Booker growled, “He is your mate!” I smiled politely asking, “Then why is your face red and splotchy? I know that’s because you know he’s not and if the Werewolf Council came down here, he’d be sentenced to death for lying.” Everyone but Booker looked confused about that.
I continued, “The worst part is you’re his father, and you know that. Yet instead of correcting your son, you’re leading him down the road to his death. I know that you know that I know that you know… He’s not my mate.”
Booker took off behind me acting like he was stomping away, but I knew better. I wasn’t even surprised when I felt the whip on my back. I snorted, “Typical. You can’t ever face anyone Booker… or tell them to get on their knees. You have to be shady and a coward in all things.”
He lost it and whipped me so much he ripped my back apart. I pushed Freya down so she wouldn’t feel it. I was stunned when he hit me in the head with the butt of the whip. Alpha Edward yelled, “BOOKER!” Right before Booker pushed me down into the hole.
I screamed because I couldn’t be down here. Not again. I couldn’t breathe. I’d planned to go see my brother and explain…I couldn’t do that from down here. Buck didn’t know I’d end up in the hole so he wouldn’t look….for a bit….and he was the one who looked because Caine was Alpha commanded not to after he nearly killed Trevor. So was Dax.
Freya pushed forward, “Melanie, listen to my voice and follow the light.” I told her, “Following the light is how you die.” Freya whispered, “Just follow the light Melanie, trust me.” Lights were bad. That was an age old thing people knew, and she was a new wolf.
She added, “You know I want to be with our Xander and Oden. We aren’t dying. I just don’t want you to have a panic attack. You don’t deserve it. Mate will DESTROY Booker for what he just did.” I winced, knowing there was no way my back would heal before Xander got back.
Even with my fast healing, rate it would take four days. This was a bad whipping. They always were if Booker was involved. I closed my eyes and decided to trust Freya. I followed the light and was pretty sure I wasn’t dead.
I was in a meadow I’d never seen. I called out, “Freya, where are you?” I heard a chuckle, “She’s not here. I intercepted you.” I whirled and groaned. Standing before me was an ethereal looking woman with Fairy wings.
I grumbled, “Oh good... another goddess. Did the last one not give you all a clue about seeing me? I don’t like you all in general. As a whole, you suck…and I am NOT a fan…so…. This was certainly a choice. I followed my wolf NOT you.”
The Fairy Goddess smiled announcing, “I am Azoney. My child is your mate.” I snorted, “He’s not just your child, thank god.” Azoney shrugged saying, “He is one of my children.” I shot back, “Well, lucky him that he was born into a family that can protect him. Not all the partial Fairies can say the same, can they?” She gasped as if I’d slapped her.
I accused, “You abandon them. Don’t you dare show your face to me and expect a warm welcome. You’re complacent, conceited, and arrogant. You stand there with a smile on your face waiting to speak to me.”
“Then you dare announce proudly that Xander is your child. As if your actions won’t hurt him. YOU HURT HIM! When he finds out what you’ve allowed… what you’ve done… he will turn his back on you. They all will. You’re a disgrace.” Azoney’s jaw dropped.
I heard a sigh, “Oh my beautiful child, you are so angry.” No. Selene was NOT here. I whirled and spat out, “Selene, you just made quite possibly the biggest mistake of your life coming to me right now. You’re worse than Azoney.”
I waved my arms saying, “She gets the excuse of being a flighty Fairy. It’s crap, but she’s got that going for her. People are like ‘oh fairies are selfish.’ Let’s expect less of OUR GODDESS! Seriously?! How did you even cultivate that notion?! She was at least smart enough to do so…because when she’s crappy at her job THAT is what people say.”
I turned advising, “You’re a goddess, Azoney. Get your life together. You don’t get to be selfish because you have children who need you. Shape up and sort it out. If no one is going to expect more from you… demand it of yourself. Because YOU ARE A FREAKING GODDESS YOU NITWIT!” Azoney burst into tears.
I rolled my eyes, “You cry from words that are the truth when you allow your own people to be raped, abused, and sold. You’re no better than your wayward children. Actually, you’re worse. Because you’re meant to stop that, but with your goddess complex, and people not expecting you to do your dang job, you sit on your but and do nothing.”
Selene frowned commenting, “There’s no reason to be so nasty.” I snarled, “You haven’t seen nasty!” I charged her and clearly took her by surprise when I tackled her to the ground. I punched her in the face. Azoney screamed, “OH MY GODDESS! SOMEONE HELP!”
Help? Was she serious? SHE WAS A GODDESS?! I punched Selene again. I screamed, “YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! YOU TURNED YOUR BACK ON MY SUFFERING! NOW YOU ARE HERE CLAIMING YOU DON’T KNOW WHY I’M ANGRY AND THAT I’M BEING NASTY BY TELLING THE TRUTH! I’M NOT EVEN ALONE IN MY ANGER!”
“YOU HAVE ALLOWED THE SUFFERING OF PACKS ACROSS THE WORLD! YOU HAVE ALLOWED YOUR SICK CHILDREN TO OFFER UP THOSE THEY CONSIDER WEAKER AS SACRIFICES!”
Arms encircled me gently but firmly pulling me off her. A man said, “She is special indeed. Selene. Way to show off your goddess-like powers. I’m sure your special child is oh so impressed.” Azoney ran over to Selene who was still down. If she knew what was good for her... she’d stay down.
I turned and saw a familiar face. I said, “I know you…but I don’t know how.” The man smiled, “You do in a way. I am Aesir. Life took on my appearance when he came to you after you were shot.” I nodded, “Alright then.” Why wouldn’t Life just look like his own face?
Aesir smiled sadly asking, “There’s no beat down for me?” I told him, “I’ve never had to rescue your children from the Rings. You police your own. You have the balance of giving them a chance but realizing your lost causes. You don’t interfere with things to keep your children in the dark.” Aesir nodded, “No, I don’t.”
Azoney cried, “You’re not supposed to be like this!” I snorted, “Tough luck for you. What did you think I’d do? Did you suspect I’d get the welcome mat out? Nothing in the last six plus years in my life should’ve happened. My brother shouldn’t hate me! I have a wolf!”
I screamed at Selene, “YOU LET THEM HIDE MY WOLF FROM ME! I WAS BANISHED FOR NOTHING! I WENT THROUGH AN IDENTITY CRISIS ABOUT MY DAD BECAUSE OF YOU! What do you want me to say? Oh, gracious goddess how great thou art!?”
“I am NOT a good liar! I have been doing YOUR JOB because you’ve been hiding these horrible people from the Conners and their allies. YOU are allowing them to remain in the shadows! Do you want to ask how I know that?”
I didn’t wait for them to reply, “Because it’s not possible for them not to get an inkling any other way. It’s you all interfering because you have this insane notion that those in charge can be saved. They can’t. They aren’t safe. I know about them, and I have plans. So MANY plans.”
I warned, “They WON’T get away with what they’ve done. Not a single one of them. I’m their retribution. I’m all yours too….all you freaking goddesses who refuse to do your jobs. They won’t escape me. I’ve got a list of names and a plan to take them down at the right moment.”
I pointed at Aesir, “I’ve made friends with the Hackura….for a lot of reasons…but one being your wayward and evil children will be handed over to be tortured for their crimes. You have accomplished nothing except delaying the inevitable. As well as turning your own children against you.”
Selene sat up and cried, “You are special, my pup.” I started towards her again, but Aesir held me back. I told her, “Call me your pup one more time, you vapid waste of space! I am the daughter of Sam and Drake McAlister. My parents were MURDERED because of your inadequacy and complete and utter inability to do your job.”
