The morning came with such promise. I awoke feeling much better and was told I would be discharged after I ate breakfast. The morning was definitely looking up when Uncle Vladimir came to pick us up from the pack hospital.
We made our way back to the courtroom where the trial was taking place. When I entered the room, my anxiety overwhelmed me. I had to leave immediately and run to the bathroom. Sophia followed close behind me to make sure I was okay. Uncle Vladimir, Dad, Alpha Richard, and Uncle Friedrich waited patiently outside the bathroom to make sure I was okay. I asked Uncle Vladimir if there was a way that I could be available to testify again without being physically in the courtroom.
It was Sophia who said she would find out for me. She went in search of Ms. Dagastino and Judge D’Amato. She came back ten minutes later to find us sitting outside the courtroom.
“Melanie, Judge D’Amato said that you can use a private room off to the side to sit in. Your family members can sit with you as long as they are not testifying. She understands that you are still not feeling well and it is not good for your twins to be present in the courtroom,” announced Sophia proudly.
“Thank you, Queen Sophia,” I replied as I bowed toward her as our family chuckled at our banter.
“Oh, stop it. You know I’d do anything for you or anyone else in our family. Now, the bailiff will be here in a few minutes to show us where the room is for you,” explained Sophia.
“Okay. Dad, do you think I can have my laptop so I can complete some work-related tasks? I need the distraction. I can’t just sit there and do nothing,” I explained as I gauged his response.
“Yes, we can let you have your laptop to complete work-related tasks. But you cannot overdo it. Also, what about if Mom came over with Austin? Would that help as a distraction as well?” inquired Dad with a hopeful note in his voice.
“Absolutely. I would welcome Austin in the room with me. Having him there with me would ease my mind tremendously Dad. I may not get any work done if he’s there,” I noted with happiness in my voice to which almost everyone chuckled at my response.
“Mom’s on her way over. Anderson and Noah are escorting her and Austin over along with some snacks that she wants to make sure you ‘partake in,'” chuckled Dad.
“Why am I not surprised? Mom probably already had it all arranged for me. Didn’t she?” I inquired with a smirk on my face.
“Let’s just say I think she knew you probably wouldn’t have been able to enter or stay in the courtroom very long today. She knew you would need her or both of them today. She was prepared,” revealed Dad to everyone present.
“Sounds like Lou. I bet she’s got enough to feed the entire courtroom,” chuckled Uncle Vladimir.
“Is someone mocking me? It can’t be my brother Vladimir now can it?” teased my Mom which elicited howls of laughter from us all.
“Now Lou, don’t be mad at me. I was only speaking the truth. I was not mocking you. I would never … ever mock you. You know that. I love you very much. Who else would sacrifice their wolf for me?” exclaimed Uncle Vladimir as he hugged and kissed his sister.
“I do know that Vlady. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat-without hesitation because I love you too very much. Never, ever forget that,” gushed Mom as she released Uncle Vladimir from the hug and kissed him deeply on the cheek. “You are after all my favorite brother.”
“Since when is he the favorite brother?” taunted Uncle Friedrich.
Oh brother, not this again. Now, we’re going to have that argument again.
“Since she sacrificed her wolf to save me. That’s when,” declared Uncle Vladimir vehemently to everyone once again for the millionth time.
“I guess I’ll let it slide-this time,” cried out Uncle Friedrich only to laugh with the rest of us.
This was just what I needed-a little family banter to get rid of my anxiety of the situation. Our family has always been close-knit-but now I think it’s even gotten closer with all the recent events. The bailiff finally showed up to escort us to my ‘special’ room. It was quaint and roomy.
Mom, Dad, and Anthony stayed with me in the ‘special’ room for now. The others were politely asked to come into the courtroom. Austin was still sleeping so I decided to have the all-important conversation with Anthony about taking Uncle Vladimir’s position in our link.
We got comfortable in our seats. I put my head on Anthony’s shoulder and closed my eyes to relax. Mom and Dad took that as a sign that I wanted to rest so they didn’t try to engage us in conversation.
‘Anthony my love. Now that we have some time alone, do you want to talk about me taking Uncle Vladimir’s position instead of Danny?’ I asked him. ‘I’m going to stay in this position with my eyes closed so my parents think I’m resting. This way we can have our conversation. Okay?’
‘Okay. We can talk now. Like I said before. If you want to move here to Europe to take his position, it’s fine by me. I only have my Grandparents left and we can fly them out from time to time to see our children. It wouldn’t be a hardship on us,’ Anthony stated softly in our link.
‘Okay. But here’s the problem with that. I was always destined to be our packs Delta. I was trained for that since birth. I wasn’t trained for this position. I don’t have a clue what I would be doing. Danny was always meant to do this job, not me. I feel like I would be taking his rightful job from him. I would be stealing it from him,’ I sadly stated.
‘You wouldn’t be stealing it if he gave you the position baby. Don’t you see that? Baby, listen to me, you are a phenomenal she-wolf. If you take his position, you would be extraordinary at it. I know it. Just know, wherever you and Austin are, I’m home. We could be anywhere in the world, I’d be home because I would have you and my son-and soon-to-be other children as well,’ cooed Anthony.
‘Thank you, my love. I needed to hear that. You are my home. I feel the same way. No matter where in the world we are-as long as you and Austin are with me-I am home. Before we make a final decision, I want to have a talk with Danny and Rebecca. I want to see their reasoning. Does that make sense?’ I asked him.
‘Yes, my love it makes perfect sense. How are you feeling now? I sense that you are calmer now that we have had our little talk. Has that settled your mind a little bit more?’ questioned Anthony.
‘Yes and no. I am a little more settled but not really because now I really need to talk with Danny and Rebecca. I love you so much,’ I cooed as I moved my head off his shoulder to give him a kiss on the lips.
“Are you two done with your private conversation? I figured you two were talking when you closed your eyes. Did you come to a decision?” questioned Dad.
“No, now we need to talk with Danny and Rebecca before we make our decision. We both agree that no matter where we live as long as we have each other and our children-we are home. I could take Uncle Vladimir’s position but I would feel like I was stealing it from Danny because I was already meant to be the pack’s Delta. I was never meant to be the Duke of Europe-Second in Command of Eastern Europe. That was always supposed to be Danny’s position,” I explained to Dad.
“I know and since he’s had Hunter, their priorities have changed. Now, I guess I should have let you give him the Delta position after your rejection. But look what you have already accomplished in your position. I don’t really know anymore. At the next break, why don’t I ask Danny and Rebecca if they can come in here and talk about it? Sound like a plan?” inquired Dad.
“Sounds like a plan Dad,” I replied. As I said that, the door to our room opened and Anderson appeared.
“Dutchess Melanie, they need you in the courtroom. I was sent to bring you in. Please come with me,” announced Anderson.
“Mom, please come with me in the courtroom. Anderson and Noah, you two will stay outside with Austin. Make sure nothing happens to my son. Understood?” I commanded.
“Understood, Dutchess Melanie,” Anderson replied.
“I’ll come in with you to lend you my strength baby girl. I know that is what you need. Come on, let’s get this over with,” declared my Mom as she guided me out of the room.
We all made our way into the courtroom. I wasn’t sure what I was walking into but I was sure it wasn’t going to be good. I had to steady myself for whatever it was. Ready or not, I’m here I come. I am ready now because I have my Mate, my Mom, and my Dad with me to help me face whatever it is I have to face.