Page 115 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

When I pulled back, I said, “Fibula buddy sursum. Eodem modo sentio, et tu meus es (Buckle up buddy. I feel the same way, and you are mine).” Xander growled in my ear. GOD. That was so hot. Freya linked me, “I’m so proud of all this Latin right now! I’ll turn you into a seductress, just you wait.”

We didn’t seem to be able to keep our hands off each other until well into the morning. We both barely made it to sleep. When I woke up it was later than I normally slept. I looked at Xander for a solid minute. Then I got up and grabbed the workout gear he’d snapped for me the other night.

I checked my tests and emails. Valetina had sent several things, and I checked through them all.

I missed her. I put everything away then sat on the bed waiting for Xander to wake up.

He instantly reached for my side of the bed, and I couldn’t help but smile.

He bolted up then tilted his head when he saw me.

I smiled asking, “Can I join your run?” Xander smirked, “Of course you can.” I told him, “Addison, Sierra, Avery, Paige, and myself are going wedding dress shopping today. Maybe Valentina… I’m not sure if she can make it though.

Her, Virgil, and Crush are going to move up here.

That’s ok, right? Because they are my friends and… ”

He kissed me and linked, “Your friends are welcome here. All of them.” I pulled back and replied, “Good, she texted me she applied for a lease at one of the apartments EJ owns.” He raised an eyebrow questioning, “How do you know what places EJ owns?”

I answered, “Uh google… that’s obviously the answer… because you can do that, so it is the clear reason you should think I know that.” He snorted, “It’s also clearly not how you know about it. Come on. I’ll send Fowler and Chason with you guys shopping today along with KJ.”

I shrugged, “Ok… but we are fine on our own.” Xander chuckled, “All the same, I’m sending them.” I rolled my eyes muttering, “You’re going all possessive Alpha Male.” Xander smirked, “It’s in my nature, Lovebug.” I laughed and he snapped himself dressed, then popped us outside.

Everyone smiled at me and shifted. I linked Xander, “What’s the route?” He somehow projected it to me. I called, “Eat my dust guys!” I took off running and heard several snorts. I could literally feel Xander on my heels .

I looked behind me to see that he and his dad were the closest to me. I winked at Xander and started sprinting. He wasn’t too far behind me when I made it home. Freya purred, “Mate is so attractive. I can’t wait to run with him.”

I warned, “You’ll have to slow down then.

” Freya chuckled, “He is pretty fast himself to be this close to us.” I asked, “Are we as fast as we are going to get?” Freya laughed, “No.” Dang.

Xander shifted back with his dad. My mate quickly snapped them both clothes, crossed the distance between us, and kissed me.

I heard EJ ask, “Ok, what the damn hell? How is she SO fast? Alexander, what the hell kind of cardio plans are you putting out there?!” I felt a little guilty he thought that was what was happening. Xander pulled back and stared at me.

I wondered if he could feel it shooting up his foot like I could. We stared at each other for a while. Eventually EJ said, “Alexander, we have a meeting, and I need to brief you on it like yesterday.” Xander asked me, “How did you know that Robert was the traitor?”

I explained, “Karina and I talked. To be clear, she’s not part of this. She’s just a pawn. I have Paige looking into what Robert did to her, and I made sure that Abigail was with Karina… so she couldn’t eat any more cookies. I think he did something to her wolf too.”

Xander asked, “Why?” I answered, “She told me he brought her special cookies. I think he was doing something to push her wolf down. She got a headache when she talked about being Robert’s chosen mate and his answers to her questions.

It’s uncommon for she wolves to not want to go look for their mate.

Or at least look wistful when thinking of them. ”

Xander eyed me as if he knew there was more. He was right because there was so much more. He kissed me and ran inside. Eric asked me, “What else tipped you off?” I turned wondering, “Why would there be something else?” Eric raised an eyebrow answering, “Because there is.” I conceded, “True.”

Eric sighed and started to walk inside. I called, “Why do you do that?” He turned to ask, “Do what?” I shrugged, “Let things go. That’s not what I’ve heard about you.

Any of you actually, but all of you are doing it when it comes to me.

You just let things go. You let obvious questions pass by you, which I find odd. ”

Eric raised an eyebrow challenging, “I’m sure you know the answer.

” I sighed, “You all feel guilty, so you don’t treat me the way you treat everyone else.

” Eric thought about it before answering, “In part, yes. I feel extremely guilty when it comes to you. I ignored my instincts over a damn cookie.”

I muttered, “A magically spelled evil mom monster cookie.” Eric threw his hands in the air saying, “I don’t even like peanut butter cookies that much.

It was just those cookies, I always had to have them.

Haley never liked them, and we all made her feel crazy about her completely accurate theories because of those cookies. I hate that.” I could see that.

He added, “On a separate note, my wife went through a lot of shit before we met. She opened up to me and my family probably before she was ready in a desire to fit in. I think without realizing it, or meaning to, I might have even pressured her to do so.”

“I just wasn’t equipped to deal with the shit she'd gone through. I knew how I was raised to share with family, but it’s not always that black and white. Haley coming into my life opened my eyes to that. You have to let people do things at their pace sometimes.”

“I’m not quite at my wife’s level of patience for that, but I am better than I was before she came into my life. Haley makes me a better man. You have information we need. I know that and so do you. Do I need it right this second? No. Can I afford to give you the time you need? Yes.”

“Will I ever treat a mate of my pup as I would someone I want information from? No, and not just because my Angel would be pissed at me. It’s because my son loves you, which means you are my daughter. I love you too. Plus, you went through hell.” Tears pricked at my eyes.

He said, “Now, does that mean I’m not watching closely. No, it does not. I am. If I think you need my help with something, you’ll find I’m around.” I warned, “You might find that I’m hard to be around sometimes. ”

Eric smiled, “I have been around my in-laws a long time. I do enjoy a challenge, Melanie McAlister.” I smiled at him. He added, “Now, this is KJ.” I turned, “Umm hi… you followed me… and have been…” He chuckled, “Yes, I’ll be sticking with you like Ray does Luna Elise. Nice to actually meet you.”

I groaned, “Did you meet the fake me?” He replied, “Yes, and she was nothing like the file I had other than she was busy. I’m sorry I didn’t clue in on the conspiracy.” I shrugged, “It’s ok, you couldn’t have. Is Ray here?” He nodded. I smiled wondering when I’d see him.

Xander came out with my friends. I said, “Uhhh… I thought you had a meeting.” He kissed my cheek replying, “I wanted to say goodbye, and I had something delivered for you this morning. I wanted to show it to you personally.” I laughed, “What do you want to show me?”

Xander grabbed my hand and led me around the garage, where a red convertible Volkswagen beetle came into view. I squealed, “WHAT?!” Xander laughed, “I’ve had it for a while now.” I jumped on him asking, “How did you know?”

He whispered, “Just as you know things about me, I know quite a bit about you. Jase said it was your dream car.” Tears filled my eyes because he was right, it was.

Xander handed me the keys adding, “It’s a bit of a tight fit, but the back seat does allow for three people. ” Addison yelled, “Shotgun!”

I laughed and kissed Xander hard as they ran for the car. He linked me, “If you want to go shopping, then you need to stop that.” I put my forehead on his. I admitted, “It’s not just the cookies… about Robert. I mean… how I knew… it was him…ugh…that made more sense in my head.”

Xander replied, “I know it’s more than the cookies and a conversation with Karina.” I closed my eyes and trusted him, “Robert was there. He’s who hit my mom and me the night of EJ and Elise’s ceremony. He left us there in a ditch. I cried for help, but he hit me. Robert kept us from each other.”

“If I’d have met you none of this would’ve happened. He hurt my mom and me. He was also there the night they came for me… during Elise’s Luna Ceremony… and Robert just let them take me. He laughed while I cried in the illusion.”

Xander wiped the tears I didn’t know were falling from my face. I whispered, “There’s more, but I just…” Xander kissed my forehead assuring me, “That’s plenty for now, and Robert should be VERY glad he’s not awake yet. I might have to bring him brought around.”

My mate pulled back, “Have fun and be safe. Fowler, Chason, and KJ will be in the SUV behind you.” I nodded, “Ok.” I forced myself to walk towards the car. Fowler and Chason waved to me, and I waved back. KJ inclined his head.

I got in my car loving that it had that new car scent.

I smiled and turned the key in the ignition.

I laughed and started the drive to the store.

Sierra said, “Maybe your Xander’s gift will turn your feelings about driving around.

” I snorted, “I’ve still been in two really bad accidents.

If someone hits this car… I will actually fight them. ” They all snorted, but I was serious.