Page 265 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I gaped, “You’re a carpenter? I’m literally stunned Melanie didn’t mention that. I was certain I knew everything about you.” My nephew laughed, “No, I used Fairy magic to conjure it.” Damn. Fairies only got cooler the more I learned about them.

I told Alexander, “You didn’t ask Melanie the right question about her security companies.” Alexander shot me a look asking, “Companies?” I nodded, “Yup. Plural.” My nephew bit his lip, appearing to find that fun. Tatum assured me, “Oden does find it fun.”

Melanie gave me the opportunity to tell Keaton about his grandma. That would be the brave thing to do, but I was not feeling brave today. Luke always blamed me for being the messenger about things, and I didn’t want to do that this time.

Tatum reasoned, “Mate is not that awful Dark Siren.” I knew that, but the fear was still there. Plus, I’ve never had to break it to someone that a murder was a different type of murder. Or that there was a murder in the first place. I didn’t even play that Clue boardgame.

When Haley popped in, she smelled very strongly of something I couldn’t quite place. I asked Tatum, “Can I talk to Keaton?” My wolf replied, “You marked him, so we should be able to.” I asked, “Even if he hasn’t marked us back?”

Tatum admitted, “I’m a new wolf. I don’t know how all this works. You can try to link mate and then we will know.” It worked, but I clearly shouldn’t have asked that question. The answer was Haley smelled like my brother. They’d been having sex.

I mean, they were married with twenty kids. At least it was twenty last I heard from Melanie. The conversation started and Keaton was already upset. I reached for him, which calmed him down. I asked Tatum, “Did no one like Cassandra? Who is she? I’m getting the sense it might be my dad’s dead mate, right?”

Tatum answered, “I’m asking Oden some questions. I know that he didn’t like this Cassandra. She was rude to them over their Fairy blood. Oden said she was very mean to his mom.” I asked, “Haley? Why? Fairies seem like the coolest Supernatural I’ve met so far.”

Tatum growled, “Excuse me? We are cool!” Sassy huffed at me. I said, “Of course we are, but they have literal magic to create this house. They can charm water to stay warm, it’s cool.” Sassy sang sassily at me while Tatum grumbled. Whatever. Cassandra was a crazy person, Fairies were awesome.

Dylan joined the conversation. Tatum snorted, “His wolf, Fang, is quite funny. He insists I ensure you know that.” I smirked, “Alright. Dylan seems pretty funny so far. I get the sense he’s a big kid.” Melanie blurted out the fact that Harpies killed Emma. I really didn’t think my friend’s method of delivery was bad. It wasn’t tactful, but it was like ripping off a band aid.

Keaton froze. I linked Tatum, “Is Key in shock? What should I do?” Tatum answered, “Channing has locked down too, just give him a minute.” I explained that’s not what I saw. I was really glad I didn’t see someone die in the past. That would’ve been awful.

Apparently Supernatural’s could wipe my memories. That was just annoying. I didn’t want anyone to take my memories. My mind had been messed with enough as it was. Keaton did not take it well that they tried to kill his mom. My man was furious.

I watched his eyes flicker from normal to black. I was guessing Channing had snapped out of silence and now was angry. Tatum linked, “Hold his hand again.” I followed my wolf’s advice, and my mate marginally calmed down.

I explained they weren’t after her anymore and about Lisa. Sassy was smug about the weird blue thing I did. Ok, she did but she was me. God, my life was complicated. Keaton handled it better than I thought he would. Then again, my man was a Supernatural used to such things.

Keaton paused me and he got a faraway look on his face. I asked Tatum, “Uhh what is Keaton doing?” Alexander linked me, “Oden told me Tatum’s question. That look means Keaton is linking someone. Probably Emmett, since Emmett is their Lead Alpha.”

In the crazy world I now lived in that made sense. I replied to Alexander, “Melanie said Lisa was gone already.” Alexander spat out sarcastically, “How lovely.” My nephew looked positively furious that his brother was thrown back.

I couldn’t help but smile about the other news Melanie casually dropped. I hadn’t seen Olivia yet, but she was mentioned with Maverick. I knew my fellow hermit crab had a serious crush on him. Olivia was quiet and shy, but really sweet. I was happy for her.

Dylan tried to lighten the mood and he made a plan. Haley was going to warn Eric, but I really felt I should. I linked him, “Does this work this far away?” Eric answered, “Anywhere you are, little sister, you can link me.”

I told him, “I’m sure you’re getting a heads up that something is coming. Everyone seems to think you’re going to be mad, but I just want to say I’m sorry. I know I’m bringing this knowledge out, but I also think it’s needed. Remember the mistakes our parents make aren’t on us.”

Eric asked, “Why do I get the sense you mean my mother?” I replied, “Because you’re smart.” My brother snorted, “Whatever this is, you have nothing to be sorry for.” I told him, “Melanie knows more than she’s sharing.” Eric laughed, “I’m learning that my daughter in law usually does.” That was true. Melanie often held a lot back.

I wanted to help my friend because she carried the weight of the world sometimes with the knowledge she had. It was cute watching Melanie with her dad. She clearly didn’t notice how much it meant to Drake that she’d included him in this conversation. My friend was visibly relieved when Drake started talking. I wondered if he knew Melanie idolized him even when she thought he was dead.

Drake was Melanie’s standard for how women should be treated. Several people always said Melanie never wanted anyone but her Xander. They were right, but my friend told plenty of men they didn’t treat women right. That came from her dad. He was her example of how she should be treated in a relationship.

I turned back to Keaton because he was fuming. My mate admitted he didn’t know his biological grandma, but I could tell he was upset for his grandpa. They wanted Melanie in the other conversation, but I needed her!

Tatum linked, “Mate will be with us.” I replied, “If I'm facing a firing squad, I want Melanie in there in my corner and on my side. She’s my safe place. That’s probably not fair, but she is. I need her with me in this crazy deal that now is my life. Melanie could ramble on and on about how this isn’t my fault.”

Tatum assured me, “Mate’s family won’t be upset and it’s not your fault.” I snorted, “If I was Frank Daniels, I'd be furious. The messenger always gets the anger.” Tatum softly said, “The Daniels are not Luke.” I knew that, but the echoes were there.

There were things Luke had done to me, in our relationship, that I hadn’t talked about. Things he did, even when I told him something my mom told me to tell him. I just didn’t want to be the vessel for their anger like I was for him or my mom.

Flashback

Odette was nervous. It would be fine, mom told me to give this to Luke. Luke entered my apartment and looked around as if it personally offended him. He stared at me, “You call this clean?” I frowned, “I can’t afford cleaning supplies and…” My boyfriend cut me off, “Did I ask for you excuses?” He went to hit me.

I held out the letter. Luke asked, “What’s this?” I admitted, “I don’t know, I didn’t look at it. Mom said not to open it, but that it was for you.” Luke snatched it from me. I kind of hoped he read it and left. Sometimes he did when mom asked me to give him things.

Luke flung the letter and hissed, that was weird. Before I could say anything, he punched me in the face. My head snapped back and I screamed. I curled into a ball as he beat me. Time ceased to matter. I felt hands on me, and I reached up to scratch them. I couldn’t just sit there.