I gasped. He called me Melanie and signed with his Alpha title? He was like a second dad to me. Why did he write Tristan’s name instead of T? He always called him T unless he was in trouble. Peter should be holding me.
Chelsea and Peter should BE here. Why aren’t they here? I’m a pack member too! Why isn’t Peter protecting me? Wait? After I shift? I can’t come home for two years? Or link anyone?! I didn’t feel the command take hold, but he was my Alpha. It probably had to be said out loud. Why would he say that?
Did that mean Jase wasn’t planning on being there for my shift? Elise wasn’t coming? Did she know what happened? WasChelsea not coming? My heart broke, but Stephanie said Uncle Duncan didn’t know. I could just stay with him, even if his pack was annoying and borderline terrible. I reached for the second letter.
Melanie,
I know you’re confused, but this is how everything has to be for now. It’s best this way. All of us are too hurt at the moment. After you shift everything could be different. Mom and Dad may never forgive me in the afterlife, but I’m doing what’s best for me.
You know my dreams were to be the Lead Warrior. That went up in smoke tonight, along with our family. I sent your bag with you and everything you use in your room like your books and binders. I just can’t be there for you right now. I met my mate, and she’s my priority, along with the pack.
I can’t raise you, Melanie. I can’t. I can’t deal with the fact that mom, dad, and Tristan are dead and see your face every day. I’ll write and keep in touch. Aunt Stephanie will look after you. Do as she says. I don’t want to hear about you misbehaving and crossing the border. We will talk soon.
Beta Jason
I sobbed. Not one ladybug? He always called me Mel or Ladybug. I wouldn’t get in his way at home. I’d be good. What was with his signature line? This letter didn’t even sound like him. I cried, “Please… let me call Jase… I’ll tell him... I won’t get in his or Everly’s way… I just want to go home.”
Stephanie slapped me across the face. I stared at her in shock. She went to slap me again, but I grabbed her hand. I saw her fear before I twisted it behind her back. I told her, “You’ll never touchme like that again. I AM a Beta’s daughter, and I can and will defend myself.” She whimpered in pain.
It was like my memory came back online and I remembered the name McCann. Hell, I knew her name. She was a former Gamma’s mate, but I could best her easily. Her mate died because he came to kill Luna Reagan Daniels. I’d briefly looked at an old memo about that.
I let her go and she whipped around like I’d done something she hadn’t expected. There were rumors that the Nashville packs barely trained their lower ranked members and pups, but I was thinking they didn’t train them at all based on her reaction.
She rubbed her arm as if she was waiting for an apology. I crossed my arms and glared at her. She frowned, “Look, you’re not going home. This is your home now.” I snored, “This will NEVER be my home.” Stephanie grinned evilly, “We will see about that. Let’s go.”
I frowned pointing out, “I didn’t get discharged.” Or see a single medical professional. Stephanie retorted, “I’m your guardian and I’m signing you out. You’ll have to earn your keep once you heal.” I frowned, “What does that mean? Also, there’s literally no way you’re my Guardian. That would take days, given how the human system works.” Her eye twitched.
I continued, “There would have been refusals and signatures from the Kyle’s to dismiss my parents’ wishes. A lot of lawyers and there are more people listed as guardian options. You are not one. Which means the Werewolf Council would step in to find a suitable home, and it would definitely not be here.”
Stephanie ignored all that saying, “You’ll be doing chores.” I shrugged, “Ok... I did chores at home.” Stephine said, “It’s more like a day job.” I looked at her before explaining, “Ummm I’m fourteen. I have to go to school.” Stephanie shrugged, “I say you don’t, and what I say goes.”
My jaw dropped, “That’s… beyond not legal.” Stephanie snorted, “We are supernatural’s, sweetie. We get away with murder. I don’t think anyone will make a stink about you missing high school.” I stared at her.
Eventually I said, “Umm the humans care about kids going to school and we live in their realm. The Werewolf Council cares about all of us getting a high school degree.” She retorted, “My pack is overseen by the Supernatural Council.”
I scoffed, “They definitely care about packs not drawing the attention of human authorities… like you seem dead set on doing… which is strange…” She stared at me. I muttered, “Fine. I’ll get a GED.” Stephanie waved her hands saying, “Problem solved. On the car ride home pick a new name.”
I wanted to go back to bed and transport myself back to a time I’d never met her. I asked, “What?” Stephanie was clearly annoyed, but I didn’t care.
She answered, “Your pack doesn’t want to hear news about you around their allies. I personally doubt they will hear anything, but it was INSISTED upon that you pick a new name. So, you’ll pick one. My pack will obviously know who you are, but in public they will call you by your chosen name.” They took me from my home, family, and pack. Now they wanted my name?!
She continued, “You should be happy. I hate my name. Plus, my pack is even going to get you documentation for said name.” I asked, “What pack?” She answered, “Black Path.” Jason and Peter sent me to BLACK PATH?! They hated it here! They talked about how crappy it was, literally ALL the time. Dad and mom abhorred this pack!
Stephanie signed me out while I held my tears back. The nurses and doctors were not ok with her signing me out. I didn’t see a single Supernatural on duty, but I saw several harsh looksgoing her way. Stephanie rushed us off before they could call CPS, which one nurse was doing as we left.
My side burned with pain, and I felt lightheaded. Logically, I must have lost a lot of blood. Was I flown here? What hospital would agree to make the flight when there was a level one trauma center in Black Mountain’s territory? The human hospital and the pack one.
Alpha Eric was determined his area would provide the best care no matter if it was a Supernatural or Human. Was I driven here? Surely, they got me medical attention before I got to Nashville. We got into her car in a tense silence that grated my nerves.
I hated silence, but I’d never felt more alone in my life. Alpha Peter’s note, in his handwriting, said not to link anyone. I just wanted to hear their voices, even if they yelled. I needed them.
Stephanie said, “As I said, during the day you’ll do chores for the pack.” She hadn’t said it was for the pack. Which was against Werewolf law because that was a job. The Supernatural Council was not doing a good job monitoring the packs that didn’t want to be overseen by the Werewolf Council then.
Especially if they were getting away with that. Which wasn’t actually that surprising and I mentally chided myself for not realizing they were doing it to get away with doing shady things.
She continued, “Once you are recovered, I have another activity you’ll be enrolled in.” I didn’t reply which she clearly wanted and to be honest it physically pained me to stay quiet. I didn’t want to talk to her though. It was utterly clear to me she was a bad person with no empathy.
She angrily said, “Your brother said you are a good fighter.” Jason had said good? I mean… at least he’d said something nice. Although he’d used different adjectives before I’d gotten our family killed. He often called me a brilliant fighter. Once he saidI was the talent for my generation, and I was pretty sure I grew taller.
