Page 225 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Melanie giggled, “You called that wolf Tatum…. and that’s hilarious. Channing and Tatum. Someone has a sense of humor up there. I have a plan and a lot to explain… and first we need to get rid of the magic… around you so we can talk without your head hurting.”

Melanie turned to the white wolf next to her. I hummed, “I need a picture of that wolf because this lady that visits me is scared of her.” The wolf smirked at me while my head pounded. Melanie touched the wolf and they were now the same.

The white wolf touched her head to my stomach and suddenly everything quieted inside me. For the first time in my life, I felt peaceful and calm in my own mind. Nothing hurt. I felt strength I never knew I possessed. I felt and heard glass shatter all around me followed by a scream of pain, but it wasn’t mine.

I looked around, but only Melanie stood before me. I whispered, “Werewolves are real.” She nodded. I smiled, “Keaton is one.” Melanie expanded on my knowledge, “He’s an Alpha.” I prodded, “And you’re a Werewolf?” The White Werewolf Valdoma was afraid of. That was fair, I’d be afraid of Melanie if I was a bad guy too.

Melanie laughed, “Yeah, I didn’t have Freya when we met. She was kept from me in a different way than your wolf was.” My wolf? I was a wolf too. That made sense. It was Tatum. I frowned, “Your Xander is married.”

Melanie bobbed her head, “Yeah, to me.” My jaw dropped, “DAMN IT! Why didn’t I ever say your name? Key would’ve known and brought me to see you.” Melanie sighed, “I blame some goddess. Definitely Selene.”

I laughed, “Selene is actually a goddess? I thought she was someone you didn’t like.” Melanie reasoned, “I mean… I don’t like her. I know who your dad is… oh god… I meant to ease into that and well…that's… I didn't even explain you’re a partial Werewolf and something else and…” This was so quintessential Melanie.

I laughed, “I missed you, and your rambling. Apparently, I’m a Siren. Sadly, I can’t sing and lure people to their death then eat them. Which sucks.” Melanie snorted, “I know a few things about Siren’s that I’ve read. You can in fact… lure people in with your song…. You don’t eat them but you can kill them.. so there’s that.” Yay more murder.

I asked, “Do you know who the Sargasso’s are? I don’t know a Holloran or Cambridge to ask.” Melanie snorted, “I know people with those names and so do you…. technically speaking. I told you all about them.”

I asked, “When?” Melanie answered, “So… Xander is technically both. His mom’s maiden name is Haley Cambridge Holloran. Anyway, the Sargasso’s… I did read about them. They are the largest clan in the sea. It makes sense that Tatum has green on her coat because that’s the color of their clan…. and the Sargasso’s are royalty.”

I snorted, “My brother is actually a King. Of course he is. I’ve been calling him a mob boss.” Melanie laughed, “That’s amusing on… so many levels.” I realized that meant the initials on Keaton’s tattoo were my full name. OSC. Odette Sargasso. What was the C?

I asked, “You know my dad?” Melanie nodded, “He didn’t know about you… and he’s really upset. I feel awful. He’s been out looking for you… us… it’s complicated. He’s looking and quite…. torn up.” I wiped my tears, “He wants me?”

Melanie nodded, “Yup… he does.” I shook my head, “It feels too good to be true, Mel. I have Keaton and I have friends. You’re back, which means my old friends aren’t far away. I have my brothers, and now my dad wants me. I’m missing Lux though.”

Melanie tilted her head, “Lux Bartlett?” I asked, “So, he’s a real person? Yeah, I’m looking for my half-brother. He raised me, but his dad took custody of him.” Melanie blinked, “Theo?” I shrugged, “Uhh, I don’t think I ever heard him say his dad’s name, but I think he did say his stepmom’s name was Something with A. Ugh!”

I thought really hard then said, “Anne.” Melanie’s jaw dropped, “Ok, you just…. have so many brothers. You poor thing. Good thing you met your mate already. Or… I’d have to go all Resistance Leader to get you a date…which I would do.” The what leader?

I asked, “Mate?” Melanie winced, “God, Sierra is supposed to stop me when I do these things. Umm... Ok… I can do this. Supernatural’s have mates. We mark them and get…” I gasped interrupting, “A tattoo! OH MY GOD! I did that! Key didn’t get a tattoo, I bit him. There WAS blood on his neck.”

Melanie snorted, “You marked Keaton? Oh that’s… hilarious.” Her wolf snorted. Melanie said, “What? It is! She didn’t even know… but he hasn’t marked her. Poor guy. That has to be so hard for him as an Alpha wolf… based on the studies I’ve read.” Her wolf went to Tatum and touched her head.

I whispered, “I don’t deserve to have Tatum, I’ve been poisoning her.” Melanie warned, “There will be none of that. Tatum doesn’t blame you…. so you can’t either. The magic around you was… intense. You didn’t know… and now you do…. You’d never intentionally hurt her.”

I asked, “How did you break it?” Melanie answered, “Well… the white wolf is a legend. I’m a goddess. Technically… speaking…. well... no… I just am… yeah… that’s weird.” I snorted, “I’ve read about the white wolf in my books. Honestly, it makes sense it’s you because you’re amazing.”

My friend flushed me, “Freya is restoring your wolf to full strength. You’ll be able to shift once… we are in a safe place. Freya assures me it will be…. Painless, since you’ve suffered so much. Umm… have you seen some black wolves in a dream?”

I nodded, “Actually yes, with a redheaded woman. She teleported then I think I saw her in the past.” I definitely did. Melanie smiled, “You’ve seen my mother in law.” I admitted, “I saw her twice. I’m pretty sure it was in the past. Her husband is someone I felt this need to comfort.”

I whispered, “We look alike.” Melanie rubbed my shoulders, “I can explain that.” I shook my head, “I want you to explain in person not wherever this is. What’s the escape plan? Delana said there was one.” Melanie smiled, “I like her…. after ummm I verified she was good.” I admitted, “Me too.” While smirking knowing that meant Melanie probably kidnapped Delana to decide.

Melanie said, “Your kidnappers… who I will kill… are going to call Keaton soon. He’ll be back from the Alpha meeting. They’ll call and ransom you. Yellow Hills… that’s Keaton’s Pack’s name… will bring in their allies in.”

Melanie winced, “So… it WILL get all Alpha male. My poor mother in law…. and your future mother in law… I mean, we don’t have the same mother in law. I mean Haley for me… and Lexi for you. Gosh… Sierra is supposed to be here to stop me.”

She waved, “Anyway…. Those two women will have to try to reign all the Alpha blood… in. I don’t think it’s going to work because Xander will be pretty mad… at me… well… kind…of… it was a noble cause.” Her Xander might want to get used to that. Melanie always had noble causes.

Melanie continued, “Well… we did just talk about me not just running off… but there were extenuating circumstances. Xander has to understand that. Right? Like… I had to come after you… I just… didn’t pause… and I left my phone… Ok, I could technically still contact him… he has his watch… and I could link him… yeah ok, I’m screwed.”

I snickered enjoying the rant because I’d missed my friend. Melanie turned to her wolf, “No agreeing to not healing my butt again!” I snorted, “What?” Melanie sighed, “Alpha wolves and their sexy punishment. Keaton will probably spank you too.”

I couldn’t deny that the thought excited me. Melanie said, “Right…. Focus. The plan. I’m going to come in wolf form. Delana will give you a key to your cuffs when there’s a distraction. You…. run outside and I’ll meet you.” I frowned, “I’ll fight with you.”

Melanie shook her head, “No, Freya can electrocute people. So… I’m going to electrocute the room once you…. and Delana are out. Just get outside. I’ll be right behind you. I’ll stay in wolf form…. while they can see me… I’ll get you home.”

I asked, “Why not just let them pay the ransom?” Melanie snorted, “No one kidnaps my friends and gets away with it. That’s insulting. I’m insulted. Heck… so many people are insulted. No… no money for them. Plus, kidnappers aren’t really trustworthy people. They can lie. That’s a thing they can do… That’s just math.” Oh lord, she was on her it’s just math justifications.