Mates: Revenge

Chapter 5

~Third Person~

The ride to the park was awkward for Brooklyn and Melanie. When, at one time, there was excitement and happiness surrounding this trip, there is now anger and fear. Brooklyn doesn’t quite understand her issues with Mr. Lansing. He has done nothing to her and she sees him daily at school. From the first day she spotted him, she felt trepidation, but had no idea why that would be. Once Mr. Lansing claimed himself as Melanie’s mate, that feeling got stronger.

Brooklyn is not ignorant of the concept of fated mates. She has seen her father and Kehlani. The reason why they found each other, are with each other, is because they are fated mates. The Moon Goddess chose them to be with each other. Brooklyn is well aware that not all fated mates end up together. Her father has never told her directly, but she knows that her father was mated to another before Kehlani and they did not last. She has heard enough talk around her to be able to piece everything together. She even met the woman a year ago, the one who was her father’s fated mate and who gave birth to her. She was not impressed by the woman and was even more bothered by the fact that that woman was her mother. The woman who carried her in her womb and gave birth to her, only to leave her alone when she was just an infant. Brooklyn and Stacy had discussed this very issue at length when that woman was on their territory. It upset her greatly and things did not get better when it seemed as if her father was going to welcome her back with open arms.

Brooklyn was beyond grateful that Kehlani came into the picture and that she was her father’s new, fated mate. Kehlani is amazing and treats her as if she were her own. She actually thanked the Moon Goddess for giving her father Kehlani. Brooklyn understands the importance of fated mates and the pull that they have towards each other. She would never want Melanie to go without it just for her sake; she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if that is what happened.

Brooklyn just questions this man. Who is he really? What is he about? Something about him seems to be off and she can’t figure out what it may be. She can’t go to her parents with her suspicions because they wouldn’t understand. Hell, they didn’t understand when they had spoken briefly. Everyone is under the impression that Brooklyn is jealous of Mr. Lansing and doesn’t want to lose Melanie. While it is an adjustment to share Melanie, Brooklykn knows that she would never truly lose her. Melanie chose her; Melanie chose to be her protector. She could have protected her father or Kehlani, but she chose her. Brooklyn knows that choice will not change simply because her fated mate has come into her life. There is no way she can get anyone to believe that her suspicion stems from the man himself, not simply his presence in Melanie’s life.

As she sits on the swing, she watches Mr. Lansing and Melanie on the bench. They are conversing with each other and look to be cozy. Something seems off though, because every mated couple she has seen, including her parents, are always way more hands-on than those two. Maybe the mate bond isn’t strong enough yet, but she was always told that the bond is intense from the first whiff of the scent. Brooklyn dares not try to question what she is seeing since, at her age, what could she really know? Brooklyn hears Mr. Lansing’s phone rings and he pulls it out of his pocket. When looking at the screen, his facial expression changes, just slightly, and he excuses himself to take the call. Brooklyn watches him walk a bit away and take the call behind a small building that houses the restroom. Brooklyn quietly gets up from the swing and makes her way to the building without being seen by Melanie.

“I know baby, I miss you too………I hope to be finished here in a week or so……Yes, we can go away when I get back……I promise after this time, I won’t leave you so long again……Talk to you soon……”

Brooklyn realizes the phone call is over and quickly runs into the restroom. She ducks behind the door and waits. Who the hell was he talking to? It sounded as if he was talking to someone who meant a lot to him and that should only be Melanie. That didn’t sound like a family member or someone he works with. It was at this time Brooklyn wished that she were older and her wolf had come in. If that were the case, she would be able to hear the other side of the conversation and would have more information. She could only hear Mr. Lansing, but what she heard did not sound good in the slightest. Brooklyn waited a bit more before leaving the restroom and running right into Mr. Lansing. He looked at her as if trying to figure something out before speaking, “I found her over here.” Melanie comes running up and pulls Brooklyn into a tight hug.

“You scared the hell out of me! I had no idea you went anywhere. Do you know how worried I was?” While it is true that Melanie did not see Brooklyn leave the swings, she is usually able to sense her. She can see her from the corner of her eye or sense that she has moved. Her scent, alone, is usually enough to alert her to a change in Brooklyn’s location. None of these things worked this time and that frightened Melanie beyond belief. What the hell is happening to her that she can’t feel or smell her young charge? What would that mean in terms of being able to truly take care of Brooklyn? Melanie truly needs to see what is wrong with her before something serious happens.

“I’m sorry, Melanie. I just had to pee really badly so I ran to the restroom. I’m sorry I worried you.” Melanie couldn’t stay mad at the child. She kisses her on the top of her head and stands up to face Daniel.

“I think I should get her home. I enjoyed our outing.” Melanie turns to walk away, but Daniel’s hand stops her.

“Maybe I can come with you two. I can join you for dinner. I do need to see where I will be living.” Melanie looks at Brooklyn, who has her head down, and back at Daniel.

“Let’s do that tomorrow night. You can follow us to the packhouse and meet the Alphas.” Daniel smiles and kisses Melanie on her cheek.

“Until tomorrow then. Goodbye, Brooklyn.” Brooklyn looks up at him and gives him a small smile. Melanie turns and walks Brooklyn to the car to take her home.