Chapter A lot of Talking #11
Skyler wiped her tears whispering, “It didn’t work.
” I said, “No, but you were conditioned to be afraid of that awful man. He was your Alpha, and he raped you. He threatened your pup, and you still only gave him things he could figure out on his own. That’s brave in and of itself.
I’m sure you’ve heard Tao took over as Alpha. ”
Skyler smiled saying, “Tao was such a sweet boy.” I nodded, “He’s a good man who did hard things… things he is not proud of, to survive. Those are not things I will share with others. That’s his choice, but I don’t judge him for that.”
“I don’t blame or judge you for your choices. Yes, now you know you could’ve gone to Alpha Peter... but you didn’t know that then. You had no reason to think he was different. You were relatively new here, and you’d spent your whole life there.”
“It’s hard for people to realize that. You can talk to Paige and Avery first if you want to talk to Dalton and Dakota. They would understand and be on your side. Addison would too. They grew up in a pack like yours. They understand your mentality.”
“You didn’t know Robert was hurting me. Or that he ran my mom and me off the road or helped have me kidnapped.
Give yourself some grace here. If you want to talk to the Alphas…
go for it. You’ll probably be told to be more social and integrate more…
because that’s what they want you to do.
Just be there for your other pups. They love you and they are worried. ”
Skyler wiped tears away saying, “They aren’t bullied but they are excluded now. It’s all my fault.” I disagreed, “No, it’s not. Pups are jerks sometimes… it’s biology… and pups. That is what it is. I’m pretty sure I’ve handled that anyway.”
“It will be a big lesson for your pups. Those who stuck by them during this time… those are true friends. Those are hard to come by, and now your pups know the meaning…and they know who those people are to them.”
Avery would probably bond with this family a lot. Buck loved her but he hurt her. I don’t think Robert was capable of love, but his family was. Avery would understand. Skyler said, “He’s my son.” I nodded, “Yes, he is… but his choices are not on you. You gave him every opportunity to change.”
“You got him away from that pack and into this one. Robert had a loving family, father, and pack. He squandered that opportunity. That’s on him. I can’t imagine the pain you feel knowing the path that now lies ahead for your son.”
“I’m not a mom and I don’t pretend to understand that type of love. I do know you have other pups here who need you. It’s time to put your big girl panties on and live your life again. You deserve to be happy.”
“You deserve to live without that tightness in your chest of Ezra ruining everything for you in the blink of an eye. Let yourself be happy. Selene failed you and Robert… but that’s not your fault. It’s hers. She let you down.”
Skyler laughed, “No one around talks like that around here.” I snorted, “You and I have seen a different side of life. We both know Selene turned her back on us a long time ago. It’s time everyone does it to her.”
Skyler smiled saying, “If you need help with that noble quest, I’m in your corner.” She stood asking, “Can you take me to Luna Chelsea and Alpha Peter?” I wanted to cringe but didn’t. I agreed, “Sure. Come on.” Protecting people was a pain in the butt sometimes.
I literally didn’t want to talk to either of those people…and what was worse…was both those people knew that. Even though I could acknowledge that wasn’t wholly fair… in any way, shape or form. I still looped my arm with hers.
I saw Dane and MaryBeth walking while we were on our way.
I called, “Hey guys… do you know where Luna Chelsea and Alpha Peter are?” Freya said, “I could find them, or you could link them.” I should’ve gone with my wolf scenting them out, but both these people looked thrilled I was speaking to them… so it felt like progress.
Dane answered, “Yeah, my brother is at your parents’ house.
They stop in for a bit every so often these days.
” I sighed, “Goodie.” MaryBeth squealed, “Hi, Ladybug.” I greeted, “Hi, MaryBeth. I’ll see you guys around…
maybe talk to Tristan… about possible dates for something…
I mentioned to him earlier… so… umm yeah. ”
MaryBeth smiled, “Ok!” My Aunt seemed happy enough to talk to me, but the words she’d never said flew around my head wishing me dead and hating me. It hurt. Freya whimpered in my head. I took a deep breath when everyone looked at me confused. That whimper probably came out.
I started walking again, this time knowing where we were headed.
Skyler commented, “It’s hard, even for you.
I didn’t expect that.” I paused asking, “What is?” Skyler explained, “It’s hard for a small part of yourself to be jealous and bitter about their innocence.
They’ve grown up in a nice place. They may have heard about the evils we suffered, but it’s not the same. ”
“For myself, I’m mostly happy they never have to live it. There’s a small piece that’s bitter it had to be you, and I can tell you know that feeling though. I never thought I’d be around people who understood that part of me that feels small and little.”
I said, “That’s not a life I’d wish on my worst enemy….and MaryBeth is family.” Skyler nodded, “I know. It doesn’t make the bitterness that you suffered, and they live a happy sheltered life easy to handle.” I acknowledged, “You’re right about that.”
It did sting because it was supposed to be my life too. I was supposed to be just like MaryBeth, but I’m not. I shook myself and walked to my parents’ house. My mouth started to dry. I linked, “Freya… I need you to take over… because I can’t walk in that house.”
Freya pushed forward. Xander linked me, “What’s wrong?” Freya answered, “We are doing something we have to do and that’s hard for Melanie. She’s fine, I’ve got her.” Xander replied, “You let me know if you need me.” Freya said, “You have your meeting mate. We will have ours.”
Freya knocked on the door and my mom opened it. She looked startled to see me and even more so to see Skyler. Mom asked, “What’s…?” Mom shook herself then said, “I mean come in.” I walked inside, arm in arm with Skyler.
I refused to look at the stairs… or Freya did… since she was in control. The furniture had changed. That was good. Luna Chelsea and Alpha Peter stood. Alpha Peter offered, “We can go.” Freya told him, “No, we came because we were told you were here.”
Alpha Peter asked hopefully, “Ladybug wants to talk to me? Or you did, Freya?” Freya answered, “Skyler does.” Alpha Peter sighed but nodded. Skyler looked at me, and I took back over from Freya. I encouraged her, “Go on. They will understand.”
Freya took back over because I wanted to sprint out the door and leave a Melanie shaped hole in it…
. Then just keep on running until Black Mountain.
Skyler gulped, “While you were Alpha, I told Ezra a few things when he threatened Robert. Ezra promised never to seek out my son if I told him little things. I told him when Melanie was born and kept it to small things like that.”
Freya interjected, “Things he could find out as an ally.” Skyler whispered, “I’m so sorry. I just wanted to keep him away from my son. I thought I could give Robert a good life here. Away from the monster I’d been freed from.”
Luna Chelsea surmised, “That’s why you didn’t want to be involved here. You didn’t want to be able to give him any more details. That was brave of you but it must have been very lonely.” Skyler replied, “I am used to being alone.”
I linked Alpha Peter, “She’s been traumatized and victimized…but when you think about it….she didn’t really betray the pack.” Alpha Peter studied me. He questioned, “Why is Freya in charge?” I answered, “Because I want to run out of the house and Skyler wanted me here.”
Alpha Peter replied, “We could’ve gone to a different place.” I reasoned, “It was hard enough for Skyler to leave her house… I wasn’t going to change the venue.” Alpha Peter turned to Skyler realizing, “You’re telling me and not my sons because it happened while I was the Alpha.”
Skyler gulped but nodded. Alpha Peter stood saying, “I see. There’s a social event tonight my wife is holding.” Skyler looked confused but I wasn’t because I knew what his idea was. Alpha Peter told her, “I expect to see you there, and at the others she throws.”
“There will be no more being a recluse for you, Skyler. You’re a part of this pack, and I expect you to act like it. You’ll help Chelsea and the others set up for the next four events. I want you to make some new connections here.”
Skyler gasped, “That’s it?” Yes, because he was a good Alpha. He was the man he’d always been and that had me scrunching my nose to avoid crying. Freya said, “I won’t cry.” I might… in my own head. That would an experience.
Dad linked, “Melanie Jane, are you ok? Why is your wolf in charge?” I replied, “I’m totally fine…
obviously… this is me… being so very fine…
Did you talk to Tristan?” Dad answered, “Not yet. I’m currently talking to you about what’s wrong.
” I wasn’t answering though… which is why I changed the subject.
Alpha Peter nodded, “Yes. As Melanie said, you told Ezra things he’d already known. I do wish you’d been in a place to trust me. I understand why you were not though.” I knew why he wished she had. Alpha Peter would have protected Robert more if he knew whose son he was. Or how he came to be.
Skyler wiped her tears, “Thank you. I will be there to help set up.” She hugged me and whispered, “Thank you.” I nodded to her and she left quickly.
I linked Freya, “Umm why aren’t you walking out and leaving a Mealnie shaped hole in that door.
” Freya chuckled and let me take control, so I turned to leave.