What’s Going On?

Elise is Twenty Five Years Old

Elise watched EJ call Wesley again. I knew this trip would be hard for him. I think he wanted to be there at our pack to help Wesley. He also knew that his brothers needed to figure out their flow just like EJ, Alexander, and Cassie had figured out theirs.

Rhea chimed in, “Plus, Alexander is there if there’s an emergency.”

He was ready to help if needed, because this was EJ’s first true time stepping away for this long. Normally Alexander was in charge if he left. Wesley answered and I wished I could hear them.

Rhea grumbled, “If he’s going to ask questions like if Alexander is letting Wesley take the reins, we should get to hear the answer.”

That’s true because the only person this was hard for was EJ. He was the lead Alpha of the pack. Alexander already stepped back from being the leader of the family because EJ has the reins. So, of course Alexander was fine letting Wes handle this with Max. He did it every day with EJ.

Suddenly they mentioned Angela and I barely managed not to laugh. Rhea chuckled, “I bet she’s pulling a prank on someone.”

I agreed, “She definitely is. She’d leave Max and Wes alone this week so that leaves Alexander. He should honestly be prepared the way Angela and Klaus have been pranking everyone since they’d met.”

I even had a theory that Haley offered advice and tips here and there. I just knew it.

In the back of my mind, I truly hoped she’d found a way to interfere and get Melanie and Alexander together. EJ needed to let that happen. Even if it was just a prank, he needed to let go and relax. Rhea agreed, “We really do need this.”

I told her, “I’m on board. Talk to Brutus.”

I was confident Alexander would be just fine. I knew EJ was worried because we were gone, his parents were gone, and so was his grandpa. Nathan deserved a vacation too though. He needed a break to have some fun. Hell, all of us did. It had been insanely stressful lately.

Rhea chuckled, “I just bet Marcus and maybe even Harper are around too. Which meant Gunner and Cali would be.”

I mused, “They wouldn’t leave Max alone to get into trouble. They’d be around just in case.”

That tracked. I’d throw theory out to EJ if he couldn’t give this up.

Plus, Micah had a mission coming up so I’m sure Gunner would want to be with Max. EJ hung up the phone. He came over and we teased each other. I loved our banter. Rhea agreed, “It is adorable. I’ve never had this type of back and forth with an Alpha mate. Fated or chosen.” Lucky me.

Rhea purred, “Choose starting sexy time. Come on beg him for a quickie on the private beach. Throw caution to the wind!”

I snorted, “He has no intention of being quick. So, there would be absolutely nothing quick about it.”

Rhea purred again, “I’m so in. Sexy beach time. COME ON ELISE! Do it for me!”

The hunger pains in my stomach were the only thing that stopped me from agreeing. Rhea sighed, “Stupid hunger. Couldn’t it just wait one hour? Damn human stomach.”

I snorted in reply.

EJ got us back to the house. Damn his back muscles had muscles. God he was so strong. Rhea snorted, “You’re regretting not putting hunger to the back of your mind now, aren’t you? We could have gotten us some of that! We missed out on WOWZERS. I know you love it just as much as I do.”

My stomach growled answering her. Rhea grumbled about my human needs again. I shot back, “As if wolves don’t need to eat.”

My brothers, Uncle Dane, and MaryBeth were all inside with my parents. I practically inhaled my food. Rhea cheered, “That’s the spirit get back out to the beach for sexy time!”

I could be persuaded that was the way to go.

My brothers started discussing mates. I had actually talked to Cassie about this other day. She had a feeling Dalton’s mate wasn’t a wolf. Rhea mused, “I wonder what his mate would end up being.”

We both know if Cassie had a feeling it was true. I’d learned that over the years.

Out of all my brothers I could see Dalton with a Luna that wasn’t a wolf. She’d be something else and probably powerful in her own right. Cassie had a theory, but she wasn’t certain yet. Which meant she wasn’t sharing her thoughts with my brother.

I personally had a feeling Dalton and Dakota’s mates were friends already. They were so close it made sense to me that their mates had to be too. Or at least I hoped they were. My brothers were talking about taking turns traveling.

I told Rhea, “Something about that feels wrong. It’s like they should go together. What if they separated two friends? What if they didn’t go to the same places and the friend was just waiting?”

She said, “Dad, Uncle Dane, Uncle Chrisopher, and Uncle Sebastian could run things in Red Run while they were gone. T and Jase would help, and we can’t forget Grandpa.”

I replied, “You make excellent points, and I adore you.”

She chuckled. I mentally filed that tidbit away. If they got serious about traveling, I would have to tell them how I felt. Dane and I shared a look. We both knew how lucky we were to have always known our mates.

I loved how EJ and I had always been, and I knew that Dane loved his relationship with MaryBeth. It also explained how drawn we felt to them. People might have suspected we were mates before the Fairies came into our lives. Knowing about our mates wasn’t something we took for granted. I counted my blessings about it.

It was hard being apart as pups, but knowing EJ was my path wasn’t something I would change for the world. I linked my mom, “Is it true Haley and Eric’s story inspired many Alpha’s and ranked wolves to wait instead of taking a chosen mates?”

She answered, “Yes, it is. Eric still holds the record for the longest anyone waited for their fated.”

Yeah, well unless Angela interfered, I was beginning to think Alexander may just take the damn crown from him. EJ’s victory and mischievousness bloomed in the bond. Dalton linked, “You’re making a face.”

I snorted, “I asked him out loud for you. Alexander is likely getting pranked.”

Dalton replied, “Your disappointment is showing. What’s up?” I grumbled, “I thought it was something else. Please drop it.” He blinked but did as I asked.

I’d hoped it was about Melanie, not a prank. He wouldn’t be annoyed if he met her. I should ask Angela when we get back where she stood on interfering with the blurry spots. She never promised not to pop to Melanie. How the HELL did I not think of that before?!

My head started to pound. It was true though. Angela and TJ had never made the promise. They weren’t born yet, and no one bothered to make them do so after they were born. Well, as far as I knew. I filed that away for later reflection.

If Angela had just played a prank on Alexander, then I could have her pop to New York and bring Melanie home for a visit. Rhea threw out, “I like it. A new plan forms.”

That jolted me with a tinge of nostalgia because Melanie and I had those types of plans. She’d be so proud of this one.

I heard what we were doing today. I linked Cooper, “That was your request, right?”

He answered, “Yeah, they have a wicked sweet set up everyone will love.”

I asked, “Wicked sweet? Is that what the pups say these days?” He rolled his eyes at me.

EJ got so lost in someone’s feelings he was making an amused but confused face. Rhea linked, “He’s on the borderline of feeling trepidation according to Brutus.”

Why? I felt concern so hard it hit me in the bond, and I knocked into my dad who righted me.

EJ was on a knee, and I was right there. I knew who it was because I saw who he was calling. Why was Alexander so concerned I briefly felt it? Dakota linked, “What the hell?”

I replied, “I know what you do.”

My mom rubbed my shoulder while EJ talked to his siblings.

Rhea told me, “Oden is locked down to me.”

He didn’t often do that, but he wouldn’t be locked to Brutus. I held onto that hope. I linked my dad, “This whole not being able to hear the conversation is beginning to give me fits.”

He agreed, “It does suck on this end. It is nice to have privacy we’ve never been able to have though.”

I told Rhea, “Well, he’s being entirely too logical, and I hate it.”

She admitted, “Normally, I’d say you were being odd, but here I agree.”

We waited to be told what was going on while piecing together fragments of the conversation we got on his end.

I tapped my chin. Angela’s pranks didn’t involve being worried about things. They were fun. Annoyance sure, but never concern. Was I right? Was this about Melanie? Was he worried she wouldn’t be happy to see him? That was ludicrous, she’d probably choreograph a whole damn dance in his honor.

EJ was now talking to Cassie. They had their theories, but I was holding out hope on mine. Dalton linked, “You guys should come, not stay back. Why did you say that?”

I answered, “If it’s what he needs to do, I’ll do it.”

He was my mate and one day he’d know that it wasn’t a question. It was a moot point because EJ wanted to go.

EJ popped out of the car to talk to a Hackura guard. Dakota asked, “Which one is that?”

I answered, “Ithois. He’s H’s guard.”

Dalton laughed, “Yeah, we have to call him Crown Prince Hastein.” I retorted, “Well, I’m his cousin.” Cooper chimed in, “In law.” I laughed, “That’s not how they see it.” To Hastein I was just straight up a cousin to him now.

We enjoyed the water park so much. I felt free and carefree. Possibly like a human my age. Rhea said, “Look at mate’s smile. We need to keep him doing fun things like this.”

I agreed, “Yeah, we do.”

When we got to animal interactions I had hard limits. I told Rhea, “I don’t care if his Fairy side calmed the snakes or not. I am NOT holding a snake. That’s a solid pass.” Rhea snorted, “Agreed. Snakes are a no go. Although, mate looks damn FINE holding one.” I smirked because she was right.

The iguana and I seemed to have a mutual understanding and respect for each other. So her, I held. Iguanas were fine in my book. Rhea snorted, “Speak for yourself. Though that one was cute. We can handle that one, and that one only. I will growl at any other one. Don’t test me, Elise.”

I snorted, “I know better, Rhea.”

Afterwards, my dad had paid for a behind the scenes tour. I could’ve done just fine without seeing snake eggs. The open habitats were beautiful though. I was taking pictures everywhere. I’d send them to Ashley and Melanie later.

Right before it was time to go, I was shopping for everyone. Wesley told me he wanted a t-shirt and that most of my in laws would. We quickly got everyone something. I spied a little ukulele in the corner. It just looked like something Melanie would adore.

My heart panged with hurt. I missed her so much. I shouldn’t get it. She probably didn’t have time to learn anything new right now. My eyes kept wandering back to it though. My heart longed for the time when she was here. I missed her smile and talking to her.

EJ encouraged me because of course he’d noticed what I was looking at. It was a silly gift, and I knew that. It was just the kind of thing I knew she’d would love. Maybe I’d even be able to give it to her in person. If she’d met Alexander, then she’d come home. If I could get Angela to pop her in, it was a win win for me really. Rhea chimed in, “I agree with mate. Get it.”

I felt giddy when I purchased it.

EJ popped us back to the house. Rhea linked, “Oh darn, the bikini Cassie had conjured for our trip got his engines revving. It’s like one could’ve told Rain to make this happen.”

I snorted, “You set us up via Cassie’s wolf.”

She retorted, “Cassie agreed. Now, let me focus on orgasming.” Horny she wolf. She shot back, “Takes one to know one, my dear Elise. I know you’re excited about it.” I had no rebuttal to that.

I wondered if there was a charm on the swim suit, because there was nothing overly scandalous about it. Rhea snorted, “Just go with it. Who cares what his reason is? Not me, Elise. Not even one little bit.”

EJ and I lost ourselves in each other.

Eventually we fell apart for dinner. He snapped us into clothes and popped us downstairs. Dalton joked with Dane and EJ, but I saw the longing in his eyes. I hadn’t noticed how much my brothers wanted their mates until now.

Rhea whined, “Caulder and Jet do really want their mates. They said they’ve gotten more serious recently, but they always wanted what mom and dad have. Plus, they grew up watching us with mate. Then there’s MaryBeth and Dane. They see T and Everly too.”

I wanted my brothers wolves to be happy. They were seeing a lot of happy couples daily.

I replied, “Well, I can’t wait to meet them because payback is a bitch. I will get BOTH of them for the YEARS of teasing they’ve subjected me to.”

Rhea cheered, “Yes, girlfriend! Go off.”

I nearly laughed out loud and MaryBeth shot me an amused look. I was certain she’d say the same thing.

When EJ brought Alexander into the conversation my dad raised an eyebrow and sat forward in his seat. My dad linked me, “EJ doesn’t usually make comments like that.”

I was surprised, “No, he doesn’t.”

My dad laughed, “There was no way the whole family wouldn’t be caught up soon.” I replied, “Well, the more people who know means the more people who can make it happen.” He shot me a wink, “From your lips to Goddess Selene’s ears.”

Uncle Dane and MaryBeth were confused. I knew Dalton and Dakota had some suspicions, but I was guessing they thought Melanie and Alexander just wanted to meet. My youngest brother had a smirk on his face.

I linked him, “Do you know something?”

He replied, “Did you know in the basement there’s a vent that leads to dad’s former office, and the laundry room is one where you can hear his new one.”

Rhea cackled, “He’s spying on Alpha issues. Goddess, I love that pup.” My eyes nearly bugged out.

I replied, “WHAT?”

He laughed, “Yeah, I know a lot of things. Please don’t tell anyone.”

I agreed, “I won’t.” My mom asked, “What was that?” I asked, “What?” She shot me a look that said I wasn’t slick and she’d figure it out.

MaryBeth put the clues together first. To say she was beyond excited was an understatement. Rhea linked, “How about that? She actually did a backflip.”

I replied, “You saw her do that a lot.”

She replied, “Not in a few years now. It’s always good to review the classics.” I’d considered being a cheerleader like MaryBeth, but I did not enjoy it.

Dalton linked, “Your mate realizes it doesn’t matter if he confirms it with the actual words, right? His face confirms it. Alexander and Ladybug. Damn. I thought it was them wanting to meet. At least I’ll see her. I miss her ramblings and inventions. I barely passed Calculus without her. I only did because Jared gave me the homework she did for him.”

Melanie had done Jared’s homework?

Rhea linked, “Honestly, that’s the least surprising thing we’ve heard in years.”

It was. Melanie hated being bored. I went stock still when EJ mentioned emergencies. I wanted to scream and throw things. Rhea warned, “Something’s off here.”

My head started to hurt.

I told her, “I can’t think about that right now. Maybe Angela fixed it.”

Rhea sighed, “Hopefully. I miss Ladybug.”

I acknowledged, “Me too. A lot more lately. It’s been so long. I never thought it would get this far.” Why had I let it? I should tell EJ to get her and not take no for an answer. We had people who could portal, holoport and shimmer. Why weren’t we using them? Spikes felt like they were being driven into my head.

My dad linked, “Sweetie, are you ok?”

I replied, “Yup. Just having some thoughts.”

He observed me out of the corner of his eye. I noted my mom was doing the same thing. MaryBeth was planning and it hit me. It felt like something snapped loose in my mind.

I linked Rhea, “Wait. What happened to Melanie’s Plan Z? She was going to fake an emergency to meet Alexander. It’s been six years and she hasn’t tried it.”

Rhea agreed, “That doesn’t make sense. Once she thought of a plan she had to try it.”

Exactly. Even if she was having fun, she’d always wanted to meet her Xander. I took out my phone to text her.

Me: Mel, we need to talk asap. Let me know when you have time.

GOD my head freaking hurt really badly. I knew the whisper of her living her dream was coming before I heard it in my head. Yeah, yeah, yeah, give it a rest. Stupid part of my brain that really needs to shut up before I found a way to lobotomize myself.

MaryBeth let it slip that Melanie liked Alexander. Her eyes shot to mine full of horror. My mom linked me, “I shouldn’t laugh but it’s about damn time someone slipped up with that. I’m glad it wasn’t me though.”

I replied, “Melanie wouldn’t care if it got her to meet him.”

My mom chuckled, “How true. I suppose it’s too bad we never slipped up.” Yeah, wasn’t it just.

I was surprised no one who knew hadn’t up until this point. My dad was gloating. I linked, “Don’t tease them so much.”

He laughed, “I knew before so many Alpha’s and my own Beta. I’ve felt like a Beta for over a decade with this knowledge. It’s too fun not to tease them. You brought your mate with Fairy blood around and these are the consequences. I have fun.”

I rolled my eyes at him while smiling.

Rhea linked, “Shouldn’t Ladybug be homesick? She loved it in Red Run.”

I added, “Plus, she always wanted to see Black Mountain.”

Before we could continue Dalton mentioned Jason. Was he getting worse?

Rhea snorted, “What’s strange is she doesn’t notice anything going on around her. Jason literally looks like he black eyes all the time he’s so tired. Ajax said that he can’t contact her wolf because they’ve never met. That doesn’t make sense though. He should be able to talk to her, they are family.”

I sat back knowing it was strange Melanie didn’t notice ANY of the things we’d kept from her. She knew about stuff I didn’t when she was back home. She was keenly observant. Why would she ignore it all? She couldn’t be having that much fun.”

Rhea replied, “Unless she figured out that lobotomy you were trying to give yourself, it’s not possible. She’d come home and solve everything. Especially Laxenread.”

I replied, “Yet she hasn’t.”

When Uncle Dane said she was living her dream I couldn’t stand it. I had to run. I told Rhea, “Tell Brutus we just need some time alone.”

I shifted and ran along the private beach. I stuck to the forested area feeling the ground beneath my feet.

Eventually I shifted back and grabbed a shirt someone had set out. EJ’s guard must have followed me. They were always prepared. I called, “Thank you Youngers or Drax.”

They didn’t answer, but I didn’t think they would.

I watched the waves crash in while it felt like my heart was being crushed in my chest. I needed Melanie back. Why didn’t she need us? Why didn’t she want to be with us? Why did she give up on Alexander? That wasn’t like her.

My mom walked up and sat down beside me. She’d also gotten a shirt. She said nothing for several minutes. She petted my hair as we watched the waves. Eventually she asked, “What’s going on in your head, my beautiful little girl?”

I sighed, “It doesn't make sense. I can’t talk about it because I get a headache.”

My mom frowned stalling her hand. She asked gently “This is about Ladybug?”

I grumbled, “Headaches shouldn’t give away who I was talking about, but it does. That’s weird. You know what else is weird? Why doesn’t she miss us?”

My mom gently said, “I’m sure she does.”

I snorted, “Not enough to see us or to come home. She loves Red Run, and you know that. I understand being excited about a new place, but she’s spent Christmas and Thanksgiving alone for six years. I mean I know that family in New York spent it with her, but they aren’t us. They aren't her family. This whole thing is ridiculous. It doesn’t fit with her personality. Mel would’ve shown up with bells on to surprise everyone at some point. Probably well before it hit a year of her being gone. Why hasn’t she?”

My mom frowned, “I agree that it’s odd. We all think it is but she’s…”

I groaned, “Don’t say it. I can’t hear it anymore. I want to strike those words from the English language. Why does her dream mean we can’t skype with her for more than five minutes? Even on her birthday, mine, Drake’s, or literally anyone’s. Holidays we get nothing from her because she’s always busy and doing something. It doesn’t make sense.”

I screamed when pain exploded in my head.

My mom held me, “Shhh Elise, I know pup. I know. It hurts me too.”

I stopped thinking about it and just sat with my mom. I asked, “Is Jase getting worse?”

My mom winced admitting, “Yes. He can only sleep with medication from the pack doctor. Anytime he shuts his eyes he gets some flash. Old or new, it doesn’t matter. He wakes up more convinced Melanie was there that day.” Rhea whined in my head.

Mom whispered, “Only talking to her on the phone calms him down. He’s always much better after their skype calls, but they just aren’t frequent enough. I just don’t know what to do for him. Sam and Drake are really worried. I’m tempted to charter a private plan and send him to New York. Once he sees her in person, I know he’d let this whole Melanie saved him thing go.”

I nodded even though it felt like a lie.

Would he let it go? Was he right all this time? Did Mel save him? I shook myself because that was crazy. Rhea linked, “Not so crazy if the Resistance approached her.”

I replied, “She’d tell me. That would be an emergency.”

She reasoned, “Six years alone can change a wolf.”

She wasn’t alone though. Right? Rhea piped back in, “You just said that she’s not with family. She’s basically a lone wolf from Red Run.”

Damn it she needed to come home.

We walked back to the house in silence. Everything was all messed up. I grabbed my phone off the deck, where I’d thrown it before I shifted. I had a message from Mel.

Ladybug: I’m available next week. Towards the end of the week. Sorry I’m slammed right now.

Me: I was hoping for earlier. Just call when you can.

Ladybug: Sorry! Super busy. I’ll talk to you next week.

None of the words sounded remotely like her. Hell, none of her actions in the last six years were like her. The part that just didn’t add up was from the time she was three all she wanted was to meet Alexander.

I stilled, “Rhea, where’s her Xander wolf?”

She replied, “With her.”

I asked, “But have you seen it? I don’t remember seeing her with it in pictures or our calls. Not once and she always had it with her.” She agreed, “I don’t recall seeing it since she left.” I volleyed back, “Why isn’t he ever on her bed? Where is her Xander wolf?” She admitted, “I have no idea.”

What did I know? I knew it wasn’t in the McAlister house. No, because if something happened to Melanie and that was left behind, we’d know. God, that was the strangest thought I’d ever had. Nothing happened to her in the heart of our territory.

I shoved that aside wondering where the damn wolf was? She was never without it. What was going on? Why didn’t I think of that before? Rhea snorted, “These damn headaches are why.”

She was right. The headaches were the only reason. I managed to chuckle, thinking of my errant thought of someone taking Melanie and grabbing her stuffed wolf knowing it was important to her. If I were a kidnapper that would be vital, and a massive screw up if forgotten.

EJ said the wolf could be out of the frame. I could be a purple unicorn, but it seemed unlikely. Rhea snorted, “I am not purple. Nor am I a unicorn.”

I snarked, “Exactly.”

Rhea snickered, “Aren’t we testy?” I was but only because everything just didn’t add up to me. Sadly, there were no Karina cookies to calm my and make me think my thoughts were silly.

Now, I was practically a crazy conspiracy theorist. Keeping something from Melanie was hard. Something big was practically impossible. So, the fact that she never picked up on Jason briefly being kidnapped by Hunters was odd. She’s too smart for that. She’d check in on us and she’d be listening to gossip.

People knew Jason was kidnapped. It was not a secret and that pack she was with definitely knew. Yet Melanie had no clue? She’d be on the first plane home if she’d caught a whisper about a fraction of what was happening. My headache came roaring back.

EJ consoled me. I linked Rhea, “Sure we will figure everything out. Right after I nail a spike into my head to stop the other pain I feel. Maybe if I actually use a spike, it will all stop.”

Rhea said, “Let’s call that plan not even an option.”

Someone had jokes today.

Rhea linked, “I mean mate’s plan is better. He revisits the popping rule with Drake. Both packs have new leadership it should be reviewed.”

That was true. It should’ve been reviewed within the first month of Alexander and EJ leading the pack. Why wasn’t it? It was protocol. Why didn’t I talk to EJ about it sooner? An almost blinding pain hit me. UGH. I was SO over this shit.

EJ was still talking but I was focusing on not seeing spots. I caught when he said things could be different now. That would be great. Alexander could come with us to New York then. We could all go see her. I just needed to see her. That’s all this was.

We went and watched a movie with my family that I didn’t watch. I could tell EJ was unsettled. He was distracted and worried. I saw him text Corbin about magic. Dalton linked, “What’s up with you serious Sassafras’s?”

I asked, What?”