Melody
I stopped at the door to my father's study and looked back to see Dorian and the kids following right behind me.
I sighed in relief.
The last time I was here, I was reminded of how worthless I am. I was clear on how much hatred my father had for me.
I wonder what this is about.
"Go on," Dorian ushered me in.
With a nod and a forced smile, I opened the door and stepped in.
"Who do we have here?" Father's mocking voice rang in my ear, making me shiver from within.
"You sent for me," I managed to mutter, my hands trembling from fear.
Everyone in the room could probably smell my fear right now, but I didn't care. All I want was to get this over and done with.
Not that I'm terrified of my father, but I'm terrified of having him crush my image before my kids.
I don't want them hating or attacking my father.
"Oh yes, I did," he chuckled and looked behind me. "But I'm more interested in them than I am in you."
I knew he was referring to my kids.
"Hello highnesses," father smiled and bowed slightly.
It's the first time I've seen my father smile. He looks adoringly at my pups and something moved in me.
I always wished he could look at me that way, but he never did. All I got from was a look of disdain and disgust.
"Hello," the twins spoke in unison.
They addressed him like he was a stranger. They didn't speak happily with him as they do with my mother.
"Please take a seat," father pointed towards a big chair and motioned for them to go sit, but they didn't budge.
"We're okay, here."
Again in unison. They both speak in one voice like they had practiced their responses before coming.
"Really?" Father looked at me, probably expecting me to put in a word.
"If they say, they're okay there. Then they probably are." Dorian shrugged.
He was quick to my rescue. I didn't know what to say to my father.
"Oh," father raised his head and scoffed. "If it isn't the Alpha from the north."
"Hello," Dorian paid his respects.
"As much as I would love to say you're welcome, I can't. Because you aren't welcome here."
Seriously?
That was rude.
"Its okay, Sir, I don't mind being here." Dorian's response was calm.
He didn't seem to mind father's cruel words.
"But... I do mind." Father wouldn't back down. I know he wants Dorian out so that he would talk me down as he used to, but this time, I won't let that happen.
Even though I'm afraid of him, I won't let him cut my back bone.
"This is family related and I can't go spilling it before a ....."
"Dorian is family," I spat, cutting father's words midway.
"Really?" Father laughed. "I didn't know that."
"Well, now you do." I clicked my tongue.
I didn't know how my morale got boosted, but I was able to tell my father off. Dorian stays or we all leave.
"Dorian is daddy," Aaron added.
"Oh," father mouthed and faked a nod. "But.." he paused as Malcolm and Malfoy came in.
"Good to have you both here."
"Dad, why have you called Melody?" Malcolm spoke first.
"Melody isn't at fault here." Malfoy added.
They both didn't waste time in supporting me.
"Well, it will be her fault if she doesn't do as I say." Father sat down.
"What do you mean?" Malfoy asked, seemingly interested in what father has to say.
"Since she was wayward enough to get herself kidnapped and raped," he paused and looked at Dorian as if he was purposely saying that to spite or make him hate me.
"Father....."
Malcolm was about to Interrupt, but father raised his hand to stop him.
"Since it has all come to this why won't she do what is right?"
"What is right, father?" Malfoy asked.
"Getting back the honor she's caused this family." Father tapped his finger on the table. "She's brought nothing but shame to this family."
Malfoy clenched his fist and moved forward. Dorian took his hand and stopped him.
"How do you mean?" Malcolm demanded. "How has Melody cost us our honor?"
"Isn't being wolfless shame enough? She had to get pregnant too and now that the King is willing to accept her, she's putting up a tough front."
"What?" Malcolm and Malfoy exclaimed.
So father thinks it's best if I go to Derek?
"If she stays with Derek, the Princes will be with their real parents and she'll at least bring us honor by being Queen."
Really?
So this is what this is about?
He wants me to accept Derek's charity marriage just because he thinks I'm a stain to the family name and Derek's offer can bring me honor?
Seriously?
"She will bring something good to the family for the first time....."
I listened to father's words and I couldn't help the bitter taste cooking in my mouth. My body started to tremble.
"If the goddess has blessed her with such strong wolves despite being useless and wolfless, then she should put them to good use by making them stay where they truly belong."
"Father, that's...."
I couldn't hear what Malcolm said to father as my body shook violently, throwing me straight to the ground.
As much as I would love to keep whatever this is to myself until this meeting is over, I couldn't hold it.
My body suddenly became light as I hit the ground and Dorian grabbed me immediately.
"The doctor. Call the doctor!" he screamed as he held me close.
My whole body itched and burned. A different kind of pain seemed to have been awakened in me.
I groaned as my body twisted in strange direction.
"Melody, look at me." I could hear Malcolm and Malfoy's voice from afar.
Slowly the voices around faded and I couldn't hear a thing, but I could see as a middle aged man rushed in with two ladies behind him.
He touched my face and looked inside my eyes. He checked some other parts of my body.
He had a strong scent of tobacco flaming off him. The bones on my legs cracked as I tried to move.
I tried to speak, but it all got stuck in my throat as I noticed something strange.
Did I hit my head too hard or am I suddenly hearing everyone's heartbeat?