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I grinned, “No I don’t.” She giggled, “No, you don’t. You’re so smart and interesting to listen to. Some smart people are SO boring. You’re always fun and your explanations are hilarious.” I frowned admitting, “My teachers tell me I’m not succinct enough.”

Melinda snorted, “Screw them. They are jealous you are smarter than them. Your brain just doesn’t work like theirs.” I admitted, “I could probably… pause before speaking. It’s what they all say.. a lot… daily even.”

MaryBeth gasped, “NO! That’s the charm of Ladybug. I will tell daddy to GET them. They can’t do that! I love how you talk and explain things. How dare they try to change how you talk!” I pointed out, “Well… my rambling is all they can help me with.”

Melinda cut me off, “You don’t need help with your rambling. Your thoughts work differently than most people. That’s not wrong, it’s just different. Don’t change who you are for anyone. Especially a teacher who is probably just jealous you correct them.”

I pointed out, “Not everyone finds my rambling endearing.” MaryBeth stated, “Then they are stupid.” I gasped, “You can’t say that!

” She boasted, “I just did. We love you for who you are. If you want to change, then that’s fine.

I’d be sad, but other people shouldn’t be trying to change you.

You’re awesome.” I hugged them declaring, “I love you guys.”

Grandma called, “Let’s bake everyone!” I asked, “What’s MaryBeth going to do?” She gasped, “I’m helping.” I raised an eyebrow, “Uhh… that’s like a… I mean not the worst idea… but it’s kind of up there.” She stomped her foot and ran downstairs.

Melinda snickered, “It really is.” I whispered, “She nearly burned the house down the last time she was in the kitchen.” Melinda laughed and took me downstairs. I was right though, she literally burned part of their house down. Sharon had to fix it.

MaryBeth glared at me as she put the storebought cookies onto the sheet.

My heart sank into my feet when I saw the dough the box came in.

The mom monster cookies were now being sold in dough form.

I asked, “Can’t we just make them from scratch?

Even if MaryBeth puts a whole thing of sugar in…

” MaryBeth gasped, “I wouldn’t do that.” Everyone made a face and Grandpa laughed.

Grandma said, “Well, I thought these would cheer your mom up. She loves them and she and your dad are doing a hard part of the job.” Melinda linked, “Wait, the mom monster cookies come in dough form now?!” I replied, “Evidently.”

Grandpa jumped in, “I need to borrow Ladybug since she looks like she’s about to be more bug than lady.” That’s how I got my nickname. Tristan had come up with it saying sometimes I was a dream pup but when I was mad, I buzzed around like a bug. Hence, Ladybug.

Grandpa Ben took me outside. He asked, “What’s with the face?

You look betrayed.” I whispered, “Those are the mom monster cookies.” He winced, “They are just cookies.” I pointed out, “There are so many brands out there, and I hate that one. I hate them! You guys act so weird when you eat them.” It was true, they just affected my mom the most.

He sighed, “Ladybug, they really are just cookies.” I snorted, “I really don’t think that. I wish you’d ask Ryan Bishop about them.” He raised an eyebrow, “You know your brothers call him Uncle. I find it odd you don’t.” I retorted, “I’ve never met him. How he could he be my uncle?”

I heard something drop. I turned and spotted Uncle Duncan standing there. He’d dropped his bag. He was staring between me and Grandpa Ben with confusion written all over his face. I squealed, “UNCLE DUNCAN!” I ran off the porch and threw myself into his arms.

He caught me, “Opf. You’re getting so big. Look at you!” I heard Melinda and MaryBeth scream, “DUNCAN!” He put me down and caught them both. He said, “I swear to the Moon Goddess my little sisters have GOT to stop growing.”

I muttered, “Or you could stop leaving so much… that’s a thing… that feels like it could happen.” He ruffled my hair, and we went inside. MaryBeth didn’t seem to notice she was given tasks away from the oven. I didn’t help with the cookies at all.

That made me feel bad, but they didn’t need me to help. Plus, I refused on principle. Everyone always changed their mind about things after they had those cookies. Something was wrong with them, and I knew it. Plus, the lady who delivered them was evil. No one agreed, but I knew it.

I helped Grandpa Ben turn the entire living room into one big tent. They acted like it was revolutionary, but anyone could do this. They just needed a different support system. Uncle Duncan brought me popcorn because everyone else was eating cookies except the two of us.

Melinda and MaryBeth fell asleep, so they turned off the movie.

I pulled out my ideas notebook and I started to write everything down I was thinking.

Uncle Duncan whispered, “I think you’re supposed to be sleeping.

” I admitted, “I’ve never figured out how to sleep when my mind is running with ideas. ”

He commented, “Finding a way to use jewelry to alert Supernatural’s to elements that could hurt them is ingenious. It sounds quite complicated. You and your dad’s brains just work on a different level.” I boasted, “He’s the smartest.” He winked, “You’ve got him by far, pup.”

I didn’t think so. He was better with people than I was. He snorted, “You know, even when you say nothing, you’re a bad liar. Your face literally details your thoughts. Your I.Q. is higher than your dad’s and he’s possibly the proudest of you for it.”

I pointed out, “I’m bad at telling people things… I just say it… and I never gather my thoughts…” He jumped in, “That’s not a bad thing.” I whispered, “It is for a Beta blood.” He scoffed, “Says who?” A lot of people but mostly Robert.

He frowned asking, “Melanie Jane, did someone say that to you?” I answered, “Yes.” He growled, “They are wrong.” I shook my head, “We are supposed to calm people down, but my way doesn’t do that.”

He argued, “That’s not true. Sometimes you shock people into inaction. Every Beta has their own way of doing things. Any of the Kyle’s would be lucky if you were their Beta, but between you and me I think you’ll be doing something else.”

I whispered, “I kind of want to work in the new lab at Black Mountain… or… be a Lead Warrior.” He chuckled, “I think you’d be a good Luna.

” I squeaked, “Luna… that’s… I mean…” He grinned, “Ladybug, I know my older brother and even sister in law are blind to who that little wolf looks like, but I’m not. ” I blushed, “I… umm… that’s… well…”

He added, “Plus, I heard Jase say that Alexander left a sweatshirt at your house, and it was just put in the laundry. It had no scent before it went missing. I just so happened to see the hoodie in your room under your bed.”

My face flushed, “Why were you under my bed? That’s…

weird…” He laughed, “I was putting a load of laundry away and the sleeve was out from under your bed skirt. I put it back, so your secret is safe.” I muttered, “I just wanted to know what he smells like, and no one will say. It didn’t even work… since it didn’t have a scent.”

He winked, “You’ll find out one day, pup.

” I grinned, “Orrrrrrr you could tell me… because it’s just fair…

” He cut me off, “You’ll find out at the picnic and Fairies are the ones who care about being fair.

Not Wolves.” I snorted, “You think I’m going to the picnic?

” He answered, “Of course you are.” I scoffed, “After they ate the mom monster cookies? I doubt it…” Tears filled my eyes.

I whispered, “Why can’t I meet my Xander?” He asked, “Mom monster cookies?” Had he really not heard me say that? He frowned, “Wait, why did you say you haven’t met Ryan Bishop earlier?” I answered, “I haven’t.”

He argued, “Valerie and Ryan used to come over to see you all the time.” I snorted, “Uhhh no they didn’t. Valerie calls mom to complain that they haven’t met me a lot. Mom laughs and says she’s sure she did. I got grounded from the last ally outing because I agreed with Valerie when they hung up.”

He blinked, “Sam wouldn’t ground you for that.” I muttered, “Once she eats the mom monster cookies she does.” He nudged me, “I’ll look into it. Ok?” My face fell. I whispered, “That means you’re leaving again.”

He grinned, “I’m going looking for my mate this time. I’m not scouting anything dangerous.” Uncle Duncan did a lot for the pack that was dangerous. Grandma Esther called him her daredevil. I stared him in the eyes, “Promise.”

He grinned and held up his pinky finger, “Promise, Ladybug. It’s not dangerous. I just want my other half.” I gave him a hug. I whispered, “I’ll miss you.” He teased, “I’ll be back.” I shrugged, “Yes and no.” He laughed, “This is going to be good.”

I explained, “You’ll visit but you’ll leave the pack when you find your mate. I just feel she’s in a position you won’t make her leave. It’s why you don’t take a Beta or Warrior position here. You want to give your mate the option of where to live… so… you’ll leave when you find her.”

His eyes softened, “I’d never really leave you, Melanie Jane. You’ll always be my favorite niece.” I blushed, “You’re not supposed to have favorites.” He winked, “Yeah, but Allison’s girls aren’t you. I love them, but you’ll always be my favorite.”

I asked, “Promise?” He grinned, “I’m doing that a lot tonight, but I promise.

Nothing could make me not love you. I came back to see you, didn’t I?

” I pointed out, “You came back to see everyone.” He laughed, “Keep it between us, but I really came home to see if you took over the world. I’ll keep an ear out about the cookies.

Ok?” I shrugged knowing he wouldn’t hear anything about it.