2

Dane snorted, “No fucking joke.”

Dalton added, “It’s a damn shame they didn’t meet before she left for New York. She’d have come home more often. Jase really needs to see her in person. Honestly, they all do. Drake’s been beating himself up for years. Sam’s stealthier about it, but I know she’s a mess too. It’s driving them crazy. They are all hurting. It’s odd because Ladybug used to notice that kind of thing.”

Brutus grumbled, “I agree.”

I know because I did too. She’d had a total personality change the second she left. Dalton rubbed his head. Chelsea sighed, “They are keeping a lot of things from her. I keep telling you all when Ladybug comes back here if she knew what everything was like. She’s going to kick a whole hoard of asses for this. I would be really upset if I was her.”

Dane frowned, “She’s living her dream though.”

Elise stood up so fast she knocked the chair next to us over. I asked, “Elise?”

She ran out of the room, calling over her shoulder, “I’m going for a run.” I stood but Chelsea got up sending me a ‘sit down’ signal. She said, “I’ll go with her.”

I heard Elise shift. Brutus linked, “Rhea said they need to be alone.”

I told Chelsea, “Hang back from her, I’ll send my guard too. Brutus said she needs to be alone.”

I knew my guard would follow Chelsea. They were here after all.

My head guard, Youngers, faded in. My other guard, Drax, faded in with him. Youngers assured me, “We’ll be with the Duchess.”

As my mate, they understood that Elise was my whole life. I felt bad because I didn’t think they often had things to do with me as their charge. I nodded to them as he faded back.

Cooper muttered, “That’s so cool.”

It was normal to me, but if I couldn’t do it, I’d find it very cool as well. Brutus scoffed, “You find it cool too.”

I did, but it was normal to me. Chelsea frowned, “I’ll hang back like they do, but I’m still going with her.”

Dane shrugged, “What did I say that made her run off?”

I explained, “Elise hates that whole she’s living her dream mantra.”

Peter snorted, “Don’t we all at this point? I swear Drake is at war with himself every day. He literally has arguments with himself.” Cooper whispered, “Then throws up.”

I asked, “He what?”

That was weird. Brutus agreed, “That’s very strange. Wolves don’t get sick like that.”

Dane frowned, “I didn’t know that.” Peter raised a beer, “I am aware you didn’t. The McAlister family is having a time of it right now. Jase’s situation with his nightmares are well known, but all of them struggle. Even Ben and Esther.”

MaryBeth looked at the ground and something told me Dane kept a lot about her struggles to himself.

Brutus said, “His wolf is telling me she’s been sick herself a few times.”

Why the hell didn’t they mention that?! He replied, “I don’t know.”

I said out loud, “We could probably help Jase. My mom’s been looking into the headaches. I do know that she and my Uncle Aiden disagree about what’s causing them. I know my mom is gathering us all when we get back to test a theory.”

Peter threw out, “I know. She told Chelsea why we were popping back to your house after vacation and not Red Run. Drake told me they will be there too. I’m honestly here for getting rid of these headaches any way I can. I don’t even care what her theory is.”

I sighed, “Mine don’t get as bad as anyone else’s. They are annoying though. Maybe I just needed to get away because it’s not as bad here.”

They made faces like theirs weren’t either. I continued, “Alexander though, I swear he gets them more than everyone else. Him and Elise.”

Peter snorted, “They’d rival the McAlister’s then. My dad is really worried about Ben. Meanwhile my mom is worried about Esther.”

MaryBeth snorted, “All of us are worried about every single one of us. These aren’t normal yet the pack doctor says we are fine.”

I assured her, “It will all get figured out now that my mom knows. She said there was nothing physically wrong with Elise too. So, the pack doctor is right.”

Peter frowned, “How is that possible?”

I shrugged, “I know my mom has a theory, but it doesn’t make, and I quote, any fucking sense. That’s why she’s arguing with Uncle Aiden about it. My mom told him she was going to test her fucking theory even if it had flaws.” Peter snorted, “That sounds like your mom.”

Dane added, “She uhh had some colorful words to say about it. I heard her tirade from outside when she popped in to talk to you about it, brother.”

Cooper snickered, “She always has colorful words in her tirades. She’s funny.”

She really was.

Peter shrugged, “I didn’t even get to tell her all about it because she was already upset. I only told her that we’d been getting headaches for six plus years. That’s all she heard before she was off and running to the races.”

I had no sympathy for them with that.

MaryBeth snickered, “Please tell me you said that to her.”

Peter winked, “I’m no fool, MaryBeth.”

I grappled with my own feelings because it hit me out of nowhere that I felt bad because I never told my mom about it. Why did that feeling appear out of nowhere?

Several of siblings were throwing curiosity at me. All except Alexander who was so happy it was insane. It was the happiest I’d ever felt him. What was going on with him? Brutus commented, “For the life of me, I can’t come up with a single reason we didn’t tell mom about the headaches.”

I left Alexander to his feelings and circled back to why that guilt didn’t hit me until I’d been away from home.

My mom had read me the riot act about not mentioning them. None of us could come up with a single good reason that this had happened. I never felt guilty until now though. What was going on? Brutus admitted, “I don’t know. We should’ve felt guilty then.”

He was right.

There was no reason to keep something like that from her. She thought we believed she let us walk around in pain sensing our headaches. That had to kill her, and I’d barely said sorry. What was wrong with me?

I pushed it out of my mind. I hated that I’d hurt my mom’s feelings. I felt my dad in my feelings and knew the second he realized what it was about. His guilt flooded the bonds as well, but none of my siblings understood. So, my dad wasn’t home, and neither was I and we were the ones who finally felt guilty. That didn’t seem good.

I mulled that over until Elise and her mom came back a couple hours later. She checked her phone and frowned. I asked, “What’s up?”

Elise sighed, “Mel doesn’t have time to talk until next week.”

I hugged her, “But you’ll talk next week.” Elise sighed, “I guess.” I asked, “What’s going on?” Elise buried her face in my chest, “This damn headache. She’s living her dream, but things just don’t make sense.”

I pushed, “Like what?”

Elise frowned, “I know you think it doesn’t make sense either.”

I admitted, “A few things, but what doesn’t make sense to you?” Elise sighed, “She always wanted her Xander. Mel’s smart enough to know that he’d let her live her dream. I know I only see part of her bedroom, but it hit me the other day that I’ve never seen her Xander wolf. She always had him with her.” I argued, “He could be out of the frame.”

She huffed, “He could be. Then there’s the fact that she just always has these plans. She doesn't see that her family is hurting. She hasn’t caught on that we are all dealing with crazy Hunters, drugs, and snipers. None of it. Mel’s too smart for that. UGH THIS FUCKING HEADACHE!”

She rubbed her head.

I held her close, “You’re right. None of that makes sense. We will get it figured out though, I swear.”

Elise snorted, “I’ll have to drive a spike through my head first.”

I winced, “None of that. Look, the McAlister’s will be at our house when we get back. We’ll talk about popping to see Ladybug. Ok?”

Elise looked at me and her hope flooded the bond. She quickly said, “Ok. Are you sure?”

I nodded, “Yes, it’s past time. I should’ve talked to Drake a long ass time ago. I have no idea what’s going on with me. I didn't talk to my mom about the headaches. Yours get really bad too. I can’t…”

I trailed off.

Brutus said, “I know they hurt Rhea too. You know I’d never let Rhea feel pain.”

I did know that. I continued, “I don’t understand why I didn’t tell her. Alexander knew physically nothing was wrong with us. We shouldn’t have felt any pain then. We needed to look into this. Then I can’t figure out why on earth I haven’t talked to Drake about just popping to get Melanie myself. I mean, on the one hand the rule but fuck that. I’ve never talked with him about it. Maybe things could be different now.”

Elise whispered, “Really? You think so?”

I nodded, “It’s been let go for too long. I’ve realized some things since we got here and I just don’t know why they haven’t been questioned. That changes now.”

Elise nodded and I held her swaying back and forth with her in my arms.

We went and joined her brother’s watching movies, Elise was curled up in my arms the whole time. Why hadn’t I ever spoken to Drake about this bullshit popping promise? When I took over as Alpha, I should’ve at least asked him to reconsider. Or the million times Elise had cried about not seeing Melanie. That’s when I absolutely should’ve spoken to him, to spare my mate more pain.

Brutus said, “Maybe we just didn’t think it was our place.”

That’s bullshit and we both know it. I shot back, “What about the million times Alexander had been in a bad fucking mood about it? It is my job to fix things like that. Why have I been so passive about this? I’m not passive.”

Brutus answered, “Magic is the only answer I can think of.”

I cursed, “Fuck! How? I’d know. Or I should, right?”

Brutus replied, “Not necessarily. It’s not like a Witch or Warlock stood in front of us and chanted or anything. Unless our memory was taken, which I feel we would know about.” As a part of the promised family, I’d better. I took out my phone and texted Corbin.

Me: Discreetly look into whether someone can alter my memory or use magic on me I wouldn’t know about. Something that could make me passive about a subject when I’m not a passive person.

Corbin: What in the fuck is this request?

Me: A theory I’m working on.

Corbin: Between our moms talking and this request I’m worried about you guys.

Me: Our moms?

Corbin: They have been whispering and looking into things. I’ll look into your request on my own.

Me: Thanks.

One thing I didn’t tell him was a lot of this centered around Melanie and everything surrounding her. After the last movie we went to our room where Elise went to sleep. I got up and paced the downstairs. Everything circled back to one person. My head was swirling with thoughts, but it was always Melanie. The McAllister’s too, but her specifically.

It wasn't just us though. The McAlister’s themselves felt this too. I rubbed my face. This thought process didn’t make any sense. Someone cleared his throat, and I knew by the scent it was Peter. I turned around and he raised an eyebrow.

We stared at each until he asked, “What’s got you thinking so hard?”

I snorted, “Honestly?”

Peter smirked, “You can’t lie, so let’s go with yes.” I rubbed my face, “Melanie. It always goes back to Melanie, doesn’t it? That’s what’s got Elise so upset. Her...”

I trailed off then whisper shouted, “Fuck! Even her headaches go back to Melanie. What the HELL is going on? GOD!”

I rubbed my head. What have I been thinking?! Why hasn’t that clicked for me? Brutus whimpered in my head, but I knew he felt the same way.

Peter frowned, “EJ?”

I tilted my head, “I get out of our territory for a few days and it’s all clear. I barely even have a headache. What the fuck?!”

Peter snorted, “Speak for yourself. My head still hurts, and my gut reaction is to tell you Melanie is living her dream.”

I rolled my eyes, “Elise is right, it’s a mantra. But whose? It’s sure as fuck not any of ours. I have let the fact that Elise is so upset about this slide. Why? Elise is my everything. Why haven't I gotten us out there to surprise Ladybug? My wolf would never let Rhea suffer. He’d shift and run to New York to stop that from happening.”

Brutus agreed, “I would. You’d pop us there when you figured out, I wasn’t giving up, but I would do it.”

I continued my rant out loud, “Or, FUCK it all, why haven’t I just popped Ladybug back here to surprise everyone? Why hasn’t ANYONE in my fucking meddling ass family?! Granted they don’t know it’s bothering Alexander but…”

Peter rubbed his head and held his hands up, “I hate to stop you, but I can’t discuss this anymore. My head hurts too bad.”

I apologized, “I’m sorry. It’s weird that mine are better, but not yours. We need mom to fix that then we can brainstorm.”

Peter agreed, “I’m all for your mom fixing this.” He handed me a whiskey.

We sipped our drinks in silence. Eventually he sighed, “I’ll say this. I find it weird I’ve never asked you to surprise Drake with a Ladybug visit. GOD, that hurts. FUCK! I know it’s killing him. Why haven’t I asked you? Goddess above, we need a subject change before my head explodes.”

I could sense his distress and hear it in his tone. The veins in his neck were building. Brutus said, “Thunder is howling in pain.”

I commented, “It’s beautiful here.”

Peter laughed, “That it is. I don’t know if I can thank your dad enough for letting us use this house. Or you for popping us here. The flight would’ve been hell.”

I admitted, “You know, I’ve never been on a plane. My dad even owns one.” Peter laughed, “I haven’t been on a plane in quite some time. Ever since Emmaline came into our lives, which brought Sharon to Red Run.” I asked, “What did you think the first time you met Cousin Emmaline?”

Peter smiled, “I thought she was lonely. Which was odd because I was certain she was a Fairy. She wasn’t like any partial I’d met though. She had more Fairy blood in her than the partials I was used to meeting.”

He chuckled, “No one else thought she was, but I always did. I even told Lucas that. Emmaline was my first big lesson in making sure those in my territory were safe. I have an aching feeling Melanie will be another one. One I will regret forever.”

I assured him, “We will figure out what’s going on. Maybe she really is living her dream.”

Peter snorted, “One argument and we don’t see her for over six years. It doesn't fit with Mel. FUCK! I’m going to bed. I’m sorry EJ, this headache.”

He got up and left, rubbing his temples.

Brutus said, “He is right though.”

I agreed, “He’s right about a lot. Why the HELL didn’t anyone ever ask me to bring her back for a surprise? Or their own Gamma family that can pop themselves? Why didn’t Elise ask me? What about T? Literally anyone. What the hell is going on?”

He answered, “I do not know.”

I took out my phone not knowing who to call. I tried Alexander first, but he didn’t answer. I asked out loud to no one in particular. “Where are you little brother?”

I sighed and went to bed. Or I tried to. It was a good thing I didn’t need much sleep. My questions were swirling around in my mind.

The next few days flew by. We went to the beach, and I watched in complete utter disbelief at the people around me. Everyone had calmed down and even laughed off their concerns about Melanie. No one mentioned the night when we started to question things. What was going on?

Brutus agreed, “They are all brushing it off as if they were overreacting.”

I asked, “Are we? Are they right? Or am I finally clear headed?”

He replied, “Our head doesn’t hurt anymore, but theirs still does. It’s them, not us.” I watched them all having fun.

I conjured my phone to me. Elise laughed from the ocean, “EJ, don’t call Wes again.”

I told her, “I’m not calling him. I’ll be right back.”

I walked far enough away I could still see Elise and called my cousin, Levi Cambridge. He was the only other one who’d met Melanie that I knew of.

He answered right away “Hi EJ, how’s Fiji?”

I answered, “Beautiful. That’s not why I called though. I have a question.”

Levi replied, “Alright, hit me with said question.” I asked, “Do you get a headache if I say the name Melanie McAlister?”

Levi snorted, “Not exactly, but I do get annoyed. Because T has bit my fucking head off about her living her dream and shit. I just don’t get it and think it’s all fucking weird. That teenager I met wanted nothing more than to meet Alexander. Now she could care less? It’s bizarre.”

I was about to say something when he continued.

“It’s also weird she’s never come home. It’s freaking strange there’s a fucking disaster every time she deigns to an attempt a visit. Or they try to go and see her. I’ve offered to portal her in. I thought T was going to punch me, so I stopped asking. All I know is if any of my siblings did this shit it would end. Quickly.”

I explained, “I usually get a slight headache, but being away from home I feel fine. Things aren’t adding up. What can you tell me about Melanie? No, what can you tell me about Ashley?”

Levi snorted, “You’re jumping subjects their cousin.”

I snorted, “If not for their family backgrounds I’d swear they were the same damn person. Micah is weird when talking about talking about Ashley.”

Levi sighed, “I know. Sadly, I don’t know much about her. She’s a source. Of what? I don’t know. I know she’s not a great liar, but she’s taken a page from the Fairy handbook. She’s evasive.”

I questioned, “Is she a partial Fairy? Is that why she’s wolf less? She could just need her mate. I don’t have that info.”

Levi quickly said, “Micah and Cayden say she doesn’t have Fairy blood. She knows a few Fairies though.”

I thought of Peter’s story about Emmaline. I offered, “They might not have met a partial with Fairy blood like she has.”

Levi argued, “Micah has been around tons of partial Fairies with differing levels of Fairy blood. He still says she’s not a Fairy. I think he’s right.”

I frowned, “A full blooded Werewolf not having a wolf is not possible.”

Levi said, “You don’t have to tell me, and I know it broke her heart. Micah said she was devastated on a level he didn’t understand. He said it seemed to put her on a destructive identity crisis path.”

I rubbed my temples, “Have you ever dug for information on her? What does she look like?”

Levi answered, “No, but that’s because she’s not my source. I have no clue what she looks like.”

I cursed, “Fuck. You have to know the type of source…”

Levi interrupted, “I know that timing for certain things coincides with Micah or Cayden going to see her.”

I asked, “What things?” Levi answered, “Drugs. Those drug runners whose shipments we’ve stopped.” I snorted, “Black Path being involved in drugs would not surprise me at all.” Brutus asked, “Why wouldn’t she tell Elise about it?” That I did not know.

Levi added, “I also know they got to a target at one of The Rebels concerts. She got them in, and they came back with one of the Utah drug ring leaders. She helps with things like that.”

I frowned, “Alright. That’s something at least. Have you ever looked into Melanie?”

Levi snorted, “Ask your dad. He’s got a guy on her. My guy spotted his the one time I tried to have someone check up on her.”

I groaned, “Great. I’ll try and catch him before mom goes into her concupiscence.”

He chuckled, “Best of luck.”

I hung up and dialed my dad. He answered, “Hello EJ, please tell me you know what that was with your brother. I barely kept your mom here. She’s been fretting ever since wondering if she should go to him.”

I admitted, “I haven’t talked to him, but he’s happy. I called to ask if you have someone on Melanie McAlister.”

My dad answered, “I do. Why?”

I asked, “Does he send you pictures of her?”

My dad sighed, “I had him stop trying. He’s not a photographer.”

I pushed, “So for all you know, he’s not following her.” My dad said, “She introduced herself to him.”

I argued, “Anyone could say they were Melanie McAlister. It doesn't make that true.”

My dad sighed, “I have a headache. FUCK! I have to go.”

I felt why so I didn’t ask. I pushed my bond with my mom down knowing she’d gone into her concupiscence.

I called Alexander, but he didn’t answer again. I left a message, “Call me back unless you want me to pop to you. I swear if you went dark on a mission without telling me, I’ll kick your ass. You seem FAR too happy for that though. I have questions and I need some damn answers.”

I hung up. I checked the bond and dove into his feelings. He was insanely happy while also confused. Happy was his driving emotion though so I guess that was something.

I walked back and got into the ocean with Elise. She commented, “You seem to be a million miles away.”

I kissed her, “I’m right here.”

Brutus linked, “We should tell her.” I disagreed, “Bringing it up with her would only give her a headache.” He agreed, “You’re right.”

As the days went on, I was barely sleeping. I was really worried about Ladybug. Was she in New York? Of course she was. She had to be. Didn’t she? Why would people get headaches when they thought too hard about her? Why hadn’t we physically seen her?

I called Toby. He answered asking, “Do you sleep?”

I snorted, “Rarely. What do we have on Alpha Ezra’s activities?”

Toby replied, “Nothing abnormal. He goes to visit Nashville as much as he always does.” I instantly questioned, “Who is he visiting?”

Toby groaned, “You know we don't really have sources in Nashville, EJ.”

I ran a hand through my hair, “Then ask Phil since he does”

Toby snorted, “If I find him, I’ll do that.” I stilled before asking, “Phil is gone too?” Toby answered, “Yup. I’ve got to run an errand out of the territory today with Genevieve, so I’ll text Phil. Everyone’s going to be gone today except Wes.”

I groaned, “Thanks. That gives me the warm fuzzies to know he’s alone.”

Toby laughed, “Chill, man. You’re on vacation and Austin is going to be with your Uncle Jackson. Guess who is going to be with Austin?”

I answered, “Arlina.” He clicked his tongue, “Yes, and she can pop. Wesley will be fine.” I hung up the phone in annoyance.

I was grateful we stayed around the house today. Elise and I were getting hot and heavy in the pool until Dalton yelled, “EJ, Jayden is on the phone.”

I groaned, “Is it important?”

Brutus grumbled, “He can link us.” He could. I asked, “Do you have everyone blocked out?” He muttered, “Maybe.” I laughed at him in my head.

Dalton answered me, “He seems to think so.”

I growled, “Fine!”

I got out of the pool and took the phone. I snarled, “Jayden, this had better be good. My link was blocked out for a reason.” Jayden laughed, “I couldn’t stop myself. I’m too curious about what was happening in your territory.”

I growled, “I’m not there and you know it. Why call me?”

Jayden snorted, “I know you aren’t, but I thought the pack link might give you a clue. The rumor running around my pack is that Alexander brought a girl home.”