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Luna Elena sighed, “I’m sorry for the way things are around here, Melanie.

” The Alpha stormed in, and I was certain I was the only one who noticed his longing glance at his mate.

Why was he being so weird with her when he clearly cared about her?

What did he do to make her so mad? Other than not doing his job.

Which he clearly did not. I guess that made sense she was so mad.

He asked me, “What name did you pick?” Luna Elena said, “Honestly Edward, she’s just gotten here.

Let her breathe.” I would prefer not to, since breathing hurt quite a lot right now.

Alpha Edward retorted, “I’m not starting a fight with Red Run.

That would bring Blue Moon and Black Mountain against us.

I’m not doing that for their cast away.” That hurt more than the bullet had.

My eyes filled with tears and the Luna slapped him on the arm. She growled, “Edward, be the man I first met for five seconds. She’s our daughter's age. If, god forbid, something happened to us would you want her treated this way?”

Based on his actions, he would not care…but this was definitely one of those moments Tristan would tell me not to say that. My eyes filled with tears again as I thought of my big brother. Honestly, Luna Elena should be worried about how he’d treat his daughter if she was gone.

Luna Elena continued, “By that horrible Stephanie woman then by a bullying Alpha?” She called her own mate a bully?! I rubbed my temples. She begged, “Please just have some compassion.” The Alpha’s jaw ticked. It looked like he considered it.

Then his eyes turned pitch black. His wolf whispered, “I can’t fight him long, mate. I love you.” Fight him? Why would his wolf fight him? His wolf should be more powerful than he was given his actions. He shook his head and looked at me. I noted his eyes were no longer black.

He’d taken back over from his wolf that easily when his wolf didn’t want to give it? Something was very wrong here. He asked me, “What is your new name?” I thought about it quickly since he clearly wasn’t going to leave without an answer.

I wanted Jason to know any news he heard, even hearing the new name, was me. If I was staying here, I’d become their Female Lead Warrior the second I shifted. Then he’d be proud of me and let me come home.

Until then, he’d hear about how I was helping figure out what was going on down here. I’d get them following the bylaws and help. I could do that. People would know my name. Plus, I was getting a GED anyway.

I’d have a lot of time to dedicate to the purpose of getting Red Run and the allies to know my new name. They’d be proud of me because I wasn’t going to fail. I picked my favorite book character. I’d just spell it differently. Jason would know it was me though.

I answered, “Ashley Griffen.” Alpha Edward nodded, “Good. You report to the kitchen tomorrow.” Holy literally illegal by human and Supernatural laws. Did they do anything legal here? Luna Elena gasped, “Absolutely not Edward! I said have compassion, not be a bullying abrasive abusive Alpha!”

I glanced between them noting the entire staff was on edge, but that actually made sense.

The pack was not at ease when the ruling Alpha and Luna weren’t in harmony with each other.

This was clearly deeply rooted and not some random fight.

I’d seen Chelsea and Peter have fights, and my own parents. Nothing like this though.

They were both undermining the others authority, and it pained me to admit in this case the Alpha was wrong. My blood literally hated that though, but the Luna was the one who was right here. I whispered, “I can go. I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

Luna Elena said, “You’re not. He is.” Alpha Edward told me, “You have nowhere else to go.” I frowned, “Stephanie said Uncle Duncan didn’t know yet. I could go to…” He cut me off, “Duncan McAlister was informed and his pack refused to take in a problem pup.” Luna Elena’s eyes filled with tears.

I said, “One, I am not a problem pup. Two, my uncle would’ve told them to stick it where the sun don’t shine.” He shrugged, “His mate convinced him this was the best way.” I snorted, “Umm what? She likes me.” Even though I didn’t like her pack my Aunt still found me amusing.

He said, “Well, they don’t want you. You have nowhere else to go, and I’m not going to war with the allies over you.” That was the first thing he’d said he said that I believed. This pack would absolutely never go to war with Red Run and all their allies.

He sighed, “Fine, Elena. You win. Two days.” She gasped, “That’s not enough…” He cut her off, “She can have two days.” He stormed out. What was this place? Because it was like nothing I knew.

Luna Elena glared after him and it hit me. She hated him.

Not that I blamed her, but the mate bond would make that practically impossible. What on earth had he done so that she was able to go against it? Why didn’t she reject him? Rejections with marked mates was rare, but not unheard of. Maybe she didn’t know that.

She told me, “He didn’t used to be this way.

My son will NOT be like his father as a leader.

” She looked past me as if she was remembering the past. “Edward had such dreams and plans. He was going to be a better Alpha than his father. We were going to change everything here. It was going to better than it ever was.”

She scoffed, “Now he’s worse. I’m so sorry. You don’t need to hear about my problems. My daughter, Addison and the Beta’s daughter, Sierra, will come keep you company tomorrow. I’m sure you all will be fast friends.”

She paused then added softly, “I’m sure Stephanie didn’t say this to you, but I am so very sorry about your family, Melanie. It was a tragic event, and despite what Stephanie or anyone says, it was not your fault. Ok sweetie?” I nodded and she left.

Somewhere along the way Addison and Caine had left.

It had to hurt them their parents fought that way.

Caine’s blood literally had to demand he put his dad in his place.

He wasn’t developed like other future Alpha’s his age from my estimate.

Was he not training? Addison didn’t have any muscle definition like a Female Alpha. That was weird.

I grabbed my bag and pulled out Xander’s hoodie along with my Xander wolf.

I cried, “I wish you could make my Xander come to me. I need him. What are we going to do Xander? Jase doesn’t want us at home.

Why doesn’t he want me? I was just mad earlier.

I didn’t mean it. I didn’t. I love them.

I don’t care if they eat the stupid weird cookies for the rest of time. I just want them back.”

I cried myself out of tears, but when they dried up, I was resolved. I had to make Jason proud enough of me that he'd want me back. I was going to get my GED. Then I was going to train. I’d be the first Female Lead Warrior at sixteen. I’d make them all proud and they’d let me come home.

Grief felt like it was going to choke me. I missed my parents and my brothers. I just wanted to go home. A male staff member growled. I muttered, “I do not have the energy for you to tell me my wolf is the wrong color… it’s not… leave me alone.”

Cecila guided him away, but it looked like he didn’t want go. Did no one in this pack train? That was dangerous. I fell asleep crying against my wolf. I woke up to arguing. The Luna and Alpha were outside my room.

He ordered, “Move, Elena.” She whispered, “Why are you so determined to be the worst man you can be? What happened to the man I fell in love with? The one with dreams and love in his heart.” He answered, “He grew up and found out what that life could mean.” Umm… did he mean being happy?

She scoffed, “Oh yes, I forgot the world according to Booker and your father. What did that ever get them, huh? Do either of the men you emulate your life after seem happy? Are you happy?” He replied, “I’m alive.” So, no he was not happy.

She whispered, “You were happy once. WE were happy. You, me, Eden, and James had plan to change things here. Then you went off and changed them without me and Eden.” He retorted, “I’m the Alpha, not you.” She was quiet for a minute.

I interjected, “A wise Alpha listens to the guidance of his Luna.” He snarled, “Shut up, pup! Go make breakfast.” Umm what?

I admitted, “So, while I understand the concept of cooking… and I can make cookies… I’ve never actually made breakfast…

well that’s not true. I can microwave stuff. I mean I could probably figure it out.”

He threw a sack at me. Luna Elena gasped, “EDWARD!” He told me, “That’s your wardrobe, slave.” I raised an eyebrow, “Slaves were abolished in packs centuries ago. I’m a Beta.” He snarled, “Not here.” I hummed, “No, I am a Beta blood… everywhere. That’s just a fact.”

He snarled, “Get used to life here, slave.” I repeated, “The Supernatural Council and Werewolf Council abolished those long before either of us were born…. So again… Pack slaves are not a thing.” He said, “They are here.” He left.

I told Luna Elena, “That’s illegal.” She sighed sadly, “It’s not the only illegal thing he does.

I’m so sorry.” I shrugged, “You might be sorrier when you eat breakfast. Unless I can microwave it. My cousin almost burned down the house cooking once… so I’m better than her.

” Thinking about MaryBeth hurt because I wanted to see her, but I couldn’t help but remember that day.

Flashback

Melanie skipped into Grandma Esther and Grandpa Ben’s house. Marybeth shouted, “No, no, no, no!” I ran into the kitchen and found the microwave on fire. She’d opened the microwave door, but I wished she hadn’t. You were supposed to unplug it.

I quickly did that and turned to see she had a bucket of water. I shouted, “NO! Don’t do that.” I gently pushed her back to safety and went and grabbed the fire extinguisher. I popped the pin and sprayed it.