He paused then added, “I need you hear me say this next part and understand it, Ladybug.” I whispered, “Ok.” Dad emphatically stated, “If anything ever happens to us, or just me, I will haunt your ass if you try for one second to blame yourself. I will make a deal with every single god and goddess but so help me; I’ll accomplish it.”
I replied, “I saw you sometimes. You always looked worried or sad.” Dad replied, “I’d say something, Melanie Jane. I’d never let you hurt like that.” I admitted, “Sometimes in my nightmares you did. I’m still really hurt dad, but I can't lose you guys.. We’ve lost so much time, and I can’t… not again.”
My dad assured me, “I don’t plan on going anywhere, Ladybug. I’ll be here while we work through this.” I somewhat ordered, “Stick close to mom.” My dad asked, “Why are you worried about your mom? You looked at her first when you woke up.”
I winced admitting, “Through a series of events, when I was passed out I saw this huge battle… Mom went down, and someone was about to kill her… she begged you not to watch. No one could shift. Xander and his family weren’t using their powers… and I wasn’t there.”
My dad growled, “No one will get to your mother, I promise you that. I will protect your mother with my life.” I reiterated, “I need you, mom, and T to be ok. I need you guys. Hell, even Jason. I know that’s not fair. I know that I’m not exactly being the… warm welcoming committee, but I need you.”
My dad squeezed me tightly replying, “Whatever you need from me I will give you. I will always be here. Whatever piece of yourself you let me see… I’ll take it. We all will. Wounds like this don’t heal automatically. I’m so proud of you for how open you’ve been with us.”
“You could’ve asked Alexander to kick us out of the territory, and he would’ve. You could’ve told him to keep us out, but you haven’t. We aren’t where any of us want to be, but we have time. I’ll take any piece of your life you are willing to give me.”
“I’ll claw and fight my way back into your life. I’ll tear down any walls, slay any monster, and do whatever I have to do for you. No one will ever hurt you again. This is all my fault, and I’m so sorry. I should’ve fought that compulsion harder.”
“I should’ve done more. I’m your dad, and you didn’t deserve a damn thing you’ve gone through. I will work with your mate night and day to solve this. Our family will not rest until everyone that had anything to do with this is gone from this realm and eventually dead.”
I whispered, “I love you, dad. I really do.” My dad answered, “Oh, my beautiful Ladybug. I love you so much, and I’ll never be able to say sorry enough.” I asked, “Where do we go from here? I don’t know what to do.” My dad answered, “We go wherever you want. We won’t fade from your life. You’re our Ladybug and we’ve missed you so damn much. We rebuild the trust we lost.”
“We will talk about the hurt we feel. We will listen to each other. We love each other, and we will move forward from this. You’re so strong and I am so damn proud of you. You think they broke you, but they didn’t.”
“You stood and made the world your dance floor. You did everything we always knew we could. They did not break you. They tried but they did not succeed. You’re here. You’re in your new home with your mate.”
“We are here, and we aren’t going anywhere. They may have caused some bumps and roadblocks to our path, but we are back together. You’re my daughter, and you Melanie Jane McAlister are so far from broken. You’re going to be an amazing Luna in this pack. I know Alexander will protect you, but I will never be too far away ever again.”
I couldn’t help but smile into his neck. Hope bubbled in my chest that one day we could be ok. He rocked me for a while longer before I moved and sat beside him. Now it felt awkward. Why was I like this? Freya said, “Pepper says they meant all that.” I knew he did. My dad never said things he didn’t mean unless he’d eaten a dang mom monster cookie.
My dad told me we’d talk more later. Later was probably good so I could sort through my feelings. Right now, I was mad at myself. I didn’t even know how I really felt about them all. Was anything I felt towards my family real? Or was it the darkness from the rings I wore?
I needed time to sort through all that. I knew I was hurt, but was I really mad? My dad said something about black sweat. I’m glad I didn’t see that. I’d probably think I was dying. That sounded like something that happened to someone only if you were dying.
Next up was gym time. Xander needed to hit things and so did I. Once everyone left, I stood to go. To my surprise Xander was heading towards the stairs. Did he not want to go to the gym with me? Freya said, “He does but they think we need to rest.” Yes, well I wasn’t like other people he knew… probably.
Freya laughed, “We are very unique. He’s used to this though since he’s Hackura. He just doesn’t expect it from someone who isn’t.” Fair enough. They’d learn rest was not really my thing. It never had been.
I officially met his Uncle Bjourn in the gym. Freya snorted, “You peaked all their interest with your word choice of officially.” I reasoned, “He was at that picnic standing beside me… that’s a thing… but we do need to skedaddle out of here.” She laughed while I spotted Micah.
We got in the ring and began to fight. Micah had taught me how to fight with bamboo sticks. We fought for a while when Prince Gunner jumped in saying, “I want in on this. Do you mind?” Freya giggled in my head. I linked Sierra, “PRINCE GUNNER WANTS TO SPAR WITH ME!”
She groaned, “Oh dear god. Remain calm.” I said, “THAT IS WHY I AM SCREAMING TO YOU! IT’S PRINCE GUNNER! HE IS MY MENTOR… THAT DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS!” Sierra said, “Believe me, I know. Have you answered him yet?” I scoffed, “No… I would scream.”
She snorted, “Answer and remain calm.” I managed to say out loud, “Not at all…. Or even kind of… I mean… of course you can join us… which you asked if I mind… which I totally do not…. Prince Gunner.” He snorted, “It’s just Gunner to family.”
I linked Sierra screaming excitedly, “He said I could call him Gunner!” Sierra said, “Yes, I know because I had someone link me because I made friends already. You squeaked when you talked to him, but overall I am very proud of how calmly you said it.” I was proud of me.
Micah and his dad exchanged looks. Freya cackled. Haley popped over saying, “Don’t let him fucking lie to you Melanie. His name is Harper’s Boytoy Lover.” Then she popped away. I started laughing. Gunner sighed, “She’s still going with that.” Haley popped back offering, “Because it’s your name.” She popped away again.
Gunner winked at me, “Just know if she hears something once, you’ll be stuck with it. Forever.” I smirked, “I don’t know about that. I have two names, but she only calls me Melanie… and she’s definitely heard people call me Ladybug. I mean gosh not to say you’re wrong… it’s totally an endearment thing for you so….”
Gunner interrupted, “Touché. She did hear Melanie first though.” I debated “But she didn’t know they were the same person.” Gunner smiled and we started fighting again. We traded jabs for quite some time. I linked Sierra, “I am SPARRING with Gunner AND Micah… I’m so chill right now.” She replied, “I heard you were and you’re grinning like a crazy person, but for you I feel that is chill.” It totally was. I was pulling this off.
Eventually Levi jumped in saying, “Alright, I’m in. My best friend's little sister is KILLING it. I’ve seen those moves, little Ladybug. You trained with the Commander and Micah. I’m jealous because this should be a feather in my cap. You’re my best friend's little sister. I should’ve been the one to train you.”
I laughed, “Cayden and Micah taught me how to fight with several things…. and like any weapon Xander put out a video of… I know how to fight with so…” Gunner chuckled, “Yes, I know. You had several accounts to view them.” Oh my gosh… he was monitoring my viewing. Levi smirked.
Sierra linked, “DO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR XANDER’S THIRST TRAP ACCOUNT! Just fight. Do not get into that or the fact you feel so honored Gunner was monitoring you.” I must have said something out loud… so I totally needed to take her advice. Sierra knew how badly I wanted Gunner to like to me. She was also better with people.
Levi tried to come at me from behind, but I blocked him and knocked him to the ground. He jumped up with renewed vigor. Levi smiled, then hummed, “There will be no taking it easy on you then.” I snorted, “I wouldn’t do that, if I were you… which I’m not… so you do what you want… I guess.”
