Page 266 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I begged, “Stop hurting me!” I looked at the person realizing they weren’t Luke. Blood was running down my face and into my eyes. I whispered, “Lux, did you find me?” Was I safe? Then I heard her voice, “I need help in here.” That wasn’t Lux. I was still in hell.

The guy said, “We will get you help.” I wanted to laugh but everything hurt. I whispered, “No one can help me.” The guy replied, “That’s not true. Just hang on.” That’s all I ever did. One day, I’d be free. Maybe. I’d have to help myself though because one thing I’d learned was that no one else was going to.

Flashback Ends

We were popped to the room all the Daniels were in. Keaton’s dad already looked furious and worried. I shrank back into Keaton. They were going to be mad at me. I was trying to focus on my breathing to avoid a panic attack.

Melanie squeezed my hand and smiled at me linking, “Freya said Tatum is saying you think the Daniels will blame you… but they won’t…. I promise. The percentages over one hundred percent.” Her words were like a balm to my soul.

Melanie was the worst liar, and she hated giving anything one hundred percent in her probabilities. The panic attack was moved to the back burner. I need to be there for Keaton right now. Drake took control of the situation.

I glanced at Melanie. My friend was totally at ease in her dad’s presence in a way. The love she always held in her eyes was there. It felt like Melanie was holding back though. I got that. It was hard to immerse yourself into a group of people when you’ve been alone for so long.

I’m sure it was strange for Melanie because she thought they were dead. They didn’t see what becoming an island did to my friend. I easily recognized that in Melanie because I was one too. The difference was it wasn’t hard for me to give up my island because I never wanted it. I wanted connections. Melanie had them and they were ripped away from her.

The group started talking while I tried to ignore my fear of the Daniels being upset with me. Drake began to tell the story. Apparently, my dad beat my grandpa in a fight. I linked Melanie, “So, another one of my grandparents suck?”

Melanie replied, “Nathan killed his father, Tag… your grandpa…. but Tag… did suck. Ok… so he was evil.” I snorted, “Great, what about my grandma?” Melanie began picking at her sleeve, “She’s dead too.” I asked, “Did my dad kill her?”

Melanie shook her head, “No… he didn’t.” Weird. Melanie definitely knew who killed my grandma, though. I let that go. Keaton’s mom threw a vase. Honestly? Same. Lexi had definitely figured out Lisa was involved. I could get behind the vase throwing.

The room froze when Drake told everyone Frank’s first wife was targeted. Lexi’s hands flew to her mouth, then to her husband. The raw pain on Chase’s face had me looking down. I felt like an intruder to a family moment.

Melanie linked me, “It’s going to be ok. I know that look too… You’re their family. That’s how they all feel because…. you are Keaton’s mate.” I nodded. Melanie admitted, “I feel… the same way… well… like an outsider looking in…. all the time… really.” I squeezed Melanie’s hand because that was so sad. She was raised around here, if anyone belonged with these people it was her.

I had to say something to help the Daniels, so I told them the truth. Frank saved Nadine and Susie’s life. I had everyone’s attention with that statement. Tatum encouraged, “Keep going.” So, I did. Emmett assured me I didn’t do anything wrong. A weight lifted off me because my mate’s brother wasn’t angry with me.

Melanie had clearly found out more information than I knew. That wasn’t surprising; she always knew a lot of things. My friend could basically find anything she wanted with some typing. The world was literally at Melanie’s fingertips.

I tentatively joined the conversation here and there. The Daniels wondered why the Harpies abandoned the other Daniels mates for Keaton. Melanie clearly knew and was obviously linking her dad. I chimed in to explain about what Aiden did to the Harpies.

I was getting braver, jumping in now that it seemed no one was mad at me. Tatum agreed, “No one is mad at you.” I heard an angry roar that shook the windows. Holy shit. Were they under attack? Did that kind of thing happen? Sassy wasn’t hissing though, so that had to be good.

Be so serious right now, Odette. Clearly attacks happened. I was kidnapped while the Daniels pack was attacked. I was informed it was Eric. Jeez. Who wanted to make my big brother mad? Not me, that's for damn sure. His enemies were idiots. Eric could shake the windows with a roar.

Tatum said, “Thor is checking on us.” Awww, that was so sweet. Melanie had clearly talked to Caspian after I left the room since he was ready to do a ritual to rid the Daniels men of Harpy blood. There was a ritual?! Because I don’t think Caspian was going to kiss them all. That seemed odd.

I cursed my mother in my head for not raising me to know about the Supernatural. Tatum growled, “I will rip her to pieces for hurting you.” Yeah, well she hurt my wolf AND I thought I paralyzed my boyfriend or something. I didn’t even do anything wrong. I helped, but the panic I’d hurt Keaton was real.

The Daniels didn’t think they could be upset about Emma because that brought Nadine into their life. I could see the conflict on their faces. Melanie came to the rescue again. Of course. I never had any doubt because Melanie was always the fixer to any situation.

Melanie handed out her folders while I wanted to laugh. My friend was always given people those. She loved her red folders full of information. I wanted to make sure they weren’t mad at my dad. I was certain that would upset him and ultimately be my fault since I told Melanie about this.

Tatum replied, “Herb is checking on us too. No one is upset.” Well, I wanted to be sure. I didn’t want to blow up his life more than I already had. Frank assured me he didn’t care. I sighed in relief then got a little more backstory on Cassandra.

I didn’t think I would’ve liked her from what I heard. Cassandra sounded like someone who could’ve been my mom’s friend. I shivered at the thought. When the men left to go talk to my dad and brothers everyone sat in silence.

I shot a look at Melanie because I knew she hated silence. I could see it on her face that she wanted to say something. I was certain it was hurting her brain not to, but my friend didn’t say a single word. When Isaac spoke, I think she thought about giving him a high five.

I looked over and saw Drake trying to hide a smile. He knew too. Melanie’s dad glanced at me and I winked at him. Drake shot me a soft smile. The Daniels were all hugging each other. Melanie squeezed my hand.

I linked her, “Your dad seems nice, exactly like in your stories.” Melanie agreed, “Yeah… he’s the best.” I held her hand tightly, “You don’t have to live on your island anymore.” My friend looked away then told me, “I’m not the girl…. they used to know. I don’t know…. if they’d like everything… about island Melanie.”

I snorted, “Your dad loves you and I’m taking my chance to say this since it’s rare. You are wrong because you are still that girl. You are my literal savior. I’m getting the sense you are for a lot of people. You gathered all this information, at the detriment to your own sleep, so they could be happy. You’re the girl Drake raised. He’s proud of you, I can tell.”

Melanie blushed and shot a look at her dad who was looking at us curiously. Melanie talked a little more about Sirens. Man, I needed her to write this down for me. Then my friend looked at her phone. I saw my brother’s name flash across the screen.

I wanted to laugh. Melanie just had a way with people, Caspian already liked her. He was ready for everyone. Tatum chuckled, “We should ask our Siren brother if he gave his number to Melanie.” I replied, “He absolutely didn’t. Caspian may think I gave it to her though.” I did not.