My dad spoke, “You think it was her wolf that reached out to Oden for help.” I told him, “I know it was her. Oden recognized her voice.” Drake started to cry, “You came at five in the morning. She fought for five hours. My...”
He trailed off and choked out, “Oh god my little girl. She was all alone that whole time.” Several people started crying. MaryBeth cried, “Daddy, I don’t understand. What is going on?” Ben wiped his eyes telling her, “I’ll explain later, MaryBeth. I promise. We’ll have a family meeting.” That was one family meeting I was happy to not be a part of.
Cayden spoke, “So we finally have an answer for that event. The Werewolves in the world went down because a wolf was suppressed.” EJ’s voice was tight, “It certainly seems that way.” Aunt Katie added, “Magic does come with a price. There is magic in all of us Supernatural’s. To suppress her wolf would be a big one. The wolves all felt that pain of one of their own. It makes sense.”
My mom snorted, “Not one damn thing about this makes any sense.” Aunt Katie smiled, “True. I just meant as far as the balance of magic.” I declared, “Selene can go fall off a cliff all I care. That NEVER should’ve been allowed to happen. To anyone.”
Emmett asked, “Why would her wolf reach out to Alexander out of everyone?” Elise spoke quietly, “Because Melanie has always loved her Xander. It’s always been him. She’s been convinced since she was a little girl he was hers. Her wolf must have known that.”
Drake asked in a pained voice, “Will my pup shift? Did my failure to protect her cause my little girl to live with a wolf inside her and never be able to be in wolf form?” I announced, “Her wolf is certain they will shift. She’s getting stronger.”
Spencer added, “Her wolf took over for a minute when she was fighting Stephanie McCann. It stunned the crowd into silence. I think Stephanie even shit her pants.” Sam snarled, “I WILL be speaking to that bitch.”
My mom agreed, “I’m right there with you Sam. Metaphorical momma bears, because I’m told that is a saying in this realm, are going to come to play with that bitch.” Sam nodded. I told Drake, “That’s the first time her wolf has taken control. Her canines elongated once too. She just needs to get stronger. I feel it’s important to note Drake, you did not do this to her.”
Drake laughed hollowly, “I’m her father.” My mom sighed telling him, “You were under an incredibly powerful compulsion. Sir Arthur told me it was the strongest on your family, but specifically you. He said that it had to make you physically ill at times.”
Sam whispered, “It did. He could be sick for days sometimes, but the pack doctor couldn’t find anything wrong with him. He’d just throw up constantly like the humans do with the flu.” Drake practically snarled, “It’s not good enough. She’s my daughter and I failed her. She was shot!” Micah flinched.
I raised an eyebrow and linked him, “What was that?” Micah sighed, “I mean...” He trailed off then tried again, “I just….” Cayden linked us both, “I see those looks. Stop it. Melanie should tell Alexander herself. She did not tell us what we know. We found out and she doesn’t know that.” I frowned but nodded. I told Micah, “Never mind.” He looked relieved.
Drake whispered, “What did they do that Melanie freaked out over not cleaning dishes?” I admitted, “I honestly do not know.” Drake looked me in the eyes stating, “You’ll go after Trevor McCann.” It was not even remotely a question.
I confirmed, “With everything I have.” Drake nodded, “I will too. I want time with him if you get him first.” Oden declared, “We will.” I knew that because I intended to get to find that rat bastard before anyone else. I nodded to my mate’s dad.
Tristan chimed in, “Ok, can Ladybug come back now? My question wasn’t about the Resistance. That was going to come later.” Jason asked, “What about being Swiffer?” His family turned to him in shock. My family was not surprised. Elise let out a wail. EJ’s bond filled with annoyance that it had been mentioned.
Sam wiped her tears questioning, “What are you talking about, Jase?” Tristan looked pained, “He’s right. Jane and Madeline said our sniper is Swiffer.” Jane looked at Theo and I knew she’d already figured it out and had kept silent the whole time. She’d told him though based on the bond with my brother. Theo squeezed her hand.
Drake snarled, “The fighter who let herself get the shit beaten out of her before winning?! That’s what was in the memo I read.” Dylan said, “Which you are welcome for. It was colorful with pizzazz too. You left that part out Drake, and I wanted it added for the record.” I bit my lip.
My dad sighed, “It was too much to hope you’d remain quiet.” Dylan smiled saying, “I would like a reward because it has been SO LONG since I spoke.” Drake growled, “DO NOT tell me that girl who lets herself get beaten up before winning a fight is my daughter.”
Phil gently said, “It tracks, Drake. I know you don’t want to know that, but you know it does. She thought you all were dead.” Peter gritted his teeth, “My letter said I requested she should be punished because she deserved it.”
Drake snarled, “So she LET people beat the fuck out of her?!” Cayden answered, “Yes, I think that’s obvious now. I do know Melanie spiraled after she didn’t get her wolf. I didn’t know she was letting people hurt her, or I would’ve stopped it. So many things make sense now though.”
Micah added, “She hasn’t been fighting that way for about a year or so. Her bruises lessened, but I don’t think she stopped fighting.” Cayden locked eyes with me as he agreed, “You’re right. She didn’t stop fighting. That’s definitely not what happened.”
We both knew what had changed her style. I called her and left a message. I’d told her I was worried, and I wanted her to stop. Tristan asked, “So, what did happen? What’s with the look between you two?” I sighed, “I’ve been calling and leaving the sniper messages since I got that call where she said I hated her.”
I ran a hand through my hair explaining, “After we found Jane and Madeline and we heard the things the sniper was doing, I called her and asked her to stop fighting like that. I told her I’d help her with the money. She never reached out to me, and I didn't know if she stopped or not.” Oden said, “Mate did for us.”
Sam cried, “Drake, our pup. What happened to our pup? She’s letting people hurt her.” Sam broke down in tears while Drake had tears coursing down his cheeks. Cayden offered, “The pack called her a curse a lot. They blamed her for your death, and she blamed herself. I think she did more often especially after reading that letter impersonating Alpha Kyle among others from your pack.” Peter snarled.
Cayden continued, “I think she let them hurt her to punish herself. It’s safe to say she has letters from Jason that say he wished she was dead. Or she should’ve died.” Jason cried, “You don’t know that.” Cayden sighed, “No, I don’t for a fact but it’s logical.” It was.
My brother in law added, “If I’d known who she was, who she REALLY was, this wouldn’t have happened. I obviously knew you all weren’t dead. I know I didn’t spend much time with you all, but I don’t know what the hell was going on that I didn't put it together. You guys look similar.”
Micah agreed, “They do.” Cassie whispered, “It’s not your fault, Cayden.” Drake agreed, “No, it’s not. That’s my daughter and my responsibility. This is my family and my failure. That’s not on anyone but me.”
Peter whispered, “Drake.” Drake wiped his tears cutting that thought off, “No. There’s nothing else to say here other than I failed my little girl. All that I can do now is try to fix this. We will do as Haley suggests. We let Ladybug open up at her pace. We protect her now as we should’ve done all along.”
He snarled, “We will find all the sons of bitches responsible and make them pay. They WILL feel me breathing down their neck before they die. Anyone who hurt my little girl goes down. That’s what I have to offer her.”
“Because there is no apology that will fix this. I’ll give her one every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes, but it’s not enough. It was my job to protect her, and I failed.” Oden howled sadly in my head. It wasn’t his fault, he’d been compelled. I just understood why he felt that way.
No one spoke for a while as the mood in the room became quite somber. My mom finally said, “Guilt is a motherfucking asshole, Drake. You didn’t just abandon Melanie. There were compulsions and shit. Honestly, I think there’s more. So much fucking more.”
