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I linked Sierra, “I didn’t even have to goad him into a challenge to the death…

man I’m good ….Maybe I should give a class on how to annoy people in ten seconds or less.

” She sighed, “Just do it fast. Ads is freaking out because she pulled his reptation off ILYX. Which by the way, is WORSE than you mentioned.” Ok, so maybe I hadn’t mentioned how the mates died when I briefed them on him being a possibility of someone we killed.

Edward asked, “What reputation do you think he has?” I snorted, “You cannot be serious! Why do I feel like you’re serious?” Caine pulled in, crashing into the back of Regus’ truck. He shouted, “What the fuck?” He got out and snarled, “Get the FUCK out of these lands!”

Edward growled, “Son, you aren’t the Alpha.” Caine was breathing hard and ready to challenge Edward here and now. I told Caine, “It’s fine. Regus challenged me to a battle… and he even said to the death.” Caine blinked and glanced at me.

Jean sighed, “Regus, let’s not make it to the death.” Regus snarled, “You clearly can’t teach this wolf less bitch her place. She’ll learn it, then lose her life before I take my mate home.” Caine roared in anger. Everyone in the pack glanced at him in shock.

I tisked, “Making an Alpha wolf mad… is dumb. To be clear, Addison could kick your butt. Her backwards thinking dad won’t let her hold a position she should… so she’s just my Warrior.” He scoffed, “She’ll be popping out pups shortly.” I hummed, “No. She wants her fated.”

He snarled and shifted. I pulled out a gun and winked, “You never said no weapons.” His wolf paused. Edward shouted, “No weapons.” I replied, “You don’t get to say that. He has to because HE issued the challenge. I swear it would hurt your brain to look up the LAWS.”

Regus shifted back, “No weapons.” I shrugged, “Ok.” I holstered my gun while running at him. I took him down and snapped his neck. His group screamed. I wiped off my hands, “Done.” Booker snarled, “PUNISHING FIELDS!” I asked, “For what?”

He shouted, “You killed our ally!” I reasoned, “He is the one who made it a fight to the death. Which by the way Edward, is what he does to all his mates. Every single last one of his past mates were beaten to death.” Edward paled and looked at Booker.

Booker demanded again, “PUNISHING FIELDS!” He threw a letter at my feet. It was from my brother. I opened it.

Melanie,

I’m getting reports you aren’t behaving. Peter, Sebastian, Christopher, Dane, Dalton, and Dakota are FURIOUS. I’m furious. I should’ve had mom and MY dad send you away when you wouldn’t stop crossing the border. Will you just LISTEN for ONCE in your life!

Is it not enough for you that T and mom died? You killed MY dad, and I hear that you still say he’s yours. STOP! He is MY father and yours KILLED HIM! BEHAVE FOR GOD’S SAKE!

I’ve told Gamma Booker he can punish you like MY DAD should have when you refused to admit you crossed the border.

Beta Jason

I clenched my jaw and walked towards the punishing fields. I took off my shirt. Jean said, “I convinced Booker to let Edward give you the lashes.” I snorted, “So, you got me more… am I supposed to thank you?” He asked, “Huh?”

I scoffed, “If you’d stop denying the Beta blood running in your veins you’d know exactly what I’m talking about.

Honestly, it’s just pathetic you don’t know.

” He demanded, “What don’t I know?” I answered, “Booker will just show up when Edward is done… and somewhere, probably deep down in your pinky toe, you know that.” He frowned and seemed to be thinking about it.

Edward said, “Assume the position.” I asked, “Do I look like I’m dancing a jig?

I’m not. Also, you’re welcome for saving YOUR daughter’s life.

Probably yours too…not that I care about that.

” I knelt down and braced myself for the pain I deserved.

I thought back to when I sent my appeal to Dalton and Dakota when the whip came down.

Flashback

Melanie had read through the appeal a million times. I was at the UPS store to send it expedited back to my home pack. I clutched the document into in my arms and waited in the long line. People were complaining but I didn’t mind.

When it was my turn, the guy up front asked, “Where is it going?” I gave him Dalton and Dakota’s address. He held his arms out for the package after he printed the label. I took the label and put it on and tried to hand it to him.

He asked, “Are you ok? It will be one hundred and ten dollars to overnight it.” I felt the walls closing in. I told him, “I’ll come back.” He warned, “We will be closing shortly, just give it to me.” I winced telling myself, “It’s as good as it will get.” I slowly went towards him.

A pack member in line behind me snarled, “Just do it for god’s sake.

We have things to do.” He snatched it from me and handed it to the guy behind the counter.

He frowned, “Umm it wasn’t that big of deal.

Please do not touch packages from other customers.

” The pack member grumbled and went back to his spot.

I left and went to my secondary place and went to sleep.

I woke up to Caine linking, “You need to get to the pack.” I drove my motorcycle and parked where a group had gathered.

Aunt Stephanie screamed, “HOW DARE YOU!” I asked, “Huh?” She went to slap me, and I punched her in the face. She dropped to the ground unconscious.

I muttered, “One of these days, she’ll learn.” Booker snarled, “When will you?” He tossed my unopened appeal at my feet. They didn’t even open it?! Now THEY were ignoring pack laws and Werewolf Council decrees?! They were good people! They couldn’t do that! Yet they had.

Edward threw letters at me, all in handwriting I recognized. Former Alpha Peter, Former Luna Chelsea, Jason, Melinda, Marybeth, Cooper, and Dane. Wow, Dane even said something. I faltered realizing Fromer Alpha Nick was in there too with Alpha Sebastian and Alpha Chistopher.

I actually jolted seeing Grandma Esther and Grandpa Ben in the mix. They hadn’t written to me since my sixteenth birthday when they disowned me for not being their blood. I gathered them all up with my appeal and ran away.

They yelled after me, but I was going to read these notes in my secondary place.

I’d be punished later. I got back and emailed Buck the schedule for everyone then took a deep breath.

I knew these letters would be mean, but in a way, it showed they still cared.

They were handwritten. You don’t handwrite letters when you don’t care.

You just didn’t engage or interact just like my ACTUAL BLOOD GRANDPARENTS. My mom’s parents had sent their letters and then never said another word. Not one and I’d called. I left messages but they blocked my number after three months.

I shoved that hurt away while preparing for the new one. I just took it as signs that forgiveness could happen one day. I muttered, “You’re a masochist now, Melanie.” Knowing that wasn’t going to stop me from reading them.

Flashback Ends

Caine shouting brought me back to the present. “What are you doing?” He picked me up. He growled at them all. He warned, “The day I challenge you gets closer and closer, Edward.” He replied, “I am your father.”

Caine replied, “Sperm doesn’t make a father. I can’t beat you today, but I might have been able to earlier. Do you know what that man would’ve tried to do to Addison?!” Edward replied, “Booker arranged it all. Regus would’ve been good for…”

Caine growled, “Get your damn head out of Booker’s ass for five seconds.

He thinks Trevor is a good person. LOOK AT MELANIE’S BACK!

” Jean jumped in, “His mate died and…” Caine snorted, “And what, Jean? He got off the floor from her death and CARVED words into a she wolf who he has bullied and abused since she got here. Then he used magic on it so it wouldn’t be able to be removed or altered.

When I tell you if you’d found them, you would know how evil he was. ”

Edward asked, “Son, are you ok? There aren’t any words on her back.” Caine snorted, “Ask ANYONE else in the pack. Ask ANYONE about Trevor’s masterpiece. Surely you’ve heard them discuss it.”

He sneered at them, “Even Trevor knew you’d see him for the deviant he is if you could see it. So, the magic doesn’t allow you to. Just know I’m fully aware you won’t ask a damn soul because you’re shitty ass people.”

He began to carry me away then added, “Oh and don’t call me son.

” I whimpered as he walked away. He whispered, “I know.” He linked, “Celia is waiting at Mason and Hendrick’s place.

” I replied, “I’m sure this will make her love me more.

I’m her favorite patient… obviously.” He snorted, “You are certainly her most frequent flier.”

I swore I saw Buck’s worried face in my peripheral but when I managed to turn my head he wasn’t there. Avery shrieked, “Oh goodness! What did they do?” Ceilia sighed, “I swear someone needs to get our Gamma into anger management.”

Addison screamed, “Melanie!” I waved, “It’s fine… I’ve had worse… literally.” Celia sighed, “I hate to agree with her, but she’s right.” Addison cried, “This was for me.” I muttered, “Over my literal dead body would that guy have gotten near you.”

Caine chimed in, “Her dead body and mine.” I added, “I’d have taken him out with me… but it wasn’t even really a fight. I’d studied him and how he fought… so…” I winced when Celia began to wash out my cuts.

I gripped the sofa cushion, and she gave me a strap of leather to bite down on, so I didn’t scream too loud. I really needed to study the science behind not screaming during the whipping but during the aftercare. It was quite annoying.