Ryan cut her off, “I never received anything from you. What was it?” She glanced at her mom then squeaked, “Umm stuff? About things…that won’t make anyone here upset.” Ryan laughed, “Wow, you really can’t lie.” Melanie grumbled, “I’m working on it.”
Ryan smirked saying, “It’s not even a work in progress. I swear, I never received anything from you. Would these packages have only been sent while you were in Red Run?” I nodded, “Yes, a lot were lost in transit. The ones that made it had a terrible signature that was illegible.” Aunt Katie said, “Then it wasn’t him. His penmanship is better than mine, which I always found incredibly annoying.” Melanie made a face.
Dustin said, “Rest assured, I will be looking into that with Ryan and Katie. No one steals my brother’s male and gets away with it.” Melanie said, “I mean…they might have…I could probably find them…. But it wouldn’t be simple since it was a long time ago at this point.” Dustin said, “All the same, we will look into it.” Emmaline popped them back out.
Corbin smiled, “See you around, Paige.” Paige nodded, “I’m only partially sorry I snapped at you.” Melanie choked on her pizza, so I patted her back. Corbin just smiled and the bond we shared told me he was amused.
Paige continued, “To be fair, you did doubt me.” Corbin chuckled, “Only a little. I was more intrigued by what you planned to do. I’ll see you at Coven meetings Miss Paige.” Dalton growled, “It will be Mrs.” Paige told him, “I need time to plan the wedding, but yes it will be Mrs. Paige Kyle one day and hell if that isn’t fucking weird.” Melanie bit her lip as Corbin opened a portal and stepped through.
Aunt Katie walked over, “I’d like to take one of the rings to work on the spell.” Paige handed her both of them, “You can take both. I can look into the spells without them.” Aunt Katie’s eyes widened, and she hummed, “Huh. Ok then.” Uncle Logan opened a portal and they left.
My family slowly trickled out of the room. Sharon popped in for Dalton and Paige, who begrudgingly left. Sierra and Melanie were clearly linking, and eventually Sierra left with Phil. Now it was just the two us, the McAlister’s, Peter and Chelsea.
Melanie looked at her feet and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” No one had to ask who she was talking to. Tristan assured her, “It’s ok, Ladybug.” She shook her head, “It’s not. While there is a lot I do not understand about what’s gone on these last several years… I do know you love me.”
She sighed, “Even as mad as I was with Jason… I knew deep down he loved me. He was hurt, grieving and angry, but so was I. I knew Jason didn’t know about me being drugged…. Or anything else. I did know that. I knew he didn’t know that Black Path’s punishments were different from our pack.” Tears slid down her face.
She whispered, “It just hurt he didn’t care to find out. I knew that no one would have agreed with what they did to me. I didn’t think Grandpa Ben or Grandam Esther would’ve approved either. I even knew Alpha Kyle wouldn’t have been ok with it.”
Peter closed his eyes before requesting, “Will you at least call me Alpha Peter if you won’t call me just Peter?” Melanie frowned, “I don’t know if… like I don’t even know why I didn’t question that. Or maybe I did once…but you do go by Alpha Peter….not Alpha Kyle…it’s a habit at this point…but I’ll try.”
I gently asked, “You don’t know if what?” Melanie rubbed her face explaining, “I called him. I called him and Jason... I didn’t use their titles during the phone call… the end result was not... it… it was bad. Using their titles was actually beat into me.”
“I tried to respect the Alpha and Beta position for a while. I didn't understand. I was always helping people, but I tried not to speak out against them…to much…I told them they were breaking the law… but I thought they’d realize I was helping…They were going against their blood….and I didn’t get it.”
“Then after I didn’t shift…I was all snark…especially at my Female Lead Warrior tournament…. Which admittedly I was rude…and challenged them… but they deserved it…I took them down and told them the rules…to be fair… they were THE WORST!”
My mom snorted, “Afuckingmen.” Melanie continued, “When I beat them at my tournament, I taunted and mocked them in front of the whole pack they made come…while previously I said plenty behind their back….that got back to them… I said it if we were alone… but there’s also this problem I have of thinking something while saying it out loud.” Her family chuckled.
She sighed, “I just… I’m hurt. I am angry… but I do not doubt any of your love for me…and I hope you don’t doubt mine for you. I doubted if Grandpa Ben… and Dad’s family did, after my sixteenth birthday…but they kept writing…and that felt like…I don’t know…a connection… I just…”
Ben jumped in, “There is nothing in this world that would make me not love you, Ladybug.” Melanie started crying so I hugged her. Eventually she said, “It broke me. I swore my wolf told me to fight on my birthday, but then I couldn't contact her. They said I didn’t have one and that you weren’t my dad and I….” Melanie lost it now and started sobbing incoherently.
Drake got up, walked over to us, and took her in his arms. She stiffened as he rocked her. He told her, “You are my pup, my little girl. You have a wolf, and I’ll spend every dime I have to make sure research is done on how you can shift.”
He apologized, “I’m so sorry, Melanie Jane. Daddy is so sorry. I’m sorry they did this to you. I’m so sorry I didn't come save you sooner. We will avenge it, but I wish to god I could take it all from you.” Melanie began to relax in his arms.
Drake continued, “I’m glad Alexander is the only man you’ve been with since that was what you wanted. I wouldn’t be upset if there was another boy you liked, but I am glad no one ever forced you.” I growled. Melanie flushed, “OH MY GOSH! I SAID THAT OUT LOUD!”
I smirked saying, “To be fair, I already knew that.” Melanie looked over at me whispering, “But no one else needed to know that! Definitely not my dad.” Drake sighed, “No, I didn’t need to know. I can’t say I’m upset that I do. I’d have been plagued by thoughts of someone…” he broke off and started to cry.
Melanie’s own eyes filled with tears again when she assured him, “I’m fine, dad.” Drake shook his head, “This shouldn’t have happened. People should not have been drugging my little girl and trying to rape her. God, I’m just so fucking sorry. I’ll never be able to thank Cayden and Micah enough. You’re my little girl. They….” He couldn’t continue as sobs overtook him.
Melanie hugged Drake, burying her face in his neck. She was crying too, but they were clearly linking. Sam came over and put a hand on Drake. Everyone had tears in their eyes. I linked my dad, “The McAlister’s are going to need a drink. Are Everly and Kai still here?”
My dad answered, “Kai is back at their pack with his grandma, but Everly is here though.” I replied, “T needs her.” Everly entered the room a few moments later. Tristan lost it in her embrace. I warned my dad, “I’m really fucking angry.”
My dad said, “We all know that. You’re holding it together impressively well. Mates do that to you. Her needs always trump yours.” He was right. Whatever Melanie needed outweighed my need to beat the ever loving shit out of everything in sight.
Eventually Melanie pulled away from Drake. She looked like she felt awkward and confused after she sat down beside him. He kissed the top of her head, “We’ll talk more later, but I’m not going to push you. I’m not going to lie though, I’m really worried about you. Especially after the whole black sweat leaking out of your pores thing.”
Melanie shrugged, “I feel fine now….so I don’t think that’s what you should be worried about… I feel like there are so many other options to pick though so…” Drake squeezed her thigh saying, “All the same, I want you to get some rest.” He looked at me as he said it.
I assured him, “I’ve got her.” The McAlister’s slowly left. I told her, “You know if T wasn’t here, Jase would be. One of them just needs to be at Red Run.” Melanie nodded, “I’m sure they are taking turns.” She stood saying, “Let’s go.”
I grabbed her hand and headed towards the stairs to our bedroom when my hand tugged. Melanie was moving to the back door. I asked, “Where are you going?” Melanie answered, “Uhh the gym. Where are you going?”
I raised an eyebrow saying, “You need rest.” Oden hummed, “I’m thinking she doesn’t. Melanie shook her head, “I need to hit something, and you do too. So, snap us into workout outfits. Your eyes are so golden they almost hurt to look at. I don’t even know who I’m most upset with at this moment, but I know I REALLY want to hit something.”
