Page 108 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Former Gamma Female Sharon popped in to get Dalton and Paige. Awesome… Yet another person I didn’t know how to act around. Great. I hadn’t even talked to Jared yet… and we were close at one time. I was the closest to him out his whole family…and I’d missed him a lot.

Sierra linked me as people began to leave, “You don’t have to do this tonight, Mel. You can just rest.” I asked, “Do what?” Sierra gave me a look retorting, “I know you. You want to apologize and talk to your family.”

I replied, “I need to apologize. I told them they didn't love me.” Sierra sighed, “Everyone knows you didn't mean it.” I looked at my family, knowing she was wrong. I argued, “No, they don’t know that, and I need them to.”

Sierra groaned, “Alright, but just relax.” I snorted, “You know where I’m going after this.” Sierra muttered, “Gym rat.” I teased, “Whom you love deeply.” Sierra agreed, “Yes. I do. Link if you need me and I’ll come running.” I replied, “Love you, Si.” Sierra chuckled, “Love you too Melanie.”

Once she left, it was the right group remaining. I couldn’t even look at my family I felt so bad. I could hear and feel my brother’s hurt from my earlier statements. I may not understand a lot about how they let all this go, but I did know they love me.

I always knew I loved them. I may have my moments of doubt, and I absolutely thought my dad's side of the family didn’t love me; however, I never doubted the core group of my family. Especially those I thought were dead.

Alpha Kyle linked me, “Do you truly understand I would’ve NEVER asked for you to be physically injured?” I answered, “Yes, I do. You only treated traitors that way and you didn’t torment them by having them around the pack.” He pursed his lips.

It was true though. Traitors were in the dungeons until they died. They weren’t allowed to walk around the pack like I was. Alpha Kyle’s version of a punishment was so far away from Edward’s scale.

I thought they should’ve asked more questions about the fake me in all these years. I still felt they should. Alpha Kyle was my Alpha. Apparently until Dalton and Dakota took over, he had been the whole time. He should’ve been there for me. If I was anyone else… he would’ve been.

I didn’t understand why I was their exception.

Freya said, “We could call him Alpha Peter as he requests.” I closed my eyes, pissed at myself because it’s something I should’ve questioned harder.

He did go by Alpha Peter whereas Nick went by Alpha Kyle.

Why didn’t I question that? He would’ve asked anyone to call him Alpha Peter.

I also flashed to the time I’d called and begged him to let me come home. I’d called him Peter. I took a nap and woke up to silver chains holding me down. It didn’t burn me like it should’ve, but I couldn’t get out of those chains .

Trevor and Booker beat me badly for calling him Peter. I really didn’t know if I could call him that. After I was bruised and bloodied, they threw me into the hole and left me there. The same thing happened when I referred to Jason as Jase.

I talked to him more often on the phone and it was a hard habit to break.

I’d always called him Jase since I could first remember.

It took a long time for me to break the habit completely.

I tried to explain everything, but I was certain it wasn’t the best since I was hiding things… .all so I didn’t hurt them.

Things changed completely after my tournament.

What else could they take from me? I had no wolf.

The man I believed was my father... wasn’t.

Grandpa Ben’s emphatic statements nearly broke me.

Freya said, “Forrest said we are his grandpup and he does love us.” That was my Grandpa Ben’s wolf.

Maybe mom’s parents really did hate me instead of them.

They hadn’t even come to see me and they were closer than Grandpa Ben and Grandma Esther.

I hadn’t talked to her, but I had seen her.

Black Path’s leadership tried for so long to break me, and I just became so angry and bitter. I didn’t want to be there anymore, and I was devastated because I’d been such a daddy’s little girl. I couldn't keep it together anymore.

Freya said, “It’s ok, Melanie. No one expects you to.” I did but it hurt so bad remembering everything. Remembering every horrible thought I’d had in that hole. Every spiraling thought about not being a real McAlister.

When I was all alone, I spiraled. All the self-doubt and hate I’d spat at myself… was all over a lie. I felt like I could feel the literal wounds on my soul. I felt my dad's arms around me and stiffened. My dad whispered reassurances to me along with apologies.

I buried my face into his neck and cried. I’d cried for him so many times, and now he was really here. He was my biological dad, which was everything….so of course I’d never been more embarrassed in my entire life when my dad talked about Xander being the only guy I’d slept with. STUPID WITCHES!

I gave my sexual history to my family. COME ON! That was so uncalled for. Freya said, “All of them are truly glad for this information according to their wolves. Pepper is beyond grateful they know you weren’t raped. He said it would’ve haunted them.”

That made two of us. I’d endured a lot, but not that. I honestly couldn’t imagine it. My dad started to cry, and it tore at the strings of my heart. He couldn’t even keep talking he was so broken up about it. I linked him, “I’m ok dad.”

My dad replied, “I should’ve been there for you. No one should’ve hurt or drugged you. No one should’ve ever been able to drive a wedge between you and Jase. No one should’ve used my death, your mothers, or T’s against you.”

He paused then added, “I need you hear me say this next part and understand it, Ladybug.” I whispered, “Ok.” Dad emphatically stated, “If anything ever happens to us, or just me, I will haunt your ass if you try for one second to blame yourself. I will make a deal with every single god and goddess but so help me; I’ll accomplish it. ”

I replied, “I saw you sometimes. You always looked worried or sad.” Dad replied, “I’d say something, Melanie Jane.

I’d never let you hurt like that.” I admitted, “Sometimes in my nightmares you did. I’m still really hurt dad, but I can't lose you guys.. We’ve lost so much time, and I can’t… not again.”

My dad assured me, “I don’t plan on going anywhere, Ladybug. I’ll be here while we work through this.” I somewhat ordered, “Stick close to mom.” My dad asked, “Why are you worried about your mom? You looked at her first when you woke up.”

I winced admitting, “Through a series of events, when I was passed out I saw this huge battle… Mom went down, and someone was about to kill her… she begged you not to watch. No one could shift. Xander and his family weren’t using their powers… and I wasn’t there.”

My dad growled, “No one will get to your mother, I promise you that. I will protect your mother with my life.” I reiterated, “I need you, mom, and T to be ok. I need you guys. Hell, even Jason. I know that’s not fair. I know that I’m not exactly being the… warm welcoming committee, but I need you.”

My dad squeezed me tightly replying, “Whatever you need from me I will give you. I will always be here. Whatever piece of yourself you let me see… I’ll take it. We all will. Wounds like this don’t heal automatically. I’m so proud of you for how open you’ve been with us. ”

“You could’ve asked Alexander to kick us out of the territory, and he would’ve. You could’ve told him to keep us out, but you haven’t. We aren’t where any of us want to be, but we have time. I’ll take any piece of your life you are willing to give me.”

“I’ll claw and fight my way back into your life. I’ll tear down any walls, slay any monster, and do whatever I have to do for you. No one will ever hurt you again. This is all my fault, and I’m so sorry. I should’ve fought that compulsion harder.”

“I should’ve done more. I’m your dad, and you didn’t deserve a damn thing you’ve gone through. I will work with your mate night and day to solve this. Our family will not rest until everyone that had anything to do with this is gone from this realm and eventually dead.”

I whispered, “I love you, dad. I really do.” My dad answered, “Oh, my beautiful Ladybug. I love you so much, and I’ll never be able to say sorry enough.

” I asked, “Where do we go from here? I don’t know what to do.

” My dad answered, “We go wherever you want. We won’t fade from your life.

You’re our Ladybug and we’ve missed you so damn much. We rebuild the trust we lost.”

“We will talk about the hurt we feel. We will listen to each other. We love each other, and we will move forward from this. You’re so strong and I am so damn proud of you. You think they broke you, but they didn’t.”

“You stood and made the world your dance floor. You did everything we always knew we could. They did not break you. They tried but they did not succeed. You’re here. You’re in your new home with your mate.”

“We are here, and we aren’t going anywhere.

They may have caused some bumps and roadblocks to our path, but we are back together.

You’re my daughter, and you Melanie Jane McAlister are so far from broken.

You’re going to be an amazing Luna in this pack.

I know Alexander will protect you, but I will never be too far away ever again. ”

I couldn’t help but smile into his neck.

Hope bubbled in my chest that one day we could be ok.

He rocked me for a while longer before I moved and sat beside him.

Now it felt awkward. Why was I like this?

Freya said, “Pepper says they meant all that.” I knew he did.

My dad never said things he didn’t mean unless he’d eaten a dang mom monster cookie.