EJ added, “Esther McAlister would like everyone to let her talk to Melanie about the whole Charles deal.” I asked, “Fine by me. In fact, I said her, Drake, and T should be the ones to have that conversation. Jase always said Esther had a way of speaking Melanie’s language. Also, not that I care, but did Charles stop by?”
EJ answered, “Oddly, no. He sent word that he’d be busy, but that he’d stop by to see Melanie later.” I asked, “What did Arthur say?” EJ snorted, “He smiled and said that we’d find out soon enough. Dad knows whatever it is and he’s greatly relieved.”
I groaned, “I don’t like the sound of that other than dad is relieved.” EJ replied, “At least Charles isn’t here, and neither is Melanie. That situation can sit on the shelf for a time. Charles timeline seems to be different than literally everyone else’s.” I snorted, “No joke.” We talked a little more then I went back to bed with Melanie.
I opened my nightstand drawer. Hastein had given me ties for the headboard and cuffs as a joke. He’d told me I could use them one day with my Melanie. He’d had them charmed by my Fairy cousins, so they were impossibly strong.
The only way the person in them could get out was if someone undid the cuff. So, why not use them? I quickly set them up and climbed into bed. I woke up to my wolf howling with laughter before I felt pressure on my wrists.
Oden linked, “Mate decided to use the cuffs.” I growled, “FOR FUCKS SAKE, ODEN! Why didn’t you say anything? We can’t get out of them. I can’t even pop.” Oden snickered because he was intent on being obstinate. I was out of my mind by the time Melanie set me free.
If anyone was nearby, they heard us. I was fairly certain when we were in the ocean, I’d seen lights on at Hastein’s place. I couldn’t really focus on it though. My cousin would come find me later if he wanted. We shared a bond and Hastein did what he wanted.
Oden ended up being right. Every night when Melanie fell asleep, she hadn’t eaten all day. I’d tried to get her to eat, but my mate would attack me before I got to the bedroom door. Forget making it all the way down to the kitchen.
Eventually, Oden and Freya wanted time together. Oden linked me, “This can’t end until Freya and I have time together.” I frowned and got ready to link my mated family members that were wolves, or with wolves giving them shit. Seriously, where was my heads up?
Oden explained, “Their mate's heat is different. They don’t have to let their wolves sides out. They can, of course, and probably do. The difference is for them it doesn’t have to happen for their mate’s heat to end.” I let my wolf take control.
I woke up feeling some serious anxiety. I sat up and clutched my chest. Oden told me, “Mate is on a run. Freya told me how distraught mate is that we missed Christmas.” I searched through the bond and wanted to argue those were the wrong words to describe the matter.
I told Oden, “Melanie’s devastated.” Oden sighed, “It was her first real Christmas after being away. Plus, she’s with us know it just makes her feel like she’s not normal. On top of that, mate will be out of sorts emotion wise until tomorrow so let’s not bring up anything that could upset her.” That was fine by me.
I took a quick shower and was about to go downstairs when I saw ham sandwiches on the nightstand. I smiled and quickly ate them before popping downstairs. I would give Melanie some time to herself. I knew sometimes you just needed to sort through your feelings by yourself.
I was opening the front door to go jog and find her only to be greeted by Hastein. I snorted, “Hello, cousin.” Hastein smiled commenting. “So, are you giving your mate her horse since you are here?” I admitted, “I’ll tell her, but my plan had been to give her the mare on Christmas.”
Hastein replied, “Fair enough. My mate went to find yours.” I said, “Unless your mate is the Flash, I don’t think she can find my wife.” Hastein laughed, “K already found Melanie.” Iasked, “How on earth is that possible? Is your mate the Flash? I discount nothing as possibilities in our lives anymore.”
Hastein replied, “I hope K tells you, then we can talk about how fucking crazy it is.” I grabbed him and popped to my mate. I could run but I was faster than Hastein now by far. He was crazy competitive, and I didn’t have time for that at the moment. I just wanted to make sure my mate was ok.
I was stunned to find Melanie sobbing inconsolably. I thought she’d work through this, but clearly it had been a mistake leaving her to these feelings. I didn’t think she would still be this upset. I’d have come to her right away.
I hugged my wife as she just kept crying. Hastein said, “K, I think you undersold how much my cousin’s mate likes Christmas.” Kingsley sighed, “Mel just wants to have a normal moment. She feels like Selene hates her because she can never have one.”
“Consider the evidence. We tried to go Christmas shopping and got ambushed for god’s sake. Then she goes into heat way later than any other marked she wolves would. Mel’s heat just happens to be on her favorite holiday? I’m with Mel on this one. Selene is a vindictive bitch.”
Hastein snorted, “We’ve all come to that conclusion. I guess Melanie’s reaction does make sense.” I told them, “Oden told me she would emotionally unbalanced for a full day after her heat finished.” Hastein snorted, “Just what we need. You’re going to have to keep everyone away from her. She’s too damn smart for anyone to piss her off for the next twenty four hours. She could bankrupt them or something.”
Kingsley laughed, “That’s true, she could.” Kingsley paused before adding, “Switching topics, it’s a tradition among the core friend group that we all go pick a tree, decorate it, and drink. It’s actually a lot of fun and Melanie loves it.”
I vowed, “I’ll get her a tree. My wife can pick any tree she wants. Hell, she can have a whole house full of them.” Kingsley smiled saying, “That would make Mel happy.” When Melanie calmed down, I explained I’d make this happen.
I felt my mate’s hope and excitement. Mom had always snapped our trees, but if Melanie wanted to go pick one out that wasn’t a problem. I could conjure her a Christmas tree farm. This was easy. It took all three of us, but we convinced Melanie the date on the calendar didn’t matter; the people did.
I could tell she still wished it had been the day of, but she agreed that the people mattered. I linked Dalton, “You all definitely undersold how much my mate loves Christmas.” Dalton replied, “No, we didn’t.”
I replied, “Well, nothing you guys EVER said prepared me for my sobbing, inconsolable mate because she missed Christmas.” Dalton growled in reply, “Fuck Selene for taking that from Ladybug.” I snorted, “Agreed. Kingsley pointed out Melanie went into heat a lot later than other marked she wolves. It feels intentional at this point.” Dalton agreed, “It really does. Fuck that goddess bitch.” No joke.
We teased my wife about the food. I was impressed that she knew I liked ham sandwiches. I was aware that Jason knew that, but it was an obscure detail my mate held onto. Melanie must have just made a mental note about me like I had done when people talked about her. It was adorable and endearing.
Oden purred, “Mate always loved us.” I’d wished for the millionth time that we’d met sooner. Hell, I should’ve insisted. Melanie moved on to where we were. I was imagining she guessed, but I told her anyway.
I had to voice my curiosity that Kingsley had found her. Hastein could’ve portaled her here from his island. Neither of them were wet from swimming, so that had to be how they gothere. It would’ve been complicated to find Melanie though. My wife was a really fast runner, and my island wasn’t small.
Oden jolted, “Um she’s going to tell us what she is. Her counterpart, Kayda, contacted me.” Holy shit. Kingsley was actually going to tell me. Oden said, “Your promise means a lot to Kayda.” I asked, “And Kayda is?” Oden answered, “Not a wolf. I don’t know what group would call us a non-roastable.” What?
My anticipation was so high right now because I was that curious about what Kingsley was. God, this had to be killing Phil if I’m this interested in what she is. Hastein smirked at me while Melanie felt excited.
