Freya said, “That was a good thing. This poor woman needs to shower for herself. Her and her wolf don’t feel human right now.” Skyler scampered into the shower. I grabbed the sheets of the bed and a few other things.
I threw a load of laundry into the washer, grabbed a clean pair of sheets, and quickly put them on the bed. I found some Febreze and opened up the window to air out the smell. I turned when I heard a gasp. Skyler’s eyes filled with tears.
Eventually she told me, “I do not deserve such gestures from you.” I sighed, “It’s laundry… I’m kind of master of that at this point. I should’ve come by sooner. What Robert did wasn’t your fault.” Skyler cried, “You don’t understand.”
I held my hand up, “I do. Robert was old enough for a while to give Ezra information. You did it before then. Nothing you thought or believed to be harmful. You blame yourself because you told him about my birth. Skyler, he would’ve heard soon enough anyway.”
“Ezra received memos from my dad because they were allies on paper. You hold onto this blame, but you’re giving Ezra too much power. He only had you give him details to exert power over you, so that he could feel like a man when he’s not one.”
“You didn’t know anything he needed to know. It was just about control. I have been around the packs you were from. You were raised horribly and were never taught what true love was. You never had unconditional love from family, but you gave it toyours here. Your Alpha raped you. That resulted in Robert, but you loved your pup with everything in you.”
“You tried to protect him from the monster who was his sperm donor. Your mate is Robert’s father, not Ezra. Ezra used your pup and corrupted him. Robert could’ve made different choices. When he became an adult… he had decisions to make.”
“You raised him with love, but he chose hate instead. That is on him, not you. You were Ezra’s victim then and now. Stop letting that awful man win. He’s done for and his days are numbered. You are free. Free to live your life without his shadow hanging over it. Do not lock yourself away and think about what could’ve been or how you could’ve done things differently with Robert to protect him.”
Skyler said, “I have to meet with the Alphas.” I disagreed, “No, you don’t. They haven’t figured it out and they won’t. They don’t understand how the forgotten packs work while I do. I have zero intention of telling anyone what was said here today.”
Skylar gasped, “You don’t?” I replied, “No, it’s none of their business to be honest. Even if you do tell the Alphas, they will agree with me. I know you didn’t give Ezra anything harmful. You gave him things he could find out anyway to try and keep him away from your son.”
Skyler wiped her tears whispering, “It didn’t work.” I said, “No, but you were conditioned to be afraid of that awful man. He was your Alpha, and he raped you. He threatened your pup, and you still only gave him things he could figure out on his own. That’s brave in and of itself. I’m sure you’ve heard Tao took over as Alpha.”
Skyler smiled saying, “Tao was such a sweet boy.” I nodded, “He’s a good man who did hard things… things he is not proud of, to survive. Those are not things I will share with others. That’s his choice, but I don’t judge him for that.”
“I don’t blame or judge you for your choices. Yes, now you know you could’ve gone to Alpha Peter... but you didn’t know that then. You had no reason to think he was different. You were relatively new here, and you’d spent your whole life there.”
“It’s hard for people to realize that. You can talk to Paige and Avery first if you want to talk to Dalton and Dakota. They would understand and be on your side. Addison would too. They grew up in a pack like yours. They understand your mentality.”
“You didn’t know Robert was hurting me. Or that he ran my mom and me off the road or helped have me kidnapped. Give yourself some grace here. If you want to talk to the Alphas… go for it. You’ll probably be told to be more social and integrate more… because that’s what they want you to do. Just be there for your other pups. They love you and they are worried.”
Skyler wiped tears away saying, “They aren’t bullied but they are excluded now. It’s all my fault.” I disagreed, “No, it’s not. Pups are jerks sometimes… it’s biology… and pups. That is what it is. I’m pretty sure I’ve handled that anyway.”
“It will be a big lesson for your pups. Those who stuck by them during this time… those are true friends. Those are hard to come by, and now your pups know the meaning…and they know who those people are to them.”
Avery would probably bond with this family a lot. Buck loved her but he hurt her. I don’t think Robert was capable of love, but his family was. Avery would understand. Skyler said, “He’s my son.” I nodded, “Yes, he is… but his choices are not on you. You gave him every opportunity to change.”
“You got him away from that pack and into this one. Robert had a loving family, father, and pack. He squandered that opportunity. That’s on him. I can’t imagine the pain you feel knowing the path that now lies ahead for your son.”
“I’m not a mom and I don’t pretend to understand that type of love. I do know you have other pups here who need you. It’stime to put your big girl panties on and live your life again. You deserve to be happy.”
“You deserve to live without that tightness in your chest of Ezra ruining everything for you in the blink of an eye. Let yourself be happy. Selene failed you and Robert… but that’s not your fault. It’s hers. She let you down.”
Skyler laughed, “No one around talks like that around here.” I snorted, “You and I have seen a different side of life. We both know Selene turned her back on us a long time ago. It’s time everyone does it to her.”
Skyler smiled saying, “If you need help with that noble quest, I’m in your corner.” She stood asking, “Can you take me to Luna Chelsea and Alpha Peter?” I wanted to cringe but didn’t. I agreed, “Sure. Come on.” Protecting people was a pain in the butt sometimes.
I literally didn’t want to talk to either of those people…and what was worse…was both those people knew that. Even though I could acknowledge that wasn’t wholly fair… in any way, shape or form. I still looped my arm with hers.
I saw Dane and MaryBeth walking while we were on our way. I called, “Hey guys… do you know where Luna Chelsea and Alpha Peter are?” Freya said, “I could find them, or you could link them.” I should’ve gone with my wolf scenting them out, but both these people looked thrilled I was speaking to them…so it felt like progress.
Dane answered, “Yeah, my brother is at your parents’ house. They stop in for a bit every so often these days.” I sighed, “Goodie.” MaryBeth squealed, “Hi, Ladybug.” I greeted, “Hi, MaryBeth. I’ll see you guys around… maybe talk to Tristan… about possible dates for something… I mentioned to him earlier… so… umm yeah.”
MaryBeth smiled, “Ok!” My Aunt seemed happy enough to talk to me, but the words she’d never said flew around my headwishing me dead and hating me. It hurt. Freya whimpered in my head. I took a deep breath when everyone looked at me confused. That whimper probably came out.
I started walking again, this time knowing where we were headed. Skyler commented, “It’s hard, even for you. I didn’t expect that.” I paused asking, “What is?” Skyler explained, “It’s hard for a small part of yourself to be jealous and bitter about their innocence. They’ve grown up in a nice place. They may have heard about the evils we suffered, but it’s not the same.”
“For myself, I’m mostly happy they never have to live it. There’s a small piece that’s bitter it had to be you, and I can tell you know that feeling though. I never thought I’d be around people who understood that part of me that feels small and little.”
I said, “That’s not a life I’d wish on my worst enemy….and MaryBeth is family.” Skyler nodded, “I know. It doesn’t make the bitterness that you suffered, and they live a happy sheltered life easy to handle.” I acknowledged, “You’re right about that.”
