“Charles found me with a loaded gun on my lap… ready to end it all but convinced me not to. He convinced me to get up… and keep living. To change things as the Female Lead Warrior… because it was my plan.”
Xander had a lot of emotions flowing through him while Paige was wiping tears away. They’d known I was close to ending it all. Paige literally saved my life by calling Charles. My parents were sobbing. Tristan was too choked up to keep talking.
Everly spoke, “Sometimes, I think you hate me. Other times I’m confused by that because we have made good progress. Then you told me all the things about my work, and it makes it all more confusing while making me feel like we have a chance to be sisters in law like I hoped.”
I replied, “I don’t hate you.” Everly said, “You barely look at me or talk to me most of the time.” I sighed, “You’re easier to be mad at than everyone else. I don’t know you… more than Iallowed myself to with your work. Everyone else in here I grew up with…. and considered family. As mad at them as I was… I still loved them.”
“I never got the chance to know… or love… you as a sister. I was bitter and angry that you refused to give me that chance. I was angry you wouldn’t let me meet Kai. I know you didn’t do any of those things… it’s just easier to stay mad at you.”
“That’s not fair and I know that. I just… I’m angry with myself for not realizing you were T’s mate and not Jase’s. I’m angry I missed your mating ceremony…. and the birth of my nephew. I missed so much… and it felt unfair you wouldn’t let me be a part of things… when I defended and protected you. I also genuinely like your photos… and bought a lot of them. I, irrationally, wanted to realize it was me… buying them….which I acknowledge is crazy.”
Everly leaned forward and grabbed my hand to say, “I’ll never keep Kai or T from you. I never would have either. If I had been Jase’s mate…” Addison and Tristan snarled. Everly rolled her eyes and continued, “and I found out he was treating his sister that way; I’d have packed up and gone home to California until he fixed it.”
“I would not be with someone who was capable of that type of cruelty. I understand we don’t know each other on a personal level. You were spying and talking to a fake me. So, your files and the person talking didn’t match up.”
“I know that hard for you, according to T. I want you to keep showing up and coming to him, like you have been. You think you’re so different, but you’re sliding back into the routine you had. I love that and I think it’s good.”
“I’ll admit I’ve been pissed at you for making my mate and son sad, but for me that slid away knowing the truth. I understand why it’s harder for you. As far as you and me,moving forward maybe we could start with having coffee.” I did like coffee.
Everly laughed, “I know that you like coffee. I’m sure you’re up in time to join me on some sunrise photo sessions. So, coffee and photography. We are both Beta girls after all.” She probably should’ve been the white wolf. Her mom was Beta blood and so was her dad.
Freya linked, “No, you were the perfect choice for me, never doubt that.” Jason whispered, “Was that the only time you thought about killing yourself?” I answered, “No… I thought about it all the time. That was the only time I was about to act on it though.”
Jason sighed, “I’m mad at you, and I don’t want to be.” I admitted, “I know.” Jason snorted, “Of course you do. I’m so mad you thought I’d send you away. I’m mad you thought I could blame you for something any logical person would know wasn’t your fault.”
My brother continued, “I’m pissed that you thought I’d want you hurt in such a way.” I offered, “I didn’t… really… most of the time. I didn’t think you or Alpha Peter knew what Black Path was doing to me… because it’s not what we did at home.”
I explained, “I knew what punishments Alpha Peter passed out for the… well… to quote them ‘crimes’… that were not crimes… would be. I wasn’t a traitor to the pack. I didn’t think you had any clue what they’d done to me. I didn’t think that either of you knew Trevor claimed I just didn’t feel the bond because I was wolf less.”
I admitted, “In fact… I knew you didn’t, because we talked… or the fake you… and when I told him that mom would be ashamed, he tried to force someone one me when I felt no mate bond… he backed off. Which is exactly what I thought you would’ve done.”
I paused then said, “Well… ya know… the fake you. The real you I would’ve expected a Jared to pop you in and you to kick some serious butt… with him… and probably everyone else… but for the fake you... it just confirmed to me you didn’t know what was going on.”
Jason sighed in relief, “Well, that’s something. I’m still mad though.” I nodded, “I would be… if I was you too. I’d probably… have charts… and data… to show you… that you believing it was crazy… and then account for trauma… but ultimately land on… you knowing me. So… I get it.”
I would still be mad at them if it weren’t so exhausting. It was too exhausting being mad at that many people. Dad apologized, “I’m so sorry, Ladybug.” I replied, “It wasn’t your fault.” Dad argued, “I’m your father. I’m supposed to protect you. Melanie Jane I….” He broke down crying.
Mom rubbed his back then asked me, “Did you get help after the loaded gun incident?” I tried to gently say, “I wasn’t really allowed… to get help. The file Dax gave T probably explained that the pack nurse…. who should’ve been a doctor... and now is…. would come see me. I might have died a few times if not for her.”
Freya took over, “No, Melanie wouldn’t have died. I was with her and my healing would’ve kept her from dying.” She let me take back over. Freya linked, “We have a destiny Melanie, and nothing could’ve stopped that.”
Dalton said, “I love you too, ya know?” I replied, “I mean… I thought I knew that… and I just… thought you were trying to keep peace in the pack. The whole not reading my appeal hurt my feelings.” Dalton said, “I would never see an appeal and not read it. I hate that the Ring did this to you.”
I replied, “It’s probably better it was me….than anyone else.” Alexander growled. I shrugged, “It is…. It’s not bragging to say that the revolution I started within those packs withmy Resistance… that I turned into a business name… and opposition… isn’t something most people could’ve started.”
Haley said, “You should’ve started it with us though.” I shrugged. Grandpa Ben asked, “What did our letters say?” I snorted, “We’d be here forever… if we discussed those in detail… but generalizing the tone… would be that you hated me, hoped I died, and waited with bated breath for news of my death….basically.” In meaner words.
Tristan snarled, “MEANER?” Internal thoughts, Melanie! I reasoned, “Well… not from you…since… ya know.” Jason snorted, “You thought he was dead, we know.” Dad commented, “I think this is going to take a while to go through.” It definitely was.
We talked for several more hours. My parents, Jason, and Tristan wanted to have another session with just us. I did feel lighter after the conversation, but I don’t know that anyone else did. It didn’t really… I don’t know… seem to help anyone… and that’s what I did…. I helped people. Just not myself.
Freya said, “All their wolves are happy we did this. It was a good thing.” Alpha Peter stopped me when I went to leave. He asked, “Why did you want us here?” I looked at my dad then back at Alpha Peter.
I linked the man I used to see as my second dad and probably still did. “Because my dad needs you. You’re his best friend… and Chelsea is mom’s. Plus… I may not know how to fix it… but we have problems… and you not being here… felt wrong… so… yeah… ummm bye.”
I walked out with Xander behind me. Alpha Peter linked, “I’ll help you fix it, Melanie. I’m here anytime you want to talk.” Xander popped me to a treehouse and cried into my neck. I rubbed his back. My husband whispered, “I hate that they did that to you. They sent you down that dark path.”
I said, “So do I… because I felt so weak for getting that close…. to taking my life.” Xander argued, “That’s not true. You are so strong and they never saw you for who you really are.” We held each other a little longer before Xander popped us back home.
