Mates: Revenge

Chapter 25

~Jayden~

It has been days since Melanie relayed what she remembered from when she was gone. She was finally discharged from the hospital, but still has no connection to her wolf. Brooklyn still hasn’t spoken a word and Melanie has chosen not to see her yet. It has been hard on Brooklyn and we try to explain it to her as best we can. We can only hope that things improve soon.

Kehlani has been acting strangely lately, but when I ask what’s going on, she says it’s nothing. I know that can’t possibly be the case, but I can’t force her to tell me what’s going on. Maybe there is too much going on at the office. One the bright side, ever since my apology, Kehlani and I have been back on the same page. We have spent our nights together like we were doing before. We have been closer and dealing with everything together as we are meant to do.

A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts. “Enter.” My office door opens, and Melanie walks in. She looks tired, but healthier than she was when she got back here. I lean back in my chair as Melanie makes her way to the seat in front of me. She is looking everywhere but at me and the silence is becoming awkward. I clear my throat and decide to break the silence. “How are you Melanie? How do you feel?” Melanie sighs and looks up at me briefly before looking away again.

“I…….I’m sorry,” she whispers out. I sit up in my seat as confusion settles over me. What is she talking about? I raise an eyebrow and look at her, waiting for her to continue. “I failed at my job to keep Brooklyn safe. If it weren’t for me, she would have never been kidnapped.” I can feel the guilt coming off of Melanie in waves. I hate that she feels this way because we don’t blame her one bit for what happened. She didn’t know who Daniel really was nor did she know that Brooklyn had followed her that day. I sigh and lean over, placing my elbows on my desk.

“Did you know that Brooklyn was following you?” Melanie looks up at me with surprise on her face. I figured that Kehlani hadn’t told her how Brooklyn came to be taken. Melanie slowly shakes her head. “We watched the surveillance and she followed you and Daniel on your walk. That is how Brooklyn ended up taken.” Melanie sighs and closes her eyes.

“If I had figured out the truth about Daniel, she wouldn’t have needed to follow me.”

“Look Melanie, I have never once blamed you for Brooklyn’s disappearance. I could never blame you. While you two were gone, you did everything in your power to keep her safe. The doctor commented on how much worse shape she should have been in and would have been if it weren’t for you. I realize that you didn’t figure out the truth about Daniel, but none of us did. You are not the reason why any of this happened.” Tears start to fall down Melanie’s face. I wish I knew how to comfort her, but this is out of my element. I understand why she feels so guilty and no amount of telling her not to will change it. Melanie wipes her eyes and looks down at her hands.

“I wish I could go back in time and change things. I wish that Brooklyn never had to endure what she did.” I sigh and lean back in my chair.

“I wish the same thing, but what happened happened. At least you are both back and safe. You know, you should see Brooklyn. I think she would like that.” This causes a fresh set of tears to fall from Melanie’s eyes.

“I can’t…..I don’t know what to say. Not to mention the fact that she isn’t speaking and that is on me.” I wish I could erase the guilt emanating from Melanie, but it’s not within my power.

“None of us blame you for what happened. Brooklyn doesn’t blame you either. Please consider talking to her. I know she misses you and I’d imagine that you miss her too. I have always been in awe and grateful for the connection that you two have. I never thought it possible. We move to this pack and Brooklyn gets a mom in Kehlani and sister/best friend in you. I couldn’t ask for anything more for my daughter.” Melanie gives me a small smile. I know she is trying hard to be okay, but I can see how much she isn’t okay. “Just do me a favor and think about it, please.” Melanie nods and gets out of her chair. She walks over to the door and turns to look at me quickly.

“I am so very sorry.” She turns back around and walks out of my office. I hate all of this. I hate that we lost track of Malachi and he was able to come back and disrupt our lives. Brooklyn and Melanie are never going to be able to forget what they went through. He used the mate bond that we are blessed with to invade Melanie’s life and take advantage. How could one person be that cruel? It is so disgusting and if he weren’t dead, I would torture him, kill him, bring him back, and do it all over again. He deserves nothing less and I wish I could be the one to give it to him.

Actually, I’d leave him for Melanie to handle. It may help her with her healing if she were able to exact revenge on her own. I don’t know what will help her get back to her usual self nor what will bring her wolf back. I can’t imagine the struggle she is going through and I just hope there is a way we can help her soon.