I saw that as simple problem to solve. I stated, “So, I’ll kill them. An enemy of my mate’s is mine as well.” Sierra smiled, “I hope you do. I may not have grown up the way she did, but I did know that life had to be better than what I had.”
Phil spoke quietly, “You seem to have no lost love between you and your dad.” Sierra laughed, “He donated sperm, that doesn’t make him a dad. It makes him Dax and my sperm donor. He’s not a father to me and he never was. He’s barely a mate in my opinion. My mom tells stories that one time he used to be different, loving man, but I haven’t met that version.”
She added sadly, “Nor have I ever seen a hint of him. I looked for many years too. So, I wasn't kidding when I asked if I could watch when you kill him. I wouldn’t be sad, but it would make some of my own nightmares rest. Jean Kiern has done nothing for my mother or my brother.”
I frowned, “You didn’t mention yourself.” Sierra snorted, “The crap he’s tried to do to me….” She looked out the window at Melanie. She spoke softly, “The things he’s done to me are reprehensible and would’ve happened without Melanie. Without her, I don’t know where I would be. Literally. I have no idea where in the country I would be. Or if I’d even be alive.” Phil and I snarled.
Phil growled, “You think your father would’ve killed you without Melanie around?” Sierra snorted, “Himself? Absolutely not. No, my mother would’ve killed him if he’d even tried. He does claim to love me, but I don’t think he remembers what that even means.”
She admitted, “Melanie talked about how her dad would come to her dance competitions and cheer her on. Outside of that she said he picked her up if she scraped her knee and kissed it better. She told stories about how he’d put her on his shoulders and walk around with her.”
She wistfully continued, “Melanie said she also played with his wolf. That’s honestly a snap shot of the things they did together. My dad never did anything like that with me. He pretty much ignores my existence. I can’t really explain it now, but I will later though.”
I muttered, “I think we’ll need alcohol and all our allies for this meeting because that’s pretty basic dad stuff you just described.” Sierra bit her lip then said, “No, you don’t need your allies. Mel and I can tell YOU things. What you take to your allies is your call, but if you want her or me to tell you one damn thing, your allies won’t be there when we talk.” Phil hummed, “You really don’t like our allies.”
Sierra shrugged, “I have no problem with most of them. I don’t like hypocritical two faced jerks. You can say a lot of bad things about my dad. Hell, I could write a book about his awfulness, but he doesn’t pretend to be a good guy.”
“He’s an asshole who just is who is his. Take him or leave him. I’ve definitely left him where he is because I won’t take the scraps he calls love. People may not know how much of an ass he is, but there’s not one person who says Alpha Edward or my dad are good people.”
She was right. We didn’t like them, and we never had. She nodded, “Exactly.” I pressed, “So you think one of our allies is bad?” She snorted, “I don’t think they are.” Phil linked, “I’m getting a REAL bad feeling, Alexander.” So was I.
I asked, “Which one?” Sierra sighed, “I can’t tell you now because we are in the bubble. Rest assured when I have a green light, I’ll tell you every single thing I think about a certain one of your allies.” She put two plates in front of us.
She had cooked French toast, sausages, and biscuits. I snapped the dishes clean. I asked, “Will you tell me what Melanie’s deal with the dishes was?” Sierra winced, “She’d never cooked before she came to our pack.”
I raised an eyebrow before snorting, “So? It’s not a requirement for anyone in our packs, or allies, to cook no matter what your gender is.” Sierra explained, “Girls in our pack are in the kitchen from a young age. Melanie was put in the kitchen alone. It was unfair and they obviously set her up to fail. She was cooking breakfast for the whole pack by herself.”
She winced, “Her eggs were a little runny, but they were pretty good for having no instruction. She didn’t know that when you cook, you don’t get to eat when everyone one else does. She’d been up since four in the morning to cook. She nearly took a bite of her food, and the dishes were still dirty in the kitchen. They weren’t even soaking.” Oden growled.
I looked at Phil then said, “I’m still not seeing the problem.” Sierra conceded, “You wouldn’t. You don’t live how we do.” Phil reasoned, “All they had to do was tell her to do the dishes. Also, the dishes would’ve been fine while she ate.”
Sierra gently said, “Look, you are thinking about this reasonably. Those are all rational thoughts. I’m sure neither of you would think twice about an Omega eating with you.” I tilted my head before saying, “Melanie is not an Omega. She’s a Beta.” Sierra groaned, “Where she was from, yes.”
Phil gasped, “Uh no. Wherever you go, you are what your blood is.” Sierra replied, “In your packs, yes. Not ours.” I growled, “They had her labeled as an Omega in Black Path? That would devastate her! She’s a Beta’s daughter!” Sierra winced, “Omega would’ve been a nicer term than the one she had.”
Phil advised, “Talk faster, Sugar Lips. He’s going to get mad. What was she labeled then? There’s nothing below an Omega. A wolf less pack member is still an Omega.” Sierra explained, “In your pack they are. Plus, you treat your Omega’s like you treat everyone else. You do know that’s not happening all over, right?”
I frowned saying, “I know some packs try to get away without paying their Omegas, but they have to. It’s a Werewolf Council mandate and that applies to those under the Supernatural Council.” Sierra snorted, “It’s a funny thing about numbers, you can lie about them. When you cry to the Supernatural Council about the vast majority of the Werewolf Council coming to your territory, it’s easier.” It shouldn’t be.
She asked, “Do you know who doesn’t check on ANY Werewolf Council mandates in person?” Phil winced, “I feel the answer is the Supernatural Council. The Werewolf Council goes off their reports for packs under Supernatural Council purview.” Sierra hummed, “And reports can lie.”
Now I was pissed. I said, “The Supernatural Council is supposed to do in person audits for packs that aren’t under the Werewolf Council.” Sierra nodded, “Correct, but do you think they actually do? They aren’t the Werewolf Council. They have all Supernatural’s to look after. I’m sure it’s on someone’s quote unquote to do list, but they don’t have time to do it.” Those motherfuckers.
She continued, “What they should do is tell the complaining packs is deal with the hierarchy because that’s why each Supernatural group had their own damn council. I can tell you in my entire life that I have no recollection of seeing a single Supernatural Council member come to our pack to review our books. EVER. Or to see how people are treated.”
My jaw locked, “You’re saying that there’s an ENTIRE group of packs going unchecked. How did they get away with it before my mom killed the old Werewolf Council? I know the rumblings started with the Werewolf Council after my grandpa took over.”
Sierra actually laughed, “Oh your mom made SO many people mad with that move. My mom LOVES her for that. My grandpa was so mad that apparently he actually had a heart attack. He didn’t die then, but my mother has held yours in high esteem ever since.” What the literal fuck?!
She continued, “The old Werewolf Council weren’t just bad at their jobs, they were corrupt. They were busy Alpha’s who didn’t have the time to do their jobs. So, some extra money lining their pockets for a stamp on papers saying they were running their packs how they were supposed to was welcomed.”
Sierra chuckled, “Your mom further pissed everyone off again by pointing out current Alpha’s shouldn't be expected to be on the council. Hence the complaining because she took away their bribery option. Retired Alpha’s in good standing had no reason to take a bribe.”
I asked, “How the HELL would the new council not find bribes taken by the old one?” Sierra raised an eyebrow answering, “It was underhanded. They obviously weren’t writing down that they were taking bribes. They simply lied on documents about someone going over the books in person and signed it.”
I put my head into my hands. I told her, “You do know I have to report that?” Sierra admitted, “Yes, I do. Such an accusation has to be investigated, according to Melanie. Though you should tell your dad that he’ll have evidence when you get back from your mission.”
I asked, “You have evidence?” Phil linked, “Uhhh no. The person who does is clearly dancing.” I didn’t think that was clear. Sierra looked towards the window answering, “No, I do not.” Phil blew out a breath saying what he’d linked me out loud. “So, Melanie does.”
