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I cried, “I could do that here.” He said, “But you could do it there too. We have Fairies who could bring you back. There are planes, trains, and automobiles that could keep us together. My insecurities about you leaving this pack have kept you here a lot. This is a big opportunity for you, and I can’t hold you back as much as I’d like to. ”

I asked, “So, if I don’t want to compete, I don’t have to then.

” He replied, “I think you should compete.” I continued, “Then I can decline the spot if I win.” He winced, “I think you should give it a chance. There are times when you’re young you make decisions, then live with what if’s. I don’t want that for you.”

I asked, “What’s your what if then?” He locked his jaw. I nodded, “You don’t have one.” He reasoned, “Just because I don’t doesn’t mean other people don’t live with them.” I whispered, “I’m an annoying know it all who rambles and talks to much… I get why you want me gone.” It just hurt.

He snarled, “T, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY TO HER?” Tristan growled, “I didn’t say anything like that!” I agreed, “He didn’t.” Peter asked, “Is this about those bullies you didn’t tell us about? They filled your head with that bullshit? Because that’s exactly what it is.”

I frowned, “I do ramble and talk a lot. Plus, not to brag… but like, I am right a lot.” They all busted up laughing and I actually smiled. My dad said, “I would not change a single hair on your head or anything about your big brain. All pups talk a lot and blurt things out. It’s part of life.”

He tapped my nose, “You are different. You’re a literal genius and your brain doesn’t work like ours.

Even mine. You’re smarter than me and I’m damn proud of you for it.

Everyone in the pack is.” I mean that was definitely not true.

Robert hated that I won stuff, but for the most part my dad’s statement was accurate.

My dad said, “I don’t want you to hate me later for holding you back.” I gasped, “I could never hate you.” He laughed, “You could.” I said, “Holding grudges and hating people takes effort. It’s silly to waste time on it.” Tristan pointed out, “She does say that a lot.”

Because I was right. I would have to REALLY hate someone to decide keeping the grudge and hating them was worth the effort.

Like the Ring. I hated them for how much they were trying to hurt Xander.

That was worth the effort, but that wasn’t something I needed to say.

Since technically speaking… I wasn’t supposed to know they existed since I was ‘just a pup’ or whatever.

My dad said, “I don’t want you to think anyone WANTS to send you anywhere. I want you to take on the world and conquer it. I want you to have zero what if questions about opportunities. I want you to have the world if that’s what you wanted.” I wanted to meet Xander. That’s what I wanted.

Tristan said, “That’s what we all want, Mel.

We just want you to be happy.” I repeated, “I’m happy here.

” Peter said, “That doesn’t mean you won’t be happy there.

” My dad admitted, “Knowing people don’t treat you well here did influence my decision.

” I gasped, “That’s not that many people.

Statistically…” He laughed, “I know the numbers, I just hate it for you.”

I hugged him, hoping I could change his mind.

He asked, “Will you at least compete?” Mom was dead set on me going.

I pursed my lips. I said, “If I get to decide if I accept the scholarship or not, then yes.” He sighed.

I pointed out, “We can afford the school without a scholarship. They would invite me to come dance even if I didn’t compete.

” I could afford it myself, but they didn’t know that.

He said, “I’ll talk to your mom about that.” I groaned “So, no.” He cupped my face, “I love you so much and if it were up to me, you’d stay here forever.” I shrugged, “Ok, let’s do that then… when I meet...” Tristan jumped in, “Your mate might not live here.” He didn’t.

My dad chuckled, “That’s true. Your mom told me about the dress you want for your mating ceremony. I may have had to sit down thinking about it, but it sounded beautiful.” I couldn’t stop myself returning to that day in my mind.

Flashback

Melanie was in the hotel with her mom. We’d had so much fun this trip. She hadn’t had a single cookie, and I loved it. She twirled my hair, “So, why haven’t we had any conversations about your crushes?” I frowned, “Because I don’t have any.” I held my Xander wolf tightly against me.

She prodded, “No boys have caught your eye?” I answered, “Nope.” Xander was a man by Hackura standards and had been for a while. She asked, “What about girls?” I sighed, “I like men, mom.” She cooed, “OHHHH men, huh? Here I was talking about boys.”

I blurted out, “I’ve thought about my mating ceremony a lot.

” She grinned asking, “Have you? Tell me about it.” I sighed, “I have this dream about my dress, but I don’t think it exists.

” Xander’s mom could make it though, if I told her about it.

Mom said she conjured things all the time. Everyone did.

Mom urged, “Tell me all about it.” I grinned, “Ok, so it’s a two piece dress.” She chuckled, “You want to set your dad off already. I love it.” I said, “It covers way more than my dancing outfits so… he should be fine with it.” She hummed and smiled at me.

I continued, “The top would be a nude sleeveless top with a red lace overlay of flowers. The bottom would be on my waist with a red band at the top and the skirt would be white.” She admitted, “I thought the whole dress would be red.”

I blushed saying, “Nope. The flowers would start at about my thighs and scattered throughout the bottom until the bottom where it just looks died red, but really it’s flowers.” I paused, “It sounds silly.” She argued, “No, it sounds beautiful and utterly you. Does this top show off your boobs?”

I flushed, “No. It wouldn’t be straight across like the bottom of the top. It would look like this.” I quickly drew it for her. She teased, “Is there nothing you can’t do? I didn’t know you like drawing.” I mean, I could somewhat draw.

I said, “They teach art in school.” She asked, “Do you want me to put you into art camps then?” I answered, “No.” I wanted to draw with the Conners. They’d be the best teachers anyway. She nudged me, “So, no boys for you then. Only men.” I nodded, “That about sums it up… really.”

She grinned, “I feel like that means someone has your eye. They aren’t mated, right?” I gasped, “Of course not! That… I… would never…He’s… ummm….” She clapped and exclaimed, “AH HA! So, there is someone specific.” I gasped, “You tricked me.”

She winked, “It worked, didn’t it?” I blushed.

She told me, “Your mate is a lucky man. Anyone you like and give your attention to is lucky. Do you hear me?” I replied, “You’re my mom…

so you have to think that.” She laughed, “No, I don’t.

It’s just true. You have a beautiful mind and heart.

I pray to Selene for Robert’s mate. The poor girl.

Although, if he’s actually gay, it wouldn’t shock me. ”

I snorted, “MOM!” She shrugged, “He’s so angry and I have to wonder if that’s not about himself.

There’s no shame in who you love or who you are attracted to.

I just hope if that’s his problem, he can accept himself.

Now, having said all that I hate him and hope he chokes on his boogers.

” I cackled, “His boogers?!” She winked, “No one hurts my pups and has me in their corner.”

I pointed out, “You’re his Beta Female… so you have to be.

” She said, “I do not. Sharon deals with anything that has to do with him.” I asked, “Really?” She nodded, “And she hates it, but she thinks it fair that I don’t since he’s a bully.

Who happens to have come after my pup.” She hugged me, “I never want anyone to hurt a single hair on your head, Ladybug. You’re my little girl.

” I hugged her tightly wishing this moment would never end.

Flashback Ends

I admitted, “It’s not a real dress. It’s just an idea I had…

or vision… or a daydream… definitely a day dream.

” He chuckled, “I don’t care what it is.

Your mom and I will make sure you get every single dream you want.

” Why didn’t they understand they were making that school to be something bigger than it was?

Tristan grabbed me and we walked off. He said, “I’d rather take a punch then hurt your feelings.

All of us would. We want you here. Period.

End of story.” I asked, “Then why is everyone so determined I go to that school? It’s weird…

right? It’s definitely weird.” He sighed, “It’s a little weird. I’ll look into it.”

I teased, “You look into so much though.” He winked, “I guess I do, but you’re my little sister. I’ll always have your back.” I replied, “Levi would say six.” He agreed, “Yes, he would because any Hackura would say they’d have your six.”

I sighed, “I haven’t seen him before or since I didn’t get to go to Xander’s birthday party.” He snorted, “Uh huh. You mean you saw him that day.” I frowned, “No, I met him that day.” He rolled his eyes, “Ladybug, you’ve met my best friend.”

I agreed, “Yes, because he came that day.” He waved me off saying, “Surely you met him before then.” I muttered, “No, I didn’t. I haven’t met a lot of people.” He snorted, “Alexander doesn’t count.” I argued, “He definitely does, but I meant other people.” He prodded, “Like who?”

I answered, “The Bishop’s.” He laughed, “Dustin and Aubree live around here so you’ll meet them.” I said, “Not them. Valerie and Ryan.” If I met him, I could get his number and call him about the cookies.

He said, “You’ve met Valerie, you just don’t remember.” I argued, “I have not met her.”