Dad and King Friedrich went to greet Uncle Vladimir. Hearing his rich, baritone voice as he talked with Dad, I could tell he was in a bad mood. They talked outside for a few minutes before they came inside. Once inside Mom was the first one to greet them.
“Vlady! It’s so good to see you again! I’ve missed you!” Mom exclaimed rather loudly as she ran into his arms for a bear hug and a kiss.
“I’ve missed you too Lou! It’s been too long!” he gushed as he returned the hug and kiss of his sister.
“I am so sorry you had to come under these circumstances. Why is it the last two times we saw each other, it was because of a crisis?” Mom sadly stated as she released him.
“It’s the times we live in Lou. You know that. Some people just don’t play nice with others,” chuckled Uncle Vladimir as he held Mom at arm’s length to check her out. “You’re looking good Lou. How’s your wolf doing? Better?”
“She’s doing much better. I still can’t shift, but she’s doing much better,” Mom answered him sadly with her head held low.
“Don’t ever hold your head low to me. You saved my life and the price was your wolf not being able to shift into her true form. I am forever in your debt dear sister,” Uncle Vladimir professed to Mom.
“Nonsense, you’d do the same for me. Isn’t that what family is for? Now, go see the rest of your family. Vladimir, this is Anthony Harrison, Melanie’s second chance mate. His Grandparents, Milo Atkinson and Sarah Johnson,” Mom introduced as she was trying desperately to bring her conversation to an end.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you finally Anthony. I know you would never do anything to hurt or displease my niece because if you did, you would have me to answer to. Mr. Atkinson and Ms. Johnson, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Uncle Vladimir uttered as he greeted everyone in the room.
“Thank you, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Vladimir. I would never do anything to hurt or displease Melanie. She means the world to me. I love her very much,” explained Anthony to my uncle as he shook his hand.
“Good. Very good,” was all Uncle Vladimir said to him before he turned his attention to his Grandparents.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” Milo greeted him and bowed.
Uncle Vladimir walked slowly over to me on the couch. Everyone watched him closely to see what he was going to do. “May I?” Uncle Vladimir asked me.
“Yes, you may,” I replied.
Uncle Vladimir walked over to me and gently pulled the blanket down that Anthony put on my legs and lifted up my shirt. Gasps and growls were heard in the room as the still deep purple and blue bruise on my stomach came into view.
“Why isn’t this healing like it’s supposed to? Shouldn’t this be healed by now?” asked a confused Uncle Vladimir.
“It happened just yesterday afternoon. Dr. Adams thinks it’s going to take a while to heal because I’m still pregnant. They’re not really sure. All I know is that it hurts when they press down on it. I don’t want them to touch it and cause more problems for me right now. I don’t want to lose my other baby Uncle Vladimir,” I explained as a few tears started to trickle down my face.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure that does not happen. You are correct in not letting anyone touch that area right now. Tell me what you need me to do to help you,” Uncle Vladimir softly stated as he wiped my tears away after he covered me back up again.
“I don’t know what I need right now Uncle Vladimir other than love from my family. I feel like I let everyone down by not being able to protect my other baby and losing it. But it was beyond my control. I … I … I’m sorry. I just don’t feel very strong right now or capable of handling …emotionally I’m a mess. I’m sorry everyone,” I tried to explain to everyone in the room.
“You don’t have to apologize to anyone. You didn’t do anything wrong my baby girl. Do you hear me?” Mom told me as she looked from me to her brother as if to say, ‘Back me up.’
“She’s right Mellie. I don’t know why you are apologizing. You didn’t do anything wrong. The offending party will be dealt with. You are our main priority right now. You need to rest to ensure that the other baby continues to grow stronger,” advised Uncle Vladimir.
“I am not the only priority right now. Sophia needs our attention as well. She is an emotional wreck right now and needs just as much support as I do. We cannot forget about her,” I declared to everyone in the room.
“Mellie, we are taking good care of Sophia but we need you to take good care of yourself. Can you do that?” Uncle Friedrich asked me.
“Yes, I can do that. I have been doing that and I will continue to do so. You all make it sound like I haven’t been taking care of myself. Uncle Vladimir, where are you staying while you are here?” I inquired trying to change the subject so I wouldn’t get angry.
“Well, I usually stay with my sister at her house but I happen to know that she will be over here to cook for you since you will be confined to your bed or the couch. So, may I stay here with you and Anthony?” asked Uncle Vladimir.
“Yes, I’d be honored Uncle Vladimir to have you as my house guest. We have two empty guest rooms upstairs for you to choose from. Anthony …” was all I could say before I was interrupted by my Mother.
“Melanie, we’ll take care of his rooming arrangements. Why don’t you go upstairs to take a nap while we take care of everything? You look tired. Anthony, please take Melanie upstairs and put her to bed,” commanded my Mother.
“Yes ma’am. Come, my love, let’s get you to bed,” cooed Anthony as he gently picked me up and carried me up the stairs.
I said goodbye to everyone as I left the living room. Anthony gently placed me in the bed and kissed my lips after he brought the covers up. What would I do without my mate?
_________
“Now that Melanie is out of the room. Someone tell me what the Hell happened and where is the prick. NOW!” demanded Duke Vladimir.
“I told you already what happened. We were in the Conference Room trying to figure out a way not to go to war because of Prince Michael rejecting Sophia. We needed clarification on a point so King Matthew sent for Michael. Melanie was on her way out the door when Michael barged in without knocking. Thus, knocking her into the wall onto the floor. Then he proceeds to kick her in the stomach. I still can’t believe he said, ‘Get out of my way female replacement.’ The nerve of him,” seethed King Friedrich.
“How are we going to avoid a war with the U. S.? This ‘Michael’ has given us two reasons to declare war against them. Sophia has begged us not to go to war and I know Melanie would do the same. They both wouldn’t want innocent wolves to lose their lives because of one wolf’s stupidity,” remarked Duke Vladimir.
“Exactly. We are in a no-win situation. We have to figure something out. The Council will be here on Monday to help hammer out an agreement with the U. S. Council. Hopefully, we can avoid a war. But if Melanie loses the other baby, I don’t know how we can avoid it, do you?” growled King Friedrich to his brother Vladimir.
“No, I don’t.” Vladimir agreed with his brother.