talk to her and let her tell you at her pace.” Fowler’s eyes snapped to Melanie, and I knew why. My mate could probably tell him.
I linked Chason, “Go see your mate. I’m sure she needs to see your face right now. She works here and they’ve seen things today.” Chason nodded, “Thanks, Alpha Alexander.” He turned and left. KJ just smiled at us all.
Melanie said, “Well, I just wanted to see you guys. I’ll check on everyone else… later. Elise is linking me that war might break out in Xander’s office if I don’t get my happy little butt back over there.” I snorted, “Normally, I’d argue that no one would turn our office into a battlefield; however, recent events have proven that notion to be quite wrong. In fact, since you’ve shown up, the strangest things happen in that damn office.”
Nate snorted, “Mel has that effect on things.” Melanie gasped, “It’s hardly my fault.” I linked Nate, “Did you teach her to drive?” Nate bit his lip and answered, “No.” I asked, “Did you teach herto hack?” Nate actually laughed out loud before answering, “Still no. If you saw me with a computer, you’d know how funny that question was.” Damn.
Melanie sighed, “I guess we go face the music.” I told her, “I’ll step in if they cross the line.” Melanie clarified, “So… you're stepping in when we get there? I’m an adult. I have no idea what the heck they could be upset about. So, I got shot… it was in the vest.”
Nate groaned, “Oh boy. Here we go.” Melanie continued, “I crashed a car… but it wasn’t their car… and the car will already have been replaced for whoever Valentina stole it from. She likely took it from our facility since I told her to though. I don’t yell at them when they fight rogues or pick a fight… and technically speaking… the people who decided to give chase to K started this fight… I just ended it.”
Nate started laughing. Demi said, “Ohhh, I like you. We are going to be friends.” Melanie said, “I hope so since your mate guards me.” Demi snorted, “I don’t think you need to be guarded.” Melanie clapped, “Thank you!”
I said, “Once we see your evaluations in training, Demi, you might join your mate guarding her.” Demi laughed, “Something tells me that’s a hard job.” Fowler chimed in, “It is. It’s definitely not boring though.” KJ scoffed, “Literally not one day since we’ve met the real her. The fake one was busy, but very boring.” Oden growled in my head.
Destiny snickered, “It sounds right up Dem’s ally.” Nate agreed, “It does.” My wife rubbed her head, “I’m being yelled at in my head… let’s just go. I’m glad you guys are ok.” I linked Gage and Phil, “You warn whoever is linking Melanie to STOP yelling.” Gage groaned, “Fine.” Good. Phil snorted back.
I grabbed my mate and popped back to the office. Jason glared at me, and I raised an eyebrow. Drake yelled, “MELANIE JANE MCALISTER, WHAT THE HELL WEREYOU THINKING?!” Melanie replied, “That my name is actually Melanie Jane Conners now… but… I’m thinking… of keeping McAlister… and being Melanie Jane McAlister Conners… it’s a mouthful… but like… people tried to take that name from me… so I’m strongly considering keeping it.” Fair enough.
Drake growled, “Are you serious?” Melanie said, “Well, yes. I got married. I have a new last name… but I do like our last name… so… I’ll probably keep ours. You just missed the Conners part.” Elise tried to cover her laugh with a cough.
I linked my sister in law, “Subtle.” Elise snorted, “It’s just that Ladybug has changed but she’s the same.” Drake growled, “You CRASHED into a car. Multiple cars actually, while driving ENTIRELY too fast.” Melanie said, “I know I crashed into multiple cars. I was going the correct speed to cause their cars to spin out or crash into the other cars.” Drake growled again.
Tristan snarled, “Who the HELL taught you to drive?” Melanie said, “I can’t possibly imagine what bearing that has on this conversation. I don’t yell at you over the decisions you, Dalton and Dakota make. Trust me… I could pick MANY to be pissed off about… and tell you what poor decisions they were… but I don’t. I keep that to myself… even though one could say… I have dissertations on them… except I’d need to remove Jase’s name… and put yours on them, T.” Oh no.
Jason snorted, “Like what?” Melanie growled, “LIKE WHAT?! Are you freaking kidding me, Jase? How about sending YOU in with Hunter’s? It’s completely absurd. You’re a full blooded Werewolf. If ANYONE should be sent uncover it’s someone without a wolf.”
“Anyone who is half Werewolf is pushing it. Less than half would be ideal… but YOU of all people… it’s marginally better than sending T because… he’s the Beta and people know who he is. But I didn’t know that at the time.”
“Besides, you have a strong wolf presence. Even if Dante hadn’t known who you were… those Hunters you were ‘working’ with KNEW you had a dang wolf the WHOLE time. They have Hunter blood.”
My mate pointed at them, “That was a HORRIBLE idea! Going off into a drug buy with little to no information WITHOUT FAIRY CHARMS TO CONCEAL YOUR IDENITTY… again… horrible idea. Continuing to send former pack leadership that NO ONE believes would buy drugs out on drug buys… BAD IDEA!”
“So do you really want to talk about the bad ideas people have? Because… my plans might not be great, but they certainly aren’t bad. At least we wear masks. Because you people are recognizable… you know that, right? My plans are mapped out and have contingency plans… I might be the only person who knows said contingency plan… but it’s STILL a thought out plan… unlike SOME people.”
Damn. All of us flushed a little at that. Phil linked, “Ok, we’ve all been called the fuck out.” No joke. Gage looked at the ceiling. Melanie rambled on, “OR we could mention going to a mall in MISSOURI! That was a terrible idea of epic proportions…. done on a whim.”
Jason growled, “And this wasn’t done on a whim?” Melanie answered, “Technically speaking, no. Virgil had detailed information on several packs in Canada, because he’s been looking for Destiny and Demi this whole time.”
“That’s why he and Crush haven’t been around much. They had it narrowed down to twenty packs, and Virgil did a lot of research on them. As far as Demi, Bankhead is a facility we have studied a lot. Was it somewhat blind, yes. We haven’t been able to get people inside.”
Tristan said, “I despise how you act like you are one of them.” I raised an eyebrow at him. Gage linked, “Oh god, pull up theplane there, T. Eject. EJECT!” No joke. Melanie questioned, “One of whom? The Resistance? Iamone of them.”
Tristan growled, “No, you’re one of us! You’re recognizable. If the Ring gets that mask off, they know EXACTLY who you are.” Melanie retorted, “HENCE the mask… that doesn’t come off unless I remove it!”
