Drake frowned arguing, “I’m her dad.” I responded, “And I’m her mate. My wolf has insisted that was the case for over a decade.” Gage linked, “Why did you say that out loud? Have you LOST your marbles?”
My mom said, “You have got to fucking kidding me. A GODDAMN DECADE? OVER A DECADE?! OHHH. GOD DAMMIT THE DANCE! I KNEW SOMETHING HAPPENED! OH I FUCKING KNEW.”
I turned admitting, “I have no answer for you mom. At this moment, I have no idea why I didn't tell you, but the world changed for me when Melanie was born. I literally can’t think of one reason I haven’t told you that.”
My mom studied me then sighed, “Something is going on. I know it wasn’t a Vampire compulsions. Your Uncles, Aunts, your dad, and I are looking into this. I didn’t realize it was since she was born.” I reasoned, “That was just because I didn’t know it was her. I just knew I felt the world change then found out it was when she war born.” Her feelings locking down in the bond, but she felt like she had someone she blamed and it was me.
Mom said, “Your dad, you and EJ ignored your goddamn instincts. Hell, all my children did, and that’s fucking off. I’ll figure it out, Alexander.” She popped and kissed my cheek then added, “We are still having a fucking chat later.” I agreed, “Whatever you say mom.”
Drake asked, “The dance?” Gage sighed loudly. I explained, “You drove us that night and Melanie’s hoodie was in the back. Her scent was tantalizing, and Oden said she was ours. Given how everyone was about Melanie, I wanted to meet her to be sure.” Drake closed his eyes and nodded. I saw my mom's eyes soften.
EJ said, “We need to pass this information about suppressing wolves, quietly, to our allies. We have to be on the lookout during shifts. Shifting alone has just become far more dangerous than it was before. We will have to have a Warrior stationed with them who is not focused on the shift. They’d have to be listening for chanting. Fuck us all.” Gage linked, “That will be a lot of work. Good thing we have a large pack.” True.
My dad nodded, “I think you’re right.” Drake asked, “Can we go see these motherfucking assholes now? I have a lot of rage.” I answered, “Let’s go then.” I popped down to the dungeons with Gage. He winked, “I knew you’d pop so I put my hand your shoulder. I know my Alpha.” Of course he did.
EJ popped beside us as I looked in the first cell. A woman I didn’t recognize was there. I frowned asking, “Who the hell is she?” EJ snorted, “Without her necklace, that’s the fake Melanie.” I snarled at her while Gage reached through the bars to hit her.
She cried, “It was an acting job!” I rolled my eyes, “I don’t have time for you right now, but yours will come.” Gage said, “I’ve got fucking time. You kept our Luna from our pack. You had to know she got shot.” The woman winced and EJ pulled me away while I snarled. Gage told me, “I’ve got her. You deal with those assholes.” I nodded to him.
Stephanie McCann was in the next cell crying. Max popped down with Micah and the McAlister’s. Julian popped in with Chelsea and Tristan. Chelsea flew at Peter right into his arms. Drake raised an eyebrow asking, “T?”
Tristan snorted, “Jason is explaining things to Addison and it’s actually going well. They have things to iron out, but thanks to Mel….” He trailed off and wiped his eyes. He continued, “All the girls are listening and taking the situation really well.”
“Dalton, Dakota, and Jase have it under control. I came back knowing that they were all fine because I want some fucking answers. We deserve to give our family members some damn answers tonight.” Drake nodded along with the rest of us. I’d want the same in his shoes.
Sam charged into Stephanie's cell. She threw her against the wall, “EXPLAIN YOURSELF, YOU BITCH!” Stephanie laughed vacantly, “Your allies killed my mate.” Sam shouted, “So you took that out on my daughter?! My pack had NOTHING to do with Gamma McCann’s death. NOTHING!” Stephanie shrugged, “She was as close as I’d get to Yellow Hills.” Sam lost it.
Drake let her go until Stephanie was unconscious. He pulled her out of the cell. Sam growled, “I WILL KILL YOU, YOU BITCH! YOU’RE NOT MY FUCKING SISTER! YOU HURT MY PUP! I’LL GET YOU, YOU WITCH!” My mom cheered, “That’s the fucking spirit.”
My dad questioned Alpha Edward, “Is there anything you’d like to tell me before I set those loose on you that want vengeance?” I snorted, “Who cares what he has to say? I want to know what he did to my mate?” Edward and Jean’s head whipped towards me.
Edward’s voice shook with fear, “YOURS? FUCK ME! She’s actually yours? Damn. I thought she had delusions of grandeur.” I punched him growling, “She’s mine and one would think you’d have noticed that in your pack. You’re a pathetic shit stain to your blood. I’m looking at you too Jean. You’re over there with your mouth hung open, you terrible excuse of a Beta. That shouldn’t have shocked you.”
My dad gently said, “We should probably ask other questions first. About the forced matings Melanie mentioned.” I shrugged asking, “Why? Melanie is a Beta blood. Which means she has the information you need.”
I narrowed my graze on my prey. “I want the information she’s not going to give me on a flash drive. I want Edward to tell me why my mate damn near had a panic attack over not washing the pots, pans, and plates after making the most delicious breakfast I’ve ever had. After I insisted she eat with us, she was hyperventilating about the dirty dishes.”
Drake snorted, “I want to know that too. We’ve never made dishes a big deal in our house. Also, when did my daughter learn to cook? She does like to learn new things when she’s bored. I guess it stands to reason cooking was one of them. I’m getting the sense she had to learn though and I don’t care for that.”
My eyes never left Edward. My dad sighed, “I can always ask him questions tomorrow. That’s a thing I could do.” My mom snorted, “Don’t act like our son is not just like you. You’d do the same damn thing, Eric.”
I counted to ten in my head, while nothing but the shouting of the fake Melanie reached my ears. My Gamma was rightfully pissed off. I smiled sinisterly at Edward. I told him, “And Melanie said you’d just spill everything you knew.”
I winked at him mockingly saying, “I’m glad you didn’t. Honestly, I preferred the path where you did not. It’s more fun for me and I’m pretty damn pissed off.” I used my pushing power on him. He screamed in pain while I saw everything in his head.
Pushing Power Induced Flashback
Edward was watching the kitchen doors. I watched my mate serve everyone. It took me a second to recognize her. Since she was literally wearing a sack with arms and a head hole cut into it. She was moving slowly, touching her side every so often.
Once she’d finished serving everyone she sat down and almost took a bite. An Omega whispered, “What are you doing?” Melanie frowned answering, “I’m just going to eat really quick. I’ve been up since three this morning getting everything ready.”
The Omega explained, “Slaves don’t eat with everyone. No one who cooks does. You have to clean the kitchen.” Tears welled in Melanie’s eyes, but she nodded. She replied, “Oh, ok... thanks. I’ll go clean.” The Omega whispered, “Hurry.” My mate scampered away as fast as she could.
Stephanie McCann smiled evilly saying, “She broke the rules. It’s time to teach the bitch a lesson.” Luna Elena snarled, “You didn’t tell her any of the rules! Edward, you can’t do this!” He stood replying uncaringly, “Rules are rules.”
Luna Elena told him, “Except she didn’t break any because she never actually ate anything. You are such a hateful man, I don’t even recognize you anymore. Come on, Addison.” Addison cried, “Momma, please stop him! Melanie didn’t know! She’s still hurting from being shot. I heard the nurses saying she shouldn’t be up and around yet. She’s in pain.” Her mom clearly linked her.
Addison glared at her father shouting, “I hate you! She’s my new friend, and she didn’t even know the rules. You’re evil and you like hurting people! You’re bad at your job!” She ran off. Sierra, Dax, and Caine ran after her. Edward looked stunned.
