Sierra offered, “That’s true.” I clapped, “Exactly. THEN Claire claimed to be my fated mate's chosen mate. She wouldn’t respect Xander by using his proper title. ANY supernatural would be pissed at someone claiming to be their fated mate’s chosen mate. Xander would’ve exploded someone’s head for that. In fact… he’s keeping and torturing Trevor for his crimes… one of which… is claiming to be my mate.”
KJ chimed in, “That’s true. Maybe we take a break here, girls.” I continued, “Charles didn’t do anything wrong… and he is my friend. PLUS, Charles dated one of my friends…. and I would never… ever… date someone my friend did. You said that was a rule, Elise.”
Elise acknowledged, “I did say that.” Sierra jumped in, “Trust me when I say your list of rules are gospel to our girl.” Valentina snorted, “Are they ever.” Olivia agreed, “They really are.” I insisted, “Charles is just a mentor and that’s it.” Ray snickered. KJ threw out, “Again, a break is needed here.”
I sighed, “What is so funny, Ray?” Elise spoke slowly like I didn’t hear her the first time, “Charles wants you, Melanie. He’s not the same as Dalton.” I asked, “So I get to be rude to anyone that shows up who is Xander’s friend of the opposite sex because they like him? That’s the rule?”
Buttercup bit her lip muttering, “Uh oh.” Chason snorted out a laugh, while Fowler pretended he was coughing… but he was laughing. Freya told me, “It’s definitely the rule.” I was getting that sense. Elise sighed, “That’s not what…”
I cut her off, “That’s exactly what we are saying. What happened after I left? Did they drink whiskey and talk?” Sierra answered, “No, your Xander punched Charles.” Valentina added, “Then threw him into the wall with the wind. I’ve never seen Charles so taken by surprise. Virgil was sad he missed it.”
I snorted, “Virgil loves drama… so I’m not shocked. Ok… I now understand the rules. I get to punch Xander's female friends if they like him romantically. Got it.” Sierra started laughing. I asked, “What? That’s clearly the rule and Freya agrees.” Freya cooed, “I so do.”
Fowler groaned, “Fuck us all.” KJ said, “I tried to help, but no one listened. Buckle up, boys. The rides about to get bumpy.” Sierra shrugged and told the group, “Told you so.” Ray said, “I could’ve told them so. Ladybug has been very black and white since she was a pup.”
I sighed, “Look, if Xander gets to be rude… I get to be rude. He’s an Alpha… and that appears to be your entire argument for his feelings. Great. Wonderful. Here’s mine… I’m a Luna and I have Beta blood. I was also a Female Lead Warrior who ran the dang pack with a man with some Gamma blood.”
“I was in a REALLY bad pack that traumatized me. I was physically and verbally abused combined with magic being used against me. You guys had cookies… no one EVER gave me a freakingcookieto get me to behave how they wanted.”
“Xander has been a good pack… being a good person and Alpha… I was down training people in the trenches and wading through mud and mire of the depravity of people. So, if I could keep my emotions in check about women who want my mate… he can do the same. Charles being here isn’t a big deal.”
Elise whispered, “Ladybug.” Ray snarled, “I’ll gut them.” I replied, “Some are here… so that’s an option… I’ve seen my Grandpa Ben going in and out of the dungeons. So, yeah… there he is actually.” I pointed over at him.
Grandpa Ben spotted our group and one of the first amused smiles I’d seen him have overtook his face. He sauntered over asking, “Whatcha guys doing over here?” I answered, “They are being crazy… and acting like I don’t understand people.”
Grandpa Ben chuckled, “Well, don’t listen to them Ladybug. You understand people just fine. You just have a different lens you see things through.” I admitted, “I have zero intention of agreeing with this… Xander was wrong. I admit when I’m wrong… I can have friends.”
Grandpa Ben winked at Elise then agreed with me. “Of course you can, Ladybug. Have a good day, Ray, KJ, Chason, and Fowler.” I muttered, “Everyone would be having a fine day… if they’d just state the rules and move on.” Grandpa Ben left whistling.
I asked point at his retreating form, “See? Grandpa Ben gets it and he’s… not happy with me.” Ray offered, “It’s not that.” I replied, “You can’t say he’s happy with me… can you?” Sierra whispered, “Stop talking while you’re losing.” Ray chuckled, “It’s not the right emotion, Ladybug.” Fine… but it was.
Elise sighed, “Your Grandpa understood what your reaction would be. I feel like my problem is trying to fit the you I’ve known for these last years into this conversation instead of the you I knew before.” I argued, “No, you don’t get it.”
Abigail gently said my name, “Mel.” I replied, “They don’t… and you know it. They don’t understand … how valuable a friendship is when you’ve lost everything. They don’t know what it’s like to feel like your back is against the wall… and no matter what… no one in pack leadership will be on your side. That the weight of the literal pack is on your back… because no one else will save those that can’t save themselves.”
“People died if I wasn’t good enough… and it hurt. It hurt that those Alpha bloods wouldn’t act right… or the Beta and the Gamma. It hurt going against them… but I did what wasright. I had to teach everyone what was right… but I didn’t with Charles.”
“He soughtmeout… Charles literally came to the area to meet me… He knew who I was…. and he came anyway. I had to tell everyone how life should be… or I went and met them… it was rare for someone to come to meet me without having me follow them to realize they’d come to see me.”
“Charles literally came into Kings Diner with the intent to find me. He’s kept all my secrets… and he’s been there for me…. when I shut everyone out. He left what he was doing to get to me… because he was told it was bad…. and I know most people here know that’s big for a nomad reclusive Vampire who doesn’t care about much. He’s MY FRIEND!”
Now people were wiping tears away, but that wasn’t my intent. I just wanted them to understand Charles was important to me. Sierra said, “We know he’s important to you, Mel.” I grumbled, “Talking out loud when I don’t mean to… is the worst.”
Ray offered, “Well, I for one, am glad that didn’t change.” I huffed, “You’re in a rather large group of people who agree… I don’t… I want to have inside thoughts.” Sierra cleared her throat, and I turned back to her.
I linked my wolf, “Freya?” Freya said, “I’m talking to several wolves.” Ok then. Sierra explained, “Charles goaded your Xander, Mel. Your mate didn’t just blow up for no reason. Charles was taunting him.” I frowned asking, “What do you mean?” Sierra told me, “He was leering at Alexander and winking at him while he hugged you. Charles was practically baiting your Xander while touching you.”
I asked, “Without talking?” Sierra answered, “Yes, Charles was implying with his actions and little digs that there was something between you two that isn’t there. After you left, Charles shared that you’d given him blood. Until Olivia steppedin and made him tell the story, he was implying something that wasn’t true.”
I sighed, “Then I’ll talk to Charles. He shouldn’t have done that, but Xander didn’t have to react that way. Charles is my friend… and you know he helped me.” Sierra agreed, “I do know that.” We both knew exactly what I was talking about.
Ray asked, “What exactly did this Vampire mentor you in?” I answered, “A lot of stuff. He taught me what he knew about the Fairies history, history in general, how to hack, and drive a car.” Ray asked, “Why did he seek you out?”
I answered, “Because… I was using his coding… for uhhh my job… he knew I was using it and came to meet me.” Elise sighed, “Fuck. He knows about the other thing you do?” I answered, “Yes… but that felt obvious.” Abigail hummed, “It was.” Olivia inclined her head that it was.
Ray clarified, “So, you spent a lot of time with Charles?” I corrected, “Not as much as you would think. Charles said that I’m a quick study.” Ray laughed, “There I will agree with him. You are a quick study.”
Elise told me, “We have to be careful about things like that.” My eyes narrowed, “Things like what? And who is we?” Elise frowned, “Ladybug, you know who we is.” I reiterated, “Charles is my friend. I have a lot of guys who are my friends…. If you mean mates of Alpha’s have to be careful… then you’re saying you gave this speech to your mate too… because you are an Alpha.”
