I laughed, “Yes… I can make lots of types of pie. That’s a diner must have, and I worked at Mason and Hendrick’s in my spare time. Or when I was bored. I don’t like being bored.” Haley smiled saying, “I did hear that about you.”
I blushed then blurted out, “I really do love Xander, and I always have.” Haley tilted her head saying, “You call him Xander all the time? That’s so sweet. I recently found out you have always loved my son. If someone had fucking told me, we’d be in a different fucking place.”
She waved her hand, “Here we are though. I’m always here if you want to talk. I’m not just your mother in law, I’m a licensed therapist. Anything discussed between us can stay between us. I do think you should consider speaking to a therapist.”
“Even if it’s not me. We have several in this pack now. I speak from both personal and professional experience when I tell you, it does help to talk.” I took the pancakes off the skillet. I whispered, “You’re probably right.”
Eventually I added, “I’m really angry and hurt. All I’ve wanted is Xander and my family back…. and now…” Haley finished when I trailed off, “And now. They are back but it doesn’t erase the hurt you’ve felt. Or the hurt you feel that you were left alone while they had each other.”
I sighed, “It sounds petty and selfish when you say it that way.” Haley snorted, “Not at fucking all. I was jealous of the sibling bond between Aiden and Arion. I wanted that with them, but they kept me at a distance on rare occasions they were around.”
“You had that cohesive family unit, and it was fucking taken from you. I think it’s perfectly fair to be bitter and upset about the fact that they had each other. You weren’t alone for long though. You and those girls, your own Badass Girl Gang that you formed. You have each other.”
I nodded, “They are really great.” Haley smiled, “They are. You all are quite something. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of that group after how their first fucking meeting went down with their mates. Thankfully, it seems my daughter in law jumped right in and solved the damn problem.”
“Without you telling them to find their happiness, they could’ve fought their bond. Which would have made all six people involved fucking miserable.” I replied, “It would be way more than six people. The Kyle’s and my entire family… the pack… they are their Luna’s and Beta Female.”
I corrected myself, “Or... I guess their Male Lead Warrior’s mate. Ads could very well be their Female Lead Warrior. She always wanted to find her mate and see if she was good enough. I told her she is.” Haley frowned asking, “Why would she doubt that? She is an Alpha’s daughter. Of course she’d fucking win.”
I turned away and moved the sausages around the skillet. I answered, “That doesn’t mean anything in the forgotten packs. Women are good at two things to them. Cooking and bearing pups.” Haley growled, “Those fucking goddamn assholes! OH! I will tell Addison I BETTER hear about a challenge for that position in the coming weeks.”
I snorted, “Their mating ceremony is next weekend so… that’s probably going to have to wait.” Haley asked, “And how do you feel about that?” I shrugged, “She’s happy and that’s what I’ve always wanted for her. I always wanted Jason to be happy too. It’s weird to think he’s not with Everly and Kai, but I have always wanted him to be happy.”
Haley studied me muttering, “But thought nothing of your own damn happiness.” I shrugged, “At the time, I felt I had far more than I deserved.” Haley frowned, “I see. You’d have planned to eventually come see my son. From what I now fucking know, you’ve always said he was your mate.”
I admitted, “I did plan to come see him. I just needed to make sure everyone was going to be ok without me. Caine and Dax hadn’t taken over yet. There were a lot of moving pieces that weren’t stationary. I’d imagine I’d have shown up here in the next few years so he could…”
My voice broke, “reject me. He could move on then. I never wanted to hold him back. I just needed everyone to be ok without me there. I didn’t know if since… he’s an Alpha and I didn’t have a wolf… I thought it could kill me when he rejected me since my home pack had as well.”
Haley was silent, “And still that wasn’t even for yourself. You were going to give my son the ability to kill you in your own mind. The only reason you didn’t show up here when you were eighteen was because you were worried for others.”
I laughed, “I almost did get here then actually. I was slightly drunk, and I just wanted to see him… but it didn’t end up happening.” Haley sighed, “Of fucking course not. I wish it had.” Me too. I was pretty close to the holoport when Trevor and his friends jumped me.
All because my drinks had more than alcohol in it. Too bad for them they couldn’t comprehend drugs didn’t, and don’t, work on me. Haley laughed, “Why the fuck are you nervously cooking by the way?” I turned, “Oh... the party today… I want people here to like me, and people don’t… tend to like me.”
Haley raised her eyebrow arguing, “I saw a pack full of people in Black Path who would disagree with that statement. Many of them look at you like their personal savior.” I snorted, “The other half see me as the devil.”
Haley argued, “I would say that number is much lower than you think it is. The pack here will love you as my son does. Or I will fucking get them.” I laughed, “You mean that, don’t you?” Haley smiled, “You know I do.” I conceded, “You are a partial Fairy.” Haley agreed, “So I am.”
I opened a drawer wincing saying, “There aren’t enough platters.” She snapped and all the food was on platters. I turned asking “How did you know what I was going to do?” Haley smiled, “Well, there’s enough food for everyone here. I can snap them to their proper places if you’d like.”
I shook my head, “If you tell me where everyone’s rooms are... I can do it. Then I’ll just drop the leftovers off at the pack house.” Haley laughed, “Yes, well you’re already really fucking popular because of those muffins. That I did not get to fucking taste.”
I laughed, “I’ll make some more another time and save you some.” Haley smiled saying, “See that you do. EJ raved about them, and he can’t fucking lie. Your dad was quite upset he didn’t get one either. Your family didn’t realize you’d made them. They thought you were just delivering them.”
I laughed, “Since once upon a time, I couldn’t have told you the difference between a pot, skillet, and a pan… let alone know what a muffin tin was... I’ll give them that one.” Haley surmised, “You’re going to be just fucking fine Melanie. Take things at your fucking pace.”
She advised, “Not the pace you or others think you should. YOUR fucking pace. Do things for yourself. You really are safe here. This is a secure place, and you don’t have to keep your guard up every ten fucking seconds for treachery. Or people wanting to hurt you. I know what that life is, and I strongly suspect you do too.” She grabbed her platter and popped away.
I quickly dropped food off at the pack house. The smell had drawn several people down. One Warrior whooped, “The Muffin Luna cooks more than muffins! HOT DAMN!” That drew more people out. I laughed and ran back to the house.
I quickly dropped off the platters to everyone using my watch map for the Conners home. ILYX had even updated to who was in residence. So, I left the Kyle’s and parents for last other than the food for myself and Xander.
I paused outside both their doors. They wouldn’t be up for a while. Haley must have charmed the platters to keep the food warm. I put my hand on my parent’s door and let a few tears fall down. They were really here.
Freya linked, “They stayed here for us.” I admitted, “I know… but it still hurts, even though I don’t want it to.” Freya whispered, “I’m so sorry Melanie.” I pushed my feelings aside and went back to Xander’s room.
I was disappointed I hadn’t made it back before he woke up. That was probably due to me pausing outside the Kyle’s and my parents’ rooms. We discussed the party. I sighed to Freya, “Of course the pack loves Xander. He’s amazing. Who wouldn’t?”
