Mates: Revenge

Chapter 28

~Melanie~

It was hard enough to tell the Alphas of my plans to leave for a while. It feels like I’m abandoning Kehlani after everything we have been through. I was there when she first took over and I know how hard it was for her to do so. Many, in the pack, were already accepting of her since we have always known she would be the one to step up. Her father made it very clear that Kehlani would be the successor and we had the advantage of watching her grow up. It was, and is, those outside of the pack that cause the most issues.

Kehlani has been able to handle all the challenges that have come her way, but that doesn’t mean that it was easy or that it didn’t take a toll on her. There were nights where she would let her guard down with myself and Jax and we saw her true pain. After all of that, here I am walking away even if it is only for a limited time. I feel like a failure for so many things and I don’t know how to be here day to day. I’m consumed by my failure every waking minute and I feel like I’m suffocating with it all. I needed out and I needed clarity.

I love this pack. They are my family and I love our new additions. I just can’t be who I need to be no matter how much I try. I need my wolf back; I feel so broken without her. I need to be the warrior I was. I just can’t do this right now. And on top of all of this, they want me to break it to Brooklyn. I know this is not an unreasonable request, but how do I do this? How did I look at that precious little girl and tell her that I’m leaving her? She is already broken because of me, yet here I am about to break her even more. It makes me wish that Malachi had succeeded in killing me. If he had, I wouldn’t have to go through all of this.

I look between the two Alphas and can do nothing but nod. I know there is no escaping this and I will just have to grin and bear it. I already packed and said goodbye to family and Jax. I waited to talk to the Alphas last with the intent that when they released me, I would just leave the premises. Now I have to make a stop and have a more difficult talk before I go. I stand up and head out of the office in search of Brooklyn.

I head up to the Alpha floor and find myself in front of Brooklyn’s room door. I’m feeling nervous all of a sudden. I can feel the sweat forming on my brow and my hands are starting to shake. I feel my chest getting tight and my heartbeat is starting to get faster. I know that I can’t put this off and I also can’t blow it off. I just have to get it over with. I haven’t seen Brooklyn since we were being held hostage. I know that she hasn’t spoken to anyone since we have been back and that is my fault as well.

Just as I’m about to open her door, it opens and I’m face to face with Jayden’s mother. I met her briefly at the time of his Alpha ceremony, but I don't know much about her. Patty looks at me and I’m sure that she is going to attack me for the trouble her granddaughter found herself in. I brace myself for what I expect to happen, but am pleasantly surprised when she wraps her arms around me. “Melanie, I’m so happy to see you. I visited a few times in the hospital, but you were still out.” All I can do is hug her back. I’m at a loss and am not sure how to move forward. Patty pulls back from me for a bit and looks me in my eyes. “Thank you so much for keeping my baby safe. If it weren’t for you……” Her voice breaks and her eyes start to water. I don’t want to lose it in front of Patty. I don’t understand how she can be grateful to the person that caused her granddaughter so much pain and long term damage. I want to respond, but I can’t seem to find my voice. Patty must be able to sense my dilemma because she doesn’t demand an answer. She simply pats my cheek and steps beyond me, past the doorway. “She is awake and I’m sure she will be happy to see you.” With that, Patty walks away, leaving me to do what I’ve been dreading.

I walk into the room and can see Brooklyn sitting in a chair, by her window. Whatever is going on outside has captured her interest. I’m so tempted to turn around and run away. I can’t bear to see her right now because of the pain I know she went through because of me. How could I have let this happen to her? How could I have been so weak to be caught up with Malachi like I was?

I don’t move, but I just watch Brooklyn. She is intently staring out of the window and she looks to be content as well as a bit sad. I’d imagine this has to be hard for her; being so pent up. She has always been out and about with the other kids. She would barely sit still unless it was a planned event. She enjoyed her movie nights and games nights. If that wasn’t on the agenda, she enjoyed nothing more than to run around with the other kids. It must kill her to stay inside and only watch the other kids from afar. I don’t think the kids have been to visit, though that doesn’t mean they haven’t tried. I just think it is all too much for her.