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Melanie is Twenty-Years Old

Melanie’s friends were watching her closely. I found I was highly annoyed by that. No. I was annoyed by everything right now. Their looks of concern and the reasons for said looks of concern. The upcoming week and the Odette situation.

I couldn’t find her. I’d lost someone…. me! She was being hidden by her horrible mother… and Odette needed me. It was insulting that I was being bested by that horrid woman. It had been over a month, and I was coming up empty on her whereabouts.

I was taking it horribly and I was grouchy. Hence all the looks from my friends. I winced thinking about how alone Odette must feel again. I couldn’t help but remember when I met her.

Flashback

Melanie’s computer went off. Everyone went on alert in my place. My off pack grounds secondary place was a popular hangout with our group for several reasons. I couldn't very well take down the Ring working out of Hendrick and Mason’s house or diner.

Plus, we hated being in the pack because they sucked… well… mostly to me… they respected my friends… just not me. I quickly got to my desk and entered my passwords. I groaned, “Oh come on!”

Addison asked, “What is it?” I explained, “A girl who doesn’t know about Supernatural’s is about to be abducted. Apparently, she’s very pretty and someone wants her.”

I muttered, “A horrible reason to abduct someone… when you think about. Also, her mom is traveling and never around. They are moving quickly on her for some reason. They are being really light on the details.”

Paige questioned, “The Ring wants a human?” I sighed, “That would be different. I can’t imagine she’s human… Plenty of people just don’t know they are supernatural.” I grabbed my gear. I announced, “If I’m not back in five hours, you know what to do.” They nodded.

Dax offered, “I’ll go with you.” I pointed out, “You have a meeting you can’t miss.

I’ve got this.” Avery asked, “Did they at least put in the girl’s name?

” I shrugged saying, “They did but they said it’s not her real name.

They put in Adair and a description of her.

” Avery nodded, “If anyone can get her real name, it’s you. ”

Paige warned, “Be safe.” I smiled saying, “Of course.” Dax scoffed, “You know we say it to you because you are often not safe and do reckless things when you go alone.” I argued, “You say I do reckless things when you’re with me too …

so, when you think about it… there is no winning on that front for me.

” He blew out his breath as I smiled at him.

I put my mask on and took one of our cars. The girl didn’t live too far from here. Hopefully, I’d gotten the alert soon enough that I could beat them to her and she’d remain oblivious to the Supernatural world. Since I was me and this was my life… I did not get my wish of being on time.

I saw them throwing the girl, based on her description, in the back of the van when I got to the parking lot of her building, which absolutely should be condemned. They weren’t even looking around and they were literally out in the open. Why the hell were they being so sloppy?

Something about the girl looked familiar, but I shoved that aside and followed them at a distance.

The second they were on a service road I took out my gun and shot out their tires.

They lost control. I actually yelled, “REALLY? Supernatural reflexes don’t apply to the Ring people?

Naturally…. Normally, they are better drivers… what the heck?!”

They hit a tree, and I could hear the girl in the back crying.

I quickly went around to the front, putting my silencer on as I went.

I shot both kidnappers on sight. They were Demons.

I grumbled, “This is really on you… Because you should totally have better reflexes. Now I have to explain… to the girl in the back. You really made my life more complicated… you were just supposed to pull over because of a FLAT TIRE! Jerks.”

I walked around to the back, hitting buttons on my watch that would text Valentina I needed a clean-up at my location. I timed it to send in five minutes, so I didn’t have her shimmer in and have to explain that to the girl who didn’t know about Supernatural’s.

I opened the back of the van and looked at the girl who scrambled away from me, ready to fight.

Interesting instincts. I tilted my head noting she was something for sure.

I was certain she was a partial Werewolf mixed with something else.

She felt exactly like Lux did to me. I’d never met anyone else the same mix as him.

I held my hands up saying, “I’ll help you get home, I promise.

” She whispered, “You have on a mask.” I reasoned, “Well, yes… that’s true…

but they didn’t, and they kidnapped you.

I’m rescuing you. I guess we are doing this back to front, in your mind…

” Humans would easily expect the other way around and she had no idea there was Ring or opposition to it.

She studied me for several minutes then nodded. I cut her zip ties off and got her into my car. She was shaking really badly. She whispered, “Thanks for saving me from those weirdos. They were crazy.” I took off my mask and she continued to study me.

I asked, “Why do you say that?” She snorted, “They said they were Demons. I think they actually believed that. Can you imagine? Demons. They need mental help.” I replied, “We could all use some help. I’m Melanie but people call me Ashley. What’s your name?”

She sighed, “People call me Adair around here.” I asked, “What’s your real name? Because… trust me, I’m kind of the expert on saying people call me Ashley… when my name is Melanie. So…” She admitted, “My mom said I can’t tell people my real name.”

I asked, “Where is your mom?” Adair sighed, “Off with her boyfriend of the month.” I snorted, “Well, I won’t tell your mom if you want to tell me your real name.

I don’t tell anyone that I’ve told some people my real name…

I actually usually have someone with me to say my name.

I’ve been told I’m a truly atrocious liar…

which sounds harsh… I’m not great… which is annoying…

but atrocious seems harsh.” She snickered but didn’t answer.

I put on the radio which Adair started to hum to. Wow… she had a great voice. I told her, “I play in a band. If you want, you could sing with us sometime.” She smiled admitting, “I love to sing.” I nodded, “I’d imagine so. You hum very well… so logically you are a good singer.”

Adair said, “Maybe I could sing with you guys. I usually work to help keep the electricity on in my apartment. Do you guys pay?” I looked at her, “Your mom doesn't keep up with the bills? Yes, I pay people. We get paid for the gigs… so it wasn’t like a for fun offer… though we do play together for fun sometimes…”

Adair sighed, “No, my mom doesn’t pay for anything. The rent is usually paid by her boyfriend of the month. Sometimes her boyfriend’s pay everything so I don’t bother them. Or the landlord doesn’t. My mom thinks I try to steal her boyfriends, but I don’t. They’re creepy.” Fury filled me.

I told her, “Yeah my aunt's husband is a creep, so I get it. How old are you?” She smiled, “Thank you for saving me. I didn’t say it back there, but thanks. I just turned sixteen recently.”

I told her, “Saving people is my thing. Don’t worry about it. I teach self-defense classes. You should stop by.” Really, she should. She was Supernatural; she just didn’t know it. Her Supernatural genes meant she’d be good at fighting; she just needed to train.

Adair’s face lit up. She whispered, “Really? Where?” I parked at a hotel and wrote down the address.

I told her, “Don’t go back to your apartment.

I’ll get it shut down for some reason and set you up with a new place.

Ok, Adair?” I was hoping if I said her name enough, she’d want to tell me her real one.

I’d know better than anyone you just want to hear your actual name sometimes.

She whispered, “Odette. My real name is Odette.” I smiled, thanking science for that win.

I replied, “That’s a beautiful name. What’s your last name?

” She sighed, “I don’t have one. Well, not that I know of.

My mom is super paranoid about someone taking me from her.

” Not paranoid enough considering someone had just successfully taken her.

I asked, “Why would she be?” Odette explained, “My older brother’s dad took him from her.

My brother didn’t like her though, so I don’t think his dad took him so much as he willingly left.

I miss him.” I offered, “I could help you find him.” Odette smiled, “Thanks. I’m looking for him myself though. I’ll find him.”

I nodded, “If you change your mind, I’ll help you.” She nodded. I asked, “So is your mom scared your dad will take you too?” Odette frowned, “She says so. All I know about my dad is he gave me some blood disorder and doesn’t want me. So, I don’t know why she’s worried he’ll take me.”

I frowned knowing that the chances that was a lie were highly likely. That was my guess since this girl had NO human blood and no Supernatural had a blood disorder unless they were being poisoned. I asked, “Do you move a lot?”

Odette nodded, “Oh yeah. Ever since my brother left, my mom shuffles us from one place to the next following some guy. They eventually break up with her. She has a few days of wallowing with ice cream and wine, then we move onto the next city and guy.” I frowned.

I took out an extra phone I kept on hand and handed it to her. I said, “If you ever need me, call. If I don’t see you Thursday for self-defense classes, I’ll come looking for you. Your new apartment address and keys will be delivered to you tomorrow. The hotel is paid for.”