I drank more and touched the screen, “I would be the best mate. I would.” Edward called me. I answered, “What?” He said, “Pick up our order from the coffee shop.” He hung up and I dragged myself out of the building and ran there.
I walked in and hiccupped. I went to the counter, “Edward Davis’s order.” She nodded, “Coming up.” I heard someone say, “Alexander Conners is a TIGER in bed.” Her friends whipped their heads to her but mine did too. She was gorgeous like the others.
She wasn’t the first to come down here and talk about him in bed. They were all gorgeous blondes. There were SO many of them too and each other took a piece of my soul with them when they left. I wasn’t sure I had any pieces of my soul left if I was honest.
One of the blonde’s friends asked, “You met Alpha Alexander? Is that why you called? Why didn’t we meet in Black Mountain then?” She dismissed them, “You guys were nearby this cute place so I came to see you. He popped me in.” He had been here? He’d been here and I missed him? My heartbeat felt like it was in my feet. That wasn’t surprising really. Missing Xander was the literal story of my freaking life.
She said, “Yeah, he said we could stay in touch maybe be more than fuck buddies. Possibly even his Chosen.” I would rather die than listen to this. I really would. Strike me dead here and now if you exist Selene. I stared at the ceiling but nothing happened.
One of the girls said, “I mean that’s kind of crazy. Why would he take a chosen Luna already? Because that’s really fast and you both have fated out there. He’s only twenty one and you’re twenty-five.”
The blonde glared at her replying, “There’s some girl who is the sister of one of his good friends. She likes him and thinks they are mates. He’s desperate for her not to be his because she’s a weak little brat that got her family killed.” A choked sob bubbled up.
The girl behind the counter said, “Get out of here, Ashley. You don’t need to listen to that drivel.” It wasn’t a secret to Black Path I loved Xander. I shot a glance back over at the woman my mate wanted over me. She winked at me and I saw in that moment she knew exactly who I was.
My heart felt like it was breaking. I saw Buck who did a double take. He asked, “Why do you smell like a distillery?” I handed him the coffee order, “Here.” I took off running. He shouted, “MELANIE!” I ignored him and went back to my place. Everyone’s voices screaming at me to die filled my head.
I would never meet Kai. My nephew would hate me just like everyone else. Xander wanted a blonde and I wasn’t one. He even showed those women what I looked like and was probably sending them down her to taunt me personally.
I was holding them all back. I drank more. Dax linked, “Melanie, let us in. ILYX said you locked us out.” I didn’t answer. I grabbed my nine millimeter and stared at it. Jason would be thrilled if he got the call that I was dead. I stared in the mirror at my face.
I cried, “Why do I look like Drake McAlister if I’m not his daughter? WHY?!” I punched it and it shattered. ILYX announced, “Paige is calling.” I answered, “Hello.” She ordered, “You let me in this place, or I will do something drastic.”
I replied, “Tell K she can keep everything going.” She shouted, “WHAT?! No! No, don’t talk like that.” I stared at the gun unsure what I’d do. Caine snarled, “Melanie, don’t you dare!” I cried, “They called me a murderer. They won’t even send me a picture of my nephew.”
I screamed, “I saved Everly. ME! She had him because of me. I saved her and… and I won’t ever meet him. They want me to die. I should’ve died that night… I should’ve.” He argued, “No, you shouldn’t have. You survived because you are going to make the world your dance floor.” I whispered, “I can’t anymore.”
Caine snarled, “Beta Jason is a disgrace to his name, pack, your parents, and older brother. They wanted you to live and you know it.” I cried harder. I said, “He doesn’t want me.” Dax said, “Yeah, Buck linked me. He said that woman was lying her ass off and even her friend said so.” Why did she know who I was then?
Caine demanded, “Let us in.” I ended the call. I took out some of the many letters I’d received from my family since I’d been here.
Melanie,
Since the moment my son died, I felt you’d be Slade’s. I knew you wouldn’t shift and that’s why we couldn’t have you here.
My son, daughter in law, and oldest grandson died for you. You’re how the Hunters got into the pack. Your blood. You killed them and I hope you suffer every day for it.
Ben McAlister
That wasn’t really how it worked either. Anyone could get into the pack, but the patrol’s should’ve spotted them. Which Grandpa Ben knew deep down. He wasn’t thinking when he wrote this, but he really did want me to suffer and it gutted me. I read the next one knowing my already shattered heart would break so loud I’d hear it this time.
Melanie,
You may be my half-sister, but I wish we’d never met. You ruined my life.
Beta Jason McAlister
I couldn’t read the rest again. I put them all away and pulled up a picture of Xander. He didn’t want me. He really didn’t. She said he was considering a chosen because he didn’t want to be with me so badly. The elevator dinged and I glanced over.
The relief I felt at seeing Charles told me I didn’t really want to kill myself. He flashed in front of me and took the gun. I cried, “Charles.” He held me like a child. I sobbed, “They won’t let me meet Kai.” He said, “I don’t know who that is.”
I explained, “My nephew. They want me to die. Xander doesn’t want me and…” He cut me off, “That seems unlikely as the Alpha Enforcer is not stupid.” I hiccupped, “The blonde that he slept with… she… said … he didn’t want me… so badly he was… considering a chosen.”
He hummed, “As someone who has looked deeply into the Alpha Enforcer, I would say she’s lying.” I sniffled, “Everyone wants me to die.” He replied, “That is hardly true. You just took a position to make a real difference in the inordinately horrible pack you insist you have to stay in. I will take you away from it all. You could come with me, my dear.”
I held onto him, “I don’t have a wolf and…” He patted my head, “I am sure you are a late bloomer.” I whispered, “Have you ever heard of that?” He answered, “Not for a full blooded Werewolf, but that is what is going with you. I know it.” I admitted, “Everything hurts all the time… everything is wrong… and so am I.”
He disagreed, “There is nothing wrong with you. There is something wrong with plenty of people, but you are not one of them. I have met many people in my life over the centuries. None hold a candle to you.”
