Freya snorted, “He means by blood so, it’s not the time.” I hugged him, “Thanks, Jason.” He squeezed me tightly. My brother pulled back, “Well, let’s go find your mate, and get those ugly words off your back. You are honestly stronger than anyone I know. I might have just withdrawn into myself in your shoes.”
I shook my head disagreeing, “No you wouldn’t have. You’d have charged up to Red Run... and demanded they give me to you. You’d have made Alpha Peter tell you to your face he didn’t want to see you. I should’ve.”
Jason shook his head, “You were just a pup. We should’ve protected you. I’ll do whatever I can to make this up to you.” I nodded and walked outside. Paige scooped me into a big hug then we headed downstairs.
We could hear Dalton talking to Xander and EJ about how bad he felt over what happened to me. I sighed because I’d never thought Dalton or Dakota were bad Alpha’s. Hell, I even knew that Alpha Peter wasn’t a bad Alpha.
I had just felt betrayed and abandoned because I deserved to be protected too. For Dalton and Dakota reversing a banishment was not uncomplicated. I didn’t really blame them. I’d hope they might reverse it, but as time went on I accepted that wasn’t happening.
I was still upset with Alpha Peter…and his brothers if I was being honest. It might not be rational… but Alpha Peter was my Alpha….and the others were too. They should’ve protected me. Alpha Peter was family.
Dalton wanted a hug. I glanced at Paige and her face was so hopeful I had to. I could give Dalton a quick hug. Freya said, “Caulder is very happy about this too.” We separated after a quick second. Freya linked me, “That really did mean a lot to him and Caulder. You really do make me proud. You didn’t have to hug him, but you did it for him and your friend. You can be selfish, Melanie. It’s ok.”
That was complicated. It wasn’t like I hadn’t wanted to hug Dalton over the years. I wanted to be back with them how we were before that fateful night on my shift… and honestly, it’s what I wanted afterwards too.
There was a sense of belonging when I was around Red Run wolves… but at the same time a sense of not belonging. Which didn’t really make sense… but it was how I felt. I was nervous when Haley popped in and started to ramble.
I was nervous... because I’d wanted my scars gone for so long. Haley popped me away. My mate’s mom smiled at me saying, “You ramble when you’re fucking nervous. Why are you nervous?” Xander popped in and I nervously asked about my back.
Haley, thankfully, had no problem with healing the scare. In fact, she looked excited that I’d asked. I quickly took off my hoodie before I could lose my nerve. I swore some rain clouds blew in for a brief second.
Under any other set of circumstances, I’d have laughed over Haley’s new nickname for Trevor. Freya chimed in, “Trevogre is quite fitting.” It was a good one, but I couldn’t focus on it. My back could be healed shortly. I was too scared to be excited.
I’d tried everything I could to get rid of them... now though… maybe they would be truly gone forever. No concealer to temporarily take away some of them... they would just be permanently gone. Xander confirmed they would be.
When they started to heal me and my mind drifted into that peaceful place. Freya purred, “This is amazing.” I asked my wolf, “Are you going to tell me why you don’t think anyone will be at our first shift?” Freya offered, “I can tell you later.”
I pressed, “Are you really sure they will all miss it?” Freya chuckled, “It’s not like it will happen on your birthday. How would everyone know to be there?” Well, that was true. I sighed, “But won’t Xander be there? I can… link anyone… Fairies are around… they could pop in.”
Freya was quiet then said, “No, mate won’t be there, but we will get to him shortly afterwards. Or that’s the sense I’m getting. I don’t have confirmation though.” I frowned, “Get to him? Doessomeone take him? They’ll RUE the day.” Freya emphatically said, “No one takes him.” I could tell my wolf wasn’t going to say any more.
It felt like seconds before my eyes snapped open. I cautiously reached my hand up behind me and felt smooth skin. I ran to the first door I saw hoping it was a bathroom. Thankfully, it was. I turned around and tears filled my eyes as I looked into the reflection.
My scars were gone, really gone. The words, and even the ugly whipping scars... the words… I just kept staring at the reflection… they weren’t there anymore... as if they never happened. I ran my fingertips over where the words had been.
Xander came into the bathroom and held me as I fell apart with relief. It was over. Trevor didn’t have that power over me anymore. I knew it was silly… but those words gave him power over me sometimes. Now, he had nothing.
I could beat him in a fight easily. Now, Trevor had nothing to make me feel ashamed of. All his tools to make me feel like nothing were gone. I had to hug my future mother in law. I ran into the living room and threw myself into her arms.
I thanked her repeatedly. Haley whispered into my ear, “You are a fucking badass. Trevogre has no power over you, and he never did. He is nothing. His vicious words mean absofuckinglutely nothing.” I just kept thanking her.
It didn’t surprise me that she understood how I felt about this. I knew about her childhood. Haley probably did understand better than anyone how those scars made me feel. When I pulled away from her Xander popped us back to our room.
We ate pizza together, but I felt exhausted and completely drained. I fell asleep snuggled in with Xander. I woke up feeling completely energized. I grabbed a tight red hoodie and some leggings. I left quietly and found my new spot to dance.
I danced for an hour, but I still felt energized. I went to the gym next. I wasn’t surprised when KJ, Fowler, and Chason walked in behind me. I laughed asking, “Do you guys sleep?” Fowler yawned, “Do you?” I nodded, “Yes.” KJ snorted, “I don’t think you do.” I argued, “I sleep so much now.” All of them stared at me for several seconds, but I was serious.
Chason broke the stare down, “I’ve got a young pup who wakes up early. So, I took the morning shift with him so my wife could sleep. It’s actually my workout time.” I told Chason, “I’d love to meet them… I mean your family… umm sometime.” Chason laughed, “My mate would like to meet you too.”
Fowler said, “No mate or pups for me yet. My little sister would like to meet you though.” I smiled agreeing, “I could do that.” KJ grunted, “It’s just me. I have friends in New York, it’s part of why Eric sent me. I’ve got contacts around the Philly area.” Yet he was here… hmm.
Freya chuckled at my thoughts. I moved over to the heavy bag and started to warm up. I heard an angry throat clear behind me after I’d been in the gym for ten minutes. Freya growled in my head. I sighed, “Let me guess… that obnoxious throat clearing belongs to... Bradford.” I could smell it did, but I was giving him a chance to go away.
I turned around then muttered, “Of course it does.” Freya asked, “He’s not really doing this, is he?” I didn’t reply. My wolf nearly shouted, “Right?” I warned her, “He definitely is.” My wolf growled. Bradford’s eyes narrowed as he challenged me, “I want to fight you in the ring.”
I laughed, “My advice of saying…. no you really don’t, would fall on deaf ears... wouldn’t it?” Bradford snorted, “So you were good at fighting in Black Path, so what? They are shit.” I snorted, “Formerly, they are just fine now.” Bradford shot back, “You aren’t there.”
I replied, “Caine is and I trained him. Along with several others, they are just fine. Besides, I didn’t just take down people in Black Path. I’ve taken down Alpha’s. Several, in fact. I feel the need to point out… you don’t have any Alpha blood. You’re going to challenge my authority…. because you’re not asking for a friendly spar. I take those very seriously…. and always did because I had to.”
