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I walked in and hiccupped. I went to the counter, “Edward Davis’s order.” She nodded, “Coming up.” I heard someone say, “Alexander Conners is a TIGER in bed.” Her friends whipped their heads to her but mine did too. She was gorgeous like the others.

She wasn’t the first to come down here and talk about him in bed. They were all gorgeous blondes. There were SO many of them too and each other took a piece of my soul with them when they left. I wasn’t sure I had any pieces of my soul left if I was honest.

One of the blonde’s friends asked, “You met Alpha Alexander? Is that why you called? Why didn’t we meet in Black Mountain then?

” She dismissed them, “You guys were nearby this cute place so I came to see you. He popped me in.” He had been here?

He’d been here and I missed him? My heartbeat felt like it was in my feet.

That wasn’t surprising really. Missing Xander was the literal story of my freaking life.

She said, “Yeah, he said we could stay in touch maybe be more than fuck buddies. Possibly even his Chosen.” I would rather die than listen to this. I really would. Strike me dead here and now if you exist Selene. I stared at the ceiling but nothing happened.

One of the girls said, “I mean that’s kind of crazy. Why would he take a chosen Luna already? Because that’s really fast and you both have fated out there. He’s only twenty one and you’re twenty-five.”

The blonde glared at her replying, “There’s some girl who is the sister of one of his good friends. She likes him and thinks they are mates. He’s desperate for her not to be his because she’s a weak little brat that got her family killed.” A choked sob bubbled up.

The girl behind the counter said, “Get out of here, Ashley. You don’t need to listen to that drivel.” It wasn’t a secret to Black Path I loved Xander. I shot a glance back over at the woman my mate wanted over me. She winked at me and I saw in that moment she knew exactly who I was.

My heart felt like it was breaking. I saw Buck who did a double take. He asked, “Why do you smell like a distillery?” I handed him the coffee order, “Here.” I took off running. He shouted, “MELANIE!” I ignored him and went back to my place. Everyone’s voices screaming at me to die filled my head.

I would never meet Kai. My nephew would hate me just like everyone else. Xander wanted a blonde and I wasn’t one. He even showed those women what I looked like and was probably sending them down her to taunt me personally.

I was holding them all back. I drank more. Dax linked, “Melanie, let us in. ILYX said you locked us out.” I didn’t answer. I grabbed my nine millimeter and stared at it. Jason would be thrilled if he got the call that I was dead. I stared in the mirror at my face.

I cried, “Why do I look like Drake McAlister if I’m not his daughter? WHY?!” I punched it and it shattered. ILYX announced, “Paige is calling.” I answered, “Hello.” She ordered, “You let me in this place, or I will do something drastic.”

I replied, “Tell K she can keep everything going.” She shouted, “WHAT?! No! No, don’t talk like that.” I stared at the gun unsure what I’d do. Caine snarled, “Melanie, don’t you dare!” I cried, “They called me a murderer. They won’t even send me a picture of my nephew.”

I screamed, “I saved Everly. ME! She had him because of me. I saved her and… and I won’t ever meet him.

They want me to die. I should’ve died that night…

I should’ve.” He argued, “No, you shouldn’t have.

You survived because you are going to make the world your dance floor. ” I whispered, “I can’t anymore.”

Caine snarled, “Beta Jason is a disgrace to his name, pack, your parents, and older brother. They wanted you to live and you know it.” I cried harder.

I said, “He doesn’t want me.” Dax said, “Yeah, Buck linked me. He said that woman was lying her ass off and even her friend said so.” Why did she know who I was then?

Caine demanded, “Let us in.” I ended the call. I took out some of the many letters I’d received from my family since I’d been here.

Melanie,

Since the moment my son died, I felt you’d be Slade’s. I knew you wouldn’t shift and that’s why we couldn’t have you here.

My son, daughter in law, and oldest grandson died for you. You’re how the Hunters got into the pack. Your blood. You killed them and I hope you suffer every day for it.

Ben McAlister

That wasn’t really how it worked either.

Anyone could get into the pack, but the patrol’s should’ve spotted them.

Which Grandpa Ben knew deep down. He wasn’t thinking when he wrote this, but he really did want me to suffer and it gutted me.

I read the next one knowing my already shattered heart would break so loud I’d hear it this time.

Melanie,

You may be my half-sister, but I wish we’d never met. You ruined my life.

Beta Jason McAlister

I couldn’t read the rest again. I put them all away and pulled up a picture of Xander. He didn’t want me. He really didn’t. She said he was considering a chosen because he didn’t want to be with me so badly. The elevator dinged and I glanced over.

The relief I felt at seeing Charles told me I didn’t really want to kill myself. He flashed in front of me and took the gun. I cried, “Charles.” He held me like a child. I sobbed, “They won’t let me meet Kai.” He said, “I don’t know who that is.”

I explained, “My nephew. They want me to die. Xander doesn’t want me and…” He cut me off, “That seems unlikely as the Alpha Enforcer is not stupid.” I hiccupped, “The blonde that he slept with… she… said … he didn’t want me… so badly he was… considering a chosen.”

He hummed, “As someone who has looked deeply into the Alpha Enforcer, I would say she’s lying.

” I sniffled, “Everyone wants me to die.” He replied, “That is hardly true. You just took a position to make a real difference in the inordinately horrible pack you insist you have to stay in. I will take you away from it all. You could come with me, my dear.”

I held onto him, “I don’t have a wolf and…

” He patted my head, “I am sure you are a late bloomer.” I whispered, “Have you ever heard of that?” He answered, “Not for a full blooded Werewolf, but that is what is going with you. I know it.” I admitted, “Everything hurts all the time… everything is wrong… and so am I.”

He disagreed, “There is nothing wrong with you. There is something wrong with plenty of people, but you are not one of them. I have met many people in my life over the centuries. None hold a candle to you.”

I asked, “What are you doing here?” He answered, “Paige called. She was very worried, so I had my child that retained her shimmering power bring me here.” I whispered, “For me?” He cupped my face, “My dear, I would do anything for you.”

I replied, “You are a good friend.” He chuckled, “I don’t think anyone has called me that in a long time.” I questioned, “Friend?” He hummed, “Yes. One did once upon a time. He is now a King.” I surmised, “King Arthur.”

He laughed, “Yes. Do you see how the world needs you? You figured that out so quickly.” I sobbed, “I just wanted to meet Kai.” He said, “Then you will make it so one day. Think of this, who would protect that young babe if you died?” I jolted, “The pack would…”

He cut me off, “The same pack that has done this to you? So, they’d protect him unless he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time like you were.

They could blame him for something and he could become the new scapegoat they have as you are.

Would you want him to be all alone? Or would you want to be able to bring him to the pack you, Caine, and Dax plan to change? ”

I admitted, “I’d want him with me, but they wouldn’t do that to him.” He snorted, “They clearly would.” He stayed with me until I fell asleep. I dreamed of my life, but Kai was living it instead. Booker was going to whip him when I woke up screaming, “NO!” Caine grabbed me, “It’s ok. We are here.”

I panted, “You guys are supposed to be…” Paige cut me off, “No one has left. Look, your asshole family can fall off a cliff. You get to stay with us.” I whispered, “Ok.” Dax demanded, “Promise us you’ll never think about this again.”

I snorted, “I mean… thinking… and having a loaded gun in my lap are very different.” Caine growled, “Then don’t ever do that again.” I felt my tears fall. Sierra wiped them away. I cried, “They’ll never let me meet him. I have a nephew.”

Addison hugged me saying, “And that’s great. When he’s older we’ll just find a way to meet him. Ok?” I shook my head, “He will hate me.” Dax said, “Buck said they told you he’d never know about you. Just meet Kai as Ashley.” Buck heard that whole demeaning call?

Caine said, “He did and I’ve never seen him look so disgusted with anyone before. Being a good brother is his one redeeming quality.” He was disgusted with Jason? He wasn’t disgusted with me? That was new.

Caine growled, “My dad wants to see us.” Great.

That was going to be good. We went to the pack where everyone was gathered, including pups.

Edward announced, “It’s time for the hunt.

” That sounded bad. I asked, “What hunt?” He grinned, “First, you need to meet Dante at Nate’s building. We will prepare for the Hunt here.”

I repeated, “What’s the hunt?” Aunt Stephanie sneered, “Where we hunt the wolf less.” I stared at her.

She snarled, “You. We are hunting you.” I snorted, “For what purpose?” Trevor snarled, “To show you your place.” I glared at him, “And if I show you yours? Then what? I get punished, I’m guessing? That’s definitely it.”

Booker shouted, “We will defeat you.” I nodded, “Sure, ok… that’s a thing you’ll do.” Jean sighed, “You’re a bad liar, but we will hunt you down.” I shrugged, “Sure, Jean… I think I showed you all your place the other day.” They growled at me, but it wasn’t their wolves.