I growled, “If your mate doesn’t want you then he is a fool.” I handed her the card with the details of the therapists in the packs. I told her, “Any and all of them will meet with you wherever you feel the safest. I think you should talk to someone, but that’s up to you. You are welcome here, but if you don’t feel safe EJ and I will work overtime to find somewhere that you do.”
Karina shook her head emphatically saying, “No, I want to stay here if my family will have me. I’ve shamed them with this.” I could hear Karina’s mother downstairs begging to see her daughter. Karina whispered, “I’ve been so nasty to them about Robert.” I told her, “That wasn’t your fault, and your mom wants to see you.”
Karina closed her eyes, “I should probably get it over with and let her yell at me.” EJ smiled gently saying, “I don’t think that’s on the list of things your mom wants to do.” Abigail said, “And if it is, I won’t let them. I’ve seen far too many people blamed for situations out of their control. I couldn’t do anything then, but I can now. You did nothing wrong, Karina.” She squeezed her arm.
Karina’s mother burst into the room and ran to her. She cried, “My pup! Oh, my sweet Karina. I’m ready to spit nails at that wretched awful boy! How could he do this to my beautiful pup?” Karina’s dad and her brothers filled the room. They looked at me and EJ a little worriedly.
The oldest stepped forward, “If there is any punishment to be given, I will take it.” Karina gasped, “Scott, no!” Scott shook his head arguing, “You are my little sister, and I am a Warrior. It’s my right to take the punishment of those of my rank or beneath me. I’ll take the shitty patrols or extra cooking shifts.”
EJ told him, “It’s not necessary. She did not know what she was doing. Karina was spelled just like we were. Robert will be held accountable, not Karina. She is victim of this just as much as the rest of us, actually more than us.” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Karina’s father spoke, “Thank you, Alphas.” EJ nodded, “I’m sorry we were unable to stop this from happening to your daughter.” Karina’s mother muttered, “As long as the horrible boy pays as far as I’m concerned you stopped it.” I growled, “You have my word he will pay.” Everyone nodded and EJ, Elise, Gage, Abigail, and I left the room. Hearing them discussing taking a vacation to her grandparents pack.
EJ said, “I’ve got our meetings, little brother. Go to the gym.” I nodded and popped away. No one came within fifty feet of me in the gym as I pounded heavy bags into the ground. Eventually my dad touched my shoulder, and I turned and nodded to him.
We sparred for probably an hour. I closed my eyes and let myself feel my despair when we finished. My dad touched my shoulder softy instructing, “Let’s go for a run, son.” I inclined my head. We went outside and shifted into our wolves.
Oden howled in sorrow and Thor nuzzled him. He led me to the top of the mountain. I couldn’t help but think back to when Melanie was here with me. I shifted back and snapped us both clothes. We sat down in the permanent chairs my mom had snapped up here overlooking the territory. Like those by the ocean in the Hackura realm.
My dad broke the silence, “It doesn’t help to hear it’s not your fault, so that’s not what I’ll tell you.” I nodded. He continued, “There is war within you when you find out your mate suffered. You feel like you should’ve done something. If little things had been different, well, then everything would be different. I’ve seen it in the Ribbon. The thing I can tell you is we do the best we can with the information we have at the time. It’s a kick in the balls, but the Rings had a massive jump on us.”
Dad rubbed his face, “For ten years after Dylan’s parents discovered suppressing a wolf was possible, I had people in this area guarded when they shifted. We still kept a close watch, but that doesn’t help someone who doesn’t live here like Melanie. She would have been safe in Red Run, but she wasn’t there.”
I frowned reasoning, “You couldn’t have done anything.” My dad replied, “And neither could you. All the same, I feel like shit about it. We discovered a while back there was a girl named Leah who was kidnapped. Her family thought she was going to some fancy school until we had a Ribbon visit. She was their test run.”
“I should’ve connected hers and Melanie’s similarities, but I didn’t. Melanie’s situation was on such a larger scale. They plotted, planned, and schemed. To epically fail in truth, but that doesn’t soften the blow that I did not help her. That Melanie suffered, and that you were without her.”
I asked, “What do you mean they epically failed?” My dad snorted, “They clearly wanted Melanie to become a Huntress. They think she killed innocents, when in truth she didn’t. They wasted a colossal amount of energy, effort, money, and time on a plan that will have serious repercussions for them.”
“Hell, it’s been having repercussions since they took her. I don’t know what their ultimate goal was with this move. I could guess, but I do know whatever their goal they did not achieve it. They probably tanked their entire organization by pulling her in.”
Dad turned to me, “Your mate is strong. In fact, she reminds me a great deal of your mother. She’s very mature, but there is mistrust and hurt beneath the surface. Melanie is trying to be fair to everyone around her, but she never thinks of herself. That’s a serious observation from seeing Melanie in person and the interviews coming out of Black Path.”
He nudged me, “That’s where you can help her. You have to help her see herself. That she matters in this equation because her feelings matter too. It took me far too long to see that with those I should’ve with your mother.”
I sighed, “You mean with Cassandra.” My dad admitted, “Yes. That affected your mother and you pup’s. It shouldn’t have happened because I should’ve protected you all. It’s harder when it’s family. Now, I’m not saying the McAlister’s are in any way like your grandmother. I don’t think they are. I’m just saying keep a close eye on that.”
“They can move at whatever pace they want. Whatever pace Melanie is comfortable with. Just make sure you’re checking in with her. That she’s processing her own feelings and not just theirs. That she’s not feeling pressured and just shoving her feelings aside to have peace.”
“The McAlister’s were hurt, but so was she. She was abused and it was obviously affecting her physically and mentally. Melanie never stopped fighting though. I’m damn proud of her and would be even if she wasn’t yours. I’m always here for you to talk to.”
Dad sighed, “I wish you weren’t going to go through this, but I will likely understand the emotions you go through the more we learn about her time in Black Path. Your Uncle’s feel the same way I do. I know you talk to Bjourn the most, but all of them have told me they are available if you need to talk. We understand. We wish like hell you didn’t know this type of turmoil, but we are all here for you.”
I looked away admitting, “Melanie and I should’ve been like Elise and EJ. I should’ve known her, her entire life. Why the fuck didn’t anyone know her?! Because of a cookie. Fucking seriously?! A cookie!” My dad was quiet for several moments.
Eventually he responded, “Your mother believes this started the moment Drake and Sam found out they were having a girl. The Ring uses and manipulates women more often than men. The fact that Melanie was a giant daddy’s girl probably delighted them to no end.”
“They took a girl that has had huge ripple effects across multiple alliances. Chase feels guilty because of the McCann’s involvement. We feel guilty because Melanie is yours. I feel guilty because I pride myself on being ahead of people. In protecting the innocent, especially of our allies. Jason Bond feels guilty because Everly talked to him about how odd the situation was but then would say it was fine. He didn’t push the issue.”
“Your mother is the one who doesn’t feel guilty. She is angry at herself for not seeing it and internalizing that. Your mom is angry on your behalf, Melanie’s, and her own. You feel guilty because Melanie is your mate. All your siblings feel guilt. The Hackura feel guilty, not even just the ones related to us. All of them.”
Dad sighed, “Red Run is a fucking mess over this. Dalton and Dakota informed Robert’s mother of what he’d done. She’s locked herself away and has been sobbing ever since. His siblings don’t much care for Robert and never have. Their dad is distraught. Something doesn’t sit right about that though.”
I agreed, “Based on what Melanie said I don’t think he’s Robert’s biological dad. I think Melanie knows exactly who Robert’s biological father is. I wanted to ask Cassie to question Robert, but I’m going to give Melanie a week to come to me herself.”
My dad agreed conditionally, “We can give her a week. I wouldn’t tell her there is a deadline though. That’s a lot of pressure.” I snorted, “I don’t plan to tell her. I won’t push her but if we are right, we do need to know who his biological dad is.”
My dad replied quietly, “Yes, we do. It’s likely who recruited him into the Ring.” I admitted, “What I don’t understand is why Robert’s dad doesn’t seem to suspect he’s not his biological son.” My dad sighed, “I’m really not liking the answers I’ve come up with. I’d imagine your mate knows the answer.”
