“It’s very faint now. I won’t tell a soul about what was done to Melanie. Your mom didn’t even mean to tell me. She was talking in her sleep and feels really bad about it.” I shrugged, “I don’t think Melanie will care, but I’ll talk to her.”
Dad said, “Your mom intends to talk to her. She just wants her to relax and have a fun day today.” I nodded. My dad squeezed my shoulder, “I worry for Melanie, but I also worry for you. I know the pain in your gut, that sickness you feel, and that need for revenge. Even the blame.”
I frowned and deflected by asking, “Why would you have blamed yourself for mom’s life?” My dad sat back answering, “I’ve always been intrigued by your mother. Ever since she was born, I paid for information on her.”
“All we got were rumors. I had more information than most, but it was hard to get more about your mom. I’d planned to marry her for a long time. Your grandmother had plenty of candidates for a chosen mate for me, but I wanted your mom.”
“Thor and I both thought of her as ours long before we met. From the start of the war with the Fairies it was part of my terms for peace that your mom would marry me. Your Uncle Jackson called me on it, and I shared what I knew about her.”
“Your mom was who I was choosing with or without fate. I pride myself on knowing things, and what happened to your mom and Melanie slipped by me. Even your uncles and grandfather struggle with what happened to Melanie to a very large degree.”
“We all don’t understand how we didn’t know it happened. Now, with your theory of divine intervention I can’t say any of us are happy about it, but it makes sense. With mine and your mom’s situation it was a bit different, as she was in a different realm. So that did make things harder to find out, but I spent quite a lot of money to get information on your mom.”
“Grandpa Titus and his side of the family spent, god, millions to get information about your mom. The point of this is, you can’t let that guilt you feel affect your relationship with Melanie. I know your mom has recommended Melanie talk to someone and I agree. I just think you should too.”
I replied, “I am fine.” My dad laughed, “I felt the same way. I thought I could kill the Fairies that crossed the line, along with the vampires. I even thought I could go killing rogues crazy, and deal with my feelings that way.”
“It wasn’t until you, EJ, and Cassie were three I admitted I had too much anger about what happened to your mom. I was so fucking angry that I couldn’t stop her past from re-traumatizing her. I don’t want that for you, son.”
“I walked around with too much anger inside me. I never took it out on your mother or you pups, just myself. I held a lot inside thinking it was what was best for your mom. She was worried about me though and held onto her guilt for how it was making me feel.”
“Your uncles and Grandpa Nathan, along with your aunts, all spoke to someone about their feelings eventually. There’s no shame in learning the tools to process that. Nor is there shame in needing to talk to someone about those things.”
Dad continued, “I truly hope Melanie does talk to someone. She seems to just be shoving it all in some corner of her mind, and eventually that’s going to spill out. That’s your mate’s call to make though. She has to be ready and so do you.”
“I’m just telling you, for what it’s worth, I took too long to admit I needed help to process those feelings of inadequacy. Starting from her childhood, to when she was taken from me, to Claudia, to my own mother, and dealing with the threats against our family. I did talk through all those things with your mom. I just wanted you to know I spoke with therapist as well. I think you should consider your feelings about all of this.”
I shrugged saying, “Melanie endured it, not me.” Dad nodded, “I said that often too. I felt I had no room to be broken up about it because I was a bystander, whereas your mother suffered. Just because you did not suffer the trauma, doesn't mean it doesn’t affect you.”
“Or that you don’t have strong feelings about it. It’s not making it about you to ask for the tools to deal with those feelings from a professional. Sometimes it helps to just talk through it with someone who is an uninvolved third party.”
Dad advised, “They see things you do not. They also have experience dealing with these issues, and it’s confidential. I’m not saying you have to do it. I just wanted you to hear my thoughts on it and determine your own.”
“I resisted therapy thinking I was the Alpha, and I couldn’t be weak. We didn’t raise you pups that way though. Getting help didn’t make me weak, it strengthened me. I want you to know that I truly believe that.” I nodded.
I honestly hadn’t considered talking to anyone. Everything my dad said was accurate about how I felt about all of it. It wasn’t my trauma, and I didn’t want to make it about me. Getting tools to help Melanie through it wasn’t a bad idea. Oden agreed, “Thor did say it really helped them.”
Maybe even getting those tools for myself wouldn’t be terrible. Beating the crap out of things in the gym had always helped me in the past. There was a lot going on with me and Melanie though. I would think about it. I told my dad, “I see your point, and I will think about it.” Dad stood and gave me a hug.
We walked out of the kitchen and found my mom was gathering the group going dress shopping. I showed them where to wait outside. KJ, Fowler, and Chason were already waiting. I told my mom, “They can drive some of you if you want.” My mom replied, “I am perfectly fucking capable of driving us.” I laughed, “Alright, mom.”
Elise exploded, “I can’t take it anymore! How did the proposal go? Tell us everything!” Paige shrieked, “PROPOSED?! MELANIE’S XANDER PROPOSED?! Wait! No. Did anyone get a screaming excited Melanie phone call?” Everyone shook their heads.
Paige turned to me, “Did you actually propose? Because as much as I heard about her Xander, I find it INCREDIBLY hard to believe I didn’t get a phone call where she burst my eardrum from screaming.” I laughed, “I did propose.”
Sierra snorted, “Phil seems to believe that Melanie’s Xander sexed her to sleep, and she wouldn’t have had a moment to call.” Oden purred, “I do like that they call us that.” I defiantly didn’t mind. Sam chimed in, “Ok, as the mom of the girl in question here. We all knew that was the case, it doesn’t need to be stated.”
Sierra laughed, “Paige hasn’t been around Wolves like this. She’s been around Wolves, but not ones who are nice to their mates or generous lovers. It’s a little new to us. Although, it does seem to be quite commonplace here.”
My mom told her, “It really fucking is.” I snorted, “Thanks for that, mom.” My mom shrugged, “It is.” Melanie linked me that she was getting ready to leave. I figured Nana Blanch was waiting inside with a snack for Melanie.
I popped to Nana Blanch. Luckily, I was right. Oden offered, “I would’ve told you if you were wrong.” That was true. I kissed Melanie and let her know where everyone was waiting. I watched her go wishing I could send her all my love in the bond.
I joined EJ in the office. We were working on paperwork when EJ laughed. I asked, “Care to share what’s so funny?” EJ told me, “Elise would like you to know she was right. Melaniejustlooked at the ring when the girls asked her to see it.” I rolled my eyes, “We were busy.” EJ laughed.
My Uncle Jackson commented, “Trust us when I say, we know.” I raised an eyebrow saying, “You did not hear us all the way from Switzerland.” Uncle Jackson snorted, “No, but your excitement came through to your family bonds. We did hear some of them.”
I laughed, “Well, then you’re all welcome.” My Uncle Jackson teased, “It didn’t help me.” I scoffed, “As if you need a bond with me to use said lust to get busy with Aunt Molly.” He smirked at me, and we got back to work.
