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Caine snorted, “Let them die.” I replied, “I can’t.” Sierra said, “Well, you need more people. The Hunters got their cabin location. They will come in full force and you know they cannot catch you.”

Addison walked in. I clapped, “Perfect! Addison practiced and is great shot now. Sierra and Caine go back to the pack and Valentina will shimmer us there.” Valentina agreed, “Of course.” Caine growled, “Just let them die! Peter and Chelsea Kyle turned their back on you FOUR YEARS AGO! Just do the same to them.”

I winced, “I can’t. Them dying would break my soul. He… she… they were like my second set of parents and…” He sighed, “You’ll do what you want. Take Valentina and Addison and be safe.” Caine and Addison shared a look.

I admitted, “I hate disappointing you.” It physically hurt me. He squeezed my arm, “You are always you and that never changes. They don’t deserve you and I wish you could see that.” He left with Sierra, and we geared up.

Valentina shimmered us near Red Run’s border.

I nearly took a step over it but grounded myself then took three steps back.

I found us a spot to shoot from. The Hunters were close.

Addison linked, “Mel…” I cut her off, “I wouldn’t have known this if I hadn’t joined the Hunters and took all those computers. They could’ve died….if…”

She snorted, “Yes, you would’ve because you’re terrifying with a computer. You are fierce about the people you love.” I let my tears fall. Valentina whispered, “Mel?” I admitted, “We used to come to this cabin. It was a secret with our family, the Kyle’s, and Richards’.”

Valentina asked, “Who are the Richards?” Addison answered, “The Richards are the Gamma family in Red Run. We just use their first names a lot. So Sharon and Garret along with their brood of pups.” Valentina nodded.

I found Peter and Chelsea through the scope. I choked out a sob because I hadn’t seen them in a while. I protected them but from afar. Everything in me demanded I go run to them and beg them to love me again. Addison growled, “I hate them so much.”

The Hunters began to move. I looked back and gasped, “Why aren’t they moving?” They were talking. I growled, “MOVE!” Addison snorted, “Seriously? They haven’t noticed?” I quickly typed a text out to Peter, but he didn’t answer. I groaned, “Come on!” I texted him again and he finally looked. Good.

They were finally moving. They were going to be ok. We were going to cover them. Addison sighed, “Mel, maybe we just…” I declared, “I will not watch another person I love get shot or die. Nothing hits them and these jerks PAY!”

My watch went off and I gasped, “They launched a rogue attack?! SERIOUSLY!” She assured me, “The pack will have it covered.” I had to hope she was right. Without me there to argue and demand my friends come help Red Run, they wouldn’t.

Addison groaned, “Is he really kissing her? We don’t have time for this.” I wished I was closer so I could hear them. Valentina reasoned, “He probably thinks he’s saying goodbye.” Addison huffed. They ran outside and fury overtook me.

I fired more rounds than necessary into all my kills. They thought they could take MY FORMER ALPHA! They thought they could take Daddy Peter away and they were WRONG. Elise would be upset… that’s why I was doing this.

What the hell was that though even just now? I didn’t think of him as Daddy Peter anymore and I hadn’t in a long time. He never talked to me how he used to since I left. I see him again in person and mentally I’m back to Daddy Peter? Get a grip, Melanie.

Valentina said, “Uhh Mel, they are dead.” I shot them some more then ordered, “Shimmer inside with this note and take pictures. Leave these bugs and get back to us.” Addison pointed out, “You don’t have a note.” I huffed and clicked buttons to type my note then handed it to Valentina.

They read it and Valentina shimmered away. Addison stared at me. I grumbled, “Ok so I was angry… but seeing him is harder than I thought. They acted how they always did with each other and… why are they so normal and I’m not!”

Valentina came back saying, “Note delivered, bugs planted, and Paige communicated that Micah wants to meet you.” I ordered, “ILYX, send a text to Micah that I’ll be there later.” He agreed, “Of course, Melanie Jane.”

Valentina shimmered us back to my place. I asked, “Where are the pictures?” She showed me and I broke down. Addison held me and petted my hair. I cried, “It’s like a physical representation of myself.” She asked, “How?”

I explained, “The cabin used to be such a joyous and fun place and now it’s broken and shattered. Just like me.” I knew it made them mad, but it was how I felt.

After that, things continued on as they had, for the most part.

Xander emailed me now… but me as Ashley, which…

I still couldn’t believe. It gave me hope for a better future.

One thing I couldn’t forget was the visual of how that cabin perfectly portrayed how I felt.

I put a picture of it in my desk drawer.

My weird schedule of life continued. Time passing by meant very little to me at this point. Days blended together. Charles had just come into town a few weeks ago and it had been nice to see him.

I was pissed that Alpha Peter didn’t call after I saved him.

That note literally told him who I was, and he didn’t even call to yell at me, let alone say thank you.

I’d destroyed the gym I bought across the street from my secondary place after that lack of acknowledgement. It upset me on a very high level.

I was trying to calm down, so I was sitting at her computer, doing pack paperwork.

I refused to do it in that supply closet that Edward had given as a test to me.

Buck was using his office, but Edward wouldn’t let me use it with him.

Even though it was more convenient. He was still being obnoxious over the Trevor ordeal.

My computer went off and I paused. I groaned, “Of course Ezra can’t be a decent human being! AHHHH! Why can’t Alpha’s do good things anymore?” I called Tao and he answered. “This can’t be good. Ezra is being weird about Talia being my fated mate. What’s going on?”

I replied, “He just put Talia’s name on those he’s giving over to Hunters.” He snarled, “I’ll kill him.” I winced, “Umm so maybe you could… your mate will be in danger… but we started training recently and… I sort of… ok I have a backup plan.” He growled, “What is the plan?”

I explained, “I’ll be there and kill that Hunter group coming in and get Talia to Black Mountain. Ezra will NEVER look for her there. She’ll be safe and then when you’re ready you’ll take over with her at your side.” He took several deep breaths.

Talia whispered, “It’s a good plan, Tao.

” I had not realized they were together but her being there would help me.

He growled, “MINE! I don’t want to be away from you.

” She soothed him, “It will be a drop in the bucket of the time we’ll have together.

With you here partial Fairies can be in our pack, just like Ashley said. We can be a pack people want to join.”

She paused admitting, “Being away from you will feel like there’s no air for me to breathe in, but I won’t risk your life.

Or the dreams we have for what this pack will look like.

You knew your dad didn’t like me.” Tao growled, “Swear to me that you will save Talia, Ashley.” I pledged, “I swear an oath to you no harm will befall her.”

I added, “You’ll just have to… pretend to be angry…

when she doesn’t return, and they say she’s dead…

. Also, be an actor when her pack link break.

So, taking a swing at Ezra… would be expected and…

” He snorted, “Alright. We are in. Keep her safe.” I promised, “I will.” We hung up and I began to plan that.

My computer beeped again. I grumbled, “Be nothing. Just be nothing…I do NOT have time for you to be something.” I looked up and shoved the paperwork off my desk. I wanted to throw everything I could get my hands on. I heard the elevator ding and smelled Sierra coming.

I growled, “STOP TRYING TO KILL MY MATE! WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE LEARN! I KILL YOU ALL FIRST EVERY TIME! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! YOU ARE SO FREAKING ANNOYING! HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TEACH THIS PARTICULAR LESSON?!”

Sierra said, “The computer can’t yell back, Mel.

” I glared at her. She said, “I’ll call everyone.

” I told her, “Don’t bother. I need to beat some people up, and you have a meeting with your dad.

” Sierra sighed, “Yes, the lovely monthly meeting where he tells me to just accept whoever he wants me to mate with.”

I grumbled, “Then punch him in the face, and say eat dirt!” Sierra snorted, “You get so testy when people come for your Xander.” I yelled, “Because they always come for him. Do they think I have nothing better to do with my time? I don’t… BUT THEY DON’T KNOW THAT!”

Sierra snickered as I got dressed. I put on all my Resistance gear, spraying myself down to hide my scent.

I strapped myself down with my guns, knives, and a rifle the came back out.

Sierra hummed, “You don’t need all that.

” I glowered, “Yes, I do.” Sierra nodded, “It’s such a bad day to be a Bounty Hunter.

” I walked to the elevator and punched the button.

I rambled, “Bad day to be a STUPID Bounty Hunter. I’ve killed countless of them at this point, thinking they can kill my Xander.

As if I’d even let them get close enough.

Oh, he’s traveling. Let’s get him. Because he couldn’t pop or portal away.

Or melt our brains… no… of course we are smarter.

We are so smart we got caught by a teenager…

a genius teenager…but still. Freaking morons.

Just give up! This is the definition of insanity. ”