Page 18

Tristan chuckled, “You go kick ass, Ladybug.” I whispered, “I wish you were coming, T.” Jason snorted, “What I am? Chopped liver?” I jumped into his arms next, and he squeezed me tightly.

I linked him, “I know something is going on with T while I’m gone.

I know you’re staying to have his back. Link me if you need anything. ”

Tristan and Elise had their wolves now, so they were included in more stuff than me and Jason were.

Jason linked, “You know it.” I knew he wouldn’t actually do it. He’d just say he would. They were very protective of me.

I squealed, “MELINDA! MB!” They were my aunts technically speaking. I called MaryBeth, MB since she liked it right now. They both laughed and gave me a big group hug. MaryBeth said, “Go win that competition and come back with a big trophy and medal.” Melinda agreed, “For sure!”

I asked, “Where’s Uncle Duncan?” They all looked at each other. My dad cleared his throat, “He’ll be here when you get back.” I frowned because that was evasive. Uncle Duncan always said goodbye before my competitions. Maybe he was out looking for his mate again.

My Grandpa Ben chuckled, “Get over here, Ladybug.” I squealed and went to hug him.

He swung me around. He whispered, “Go take on the world, Ladybug.” It was the world championship competition.

I was the only dancer in our academy that was going.

Four of my teachers were coming. Mostly that was fine, but one I didn’t like at all.

Mom said I had no reason not to like her, but I disliked her a lot.

I told the Warriors to be weary of her, but I feel like they just thought I was cute.

Grandma Esther hugged me next. She whispered, “We will be watching on some link T set up.” I chuckled.

One, because Tristan didn’t set it up. Two, because she was just as savvy as us pups were with the internet, but she played like she wasn’t.

I think I was the only one who knew she was just messing with them besides Grandpa Ben.

Tristan snorted, “I’ve already cleared out time for you to be confused and me to have to go over to your house and set up it.” She muttered, “It would be easier if we just put it on the big screen in the main house.”

Peter and Chelsea came in. He agreed, “It would be. That’s probably why I reserved it.” I giggled, “Daddy Peter!” He held his arms open wide and I ran into them. He linked, “Go do us all proud, you always do.”

We were like family, which was very common between the Alpha and Beta families, even the Gamma’s. They entered next. I smiled because everyone was coming to wish me good luck. I hugged Chelsea, Garrett, and then Sharon.

My mom laughed, “Alright, we’ve got to get going.” My watch beeped and I knew she was right. I agreed, “Yup… gotta go… for sure… last one to the car is a rotten egg!” I took off for the SUV. The Warriors going with us raised an eyebrow. I threw all my stuff in the back.

My parents came out and my dad got into the driver’s seat.

He was taking us the airport. I waved, “BYE!” People from the pack were outside with posters and banners to wave us all out.

I held my breath as we left, knowing we had thirty seconds left.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we made it past the main entrance of the pack.

My dad asked, “Are you ok, Ladybug?” I squeaked, “Who me?” He chuckled, “Yes, you.” I nodded, “Uh huh… sure… totally fine.” We locked eyes in the review mirror. He told me, “It’s ok to be nervous. You’re going to win though.” He winked, “You always do.”

I was relieved that he’d assumed I was nervous about the competition instead of the cookie lady because that would’ve led to a blow up about her. I saw a few Warriors glance at each other. I was certain they knew. Maybe my dad did too, but he wouldn’t have been mad about it mom would’ve.

We made it to the airport, and got checked in.

My dad sighed, “I wish I was going.” My mom put her forehead on his and they rocked together.

I was pretty sure that was unconscious on their part.

My parents were fated mates, just like Xander and I were.

I loved their relationship and hoped Xander and I would have what they did.

They kissed before my dad kissed the top of my head. He said, “You’ve got this, Ladybug. I’ll probably growl about your costumes. Don’t think I didn’t notice you nor your mom showed me what they looked like for this one.” I chuckled, “I didn’t pick them out.”

My mom gasped, “Don’t even imply I did! I had NOTHING to do with it.” I snorted, “That’s true. The teachers picked them.” The Warriors with us snickered. My dad hugged me one last time then mom and got us to the TSA line.

He walked away muttering, “Why do those dance teachers want me to lose my goddamn mind? She’s just a pup and she looks damn near twenty years old when she’s done up in the makeup and the hair, combined with those outfits. I swear they want to give me heart palpitations.”

My mom and I both busted up laughing. I asked, “Daddy knows you do my makeup, right?” She winked, “Of course he does. I’ve been doing makeup since I was in high school.

” She was really good at it and often did it for she wolves for fancy events.

She just also had an accounting degree and was really good with numbers.

I knew at one of the BAGG (Bad Ass Girl Gang) day’s she’d done everyone’s make up. She loved doing it. She was certified and everything. We made it through the security line and to our plane. We were flying back on Peter’s private jet.

I was shocked mom didn’t have Sharon pop us into the competition this time. It told me that something was definitely up in the pack though. I pulled up my tablet and started reading through Alpha Eric’s paper first. He was giving out battle strategies.

I pulled up my notes on the side and began to type them out with my questions. My brain also formulated additions to the offensive and defensive strategies Alpha Eric put out. I got lost in the paper and my thoughts.

Our flight was called, and we all boarded. It seemed silly since it was a private flight for it to be called, but that was just me. We got settled in and I finished my notes and reading on Alpha Eric’s paper. I filed those away and got to King Aiden Holloran.

He had interesting papers on hybrids I read, but also full bloodied Fairies.

No one paid attention to those but me. I monitored his tracking for analytics on them.

The Hackura were the only ones who read them.

It seemed silly because he was telling people they were dangerous, and no one should cross them.

Somehow people didn’t seem to understand or comprehend they should NOT mess with Fairies.

There were a lot of times the freak weather reports were them because people weren’t listening.

Xander’s brother, Max, could cause earthquakes.

Cassie could create tornados and there were others.

Julian had a lot of earth powers, but people respected that.

For some reason, it didn’t occur to them to respect the Fairies that had more capabilities than the Conners. Or stronger earth powers. It was maddening to me, but I would imagine it was more so to the Fairies themselves.

Well, that wasn’t true. I think they kind of enjoyed it. People STILL didn’t suspect them of the things they did. The overall characterization of them was that they were flighty, uncaring, and fun loving. So, no one suspected them of being serious.

When in truth, they could be quite serious. Also, their versions of pranks were insane. You did NOT want an angry Fairy pranking you, but no one seemed to get that. I found that odd since Xander’s mom, Princess Haley Holloran Cambridge Conners, had beyond proved that.

She was even nice with most her pranks because of Alpha Eric and his alliances. She still got people good, and they seemed to just think she was extreme. She was quite tame by Fairy standards to anyone who was allied with Alpha Eric. They just didn’t seem to get that.

They clearly didn’t know how she pranked Fairies. Which was totally NOT something I knew because I’d put a device I was working on a book Jared returned. It did NOT help me piggyback onto their system and hack some files. That’s not a thing that I did. Nope. Not even kind of.

We were landing before I knew it and I huffed because I had to put my Fealish book away. I’d been taking notes on it. I stowed all my stuff, and we got off together. We were waiting for my teachers who came on other flights. The last one that showed up was the one I didn’t like.

She plastered on a fake smile, “Hey little tiny dancer.” I frowned, “Litle and tiny imply the same thing… so it’s not necessary to say both and…” My mom cut me off, “That was rude, Melanie Janie. Say sorry.” I sighed, “Sorry.”

She was right. It was rude but I REALLY didn’t like Miss. Janie Loperstom. That sounded like such a fake name, but I hadn’t been able to prove it was. I mentally grumbled that if I knew Prince Gunner, he could prove it. Or his son, Micah. He could totally prove it too.

We loaded up in the SUV’s my dad rented for us and took off for the hotel.

My plan was going to come into play tomorrow night.

My teachers and my mom were attending a parent’s night out deal the competition was doing.

I was going to be “asleep” when they left with Warriors on the door. I had everything to get that done.

My mom clapped, “Ok, we get to the hotel, check in, and we will get you ready for the afternoon competitions.” I nodded because I knew that. I was more relaxed when all the teachers got their rooms. Miss Janie Loperstom was arguing with the front desk because her room wasn’t near ours.