I said, “I hear a but coming on the you’ve found your place in this world… literally I think I heard it.” My dad laughed, “No, it’s not a ‘but.’ Just that I wish we’d had more time with you. I wanted all these moments with you.”
Dad curled his hands into fists continuing, “Moments that were stolen from you and our family. Like your first date. I’m sure your mom would’ve growled at me. Jase, T and I would have had some whiskey while waiting for you to get home.” Well, it would’ve been Xander so probably not.
Dad continued, “Then there would’ve been your first school dance, first shift, and run. Not to mention your graduation. I hate more than anything that you didn’t have those moments. Levi said you got into Julliard. Twice.”
I shrugged, “I did. I only applied once though. I still don’t know who submitted my application the second time. I just wanted out of Black Path. Dancing was all that kept me sane. I knew you, mom, and T would have been proud… if I went to Julliard.”
My dad snorted, “Ladybug, I’d be proud of you no matter what you did as long as it was what you wanted to do. Do you still want to go?” I questioned, “To Julliard? I mean… I’m too old now… so… that’s not really a…”
Dad interrupted, “They would take you, I know they would.” I looked out at the ocean. I admitted, “I was only going as a way to escape where I was… and that dream died for me. I’m not the girl who used to dance.” Dad growled, “You are still amazingly and wonderfully you.”
Dad yanked me in for a hug whispering, “I’m so sorry, Ladybug. I’m damn sorry they used you for something I did. I’m sorry all these big moments were stolen from you. I’m sorry that it’s all my fault. I’m sorry I held onto you so tight that I didn’t let you have a normal experience by knowing our allies. I’m just so damn sorry.” Tears filled my eyes.
I pushed back to let him see my eyes. Freya said, “Pepper is full of apologies too.” I told him, “It’s not your fault, dad. There are many people to blame, but you are not one of them. I wouldn’t want you to change what you did with the Ducant Alpha. It was the allies first true strike at the Ring you didn’t know about… that’s why they were so mad at you.”
“The things he did to Aunt Allison…. and my uncle, not to mention my cousin… were horrible. Without healing Fairies… Aunt Allison and Elias could’ve died. You had every right to defend her and kill that Alpha. He was dead anyway. Grandpa Ben, Eric, or Lucas would’ve killed him if you hadn’t.”
Dad winced, “I shouldn’t have admitted to killing him. That’s why they went for you.” I sighed, “Logically, they still would’ve come for me even if they didn’t know who had killed the Ducant Alpha. It’s just…the only way that would’ve gone.”
My dad frowned asking, “What?” I sighed, “I mean... it’s just… they’ve been trying to kidnap a Conners pup forever. They can’t compel Haley, so this plot with her pups wouldn't work. You run into the same problem with Lucas. His mate is Emmaline and she’s a Fairy who can’t be compelled.”
“The only family left that was involved was ours. MaryBeth and Melinda were probably choices for them, but there’s thetwin element. To a degree… they feel each other, and you can’t stop that. You couldn’t predict what that type of bond would do with magic.”
“The Ring needed something big, and you’d never convince a twin the other had died. They are connected. I was the logical choice all along because they are sexist. They don’t think women are strong. No matter what choice you’d made back then… they were always coming for me.”
“It’s the most logical choice to try. I wasn’t an Alpha’s daughter, but I was still a wolf of rank. I wasn’t in line for a title… I was the logical choice. Even if you take the Ducant Alpha out… the Daniels and Millers are Hood… so any member of their pack missing that long would be checked on by the Hood.”
“Alpha Tucker … well he was already kidnapped and held against his will… so he has protocols with his pack that others don’t… Alpha Theo doesn’t have a daughter my age…Beta James pups are Fairy royalty… so… that leaves me.”
Dad sighed, “I hate that I follow your logic there, and I really fucking hate the Ring.” I hummed, “So do I…. a lot. Briefly I considered… that it might be an unhealthy amount… but they are pure evil… so I’m pretty sure I’m fine… with how much I hate them… loathe really.” I really did.
I hadn’t lied though when I talked through the statistics of the choices. Logically, it was always going to be me. The question again was why. Did the Ring just want to see if it worked? What did Ezra have that they wanted? He didn’t have money, I knew that for a fact.
I shook myself. It wasn’t the time to think about this. Dad said, “The weight of the world is not on you, you know?” I asked, “Huh?” Dad replied, “You got H his mate and that concerns me.” I’d tried to get Levi… to someone I’d thought he’d be cute with… but he was being unhelpful. Maybe they were mates.
Freya snickered, “You certainly tried to help people you thought hated you.” I explained, “Levi was important to T, so he was important to me… Plus, Levi is important to Xander.” I jolted asking my dad, “Wait, why does me getting H and K together worry you?”
Dad answered, “You didn’t get approval to do so. You just did what was right. You’ve always done that, but I worry whoever is behind the scenes will be upset with you.” I shrugged, “It’s fine.” Dad raised an eyebrow, “I see. I can tell you believe that.” Because it was true. Me, myself, and I said it was fine. Freya cackled in my head.
I asked, “Did Pepper know I’d be the white wolf? Xander said that Dylan told your recently…Pepper was related to Freya.” Pepper came forward, “Until Dylan mentioned it in class, I forgot. I’ve been in the McAlister family for centuries. Once the connection was mentioned, I did remember. I had no idea you were coming, pup. I’m so sorry.”
Freya came forward and whined causing Pepper hugged me. Pepper whispered, “You are so strong, pup. I am proud of you and your human. You went through so many hardships and I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better.” Freya admitted, “You were supposed to know I was coming.” I nearly gasped.
Pepper growled, “What?” Freya said, “You were supposed to be told that I’d selected my human and who it would be. It’s when you were assigned as Drake’s wolf.” Pepper said, “I didn’t know, pup. I swear that to you.” Freya said, “I believe you. It means Selene wiped your memory.” She really was the worst. That statement made Pepper mad, but they just held onto each other.
Freya let me take control and Pepper did the same with dad. I admitted, “That’s surreal… that they were family… but it really does prove Selene has it out for me.” Dad said, “Because you arebetter than her. You see things as black and white.” I hummed, “I’ve found a lot of gray.”
Dad replied, “Well, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I hate that whatever the god’s and goddesses issues are got put on you.” I pointed out, “And you.” Dad said, “I can take it. I would take it a thousand times over if it didn’t fall on you or your brothers shoulders. Their affairs should not have played into a game with my pups lives.”
I agreed with that. Xander and my mom came out to join us and the rest of the day passed quickly. I didn’t miss Aiden introducing himself to Kingsley. It seemed to annoy Hastein, but he didn’t say anything.
For my friend’s part, Kingsley seemed to find Aiden amusing. I shot her a quick text letting her know he might have some answers for her. Or older books she could read for some Dragon history that wasn’t readily available to others. Kingsley shot me a grateful look, and their group disappeared.
Xander caught his uncle later when they came back, but their conversation was brief. I found Hastein, Kingsley, Gabe and Angelique. I asked, “So, A… how was your first family Thanksgiving?” Angelique smiled answering, “There was a whole dinner where no one tried to kill me. It was nice but also unsettling. I think this is called relaxing. It’s strange. I feel endorphins just pinging all around my brain.”
I snorted but Gabe did not look particularly happy about the fact that he could see Angelique was serious. I asked, “K?” Kingsley nudged me, “Thank you for telling H to push me. There’s just a sense of belonging here after a long time of wandering and not feeling like I fit in. Of feeling that loneliness inside me. I still miss my family, but it feels a lot better today.”
I said, “I know exactly what you mean.” Kingsley squeezed my hand and answered, “I know you do.” Angelique offered, “Me three.” We all held hands for a brief moment then let go. Hasteinoffered, “You belong with us, and you always have Melanie.” Why was everyone trying to make me cry today?
