Mates: Revenge

Chapter 2

~Daniel~

“Are you sure this is going to work?” I stare at the mirror, taking in my reflection. I do not recognize myself, but that is the point. I need to be able to get in undetected, so I can do what needs to be done.

“I told youuuuu…….thissssss will work…….my work is ffffflllllawlesssssss,” she said in a raspy voice. I swear I hate witches, but sometimes, they are worth the hassle. This would be one of those times.

“Leave me.” I wait until the door closes before disrobing. I need to see the full effect. I take in my ‘new’ body from various angles. I look a bit leaner and almost seem taller. My skin tone is olive, making me seem like I’m from some island somewhere. I notice a new tattoo, a phoenix wrapping around my left shoulder and arm. My now blonde hair sits on my shoulders. I have a scar going from my chin to the top of my cheek on my right side. Now I have pale green eyes. This should work out perfectly. I shouldn’t have to see the witch again for a month, but I still should work quickly. In due time, I will have what I want, and I can’t wait for that day.

~Melanie~

It's so dark. I can't see anything in front of me, but that doesn't stop me from running. I'm running through the woods, and branches are scratching me as I go. I don't know what's behind me, but I can sense something. It is frightening, and I want to scream, but I can't seem to work my mouth. I trip over a log and fall to the ground. My leg is hurt, and I know I won't be able to run anymore. I turn over on my back and feel something over me. My arms are restricted. My legs are stuck to the ground. I feel a presence hovering over me. I can’t move my body, and I can barely move my head. Then it is almost like the presence is sucking the life force out of me. It looks like a trail of smoke leaving me and going to the presence. I’m feeling weaker and weaker by the minute. It feels like I will die soon if this doesn’t stop.

My alarm jolts me awake. What the hell was that? That dream or nightmare felt so damn real. I take a deep breath, but it comes out shaky. What is wrong with me? There is a knock at my door. I struggle to sit up so I can answer. “Meli?! Meli…..I’m going to school with Stacy! See you when you pick me up!” I hear feet tearing down the hallway. I collapse on the bed, relieved that I can rest but also irritated because this is interfering with my day-to-day duties. I stare up at the ceiling and sigh. I need to figure out what is happening to me sooner rather than later.

************************************************

I ended up sleeping another 6 hours after Brooklyn went to school. I just didn’t have the strength to get out of bed. I missed training, breakfast, and lunch. I know Jax popped in at some point to check on me because his scent lingered in my room when I finally got up. I got ready and headed to the school to meet Brooklyn.

I get out of the car and wait by our tree. We decided that this tree would be the spot we always meet so that if anything happened, we would be able to find each other quickly. This will be just until Brooklyn gets older and gets her wolf. Then she would be able to mindlink me. I actually can’t wait until then. I would be able to teach her everything I know so she can fully protect herself if anything were to happen to me. We train now, but at her age, there is only so much she can do. I can’t wait until I can teach her more.

I hear the bell and see kids filing out of the school. I wait patiently for Brooklyn to come. I finally see her walk out of the front doors, and there is a man walking behind her. Winnie, my wolf, starts to pace back and forth. I’m not sure why she is so antsy; she is usually calm. As Brooklyn gets closer, the man is hot on her heels. A scent hits me: leather and grass. That is an odd combination, and I’m not that fond of leather. Winnie huffs in my head.

Is everything ok?

I’m not sure. That scent is weird, but it is pulling me in a bit.

“Meli! You’re here!” I smile and squat down so I can pull Brooklyn into my arms.

“Of course I am, Brooky. I told you that I would make sure not to be late again. I hate making you wait.” I lean closer to Brooklyn to whisper quietly in her ear. “Who is the man that is following you?” Brooklyn pulls back and looks at the man, then back at me.

“That is a new teacher. He wanted to meet you,” she whispers in my ear. Meet me? Why would this teacher want to meet me? I don’t even know who he is. I stand up and hold Brooklyn’s hand in mine. I look at the man who stopped a few feet in front of us. He is staring at me, and I feel a bit of a pull, but it is weak at best. Winnie is whining in my head but has said nothing. The scent from earlier is coming from him. He smells like leather and freshly cut grass. He is staring at me with the most unique pale green eyes I have ever seen. I feel a slight stirring inside, but I’m unsure what it means.

Mate?

Are you asking me, Winnie, or telling me?

Um….telling you?

You don’t seem sure at all.

I’m not, actually. This is not how I expected it to be. Shake his hand. Maybe that will tell us for sure.

I hold out my hand. “Hi. I’m Melanie Richmond.” He looks at my hand and then back up at me. On closer inspection, the man is pretty tan. He has blonde hair that is kept in a low ponytail. I can see the markings of a tattoo on his arm. He has a scar that covers half of his face on the right. Completely not my type. I feel a slight pull to him, but nothing like I’d expect it to be if he was my fated mate. He reaches out and grabs my hand. I feel a slight flicker of sparks. I always thought that the sparks were bigger than that, more powerful.

Well, I guess that’s it. He is our mate.

I guess so, Winnie. I always expected more, though.

You and me both.

“Mate,” the man says with a smile on his face. I nod to him. He clears his throat: “My name is Daniel Lansing. I just started at this school today and I already found my mate.” Daniel has a grin on his face that is kind of cute, I guess. Brooklyn is looking from me to him and back again. She has not let go of my other hand and keeps gripping it tighter and tighter.

“It’s nice to meet you. I must admit that I wasn’t prepared for this, and I really need to get Brooklyn home.” Daniel looks at Brooklyn, and I notice a flash of something go through his eyes. I’m not sure what that emotion was, but chances are it was nothing. He nods and rubs his thumb across the back of my hand.

“Maybe I can take you out tonight.” I look at Brooklyn and back at Daniel. He is my mate, so I guess going out isn’t an issue.

“Sure. We can meet at the diner outside of town: All of Us.”

“I have been meaning to check it out. Sounds like a date. I will meet you there at 8pm.” Daniel gives my hand a squeeze before letting go and walking back into the building. I turn to Brooklyn, who looks a bit heartbroken, but I’m not sure why.

“Let’s go home, Brooky. Maybe we can get Ms. Valerie to make us those nachos you like after school.” Brooklyn’s eyes lit up a bit, and we walked to the car to go home.

~Kehlani POV

I walk into the kitchen to get something to snack on, and I see Valerie, our head Omega for the kitchen, making nachos. Her nachos always get high marks from anyone who eats them, and they are one of Brooklyn’s favorites. “Hey, Valerie. What’s the occasion?” Valerie smiles big at me.

“Melanie asked me to make these for her and Brooklyn. They should be home soon.” As if her words were magic, Brooklyn comes running into the kitchen with Melanie right behind her. Brooklyn runs to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Hey love bug. How was school?”

“School was good until Meli picked me up,” Brooklyn said with a frown. I kneel down and embrace Brooklyn, rubbing her back. I look up at Melanie, and she shakes her head slightly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Brooklyn shakes her head and leans back.

“No, not right now. Can I have my nachos?”

“You sure can, dearie.” Valerie comes over and grabs Brooklyn’s hand to lead her to the island where her plate is waiting. Melanie comes over to me and pulls me by the arm. We head outside, where I sit on a couch, and Melanie starts to pace back and forth.

“What happened Melanie?” She continues to pace back and forth while running her hand down her face.

“I found my mate today?” I laugh because she seems so unsure that is what really took place.

“That’s great Melanie! Why the stress about it?” Melanie stops and looks at me. She walks over and plops down next to me with a sigh.

“It….it just…..how was it when you found Jayden?” I smile at the memory then I laugh, remembering how awkward Jayden was and how he wanted to run away.

“He smelled amazing. It was a smell that I missed so much. The sparks when we touched, Goddess! Everytime we touch it feels like the 4th of July.” I look at Melanie, and she looks perplexed. “Maybe….maybe your bond needs to grow more.” I don’t really know what else to say because I never had a doubt when it came to either of my mates.

“We do have a date tonight.” I pat Melanie on the leg.

“That’s a good start. Go out with him and see how it feels. Don’t make any decisions until you give him a real chance.” I get up from the couch and head to the door. “I’m going to go back in and see if I can get Brooklyn to share with me before it’s all gone.”