Changing #12
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.
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.