Page 150 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Tristan sighed, “I do know that deep down in my bones, Ladybug. One day, we will talk about that. I will never be able to thank you enough. You saved my son. I don’t know why they took Kai, but I know they’d been trying for a while. There was a massive rogue attack.”

I knew what night he meant. We’d missed the rogue attack because the hit on Chelsea and Peter had gone out first. Tristan continued, “They were coming for Kai, I just don’t know why.

” I did. I cried, “Me. They were going to take him to try and make me behave. They had nothing else to threaten me with. I defied them and challenged Edward all the time... they were trying to take him to have something over me. I’m sorry, Tristan. I’m so sorry.”

Tristan immediately said, “Hey, that’s not your fault. You did what was right, and they never got him. So, you’re telling me your fake pack was involved with the Ring and Hunters?” I snorted, “There was not an evil deed Edward wasn’t involved with.”

Tristan sighed, “We could use whatever information you have on the Rings, Mel.” I told him honestly, “Everything Edward did is on a flash drive in Eric’s possession.

Including Black Path’s Ring activities.” All of it was in Edward’s code.

.. but it was there. I wasn’t ready to give them what I had as the Resistance leader.

Tristan sighed, “You can trust us, Ladybug.” Could I? That was the question. Trust was a thing I didn’t have much of. I was trusting Xander with everything in me. I didn’t know if I could spare any for my family or former pack.

Particularly the latter… or I guess current pack since I hadn’t joined Xander’s pack, and Black Path was never mine. There was a brain teaser... what pack is actually my pack? One where I had love as a pup? Or one where my future was?

Freya said, “He’s asking for trust though. Not the name of your pack.” I knew that. But trust was something that had been beaten out of me. Eventually I said, “I’m trying. I really am... it’s just hard.” Tristan whispered, “I know. I’m still so sorry, Ladybug. We should’ve saved you.”

I replied, “I saved myself.” Kind of... I guess. I definitely saved others. Tristan cried softly, “You shouldn't have had to.” I sighed, “People do things they shouldn’t have to all the time.” Tristan asked, “Will you ever call me T again? I hate hearing you call me Tristan.”

I bit my lip because I hated that I was causing him pain. I wiped my tears saying, “Probably… one day. I really am trying. This is just… I wished for everyone back. It was all I wanted and now….” I trailed off.

Tristan sighed, “You feel betrayed and think we left you behind.” I cringed, “I don’t want to…

but it’s not exactly like you left me behind.

More like you forgot me.” Everly said, “Not to chime in on a sibling call, but everyone in this pack talks about you. They did the whole time you were gone and they still do. Adeline was pissed you never answered her emails other than to say you were busy. Tank found it odd, a lot. He emailed you too. A lot of people did. ”

I asked, “Adeline emailed the fake me?” Everly said, “A lot of people did. Mrs. Dutton and I included.” I actually missed Mrs. Dutton a lot.

I snorted, “Well… I have to say… you’re nicer than…

well you’re being like Tristan said you were…

which was nothing like the fake you in your letters…

or on the phone calls… so… I know… you probably don’t get the looks I give you… but…”

Everly cut me off, “No, I do get it. I hate them, but I get it. You didn’t know my handwriting and…” I cut her off, “I looked it up. Someone in your home pack… had to give someone a sample of your writing because your Beta Female duties are done electronically in Red Run.”

Tristan asked, “And how do you know that?” I squeaked, “Uhhhh I’m… the Female Lead Warrior in Black Path… or… I was… gosh… who took my spot? I’d say Addison… but obviously she’s Jason’s… and Avery is Dakota’s… so… gosh… who took it?”

Tristan said, “I could tell you if I didn’t want to say I know you’re lying.” I grumbled, “I’m evading... which is different.” Tristan hummed, “Jared missed you a lot.” I winced hearing his name because I’d missed Jared too.

I whispered, “His letters really hurt me too.” Because he acted like I was just an annoying pup he barely knew when we were close. Everly growled, “Those fucking assholes! Who else did they send letters from? Wait, what did you and I talk on the phone about, Melanie?”

Pain literally choked me, and a sob bubbled out. Tristan shouted, “Ladybug, take deep breaths!” I managed a half of one. Dalton linked me, “Breathe, right now.” He’d used an Alpha Command. It didn’t work but hearing his voice in my head helped.

I asked Dalton, “How did you know?” He replied, “T linked me.” I whispered, “I’m totally ok… everything is fine.” Dalton snorted, “Ladybug, you are literally getting worse at lying.” I gasped, “I am not.” He said, “You are but it’s ok. Just keep talking to T.” I planned to.

I admitted to Everly and my brother, “We talked about Kai. Edward told me you had a pup… and I called Jason to see if I could meet Kai… and… several people called about how I’d ruined everything surrounding his birth…

and that I’d never know him… it was a really dark day for me…

because I just wanted Jason to be proud of me… but he was so mad.”

Everly growled, “If that fucking pretender bitch knew that, I will kill her.” I muttered, “Not to defend her or anything, but I doubt it. The fake me seems pretty self-involved. I doubt she had anything to do with the calls.”

Everly said, “Well, I punched her because she introduced herself to T.” I considered it then said, “I’m sure she did. My family kept calling… they weren’t giving up on me…. and she was trying to cut them all out… she wanted them in her life… not just my fake one.”

Tristan sighed, “Yeah, well she’s a bitch. She could’ve told me about what happened to you.” I needed to look into her. He continued, “It’s just going to take time for us to all move past this. Thanks to the Fairies sharing their light, we have a lot of that to give.”

Two pops sounded next to me. I jumped up and saw Xander’s Aunt and Uncle. The Queen and King of Faerie. I told Tristan, “I have to go. I’ll see you at Jason and Addison’s mating ceremony.” Tristan whispered, “Please Ladybug, don’t go. We just started talking again and I missed you.”

I admitted, “I really missed you too… so much… sometimes I thought I saw you… I actually ran after a guy more than once…but he obviously wasn’t you… but I was saying that I had to go because the King and Queen of Faerie just popped in.”

Tristan said, “Oh, ok. I thought you just didn’t want to talk anymore.

You go talk to Aiden and Lucinda. Just know you can call me anytime Ladybug.

I’ll answer.” I wiped more tears and admitted, “I know that… one…you’re a Beta so you answer your phone…

two… you all would answer if I called. Even Grandpa Ben and I’m certain he wants to yell at me. ”

He argued, “He’s not going to yell at you.

” I replied, “Then he’s yelling at someone.

” But I wasn’t going to call him because he might keep the pretense with the group he didn’t remember me saving him, but something in his eyes told me he did.

On the phone, he might just say something.

Then again… I was probably off about it.

Grandpa Ben and Alpha Nick would say something if they remembered.

The whole group wanted to know about the Resistance .

I told my brother, “You can call me too, you know?” Tristan let out a light chuckle, “I didn’t know that, but I’ll keep it in mind now that I have your number.” I said, “Talk to you later, big brother.” Tristan choked but eventually said, “Talk to you later, little sister.” I hung up.

King Aiden smiled at me greeting, “Before you call us King Aiden and Queen Lucinda, let me just say please call us Aiden and Lucinda.” I replied, “Ok… I could do that. Would you like a muffin?” Lucinda conjured one to her hands saying, “Do I ever. My nephews and nieces have been talking about these muffins.” The Fairy Queen took a bite and moaned.

Lucinda ordered, “Oh my goddess. Aiden, try a muffin. Right now.” Aiden smirked and conjured one to him. He took a bite then announced, “These are fabulous. I do hope they will be at all my sister’s realm’s holiday parties that we are told we must attend.”

I laughed, “I’ve heard her parties are next level… I always wanted to go… but… yeah… I didn’t… which you know...” Lucinda smiled, “They are quite something. She is a great party planner.” Aiden said, “Speaking of parties, we have one to get you and my nephew to.”

I gasped, “A party IN FAERIE? And you want me there?” Aiden answered, “You are required to be there, yes.” I squealed, “Me?! Oh my gosh… ummm slight problem… I don’t have anything to wear. You guys are formal about everything.”

Aiden’s lips twitched as he replied, “We are. I heard you studied all things Fairy as a child and teenager.” I blushed as Lucinda snapped me into a beautiful red dress. I knew my eyes widened and both of them watched as I touched the material covering my back. Thankfully, it had some.

Lucinda said, “Aiden found out your favorite color is red. That information is still accurate, right?” The Fairy Queen snapped and a full length mirror appeared so I could see the dress.

Tears filled my eyes as I stared at my reflection.

I whispered, “It’s accurate… the information I mean… this dress is beautiful.”

I turned around to confirm it completely covered my back.

I didn’t want to ask Lucinda how she knew I wanted that.

I really wanted to live in denial that anyone knew about my back.

The thought lurked in the back of my mind that if Lucinda knew, then everyone did. She hadn’t even around me before now.