Heck…I’d fought for Red Run, but they abandoned me over HEADACHES. They believed I’d never come home… this whole time. They talked to someone who looked like me. Which just made me jealous and bitter. I had nothing.
Well, I had letters from Jason consistently. Sometimes Luna Chelsea and my other family. Nothing ever overly friendly. Yet they were comforted by someone pretending to be me. That wasn’t fair. I had no comfort from them. I had pain and emotional torture. They said I’d ruined their happiness because I called and asked about Kai.
Freya linked, “Nothing about this was fair to anyone.” She was right. It just didn’t make it hurt any less. When Xander used my real name Freya purred in my head. I had to admit I loved the sound of my name on his lips.
It hit me out of nowhere, I was just exhausted. I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. The night wasn’t even over. I still had an emotional moment to have with my family. One thing I knew, and that they owed me… I was getting a hug from them. No matter how crazy that was.
I’d longed for their hugs… So, I was getting my gosh dang hug, but I’d tell them it didn’t make us ok. I deserved it though, from the family I’d seen die every year on the anniversary of their death. I wasn’t going to pretend for their sakes… the truth was they’d hurt me.
They left me. They got headaches... what I got was far worse. So much worse than they could imagine. Oh gosh… I’d punished myself for three people’s deaths… who were never dead. Jason and Alpha Kyle lied to me. Why would they do that?
Luna Chelsea lied to me. Why did everyone lie? Freya said, “Oden assures me they will be on our side no matter what happens. He will do whatever we need.” Well, Xander said that too and he couldn’t lie. He and I still needed to talk. UGH. It’s a good thing I had a lot of words.
I asked him to conjure my motorcycle to black mountain. I was going to need it. I had a feeling…. I’d need to feel the wind in my face on a drive. Xander did then he called Black Mountain our home. It sounded nice.
We popped into one hell of an argument. My family and the Kyle’s were angry. Alpha Eric stood there stoically listening to it all. Xander whistled then yelled, “ENOUGH!” Everyone turned to us. Most were faces were filled with relief.
I glanced out their window and saw Robert. He glared at me with hatred… which was fine, since I still hated him too. He was at the top of the list I had for who could be Red Run’s traitor. I would definitely keep an eye on him. Robert noticed my prolonged stare and took off.
EJ looked at the window after he’d gone but he still raised his eyebrow. Freya said, “Brutus said they know we weren’t staring daggers at no one.” He was correct. I surveyed the room again realizing several people were about to talk.
I quickly said, “Before anyone says anything. I have something to say, then do.” Everyone was completely quiet now focused on me. I continued, “For almost seven years... I have wanted to do one thing that I thought I’d never be able to do again. So, know that this changes nothing. I am beyond angry but….”
I knew I surprised them all and ran into my dad’s arms. He instantly pulled me into a hug. Tears filled my eyes and we both cried. Eventually I moved away from him to hug my mom then Tristan. I hesitated in front of Jason. The pain in his eyes made me give in. I’d wanted to hug him too; he’d just always been an option.
I pulled away and stared at Luna Chelsea and Alpha Kyle. Everything in me screamed to give them a hug too. They were looking at me with the love I’d always wanted to see. I couldn’t do it though. It just hurts. So, I walked back over to Xander.
Xander’s mom spoke, “I think we should all take a seat in the living room.” I’d not seen it before when I was here… I mean I knew all square feet but…I’d never seen it in person. My eyes quickly widened.
Jeez. This place was ginormous. Apparently knowing the schematics just in case something happened…didn’t prepare one for the space. It was bigger than what I had too. That was probably a charm.
All of us easily fit in their living room. Freya linked, “We live here now too so it’s ours, but you just go on.” I couldn’t help but smile because my wolf was trying to make me laugh. I sat next to Xander, but no one spoke for a long time.
I linked Sierra, “Are they for real? No one is talking? You know I hate that.” She replied, “I’m sure they do too.” Yeah, well… I wasn’t going to break the silence. If they kept being quiet, I’d just talk to Sierra through link because I did genuinely hate silence. I just didn’t want to do this right now.
Eventually Alpha Kyle spoke, “So, what happened?” I’d had enough of this act he was doing. I stared at him, “Are you REALLY going to stand there and pretend you don't know, Alpha Kyle?” He frowned pleading, “Please stop calling me that.” I snorted and looked away.
I’d been whipped because I didn’t call him that more than once. Xander’s mom spoke, “How about you tell me, Melanie? I’m VERY confused. I don’t like being fucking confused. Nor do I like anything about how this has come out. That’s not your fault by any means. I will be having MANY discussions with people about this fucking shit. I am Haley Conners by the way.”
I blushed saying, “I know who you are, Princess Luna Conners.” Haley snorted, “None of that fucking nonsense, you are my daughter in law. It’s Haley to you. Let’s start with what the fuck happened the night of Elise’s Luna ceremony.”
I sighed, “I fought with my family because I didn’t cross the stupid border.” Elise jumped in, “We know. The Warriors got you confused with another pup from a different pack.” I snorted, “Or the girl who my family thought was me the last several years has been around for a while.” Everyone was stunned.
Seriously? Did no one think of that? Freya linked, “To be fair, not everyone was visited by gods and goddesses and given hints that this was a longstanding con.” She was being too logical right now. I wanted to be angry about this.
Freya laughed, “I’ll only be logical if it gets to a place where we don’t want to say more hurtful things.” I appreciated that saying, “Agreed.” Haley hummed, “Anyway. You fought with your family, they left you stayed then…” She trailed off intentionally since she didn’t know the rest of the sentence.
I sighed, “I went up to my room, sent Elise’s gift with T, called Elise a few times, then I heard someone breaking in. I looked out my door and saw the Warriors unconscious, and being dragged outside. There were Hunters in the house. So, I grabbed a weapon, fought them, and ran down the stairs. I got shot.” Xander growled in anger.
Haley shot him a warning glare then smiled at me, “Continue.” I explained, “T showed up and he got shot…. he took a bullet for me. I screamed for help, but no one came. T only came home because I’d been upset. He stopped breathing, then mom came in and got shot in the head.”
“The only person who came to help was dad. He took a lot of them out then got shot in the chest. I passed out from blood loss and woke up in Nashville. You know, where Beta Jason and Alpha Kyle sent me because they couldn't stand to look at me.”
Alpha Kyle shouted, “Excuse me?!” Jason growled, “STOP calling me Beta Jason. T is the Beta. I didn’t send you anywhere, and I DEFINITELY didn’t know you’d been shot! Shot where? By whom?” I shrugged, ignoring most of his questions, “It’s what you always tell me to call you.”
Jason argued, “I never said that. So, just call me Jase.” Nope. That was not happening. Alpha Kyle insisted, “Melanie Jane, I did not send you anywhere.” I raised an eyebrow, “Of course you did. How else would no help come to the MIDDLE of our territory without you knowing where I went? You’re the only person who could’ve made that order. YOU BANISHED ME!” Xander’s arms tightened around me.
My dad gaped at me. Alpha Kyle shook his head saying, “No, I didn’t.” He linked me, “You’re still in the pack.” I jumped in surprise which had Xander standing with me. I stammered, “But... but I was forced to join Black Path as Ashley and….”
