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Which might sound insane. My friends talked about a pinch.

Sierra and Addison, not to mention Paige, had broken it all down for me and Avery.

The remaining virgins of our group. Heaven knows I could handle a pinch.

I’d taken much worse than that. He slid inside me, and a peaceful euphoria took over me. I was pretty sure Freya was purring.

When I looked up Xander had stopped moving. I looked down. Son of a gun… he did fit. That must be magic. Was I magic? Or rather... my body parts? Freya told me, “I love you so much. This is comedic genius.”

I hummed, “I’m pretty sure I am magic so…

it’s not actually comedy. Just facts.” She laughed pretty loud in my head.

I was touched on a level I didn’t understand that he’d used his healing light on me to counter the pain.

For a pinch?! He cared for me. I could see it in his eyes. Maybe everything would be ok.

He claimed me thoroughly and I enjoyed every second…

so of course I embarrassingly came after he’d stopped moving.

I berated my lady bits, “Seriously magic vagina? You don’t come just because he’s still inside us…

you have great stretching powers that possibly extend to my belly button…

and that’s super cool and helpful…. Just, find some chill. ”

I waited to hear the response but my magical vagina didn’t have the power to reply, I guess. When Xander slid out of me, I wanted him to come back. Maybe we could just stay here in Switzerland… or meet here every so often.

I just needed him to stay in my world. He was suddenly my air. I couldn’t keep my eyes open any long… I was going to say that was because it had been a really long, strange... but wonderful day. I woke up and looked at the time.

I gaped at the clock realizing I’d been asleep for four hours. That... was a record since I’d left Red Run. I was usually up cleaning and making breakfast for everyone… but I’d had to clean up the pack hall and kitchen after dinner.

I didn’t often get to bed until two in the morning… if I managed to get to bed. Even when I did… I had to get up at five. I grabbed some yoga pants and a t-shirt out of my bag. I needed to dance… for a happy reason for the first time in a very long time.

I went outside and put a timer on my phone. I played music and lost myself in the beat. I danced away all my feelings. When the timer went off, I quickly turned it off. I knew everyone here had super hearing. Hopefully, I didn’t disturb anyone.

The wind blew and I smelled sugar cookies. I whirled around. How did Xander do that? I was normally very aware of people around me. Freya told me, “You trust and feel safe with him. You are alert about danger. He’s different. He’s mate.” She was right about that and not at the same time.

I never felt unsafe with EJ... or my brothers…

or my friends… but I knew when they were around.

Xander was different though. We were different around him…

it was definitely something to look into and research.

I bet my cortisol levels were playing a big part with all the endorphins flooding my brain and system.

Xander commented on my dancing skills. He didn’t mention Melanie though so that seemed like a win. Freya sighed, “I see you’re going to cling to this idea he doesn’t know quite hard.” I replied, “Because he’s not mad which means he doesn’t know.” She hummed, “I see.”

Black Path would also never let positive rumors about my abilities go around. They tried to downplay what everyone knew about my fighting skills. They certainly were not going to mention me dancing in the fields around the pack.

Even though everyone knows where my spot is. Most of them left me alone out there. That was because most of those people didn’t want to see me as a person. Even Trevor was nice to me for several hours after seeing me dance.

It freaked people out. Because then they didn’t just see me as the person who shakes up the status quo of their pack. They might see a person instead of the devil. Xander cut off my next rant with a kiss. Freya purred, “Mate likes kissing us.” Yes, well…. I was a fan of that too.

He took me back inside and we fell back asleep. I woke up two hours later. He was really going for a record with my sleep. I got bored sitting there though. I decided I should get up and make us all breakfast. I quickly got up and went to the kitchen.

Someone had stocked it pretty well. I put on the coffee first and drank several cups. I had to look around for everything I needed. I had the schematics of the house, but not what was inside. I clicked several buttons on my watch to scan it all and noted the placement of things.

I go to work once I had everything out, playing music on my phone as I worked. I could smell Xander and then Phil behind me. I had no idea how long they’d been there. Freya grumbled, “Then actually sleep.”

I gasped, “I did! Six hours total even… and…” She complained, “That’s not the record you think it is. It was also not consecutive.” It was a record… for the last six years in fact. So, I was definitely going to count it and put it in the record books. She snorted.

Freya purred, “Mate looks ready to devour us. We should let him.” I replied, “I need to clean up the kitchen, and wait for the muffins to be done.” Xander kissed me though, which made my mind go to mush. I quickly told Phil about the coffee. Us Beta bloods needed our coffee.

Warmth filled me. I was officially a Beta blood again. Freya agreed, “You absolutely are and always have been.” I shoved those emotions in a box to cry about later. Sierra joined us.

I linked her, “It was just the one pot today. I slept amazingly well.” She asked, “Did you?” Freya grumbled, “No.” I replied to my friend, “Yes. I got up to dance but Xander found me and made me go back to bed. It was so weird.”

Sierra started to talk about when Xander emailed me the first time. Sierra linked, “He doesn’t care Mel.” I replied, “He could figure out who I am… and that….” Sierra cut me off, “Oh girly, I think they both know.” I shook my head denying that.

Freya said, “I told Tori you’re hanging onto your delusion with all your stubborn capabilities.” I told her, “It’s not a delusion.” She said, “It very much is.” She was wrong. Xander calmed me down. Phil even added humor to the situation.

He did make a comment I disagreed with. Xander wasn’t mean… I don’t think Xander could be mean. He was my big teddy bear. Freya snorted, “Yet you think he’d hurt you.” I reasoned, “Extenuating circumstances exist here. He IS a big teddy bear, but Jason is his best friend.” She groaned.

I nearly flashed to my first attempt at cooking when I’d been burned on the stove by Aunt Stephanie and thrown into the cupboard. Sierra linked, “Stay in the here and now. We are with our mates, and you made a killer breakfast.” That was true.

I shook myself, thinking about Hendrick and Mason.

My heart felt heavy. If things worked out between Xander and me.

.. I’d be leaving them behind. I couldn't think about that. Sierra cooed, “Aww he really is perfect offering to bring Mason and Hendrick up. We were already bringing the girls. Caine and Dax will just have to take over.” They were ready so that wasn’t a big deal.

Tears filled my eyes. I knew the only thing that kept Mason and Hendrick in Black Path when they had offers to leave was me. Maybe… maybe this new life could really work out for us. I locked eyes with Sierra. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope.

I got the blueberry muffins out and nearly dropped them when Xander handed me a plate. I looked over wondering if he needed me to carry this to the table. Sierra linked, “I think he wants you to join us.” She was right because he clearly did. Well, that was a throwback to my old life.

I didn’t get to eat with ranked wolves..

. or even unranked. I usually ate after everything was cleaned up.

I made sure nothing was still on then went to sit by Xander.

Freya linked, “You are aware you were always a ranked wolf as a Beta blood, but you absolutely had a leadership rank being the Female Lead Warrior.” I replied, “They did not care about those facts.” She growled.

Sierra smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile in return. We all ate together. Other than at King’s diner… this never happened. Cayden and Micah would eat with me… .my friends would too… but this was an actual Alpha and a Beta eating with me again.

Not the future leadership. Not my friends. An Alpha and Beta who had their ceremony to have the title. I hadn’t done this since leaving Red Run. Our family used to eat with the Kyle’s all the time. This felt weird, yet normal.

Then it hit me, the kitchen was a mess. My mind flashed to being locked in the cupboard. The dark damp cupboard that locked from the outside had an additional deadbolt so I couldn’t get out. It was triple reinforced.

I’d even dislocated my shoulder trying to get out.

I couldn’t be in a small space. My mind flashed to the hole.

The hole that I’d been put in many times, including after not shifting.

I ran into the kitchen. I couldn’t go back there.

I should’ve soaked the pan. I began to scrub the first pan I found.

Sierra linked me, “Mel, they don’t care. We aren't at home. No one’s going to lock you away and I’m pretty sure they are freaking out right now.” She was probably right… but I couldn’t stop. I heard a snap, and my hands hit the sink.

One glance told me all the pans were clean now. Freya said, “You knew mate could do that.” Logically, yes… and now I felt bad because he looked sad. He was probably disappointed in me. I’d ruined this two perfect week goal already.