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My mom chuckled, “I wonder why she’s not by us.” The Warrior who checked us in answered, “Beta Drake got you the penthouse. Alpha Eric owns this hotel, and he worked it out with him.” I gasped, “He did?” My Xander’s dad gave us the penthouse? He winked at me and nodded.

Janie Loperstom squealed, “That’s great! We can all share!” I linked my mom, “Who tells her when she’s rude? Because… that was totally rude. You always say I can’t invite myself places.” My mom’s lips twitched trying to hide her smile.

My main teacher, Miss Becky Saveron, gasped, “Janie! You cannot invite yourself into their room!” Mis Janie argued, “They have a whole penthouse, and we were supposed to be on the same floor to work on the routines.”

I snorted, “Huh? I know all the routines… because I choreographed them… I’ve practiced them for almost half a year…

so… working on them doesn’t make sense.” The most senior Warrior with us, Tom, said, “Sadly, we cannot accommodate more in the penthouse. We will all be up there and there are additional guards coming.”

Miss Janie squeaked, “WHAT?!” My eyes narrowed in suspicion because she sounded nervous.

I wasn’t the only one that noticed this time either.

Tom said, “Alpha Eric has wolves that work security for the hotel, and they will be joining our detail for the competition at his insistence.” I hid my grin behind my stuffed Xander wolf.

My mom said, “Well, that’s very nice of Eric.” Yeah, she was allowed to call him that. Miss Janie wasn’t, and I bet that made her mad. Miss Becky dragged her to the opposite elevator. When I noticed no one was watching me I stuck my tongue out at her and made a ‘I’m watching you gesture.’

She narrowed her eyes, but her glare stopped. She quickly looked away. I glanced over my shoulder and nearly groaned. Tank was watching the two of us. He had just graduated high school, but he’d always hung out with Jason and his friends. Jason was mature for his age.

Well, we all were… and Tank watched me a lot growing up once he moved to our pack. He was officially on my sometimes detail when he passed his next level Warrior class, that solidified he could go out as a guard once he graduated.

We were led to a different, private, elevator. Ok, this might make this all harder to get out. It was SUPER cool though. I just needed to tweak a plan or two… because I had studied the blueprints of this hotel. I knew who owned it and everything.

I squeaked when our key worked, and we were taken to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, and I gasped, “Oh my gosh! Do you guys see this?! LOOK AT THE CITY! Are those flowers? And chocolate? Ohhhh energy drinks!” My mom laughed, “Oh no! Tom, do NOT let her have one.” I pouted and she led me into the bathroom.

She said, “This one can be yours. Get in the shower and I’ll do the same.” I nodded and she left. I waited to get undressed because I knew who was coming. Tank slid into my room and crossed his arms. I bit my lip, but he just kept standing there, waiting.

I blurted out, “I don’t know why you do this… I mean I do… you want me to talk... and it works… because you know that I hate silence… which makes it kind of mean that you keep doing this… and I have TOLD everyone Miss Janie is bad.”

“She’s clearly bad… like she was obviously nervous when there were more guards mentioned…

it’s like she had some other plan. But when I say that…

I’m crazy… or the bad guy… which is crazy because you saw that look she gave me…

and her voice squeaked! Everyone says when my voice squeaks it says I’m nervous… or lying and…”

He cut me, “I’m watching her, don’t worry.” I grumbled, “If only you were with me all the time.” He said, “Well, if I submit a report she needs to be watched, she will be.” I grumbled, “Because people listen to you when I’ve said for years…”

He cut me off, “One day soon pup, everyone will be listening to you. I can feel it.” I huffed, “I’m sorry you got pulled away from your mate…you guys just found each other and…” He laughed, “She’s coming out here tomorrow so it’s not a big deal.”

I squealed, “Ziggy is coming?!” I ended up being right about them being cute together. I had a few more people I’d mentioned they’d be cute too and they acted like I was right since I was about Tank and Ziggy.

Tank admitted, “She has strict instructions from Adeline not to forget a single thing about you taking home that trophy.” I grinned, “I hope to.” He snorted, “You’re going to. Now, get in the shower and avoid that teacher.” I muttered, “I always do.”

He caught my arm. I frowned, “Umm…you said to shower, and I was just…” He asked, “What do you mean you always do? The reports I read said she’s your favorite instructor.

” I snorted, “Does my mom not read these reports? Or my dad? Because they know she’s not.

I literally hate her… mom says that’s a strong word, but I do. ”

He frowned, “I need to call Lead Warrior Zane.” I muttered, “Well, you should know that if Kenso overhears you… he’ll be mad and…” Tank cut me off, “Why would he care?” I answered, “Because they are sex buddies.” He groaned “Tell me Kenso did NOT teach you the words fuck buddies.”

I blushed, “What?! I said sex buddies… you said the other one… not me… I didn’t…” He shook his head, “That’s what most people call it.” Yeah, well if I cursed the mom monster cookies got me. Non mom monster cookie mom didn’t really care.

I just didn’t want to do anything to bring out mom monster when she had those cookies. Plus… I could say a lot of other things. So, it didn’t really bother me. Tank waved me into the shower as if I had not been heading there in the first place.

I quickly jumped into the shower after throwing my hair up into a bun. It was easier to style when it was a little dirty. Mom would probably do my hair herself. She’d gotten really good at it with all the competitions, and I preferred that process done with just her and I.

She was waiting when I got out of my shower. She shook her head, “The Warriors are whispering and on the phone.” I didn’t want her to find out why, so I just shrugged. She laughed, “That tells me you did something. Come here.” She pointed to a seat, and I hopped into it.

She winked, “Make up first, I think. We get to do bright red lipstick with this one.” It wasn’t my normal shade, but it was red. I winked, “Miss Becky came up with this costume.” My mom grinned, “Do you want to know who she called to ask for it?” I asked, “Who?”

She grinned answering, “A shop owned by Haley.” I screamed, “CONNERS?! DID SHE DEISGN IT?” My mom laughed, “She did because the shop didn’t have anything like what they asked for.” My Xander’s mom designed my costume. I jumped up and grabbed my Xander wolf.

My mom quickly got into braiding my hair and pulled it all back.

Then she did my dramatic dancing makeup.

Once I had that done. She pulled out the garment bag with my first day costume in it.

It was a bodysuit missing a large chunk in the side.

It had clear beads that bled into red ones with fringe ride going to the other side. It did have two straps.

My mom chuckled, “Your daddy will hate the back.” I replied, “He’ll hate the whole thing.

So will the Warriors.” She winked, “I thought of that.” She pulled out a sweatsuit that I definitely didn’t need as a Werewolf, or in California.

It had the dance academy’s name on it though.

I hugged her, “I love you, mom.” She hugged me tightly, “I love you too, Melanie Jane.”

I loved when it was us like this. No mom monster cookies and fun times. I felt like it showed me my real mom. I had her most of the time to be honest, but if any event was coming up those cookies seemed to multiply.

She helped me into my costume and made sure the jewels holding the back of my outfit on were secure. She handed me my sweatsuit and we walked out. My mom asked, “Are you boys trading secrets?” Tom answered, “Nope.”

Kenso looked around at all the confused. That was smart of Tank to keep him out of it. Huh. A Warrior who actually listened to me. That was weird. I’d have to tell Adeline her brother in law was the best.

We went downstairs and were joined by more security. Fifteen additional Warriors seemed like overkill, even for Alpha Eric. I shot a look at Tank who avoided my eyes. I glanced at my mom, but she seemed confused too. She’d link my dad later if she wasn’t already.

Our teachers were shuffled into a different car being driven by someone from the hotel. Kenso huffed, “I thought we’d get to drive with them. I drove them over here.” Tom said, “Stop thinking with your dick. You aren’t here to guard them.” My mom cringed and my eyes widened.

Kenso jolted, “Of course, you’re right. I’m sorry.” He actually looked contrite, and I winced feeling bad for him. He was always nice to me, he just defended Miss Janie. I didn’t mean to make anyone be mean to him. I bit my lip and chewed on it.

My mom linked me, “Whatever is going on with them is NOT your fault. Don’t take that on, Ladybug.

” I asked, “What if it is?” She replied, “It’s not.

Tom was harsh, but it’s true they are not here to guard your teachers.

Ok?” I nodded and we drove straight to the underground garage at the convention center.

Alpha Eric’s guards walked around the area before we got out and then I was ushered quickly inside. I linked my mom, “What’s going on?” She admitted, “I don’t know but everything is going to fine. Ok?” I nodded. I took off my sweatsuit.

Tom groaned, “Beta Female Sam, you have GOT to be kidding. My voicemail isn’t cleared, and Beta Drake will fill it about that outfit.

” My mom replied, “When he calls, you answer and say that you’re guarding OUR daughter, like WE asked you to.

Add that her outfits are NOT up to you. Besides, she looks beautiful.

” She winked at me while I grinned. He grumbled, “Yes, she does.”