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He shrugged, “She came to help mom out when you were born.” I disagreed, “I doubt that since I’ve never seen the picture of her holding me.

There’s one of you and Jase, but not me…

which leads me to believe I didn’t even meet her as a pup.

” He frowned saying, “I’ll hunt down the picture, we have to have it. ” We didn’t because it didn’t exist.

The rest of the week actually went by quickly.

We had some Warriors get in a scuffle and they took on silver.

Xander was on his mission and Haley wasn’t around either.

They Warriors weren’t in danger of dying so Alpha Peter didn’t link Alpha Eric about it.

They planned to link him once Haley was back.

This was the perfect time to test my chocolate to help silver poisoning. I went into the hospital with a book. A nurse spotted me. She greeted, “Hi, Ladybug.” I waved saying, “I’m just going to…” She chuckled, “Read to the unconscious Warriors. That’s good.”

I went to Mr. Dutton’s room first. Mrs. Dutton was asleep in a chair by him. I fixed her blanket and looked around. I quickly popped the chocolate in his mouth. It would dissolve quickly. I read him a chapter and went to the next person.

I hid in the hospital lab where they were running there labs.

One tech said, “I’ll be damned. I ran it four times.

It doesn’t make any sense but it’s true.

” Someone asked, “What is?” He said, “The Silver levels on our Warriors blood panels jumped lower than they should. Those doctors are going to be on our asses, but it’s true. ” Yes! It worked.

When they huddled in a group to talk about it I snuck over and read the results. I just needed to up the dose and they’d wake up without needing to be healed. I left and went to find Tank. He was with Ziggy and Adeline. Adeline linked, “Did it work?” I nodded.

Tank groaned, “Oh god. What have you two done?” Adeline looped her arm with mine, “We have a project we need you to take us to the school to finish.” He sighed, “Fine.” Ziggy laughed and he drove us to the school.

Adeline and I went into the science classroom.

I gave her goggles and instructed her on how to help.

She whispered, “So, it really helped?” I nodded, “Yup. I heard them say it and I checked the results personally.” She gave me a high five.

We left that lab and went to the other side of the school for the oven.

Once the chocolate was done we found Tank.

He raised an eyebrow at us but Ziggy kissed him and we left.

The next day I repeated my process. While I was reading to the last Warrior waiting for the chocolate to dissolve people started yelling. Mrs. Dutton shouted, “He’s awake! He’s awake! Thank Selene!” I did a little dance in my chair.

I stood and peeked out of the room I was in. Mrs. Dutton was fanning her face. She did a double take when she spotted me and I squeaked then took off out of the hospital. I was almost to my house when Tank found me.

I waved, “Umm hi…Tank.” He hummed, “Yeah, how did you that?” I asked, “Do what?” He said, “I know it was you.” I squeaked, “Huh?” He started to say something when my mom yelled, “Melanie Jane, come clean your tornado of a room.”

I waved, “Bye, Tank!” He said, “This conversation isn’t over.” I pointed out, “It never really started…when you think about it.” He laughed, “You’re amazing, pup. You did a good thing.” I knew that.

I made it back to my house thinking normally, leading up to when I was supposed to meet Xander it was slow. This time wasn’t because of my side chocolate mission that I now had very real data on. Plus, our family was spending a lot of time together.

I was still angry but not surprised Uncle Duncan’s pack wouldn’t contact him about Elise’s mating ceremony. He was going to be upset when he came back. He probably wouldn’t do much though because he was dead set on living there.

I guess, based on what Tristan said, we had to let him make those decisions.

Everything had gone really well and maybe I hid all the cookies…

Ok, I did hide them but not all of them.

Technically, I sent more out to other covens farther away.

I sent one to Megan in Black Mountain. She could figure it all out, provided it actually got to her.

I should’ve sent them for signatures, but I didn’t have time.

I had to get them out quickly when everyone fell asleep.

Today, I’d been doing homework for next month while sitting with my dad.

He chuckled, “Ladybug, you don’t have to stick with me today.

” Peter had already gone in Black Mountain with Chelsea.

I shrugged, “I don’t mind… plus… I just want to be here…

. so… you see me… and…” He raised an eyebrow, but I cut myself off.

I was pretty proud of me for that too. He said, “Well, I see you.” I got back to doing my homework.

Then helped him file paperwork. He was finalizing the patrol schedule when I finished.

My mom came in and laughed, “You need to go get ready Melanie.” I squeaked, “What?” She laughed, “Drake, you and the boys should go without us. We are easily going to be late.” I gasped, “No, I’ll get ready so fast!

” My dad laughed, “We can wait.” She urged, “Go on, we’ll be right behind you if she plans to get ready at the speed of light. ”

I pointed out, “Sharon could snap me ready.” My mom laughed, “Their whole family left already.” Well, linking was an option.

My brothers came in. I linked, “Don’t go without us, T.

Please!” He said, “You’ll be right behind us.

It’s fine.” Except it never was. Literally not once.

I wasn’t even going to get in the dang car, and I’d been so hopeful since I’d been hiding all the cookies.

My mom took me back over the house. She chuckled, “Impress me with your speed.” I was definitely going to.

I ran upstairs and turned on the shower.

I linked Rena, “Can you snap me ready in like ten minutes?” She asked, “Why not now?” I answered, “Because I’m going to shower.

” She agreed, “I have a timer on.” I grinned and jumped in the shower.

I’d washed my hair last night so I wouldn’t be too long.

I’d just dried off when I was snapped completely ready. I ran back downstairs, and my mom gaped. She shook her head, “Ok, I think you need to tell me about all your inventions because you got ready faster than I would’ve thought possible. Let’s go.” I gasped, “Really?”

She laughed, “Of course. We will be a little late, but we should make it before Elise walks down the aisle.” I squealed and ran to the car. The pack was practically deserted because everyone was going to the wedding. I buckled myself into the car and grinned. Oh my gosh… we were really going!

I watched her start the car with bated breath.

I linked Tristan, “We are actually driving! We are on the way.” He replied, “Of course you are. It’s Elise’s mating ceremony.

” I squealed, “I’m going to meet Xander!

” He cautiously said, “I know. Just don’t be too disappointed if that doesn’t work out.

” I shot back, “It will, because he’s my mate.

” He just groaned. No one got it, he was mine and I knew it.

It wasn’t a crush because he was my mate.

I shoved all that aside when we left pack lands. I grinned at my mom because I was so excited. I was actually in the car on the way to Black Mountain. I was really going to EJ and Elise’s mating ceremony. I looked down and smoothed my gold dress out. I was meeting Xander. This was really happening.

My mom asked, “Why are you so nervous, Ladybug?” I looked over, “Well… I finally get to meet everyone and it’s an important day for Elise. I haven’t gotten to see her much… which I understand, she’s busy… but it’s just so different without her there and…” My mom reached over and squeezed my hand.

She said, “You and Elise will figure out the balance. Elise has a very large pack she’s in control of as a Luna. It may not yet be official with the hybrid style they are doing, but she’s running things already basically. Even if it’s not her name on it yet.”

I whispered, “I know.” I understood that all, logically speaking. I really did. I just missed her. Normally, she was just across the yard in her house and now she was gone. That was all about to change though. I’d get to see her more once Xander realized we were mates. Then we could all hang out.

I took a deep breath while my mind spun with questions.

Would he like me? Would he be happy about the fact that we were mates?

Would he hug me? Maybe he’d kiss my cheek.

I blushed at the thought. Before thinking of getting my first actual kiss on the lips.

I was a woman by Hackura standards. Actually, by all of them besides humans.

My mom laughed, “What’s that blush?” I looked over stammering, “Umm nothing… I… it’s nothing.

” My mom reminded me, “You’re a horrible liar.

” No one needed to remind me, but they felt the need to do it constantly.

No matter how many papers or books I read about how to lie, I still couldn’t master it which was annoying.

Mom questioned teasingly, “Do you have a crush I don’t know about?” My blush deepened. Mom gasped, “Oh my god, you do! Tell me everything. I have to know so I can keep your dad and brothers calm.” I was about to say something when headlights blinded us in the rearview mirror.

My mom yelled, “What the hell? Why would someone use their brights when we are right in front of them? Learn how to drive, you asshole!” She muttered, “I would totally flip him off if I knew who it was.”

She turned to me, “It’s easy to get angry and react in emotional moments, but you have to remember that people are fucking crazy. You never know who is driving around you, or what they will do. I never want to lose you or your brothers to road rage. Do you hear me?” I nodded.