Charles smiled, “If she’s dying and you are not around to save her, I will turn her.” That actually gave me pause because I didn’t want Melanie to die. I’d rather she be a Vampire than dead. I didn’t honestly mind Vampires, just this one.
KJ spoke from the doorway, “As I told my Alpha, I’d get his Luna to him or his mother. Or the many doctors in the family. You’ll turn that girl over my dead body if she doesn’t want that. Trust me when I say, that’s not easy to accomplish.”
Chason snarled, “Then there’s me.” Fowler added, “And me.” Demi chuckled, “I’d throw down too.” Charles smirked, “I see you find yourselves loyal to Melanie as well. Fascinating, isn’t it?” I snarled, “No, they are MY Warriors.”
Charles chuckled, “Anyway, Melanie marched right over to me after she was done killing everyone and cut her wrist, then told me to drink. Then she ranted about people not respecting when she was unleashing her box of rage. Which they should, trust me.” I already knew that, but it concerned me.
Oden said, “Freya does say that mate talks about people rattling her rage box.” I ground my teeth. Charles admitted, “It took a while for me to recover. My children met up at a predetermined spot, but since I was feeling better only a few continued on their way to me. Melanie fed me her blood as I recuperated and guarded me. She has the thanks and debt of my bloodline.” Holy shit.
I gaped at him. Gage said, “I think I have earwax in my ears. What did he just say?” I clarified, “My mate has a formal debt from your bloodline?” Charles smiled, “She does. My children who have met her like her too.” Of course they did, the fucking assholes.
Dad asked, “So do you have children that work in the Resistance? You would’ve wanted someone to keep an eye on my daughter in law.” Charles grinned, “I heard you were quite the strategist.” Uncle Aiden coughed, “Knew.”
Charles booming laughter filled the room. I declared, “I hate this guy.” Several people snickered. Charles acknowledged, “Of course the Fairy King is correct. I did know that fact about Alpha Eric Conners. I don’t give away who members of my family line are though.”
“I do not force my children to do anything they don’t want to. There are some who decided to work with the Resistance. They did not have to leave their homes as Melanie can get around that detail with her network. Some of my children like the challenge of going somewhere new.”
“Melanie doesn’t make anyone do anything. It’s another thing that is fascinating about her. Then I heard the white wolf fought with you all and the pieces all made sense. Of course, my dear Melanie is the white wolf.” I growled.
Gage and Phil both tensed. Elise calmly said, “That’s a rumor.” Charles laughed, “And the masses buy that, but I am notthe masses little Luna. I have my own feelers and traps out there for people looking into Melanie.”
“Patricia’s email was read by me seconds before Melanie deleted it. She wouldn’t have been looking for me as we do have to keep some things to ourselves, as the teacher, that we do not pass down to the student. Since this is a group that care about being fair, I knew before I read it though. It makes so much sense. Of course, Melanie is a goddess.”
I didn’t like that this guy, of all people, knew my wife’s secret. Charles looked at me, “I would never divulge her secrets. Not to you or others.” I snarked, “I know her secrets.” Charles smiled tauntingly, “Do you? Interesting summation, young wolf. You had no idea who I was. Though in her defense, my dear Melanie would not consider that a secret.”
I growled, “Will you stop calling her that?” Charles laughed, “I’m afraid that answer is still no.” Gage said, “I can’t decide if he wants to die or not, but I lean towards he does.” Phil said, “He definitely teeters on the edge of the abyss.”
Angelique shimmered back in. Charles smiled, “Ahhhh the Angel/Demon mix returns. Have you decided to let me kill some Angels yet?” Gage linked, “Oh shit. Charles fucked Angelique.” I replied, “I got that.” It also meant Melanie would literally never have anything to do with the man and he was smart enough to know that.
Gabe’s eyes blazed as my cousin declared, “I’ll be handling that.” Angelique smiled and kissed Gabe. She turned to Charles, “My mate wants to handle it.” Charles laughed, “You have to love women. Offer to help them kill, and they say no. Then the mate bond comes into play, and they compromise.”
Angelique laughed, “I did take you up on the offer to kill some Bounty Hunters.” Charles winked at her, “And they were delicious.” Arthur chuckled, “You are not makingfriends tonight, old friend.” Charles smiled, “Making friends is overrated.”
I warned, “Not if you want to live, it’s not.” Charles chuckled, “Besides Arthur, I’m friends with their mates. I even saw K. How unsurprising she is mated to what appears to be the be the Crown Prince of the Hackura. Who would let her convince him to give me a head start before killing me. I have to give him that one, since K is convincing.”
Hastein asked, “How could you possibly know who I am?” Charles laughed, “If Melanie knows who you are then I do as well. She knows who all of you are, and she works very hard to protect you. I’m sure you know she always has.”
Gabe snorted, “Lovely.” We locked eyes. My cousin sent me the emotion in the bond he’d back me up. The both of us were ready to kill the Vampire named Charles. I asked, “Angelique, where is Melanie?” Charles laughed, “Angelique would’ve wanted to come back sooner for the drama, but K would’ve taken her time.”
Hastein was teetering on attacking and killing this man. I was more than ready for him to give into that notion. Oden said, “If H goes in, we do too.” Definitely. Charles continued, “K’s always wanted her mate, provided he wasn’t an asshole. Her words, not mine. She’ll want the perfect gift, then she’ll sit Mel down and have a chat that won’t go well.”
I asked, “What chat would that be about exactly? Since you want to claim to know.” Charles said, “It’s not a claim, I just know them well. K will want to explain your behavior towards me.” I growled, “How about your behavior towards me?”
Charles laughed, “It didn’t appear that I did anything to you, young wolf; however, her wolf friends here will point it out. Melanie will concede that point, but I fear you will not convince her that your reaction was warranted. I’ll get a stern talking to because Melanie is so feisty and fun.”
I raised an eyebrow. Oden growled, “Kill him.” Tristan said, “Ladybug will understand the wolf side of it because she is one.” Charles said, “Oh, she understands quite a bit. People often underestimate that about her.”
I snarled, “I don’t.” Charles continued, “The problem is that while she understands, she will not agree. You’re also going to have the wrong people explain it to her. Tristan McAlister has a way of reaching her most don’t. The women will take that conversation though. I do so look forward to her proving her point.”
Tristan interjected, “I full plan to speak to my sister about this.” Charles chuckled, “Not first you won’t.” Tristan inclined his head. I linked Phil, “Just change the damn plan and have T explain it.” Phil replied, “Elise thinks she’s got a way for Melanie to get it.” Except Charles was right, he knew this group. Which meant we needed to change the goddamn plan to Tristan going first.
I also knew that Tristan did always have a way of explaining things to Melanie. I told Gage and Phil, “Maybe T and Drake should take this one.” Gage replied, “We aren’t going to win against the women of the family.” We should this one time though. Because the sinking feeling Charles was right was hitting.
I frowned asking, “You look forward to Melanie proving her point about what?” Charles answered, “Your behavior. From what I know about you, Melanie will have plenty of opportunities to do so, and because of this reaction she will.”
I asked, “What?” Charles chuckled, “Things are not gray to my dear Melanie. They are clearly black and white. I’d advise you to watch your step around the opposite sex, young wolf, or find they will get punched in the face. Because that will be Melanie proving a point.”
I was about to respond when I felt Melanie’s anxiety spike. Hastein stiffened too and I felt utter apprehension in the bond. I was about to ask him what he felt when pain hit me, and I dropped to the ground hard.
