Page 5

I did a little dance because Xander had signed for the dance competition ticket I sent him. His signature wasn’t legible, which was odd for a supernatural, but he was probably in a hurry. I pulled up my app to talk to Tiffany. She answered my video call.

She greeted, “Hey Mel, I’ve got a few minutes before I have to go.

” I whispered, “He signed for it.” Her face fell, “Ok, but he’s signed for several now.

” I grinned saying, “I know but he could come this time.” She winced, “Just don’t get your hopes up.

” I waved, “I know. He’s really busy and… ” She cut me off, “He’s twelve.”

I nodded, “Yup… yup… I know. He’s got future Alpha stuff…

training… He’s a double Duke… So, like I do get it and…

” She cut me off, “You shouldn’t get it.

He’s TWELVE therefore he has time.” I frowned, “I mean not really…” She jumped in, “Then stop saving your money and sending him tickets.” I shrugged because she didn’t know I invested my money.

It wasn’t really…. in the realm of being legal.

I didn’t use the investment money to send him tickets though.

I saved my allowance, which is what Tiffany was talking about.

I shrugged, “It’s my money.” Her face softened saying, “And you work hard for it with all the chores you do. You should do things you really like.” I whispered, “I’m meeting him this week.

” She rubbed her face, “I really hope you do. I hope those jerks don’t lie again.

” They always did, then mom ate her mom monster cookies and stopped believing me.

I admitted, “I’m planning to throw the mom monster cookies away.

” She laughed, “Then you’ll get grounded.

” I muttered, “Not if she doesn’t eat them.

” I heard a gasp and looked over towards the door.

I told Tiffany, “I’ll talk to you later.

” She waved, “See ya at our next competition!” I waved back and ended the call.

I went downstairs and found Mrs. Dutton there.

I asked, “Where’s my mom?” She waved, “Oh, a situation came up and she and your dad went to handle it. Do you know why Warrior Harrison was trying to talk to the Beta before it all happened? My husband said Harrison said it was important before they got pulled away.”

I squeaked, “Huh? What? That’s… well…” She snorted, “Did you beat up one of the Warriors he works out with?” I answered, “No… but he did say I could come to practice…” She laughed, then Grandma Esther came into the house.

Grandma Esther announced, “I’ve got my grandpup, you can go on about your day.

” Mrs. Dutton nodded and waved to me before she left.

She warned, “If you go to that practice make sure you tell your brothers or your parents.” I was going to go and I would tell them.

They were never weird about me practicing. They were proud of my skills.

I asked, “What’s going on?” Grandpa Esther answered, “Boring adult stuff. Which means we are having a grandparent’s night. Let’s pack your things.” I squealed and went upstairs to grab all my stuff. I packed an overnight bag and ran back downstairs. She smiled at me, “Let’s go, Ladybug.”

I took her hand. I asked, “So, you’re not going to tell me what happened either? Because… something did. I heard mom gasp and…” She paused and took me over to the porch swing and sat down and patted the seat next to her. I jumped up beside her.

She started to rock the swing back and forth. She said, “You know, you remind me so much of your dad. He was just so curious about life and able to understand things better than other people.” I giggled, “Because you do.”

She grinned saying, “I am not as smart as you or your daddy are. My brother was and I saw how it frustrated him when people gave excuses not to answer his questions. Or didn’t have the answers to his questions.” I knew that.

I asked, “Where is your brother?” She’d never mentioned him.

She sighed sadly, “He was killed by rogues because he had questions no one would answer. He went out in search of those answers without understanding what he was doing. It’s why your parents react the way they do when the Warriors say you’ve crossed the border. ”

I made a face grumbling, “But I don’t.” She grinned, “I’m not looking to start a debate about that.

” I asked, “Did my daddy know your brother?” She nodded, “He did. He adored him and they understood each other in a way none of us did. Your daddy was ten when my brother died, and it devastated him. Did you know your mom’s aunt and cousin died because of a rogue attack? ” I shook my head.

She sighed, “Her cousin crossed the border, and her mom took off after her. The rogues killed them before the border patrol got there. Sam was in their pack visiting and ran as fast as she could to try and help them. Her Uncle tried to hold her back from seeing, but she saw their dead bodies.”

I gasped, “That’s awful.” She agreed, “It is. Families have their fair share of tragic stories because of rogues. It’s what scares us so badly about you.” She tapped my head, “You have such a gifted mind, and while that’s a beautiful thing it can lead you into dangerous situations.”

I argued, “Anyone can go into a dangerous situation.” She agreed, “Yes, they can. Rogues and border crossing are just hot topics for our family.” I concluded, “So, someone crossed the border.” She nodded, “Yes, a group of pups dared their friends to cross. Sharon popped the pup to Haley to try and save him. He was still alive, but the rogues ripped his arms and legs off the second he stepped over our border.”

I asked, “Why were they lying in wait? I mean… one of them couldn’t have done that before our patrol go there based on the times they run.

Dad has a whole system so that…” She interrupted, “There were five of them and because of how your dad has the patrols run, they got there before one could rip his throat out.” I emphatically stated, “He will be fine.”

She sighed, “I hope so.” I shook my head, “No, the Princess will heal him and he will be fine.” She kissed the top of my head, “I hope he will be. I’ve seen that woman perform some damn miracles in this life, but this would be one of the most amazing.”

I argued, “Hmmm no it would not.” She asked, “Oh?” I explained, “I read the report about when Alpha Eric got shot. That’s how I know she can do it. Plus… Xander is there. So, if she needed help, he would assist. No Werewolf should’ve been able to survive that shot Alpha Eric did.”

She winced admitting, “That’s true. Your parents are comforting the pup’s family and praying with several others to the Moon Goddess the pup lives.” I asked, “Shouldn’t it be Azoney? The Princess is using her Fairy powers and Selene has no control over that.”

She chuckled, “See? That brain just works on another level. That’s an excellent point. Come on, let’s go make some cookies.” I nodded even though I wasn’t a fan of mom monster cookies, I did like cookies. Especially sugar cookies. The mom monster ones were peanut butter flavored.

I asked, “How old is the pup who crossed?” She answered, “He’s four.” I nodded and we walked over to my grandparents’ house. When we walked in my Grandpa Ben scooped me up and hugged me tight.

My Aunt Melinda squealed, “They brought Melanie over MaryBeth!” My Grandpa sighed and put me down. I ran and hugged them both. They were my aunts but we were really close in age so we were really good friends.

I asked, “How are you guys?” MaryBeth grabbed my bag and yanked me upstairs. Grandma Esther yelled, “We are making cookies in fifteen minutes, girls. Then we are having a movie night.” Grandpa Ben laughed, “And I need help turning the living room into a fort.”

I turned, “I actually thought of a…” Melinda snorted, “Yes, we know. You’ll have some revolutionary way to do that, but right now it’s girl time.” Grandpa laughed with Grandma. I watched them kiss for a second before I turned and followed my aunt’s into their room.

They’d chosen a joint room even though they were always told they could have separate ones. The room was literally two different personalities. I asked MaryBeth, “How’s Dane?” She sighed dreamily, “He’s perfect.”

Melinda snorted, “He needs your help though because he’s getting a C in math.” MaryBeth snorted, “Not everyone gets math. Ok? It’s no big deal.” I grinned, “I’ll help.” She hugged me, “I know because you’re the best.” Plus, he was older than me and I loved doing higher level work.

I added, “Not that anything is wrong with a C…. Does he want to work harder? Or is he in trouble…? Because a C is passing and…” Melinda cut me off, “He wants to do better personally. He’s not in trouble.” I agreed, “Then I will definitely help.” They both grinned at each other.

Melinda whispered, “Did your Xander sign for the ticket?” I clapped and giggled, “He did.” We all jumped around squealing.

MaryBeth said, “Maybe he will come this time.” I nodded, “I sent him a note, like always. If I meet him this weekend, then we could talk about what he was doing at the past events.”

Melinda frowned, “It doesn’t really make sense that he doesn’t reply to the note.

He’s so nice.” I shrugged, “He’s busy.” MaryBeth snorted, “He could still show proper etiquette and reply with a no or yes. I hate that you get your hopes up and then he doesn’t come.

” I shrugged, “It’s totally fine and…” Melinda groaned, “I thought we discussed what a bad liar you are.”

I gasped, “I’ve been working on it!” MaryBeth said, “It’s not working. Your whole countenance dropped, and your face fell. In fact, you look near tears.” I pointed out, “But I didn’t sniffle… or start to cry… so that’s obviously progress.”

Melinda snorted, “You take the smallest steps as progress.” I reasoned, “Well, of course I do… because that’s the definition of progress. It’s not measured by big leaps…. any sort of little step is…”

MaryBeth groaned, “You always lose me with these explanations.”