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I offered, “I could send you money for a surprise ticket for her home.” He snorted, “I can pay for her ticket. You know what? It’s a good idea.

I’ll send her a ticket with no dates. She can come when it works in her schedule.

She needs to come back and it’s clear in her dances.

She was never this sad before. T went with her the most to dance in the fields here and he said that.

” She never danced in fields now, that I saw.

She was always in the practice rooms or the auditorium at her school.

He admitted, “It’s breaking all of us down, Alexander. Dad gets sick.” I asked, “He what?” He snorted, “Yeah, we just brought him home from the pack hospital. He was throwing up.” I growled, “Jase, what the fuck?! I would’ve healed him.”

He admitted, “I didn’t know about it. Mom and dad kept it under wraps.” I asked, “What’s wrong with him?” He replied, “The doctors think the grief of thinking he ruined our family is getting to him because there’s nothing actually wrong with him.”

I argued, “He didn’t ruin your family.” Jason snorted, “I agree with you. He just believes it’s his fault Melanie won’t come home or be normal with us.

She’s so brief when we do get to talk to her that it cuts us all.

I think it’s because she’d run home if she stayed on the calls talking to us longer.

Plus, that damn school, I swear it’s evil. ”

I growled, “Why?” He snorted, “Because they’ve changed her entire personality.

Got her some damn manners coach or whatever.

They didn’t like her rambling. They didn’t like this or that.

They hang Julliard over her head. It’s like they know the minions in her brain can’t handle rejection.

She has to be the best at everything she does. ” Oden purred, “She’s amazing.”

He quickly growled, “But we can kill all those teachers.” Yes, I could. Jason continued, “She’s just so busy and I worry they’ve taken the joy out of it for her. There used to be a lot of happy dances. Her movements held hope I just don’t see anymore. You know?” I did but I couldn’t tell him that.

I urged, “Send her the ticket then.” He agreed, “I definitely will. Thanks for calling man.” I replied, “You are one of my best friends.” He agreed, “And you’re mine. If she shows back up, I’ll bring her to you.” I jolted asking, “Really?” Oden declared victory, “YES!”

Jason agreed, “Of course. It’s your idea.

” I heard Tristan yell, “Jason!” He muttered, “And that just might get her home. I gotta go.” He hung up.

I asked my wolf, “What might get her home?” He puffed up feeling ten feet tall, “Maybe it’s meeting us.

” I snorted, “Sure.” He hummed, “It could be.” I went to argue but he was right.

Logically, most people wanted to meet someone in our family. Oden grumbled, “Except Cayden’s source.” Yeah, except her. Back to Melanie, though. Our family was popular. I was her brother’s best friend and a good fighter. Oden snorted, “We are a world renowned fighter.” It’s true.

My mom popped into my room and squealed, “You signed up to do the cage fights this year!” I asked, “I what?” She snorted, “I’m in charge of the signups for the Hackura games.

Here is your schedule for tomorrow.” I had not signed up for this.

I took it and smiled at her. She said, “I know you’ll win! ” She hugged me and popped away.

I linked my Uncle Darrin, “Hey, did you sign me up for cage fighting?” He replied, “I got signed up for boxing the first year the games were held after we met your mom and she didn’t ask. I figured that was the rule.”

I snorted, “I can’t do it.” He disagreed, “You can, and you will. I’m going to win boxing again this year, and you’ll win cage fighting.

” I reasoned, “It’s not fair if I fight.

” He argued, “No, it’s not fair that you haven’t so far because of your last name.

I went through this kid, and I’m not letting my nephew shirk away like I did. ”

I asked, “Huh?” He said, “I felt the weight of my last name and felt I was hindrance to it. I know you don’t feel that way, but you’re not competing because of your name.

I noticed last games that you wanted to compete because you watched all the games.

Your mom has always hoped you’d join in. Besides, Angela is excited.”

I groaned, “Oh come on.” He snorted, “Yeah, I went for the Achilles heel. I know. Which is why I told her and your mom that you were competing.” I asked, “And you filled it out with my signature how?” He snorted, “Figure it out, kid.” I chuckled, “Thanks, Uncle Darrin.” He replied, “Any time.”

I opened a portal and saw the games being prepped because of where I’d portaled to.

I cleared my throat. Grammy Veronica turned around and smiled.

She hugged me, “Hello, grandson of mine.” I hummed, “I have been bamboozled by someone who can fake my signature.” She winked, “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about. ”

I teased, “Sure you don’t.” She laughed, “I’ll be having a minor heart attack, but I will be front row cheering you on.

I hear there’s a section reserved for our family at all your fights.

” I laughed, “Mom always coordinates everything so we can watch everyone compete.” We always had sections there too. She winked, “I know you’ll win.”

Oden agreed, “We definitely will.” I hugged her and whispered, “I won’t let you down.” She replied, “You could never let me down, even if you go down in five seconds.” I snorted, “I’m not going down.” She laughed, “No, I don’t think you will.” I hugged her again and waved then went back to my room.

Phil linked, “I didn’t do it. I should have but I didn’t.” I snorted, “Yeah, I know.” He said, “You’re going to decimate them.” I was getting pumped up just thinking about it. I faded off into sleep thinking about Melanie’s haunting dance moves.

I woke up ready to go. Oden gently asked, “Can we watch mate dance first? One of the old ones?” Jason had dances from her competitions when she was here. God, I was such a sap. I quickly fired up my laptop and pulled the video from her competition in California when she was eleven.

Just like always, I was captivated by her dancing. These movements were full of love and light. It shone through her eyes. It nagged at me how haunted and sad her eyes looked now. What was I doing? I had to get her home.

A knock came on my door. I opened it and found a plate of cookies. Oden urged, “Eat the cookie. They always make us feel calmer.” I quickly gobbled them down and snorted. What the hell had I just been thinking?

Melanie wasn’t haunted or sad. It was probably just a mode she got into for the dances she put together now. She was living her dream, and I was being selfish. Oden whined, “We could pop her back and forth. She could still dance.” I agreed, “The second we meet her, that’s what’s going to happen.”

I popped downstairs and found my dad waiting with my siblings. I didn’t need to ask where my mom was. She’d be in the Hackura realm already. Dad hugged me then linked, “We can’t wait to watch you fight.” I snorted, “You see me fight every damn day.” He winked, “Not like this.”

My dad’s former Gamma, Marshall, his mate Riley, and their kids joined us. Gage jumped around me. I snorted, “Calm down.” He growled, “Nope! My Alpha is finally going to dominate in the cage.” I linked him, “Do you think when Melanie joins us, she’ll sign up for the fighting competitions?”

Oden growled, “I both like that and don’t.” Gage snorted, “I think you two will take home the gold if she kept her fighting training like she did when she was here.” True. She might not like fighting as much anymore. I didn’t hear about it, but I didn’t hear much.

EJ linked, “What’s up?” I replied, “I was just wondering if Melanie still fights.” He answered, “She does. Apparently, she’s as fierce as ever, but she doesn’t train as much as she did here.

They had to argue to get her to agree to keep going in for training.

She’s hard to argue with because she’s better than everyone else there at fighting.

” She’d been good here too so that couldn’t be the reason she argued.

I nodded and we portaled to the games. Uncle Benjamin was up first throwing rocks.

He won, like he always did. Watching Aunt Ariel greet him was everything I wanted with my mate when I was their age.

We went to the spear throwing to watch Uncle Lief.

Oden linked, “We are up.” We were. It was our first fight today.

I popped to the arena for the fights. I got ready and found Phil and Gage waiting in the locker room. I snorted, “Are you guys my pit team?” Gage snorted, “Who else would be on your pit team?” I asked, “Which of you is the coach?” Oden said, “Thor is here.”

Dad answered, “I am.” I laughed, “Of course you are.” He had taught me to fight. He warned, “They are going to be gunning for you.” I replied, “I can beat Thadius in a fight.” Phil snarled, “If you need more motivation that asshole made my mom cry when she was younger.”

I growled, “What?” Oden growled, “We could rip him apart.” Phil growled, “Yeah, he made her cry. I hate that guy.” Gage fist pumped into the air, “Team we hate Thadius.” My dad supplied, “Your mom made him oink like a pig if he tried to kiss someone.”

I snarled, “Did he cheat on Cousin Miley?” Dad shrugged, “Your mom seemed to feel he did. I didn’t actually ask if they were dating. I know he kissed Miley and then kissed someone else.” I questioned, “Why the hell is he still walking around?”

He answered, “It’s my understanding your uncles and cousins don’t know it happened. Ase comes to mind as someone who would kill him for that.” Cousin Ase would absolutely kill someone for making Cousin Miley cry.