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You need to be where you are right now while we heal. Do what you’re told. We all deserve to heal from this tragedy.

Grandpa Ben

I stared at it as if more words would appear. That was all he had to stay? Why wasn’t I with them? Melinda and Marybeth wrote letters, so I quickly glanced at theirs.

Melanie,

I can’t believe you did this to our family. You stole my brother from me, and I’ll never forgive you. I wish you were dead.

MaryBeth

Tears filled my eyes, and I let them fall. It wasn’t my fault. I tried to save them. Why would she say that to me? With shaking hands, I opened Melinda’s.

Melanie,

I can’t believe we are being forced to write these letters.

If I ever see you again, I’ll rip you to pieces for making us lose T, Sam, and my brother.

Your selfish bitchfit caused their deaths.

They came back for you when they should’ve been with us.

If you had just not crossed the border none of this would’ve happened.

You’re the most selfish person I’ve ever met, and I hope you get everything you deserve. I hope that pack does awful things to you. The fact you were the one who lived isn’t fair. I wish you had died, they lived instead.

YOU ARE SUCH A BITCH!

Melinda

My tears fell before I realized I was crying. They blamed me. They still didn’t believe that I hadn’t crossed the border. I went for the letter I didn’t recognize the handwriting on.

Melanie,

My mating isn’t starting how I wanted. Planning the funerals of my mate’s family while he drinks all the alcohol in sight and mourns them was not on my list of things to do when I found my mate. I’m living with a man who smells more like a distillery every day instead of his natural scent.

All because you couldn’t stay in your borders. Or, not get caught. I’m honestly flabbergasted. All teenagers are selfish, but you take the cake.

I have to take care of Jason and focus on him. I can’t have you and your grief to handle as well. Especially considering this is all your fault. Leave us alone and allow Jason to heal and take over the spot he never wanted.

You took his dreams from him with your selfishness. I honestly can’t with that or you. You should’ve died with them.

Fuck off,

Everly Bond

Indignation filled my veins. She didn’t know me, and I didn’t do this. Besides I knew she really wanted Tristan to be her mate. What the heck had happened? Selene really paired the woman our brother wanted with Jason?! That was messed up.

Wait, Jason was getting that drunk? He only drank socially. Hold up, why was she calling him Jason in this letter? Shouldn’t she be calling him Jase? She didn’t even know me. This was rudest introduction letter as my new sister in law.

Honestly, she was nothing like Tristan described her.

He said she was kind, caring, and sweet.

She was none of those things. I still couldn’t believe she was Jason’s.

That was just wrong. That had to be why Tristan came home.

He would’ve left but they couldn’t have arrived in Black Mountain yet. I was so confused.

I grabbed Chelsea’s next. A necklace toppled onto my lap. I picked it up and clutched them it my hand. She’d sent me my parents’ wedding rings on a chain. The fact that someone was showing they knew I lost people too sent warmth through me. Of course, it was Chelsea, she was the Luna.

Melanie,

I know things must be confusing to you. I did a few things to get your parents rings. I think you can tell, if anyone finds out I sent them to you it would not be taken well. You should wear them every day to honor that since I’m going against my mate doing so.

It might be hard for you to understand this is all for the best, but it is. The pack has been ripped at the seams and your hands were there to cause it. Listen and stay out of trouble down there. We do not need reports of you acting up. Keep your head down.

Luna Chelsea

That was not what I’d been expecting to read. I put the necklace on anyway, grasping for any chance at feeling closer to my parents. I grabbed Grandma Esther’s letter. It had to be the one filled with understanding.

Melanie,

Losing a pup is something I’d never wish on anyone. I need some time and space. Please respect that.

Grandma Esther

It cut deeper than I wished seeing how short it was. No one was concerned about me and my pain. No one cared that I saw those horrible things happen. Not ONE person called me Ladybug or wished me well. Not one. Who were these people?! I grabbed the letter from my Grandma Haskins.

Aunt Stephanie snorted, “Whatever she said will be vicious.” I muttered, “You don’t know her.” She’s not vicious. Aunt Stephanie mocked, “I know her better than you. You’ll see.” Whatever. I still didn’t really buy her story fully.

I just didn’t understand her angle here. It made no sense. She didn’t know me. Sure, her pack wouldn’t like Yellow Hills but I wasn’t from there. Plus, her mate got what he deserved for attacking Luna Lexi Daniels intending to hurt Luna Reagan Daniels.

Melanie,

You AWFUL, SELFISH, UNGRATEFUL brAT! How dare you get my daughter, son in law, and grandson killed! Stay inside your borders. What is so hard about that? You knew how Sam suffered, and you selfishly didn’t care!

They asked us if we’d take you and I scoffed. I don’t have time for selfish brats.

You and Stephanie deserve each other. Sam was the good pup, and you took her from me. I hope you starve to death and live a horrible life while you do.

Helena Haskins (You do not have the right to call me Grandma.)

Sobs wracked my body. Aunt Stephanie mocked, “Told you. Get inside.” She shoved me out of the car. I went to the door. A big guy grabbed me, “Hey, you can’t just come in here.” Another shoved him flirting, “Hey, pretty lady. What’s got you down?”

I wiped my tears, “I’m here to fight.” One snorted, “In a sack? Are they for real right now?” Someone showed up saying, “She’s Black Path’s new fighter.” I muttered, “I don’t belong to their pack so I can’t be their fighter and…”

He cut me off, “Don’t talk back to me. I run this Undergrounds fighting area. You’ve got the last fight of the night. Hopefully, someone has….” He trailed off looking at me disdainfully, “clothes for you to wear.”

The guy at the door said, “I’ll help her find something.” He introduced himself, “I’m Crush. You get a sense for people who enjoy this and are like us.” I asked, “Like us?” He replied, “Not asked to be here but required.” I clutched my necklace as he led me to the locker room.

He called, “Lydia, we need some clothes.” She gasped, “Who put a pup in a sack?” She jolted, “I’m sorry that was insensitive. Are you homeless?” She told Crush, “This really isn’t the place for her. You know that.” He said, “She’s Black Path’s new fighter.” It clicked for me.

I asked, “What happened to their old one?” They winced. Lydia warned, “We don’t ask questions here.” I couldn’t help it, I laughed. I shrugged, “Well, everyone’s going to hate me more than they do… I can’t seem to stop asking questions. It goes with being a Beta blood and all.”

The leader stalked back up, “You won’t ask any.” I replied, “I absolutely, without literally any doubt, will.” He went to hit me, and anger welled inside me. I blocked it and hit him square in the nose. He squealed like a stuck pig while Crush tried to cover his laugh.

He screamed, “You hit me.” I retorted, “You run an Underground illegal fighting ring, I’m positive me hitting you is the least of your problems… and by positive, I mean…” He cut me off, “You don’t talk about this Ring to anyone. Got me?”

I answered, “Not really. I don’t understand the half of what’s been going on since I woke up in this town. Which is honestly hard for me… because I understand a lot and…” Lydia gasped, “They didn’t explain the rules to you?”

I asked, “Why does everyone seem to have rules that aren’t actually rules? They also ignore the Werewolf and Supernatural Council rules. You are breaking ten. No underage fighting is allowed for any Supernatural’s. For Werewolves that is until they are sixteen. I’m fourteen.”

Lydia covered her face with her hands gasping.

The guy running the place snapped, “I don’t pay you to gasp.

Get her dressed. She’s fighting Alpha Alan.

” I jolted, “Mueller?” My dad’s reports had an Alpha Alan Mueller in them.

He’d been trying to prove the guy was bad news with Peter. He was clearly right.

He answered, “Yes.” Crush asked, “Her first fight is against an Alpha? She’s an unshifted pup. The audience won’t like that.” He replied, “They like what I sell them. Get her ready.” He stormed out. I told Crush, “It’s ok. People don’t tend to like someone who breaks their nose.”

I paused then added, “Admittedly, he will like me less when he realizes since he didn’t reset it immediately if he doesn’t want it to be crooked for… well forever, someone will have to rebreak it.”

Crush stared at me and busted up laughing. He asked, “What’s your name?”

Lydia replied, “Our new fighter’s name is Ashley Griffen.

” I made a face that had Crush raising an eyebrow at me.

Lydia dragged me away and found a sports bra and spandex shorts.

I put them on replying, “Thanks.” She left and I opened the next letter because apparently losing my parents and brother had turned me into a masochist.

Melanie,

You took them me. From us. I hate you so much that I can barely breathe. You stole my dreams and now my mate probably thinks I’m insane.

Why aren’t you dead? Why are you around to torment me with your presence? Why didn’t you just die with them like you deserve?

You’d better listen to Alpha Edward and do everything he says because I don’t want to hear about you. Even Alexander is disappointed in you. I know that hurts you, and that’s why I wrote it. Maybe I’ll get him to write you a letter all about how horrible he thinks you are.