Finally, after five minutes of watching me, Sophia asked me if I felt like I could continue with the meeting or did I need to be excused? I didn’t realize they were holding the meeting for me. I told her I was ready to continue with the meeting.
Sophia asked Uncle Vladimir for an update on the Western Pack Alphas. He stated that all but six packs had been verified. The packs that could not be verified are the Volkov Pack, the Mutoray Pack, the Norilsk Pack, the Bakhta Pack, the Bulunsky Pack, and the Turukhansky Pack.
“Uncle Troy, do you know the names of those Alphas by chance?” inquired Sophia.
“I know some of them, yes. What about you Melanie?” asked my Dad.
“As a matter of fact, I know all of them. I need my computer in order to spell their names correctly. Their names appear on a single After Action Report from eight months ago,” I explained to everyone.
“Okay, where is your computer? We can get it for you,” declared Sophia with a sense of urgency.
“I brought it with me. It was in the car. I don’t know if it made its way in here this morning,” I explained to everyone.
“I’ve already sent someone to retrieve it. It will be here momentarily,” announced Uncle Vladimir happily.
Anthony allowed me to sit in my chair so I could access my computer when it came. I was getting comfortable when a knock came at the door. Sophia bade them entry and it was Anderson who came in with my computer bag.
It took me a matter of minutes to boot up my computer after I plugged it in. It was very dead-I hadn’t worked on my computer in days nor had I charged it. I went to the file I was looking for.
“Okay, here are their names. The Volkov Pack Alpha is Alpha Yuri spelled, Y-u-r-i. Next, the Mutoray Pack Alpha is Alpha Mikhail, spelled M-i-k-h-a-i-l. Next, the Norilsk Pack Alpha is Alpha Alexei spelled A-l-e-x-e-i. Next, the Bakhta Pack Alpha is Alpha Konstantin spelled K-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-i-n. Next, the Bulunsky Pack Alpha is Alpha Matvey spelled M-a-t-v-e-y. Last, the Turukhansky Pack Alpha is Alpha Anatoli spelled A-n-a-t-o-l-i. Do I need to repeat any of them,” I asked Uncle Vladimir.
“No, I got them. Thank you, Melanie,” he answered me with a smirk.
“Okay, so did Sasha Patrizia’s name appear among any of the Alpha’s names?” inquired Sophia to Uncle Vladimir.
“No, it did not. So, we still do not know where Sasha is in the mix of the new Western Kingdom. Is there a way for us to contact Alpha Pushkin to ask him before we agree to help him create his new kingdom?” inquired Uncle Vladimir.
“Could we, maybe, contact him indirectly Dad? You know as his independent Security Firm to inquire if his needs have changed or if he requires any further assistance from us?” I wondered out loud for all to hear.
“You know, that sounds like a good idea, Melanie. I can make a phone call to see what his security needs are now that he is trying to form a new kingdom. Everyone excuse me for a few minutes, with your permission Your Majesty,” grinned my Dad.
“Of course, Uncle Troy. You and Melanie are most helpful when it comes to finding things out ‘unofficially.’ Anything you can find out for us will be most welcome,” beamed Sophia.
Dad bowed toward Sophia before he walked out the door to make his phone call. He was gone for about ten minutes. When he returned he looked a little flushed but had a serious look on his face.
“Well, it turns out that Sasha will no longer be a problem for Pushkin or us. He was killed by Alpha Alexei nine months ago when he challenged him for the Alpha position. There was some unrest in the Norilsk Pack under Sasha’s leadership. The pack rallied behind Alexei when he decided to challenge Sasha for the position of Alpha,” explained Dad to everyone in the room.
“So, that explains why no one could locate Sasha. What is the current state of the Norilsk Pack? Is it stable?” inquired Sophia.
“According to Alpha Pushkin, they are now. The Norilsk Pack is finally healing after a couple of years under his brother’s rule. He was ruthless to his people. They have a lot of healing to do in that pack,” revealed Dad.
“Good. Very good. So, what do you all think? Should we help them create their own kingdom? I’m still not sure. Something still doesn’t sit right with me,” explained Sophia.
“Then, we take it slow. We tell them we will assist them with what they need, but we will not go to them. They will come to us and only a few at a time. They will only send a few representatives not a large amount of people at a time. We must be cautious until we figure out what doesn’t feel right about this,” agreed Uncle Vladimir.
“Does everyone agree? Dad, what do you think?” questioned Sophia.
“I think it’s a good idea. You are doing a great job so far Sophia,” professed Uncle Friedrich.
“Duke Vladimir, contact Alpha Pushkin and let him know we will assist him with creating his Western Kingdom. We will have to wait until the ‘trial’ is complete before we can proceed. That needs to be completed first. The trial starts tomorrow at 10 AM. Does anyone have any questions?” inquired Sophia. Seeing no hands or hearing no questions, “This meeting is adjourned. Let us all go and get a good night’s rest. “Melanie, please let me know if you need anything tonight,” Sophia stated as she came over to give me a bear hug.
“I will. Love you, Sophia. Thank you for everything,” I mumbled against her as we were still wrapped up in our bear hug.
“Always. Love you too, cousin,” cooed Sophia as she released me.
Danny came over to give me a hug and a kiss as well. “I love you too big sis. You know that right?” cooed Danny.
“Yes I do know that. I love you too little brother. Never forget that,” I gushed as I hugged him back like my life depended on it. “Now I believe I need to go find my son and feed him. Don’t you need to go find your mate and son as well?”
“Yes, I do believe I do. Come on, let’s go, Mellie,” commanded Danny.
“Why are you being so bossy all of a sudden? Huh?” I demanded to know.
“Why not? See you in a few minutes, sis,” cheered Danny as he went in search of his mate and son.
“Okay, see ya,” I said as Anthony wrapped his arm around me as we walked to my room. ‘I love you, Anthony.’
‘I love you too, Melanie,’ purred Anthony softly in my ear. Since his left arm was firmly wrapped around my waist, he took his right hand in mine. He lifted our joined hands to his lips and kissed my hand. Then he said, ‘I can’t wait to get you in our bed tonight. I want to show you how much I love you. You deserve nothing but love Melanie.’
‘I can’t wait. It sounds like something we both might enjoy,’ I purred back at him.
We made it to our room just in time for Austin’s feeding. He was awake and in desperate need of nursing. Mom was about to call for me when we walked into the room. Austin greedily nursed. His appetite is increasing, which is a good thing.
Dad, Danny, and Rebecca joined us in our room. Dad told us that we were all staying here at the castle for dinner tonight. Sophia wanted us to have a family dinner tonight since the trial starts tomorrow. That sounded like a good idea to me as well. I was tired but having the family together for moral and emotional support is always the right call.
Dinner was announced and we all made our way down to the dining room. I made sure that Austin was taken care of and secured in his stroller. He was parked next to Hunter in his stroller off to the side; both of whom were sound asleep during our dinner.
The dinner conversation was centered around our childhood memories and what we wanted for our children. I just couldn’t get into it. I hardly ate anything which upset Dad, Uncle Vladimir, well everyone. Anthony told me not to worry that he would take care of me. I knew he would. I just kept spacing out and thinking about tomorrow. When the chocolate cake was put in front of me, they just knew I was going to enjoy that. I took a few bites and that was it. I couldn’t even enjoy that tonight.
Now, everyone was concerned about me simply because I couldn’t enjoy my chocolate cake. “Melanie, do you want some chocolate ice cream instead?” asked Dad with concern dripping from his voice.
“Um … no Dad. Thank you for asking though. I’m not very hungry tonight. My stomach’s a little upset right now,” I revealed to everyone at the table.
“Do you need anything for your stomach Mellie?” asked my Mom.
“Maybe some Ginger Ale but nothing else. My dinner isn’t sitting too well on my stomach,” I explained to Mom.
Before I knew it, Ginger Ale was placed in front of me. My plate had been removed as well as the cake. I sipped the Ginger Ale slowly hoping that it would settle my stomach. I was still looking off into space and not paying attention to anyone.
“Please excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom,” I said before I left the table and the room with Anthony right behind me.
When I left the room, Dad was the first one to speak up. “I know she has to mentally and emotionally prepare herself for tomorrow but this is worrisome. I’ve never seen her like this before,” Dad mused out loud for everyone to hear.
“Dad, she’s all torn up inside. Her wolf says that she’s afraid of how people will view her after tomorrow. She doesn’t want anyone to look at her and think any less of her because of what Michael did to her,” explained Danny to everyone at the table.
“Everything he did to her was beyond her control. Even her wolf fought Michael when she was unconscious when he raped her. When she couldn’t physically fight back, her wolf did her best to help her. How is that showing weakness? Surely our people will know how strong she is if her wolf was able to do that,” insisted Uncle Vladimir.
“Yes, we know that but telling that to Melanie and having her believe that are two different things. I’ll talk to her tonight before she goes to bed. Maybe I can get through to her,” Dad sighed as they heard footsteps coming closer to the dining room.
Everyone finished dinner and we left for Uncle Vladimir’s villa shortly thereafter. Nothing was said when I returned to the dining room. I think everyone was concerned about me but knew I just wanted to go to bed and relax. When we got to the villa, Dad asked to talk to me before I went to bed. I told him we could talk but I needed some alone time with Anthony and Austin first which he granted.
I love my family to death but they can smother you with their love sometimes.