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My dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Duncan burst into the room with Peter a second behind them. MaryBeth whispered, “I might have linked that I caught the house on fire. Why didn’t you let me throw water on it?”

I answered, “Because that can spread the fire, and it’s an electrical shock hazard.

So… no water and stuff.” She asked, “How the heck did you know where the fire extinguisher was?” I muttered, “I know where all of them are… for reasons…” I’d looked at the blueprints for every house because I’d been curious.

Grandpa Ben asked, “Sweetie, what happened?” He walked over and hugged her tightly.

She whispered, “I just wanted something to eat between classes. I forgot to pack my lunch for school.” I asked, “Is that the box it came in?” She answered, “Uhh yeah.” My dad snickered and Uncle Duncan joined him.

I told her, “Yeah, you’re supposed to take it out of the box. ”

She retorted with a smile, “Well, not everyone can be as smart as you.” I pointed out, “People that are not as smart as me eat meals like this all the time without things catching on fire.” She stuck her tongue out at me and then we busted up laughing.

Dad said, “Well, I linked the fire chief that’s in our pack. So, he’ll come check this….” He trailed off. Uncle Duncan snorted, “This what, big brother?” He rubbed his face, “Uhh attempt at cooking.” MaryBeth huffed.

Dane ran into the house like it was on fire.

He screamed, “MARYBETH!” She groaned, “Who linked him?” Peter chuckled, “Guilty as charged.” She blushed, “It’s fine.

I was just hungry.” He growled, “I would’ve given you my lunch, or bought you some.

” She muttered, “The chicken parmesan meal sounded really good.” He hugged her and I couldn’t help but smile at them.

My dad hugged me then asked, “What are you doing out of school?” I answered, “Uhh well… through… umm….” He stared at me. I groaned, “It’s so boring and the teacher got mad at me because she asked a silly question… that I answered.”

He snorted, “Oh boy.” Grandpa Ben laughed, “This is karma my boy. You used to do that all the time.” I said, “She kicked me out…so…” Uncle Duncan growled, “SHE WHAT?!” Peter pointed at him, ‘What he said. What do you mean your teacher kicked you out?” Dad growled, “Do you mean from class?”

I answered, “Well, yes…but she said the school…” They stared at me. I said, “It happens a lot so… it’s not really a big deal.” Grandpa Ben shouted, “THEY WHAT?” I hummed, “Yup.” MaryBeth snorted, “They just hate that you are smarter than them.” I agreed, “They do.”

Peter snarled, “And they think they can just KICK a pup out of the BUILDING?!” I answered, “Well, they do at least once a week….so yes?” My dad growled, “What do you do during the day?” I answered, “Dance or think of inventions.”

He was fuming mad and on the phone with the school cursing out the principal.

I nudged MaryBeth, “I totally got you off the hook for almost burning the house down.” She laughed, “You did and the best part is you don’t even get how.

” I didn’t. I simply followed the instructions of the adult in charge. I didn’t do anything wrong.

Flashback Ends

Melanie sighed and got out of bed. I put on the sack.

Then reached for my cell. I called Jason but he didn’t answer.

I said, “Jase, can you call me back? I just… I want to talk to you. I miss you… and no one mentioned when the funerals are and I…” I wanted to go.

I hung up and called Peter, but he didn’t answer either. I sighed and went to go make breakfast.

It was a disaster. Apparently trying to eat was a crime around here. I was locked in the cupboard. Where there were mice and spiders. I heard a man call, “Melanie.” I whispered, “Hello.” He said, “The name is Mason King. I’m sliding a granola bar under the door. Can you eat it for me?”

I cried, “Can’t I come out?” He admitted, “I don’t have the key. The door is altered so you can’t get out from the inside.” I’d noticed because I was going to pick the lock. He slid the food under the door. I whispered, “Thank you.”

He gently said, “We’ll get you out of here.

Ok?” I admitted, “I don’t understand why I’m in here.

” He sighed, “I know you don’t. To be honest, we are confused too.

Everyone gets told the rules and all of us know you weren’t.

I’ll teach you at my diner how to cook once you’re on your feet.

Cecelia gave me some cream for your burn I’m putting that under now.

” My hand the Alpha had put on the stove.

I flinched because that thought hurt. I nearly opened the pack link to Jason, but Alpha Peter’s words had stopped me.

I wanted to go home. I asked, “Do you know when my family’s funerals are?

No one said.” He answered, “They were yesterday.” I cried, “What? No!” He apologized, “I’m so sorry.

” I took the burn ointment and rubbed it on my hand.

I let my tears come. What had I done to deserve this?

I know I was mad when they left the house, but…

I still deserved to say goodbye, didn’t I?

Mason came several more times before I was let out.

Aunt Stephanie was waiting. She said, “Come on, you have to get ready.” I asked, “Ready for what?” She went to backhand me, but I grabbed her hand.

Mason called, “Stephanie, she has a fight to get to. You don’t want to hurt her.” Aunt Stephanie growled, “It’s Gamma Stephanie.” A man stepped up beside him and put his hand on him. He said, “If you insist, it would be Former Gamma Female Stephanie.” She growled at him, “Pervert.”

He laughed, “I think that’s reserved for your man friend.” She shot back, “He’s my husband.” He replied, “Sure.” Umm, ok. He told me, “I’m Hendrick. Mason’s mate.” I grinned, “Finally… a mated couple that acts like it… I…” I grabbed Stephanie’s hand when she went to hit me again.

I warned, “Stop doing that, or I’ll break your arm.

” She gasped, “You can’t do that.” I pinned her in a second.

I assured her, “I can.” I got off her greeting, “Hello Mason and Hendrick.” Mason said, “I’ll be seeing you after your fight at the diner.

We are going to work on your cooking skills. ” I asked, “What fight?”

Aunt Stephanie growled, “If you could listen then you’d know.” I replied, “I can listen. I just get bored when people say dumb things.” Hendrick tried to cover his laugh as a cough. She demanded, “Go inside and take a shower you reek.” True.

She frowned at me. I said, “If you are waiting for me to disagree about me smelling bad…you will be waiting a long time. For the first time since I met you, you’re right.

” She growled, “Shower and then get dressed.” I asked, “Am I fighting in this lovely sack?” She growled, “Probably.” That wasn’t ideal but doable.

I asked, “Is this like a fight to stay here? Because I gotta say… I might throw that match.” Mason snorted now.

She warned, “You freaks shut up.” I asked, “Why do you call them freaks? Do they also unlawfully throw pups into the cupboard after not allowing them to heal and trying to hurt them?” She glared at me.

I grinned, “So, no. Why are they freaks?” She scoffed, “They mated each other.” I asked, “And?” Hendrick said, “They don’t like gay couples down here.” I blinked, “Uhh what?” She sneered, “They are fated and didn’t reject each other.”

I asked, “And you’re jealous because your fated mate rejected you? I mean I guess that makes sense…but…you weren’t officially rejected…but this pack not filing the correct paperwork wouldn’t really be shocking at this point so…”

She growled, “It’s because they are gay.” I admitted, “I don’t understand… I’m pretty sure it’s because they seem happy and you’re… well… not.” Mason put a hand over his mouth. Aunt Stephanie said, “Just because I’m not happy about you…”

I cut her off, “It’s definitely not me. I mean I probably have a little to do with it but your general disposition is… bad.” She growled, “And you wonder why your old pack wanted you gone.” I acknowledged, “I do… the vast majority like me.” She scoffed, “Not anymore, family killer.”

Instantly, I thought of twenty different ways to kill her. I replied, “Slade Carter killed my family. In case you were curious… it was not me. I would’ve died before I hurt them, but something tells me you wouldn’t know anything about that kind of loyalty.”

She raised her hand, and I lifted an eyebrow. She glared at me and put the hand down. She repeated, “Shower and I’ll drop you off at your fight.” I asked, “Is the gym not somewhere we could run to… or walk?” She snorted, “It’s not on pack lands.”

I hummed, “Ummmm it’s not legal for a pup not a part of any pack to fight in a ring without parental permission.” She retorted, “I’m your permission.” I said, “False. The Kyle’s are or my grandparents.” She growled, “I told you…”

I cut her off, “And I told you it would take a lawyer time to sort all that out. You are absolutely not my guardian in any legal capacity. A Werewolf Council representative would have…” She cut me off, “You’re in a pack that is under review of the Supernatural Council.” I blinked at her.

I asked, “Do you think that was a point of any kind? Because I am physically present in your pack you believe I’m under the Supernatural Council’s purview. I’m still from, and in, a pack that’s governed by the Werewolf Council… so… you’re point is wrong… or superfluous.”

She stomped her foot, and I was pretty sure she never grew up and was possible a pup in women’s clothing.

She snarled, “I’m an older woman.” I said, “Umm… ok.” Hendrick supplied, “You called her a toddler.” I said thought out loud?

I shrugged because I wasn’t really sorry.

She was horrible and had no empathy. I was somewhat certain she was a narcissistic sociopath.