Page 13 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

He rubbed his hands together saying, “You convinced Melanie to come to Black Mountain.” I nodded. He asked, “How?” I snorted, “She wants to see it and always has. Elise told us that all the time.” He made a face, “I think it was something else.”

I admitted, “I told her no one from our family was there today besides Wes.” Phil asked, “What’s up with Wes? Is he ok?” I answered, “I don’t know. He didn’t say what was going on. All he said was he’s alone and he needs me if I can spare the time.”

Phil laughed, “If you can spare the time. That’s cute. All you Conners kids ALWAYS spare the time for each other.” I raised an eyebrow, “As if you Kruthers kids are any different.” Phil agreed, “We are awesome at being siblings.” I smiled, “We had great examples.”

He took out his phone and called Gage. I asked, “What are you doing?” He replied, “Getting answers.” Gage answered, “Yeah.” I asked, “What’s wrong with Wes?” He answered, “Uhhh nothing. He’s fine. Dylan is even here.” I asked, “Then why does he need me?”

He snorted, “Probably because he’s worried about the emotional breakdown you appear to be having going from happy to fury all the time.

Plus, he’s feeling you have feelings you’ve never had before.

I’m bettin g he’s just worried about you and someone doesn’t have their phone.

He knows you’ll come if he asks.” I was certain something else was going on.

Phil hung up without saying anything when Melanie came down in metallic jeans and a tight turtleneck. I wanted to throw her back down. Phil linked, “You wanted to leave for Wes so get that ‘I’ll just rip that outfit off her and have my wicked way with her’ look on your face.”

I had to pop away to shower before I did just that. Phil was right, my little brother needed me. I heard Phil teasing my mate about her scent. I popped back down and linked him, “Not cool man. Not cool.” I grabbed Melanie’s hand and popped her into our room in Black Mountain.

I linked Gage, “We are here.” He said, “Good. I’ll see you before I leave.” I replied, “We’ll all be in the gym later.” He snorted, “Of course you will. We’ll never get you all to leave. She LOVES the gym as much as you do.” I could tell Melanie was really excited.

I wondered if she’d paint our walls red since it was her favorite color.

I didn’t actually care what she did. As long as she liked it, I’d be happy.

She was really excited and ran to the window.

I linked Oden, “I swear I just saw a flicker of recognition on her face as she looked outside.” He agreed, “You did.”

Yeah, except I didn't see anyone from Red Run outside. She was mesmerized by the pack grounds. Her tone had a wistfulness to it. I’d show her the whole place once I got back.

I wanted to take her on our bed for the first time, but then Wesley would come in here looking for me since he could feel I was back.

I made sure she was ok before I popped to my brother. Wesley sighed in relief, “You’re here.” I nodded asking, “What’s going on?” as I gave him a hug. Oden said, “He really is ok.” I could see that. Gage had confirmed it, but I needed to see him.

Wesley pulled back and shoved two disputes at me. I looked over them then raised my eyebrow commenting, “The decisions you have penciled in here are perfectly fine, Wes.” Gage might be right about my sibling just needing to see me.

He smiled asking, “Really?” I answered, “Yes. Why did you need me?” Wesley sighed, “I really wasn’t sure about those two because they deal with higher ranking wolves. Plus, you just vanished, man! I was worried and…” He inhaled, then threw a pen at me which I caught.

He shouted, “YOU ASS! I’ve been worrying myself into knots over whether or not you’re ok, and you were with woman!

” I teased, “I thought you would’ve felt that in the bond and smelled it when I gave you a hug.

” He shouted, “HOLY SHIT! YOU WERE WITH A WOMAN?! Like WITH with.” I replied, “Sex. Just say I’ve been having a lot of sex, little brother. ”

Wesley continued, “I can smell that! Holy shit! Who finally caught your eye?” I admitted, “That’s a complicated answer.

” Wesley frowned somewhat demanding, “Uncomplicate it. Because I convinced myself you had a sex doll, or something based on the bond since you’ve never been interested in anyone.

Ever.” I shot him a look, and he winked.

I sighed, “I can tell you part of it if you promise not to say anything to anyone else until I do.” Wesley didn’t even hesitate to say, “I promise. Tell me.” I smiled letting him know, “I met my mate.” Wesley’s eyes doubled in size.

He questioned, “Where is she? No, that’s not the right first question. Who is she?” I laughed, “She’s upstairs.” Wesley prodded, “And her name is?” I said, “She was introduced to me as Ashley Griffen.” Wesley’s jaw dropped.

He shouted, “NO! You’re serious?! We get the badass wolf less Female Lead Warrior who can beat Alpha’s in wolf and human form?

! Seriously? You know, that’s actually not surprising.

You’ve been intrigued and she emails you.

Of course she belongs with us. We are the best and her pack is shit. Is she actually that good at fighting?”

I laughed, “Yes, she beat Phil in a fight and several others in a pack we are allies with. She held her own with me. In fact, she almost had me for a minute.” Wesley demanded, “brING HER DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!”

I laughed, “I’m showing her the gym later. I actually need to leave a note for EJ and have Toby clear his schedule for when I get back. We are going to have ourselves a heck of a meeting.” Wesley frowned, “Wait, you said you were introduced to her as Ashley Griffen. Is that not her name? ”

I sighed, “Sometimes you having a Beta Father in law irks me.” He snorted, “Dylan is great.” I replied, “Yes, but he gave you Beta lessons and right now I needed you not to notice how I answer your questions.”

He replied, “I have Fairy blood and Beta lessons from my father in law. Answer my question. Is Ashley her name? I replied, “It is and it isn’t.” Wesley groaned, “You aren’t making any sense. Why do you need to meet with EJ? He will be thrilled you met your mate.”

I explained, “I can’t really talk about that. What I can tell you to do is up trainings. Keep practicing your own skills and your magic.” Wesley was instantly alert, “Alexander, what’s going on?” I gently said, “It’s complicated. This will not go over well. Hell, it’s not gone over well with me.”

He snorted, “We know. You’ve been so mad it’s insane.

The ONLY reason none of us came to you was because Angela told us all that you were fine and not hurt.

” I linked my little sister, “Thank you for having my six.” She answered, “Always. She’s so pretty!

Blurry but pretty.” I chuckled, “She is stunning.”

I agreed with Wesley, “I was not physically hurt. Just know the things I have discovered are horrifying and rage inducing. They will not go over well with EJ, our dad, you, our entire family, or our allies.” Wesley made a face before agreeing, “Ok. I’ll up trainings. Are you ok?”

I smiled admitting, “I’m confused but happier than ever at the same time. I love her, little brother.” Wesley smiled, “Good. Now, I’m going to get Buttercup and Dylan. We’ll meet you in the gym.” I winced, “Dylan is here right now?” Wesley nodded, “I said he was earlier.” Right. He did.

Well, Dylan never met Melanie so it should be fine.

Wesley left the room. Gage linked, “Where are you?” I quickly reviewed Wesley and Max’s other decisions.

I couldn’t help the pride I felt. They’d done a great job so far.

I replied, “I’m popping into my room. I’ll bring Melanie to the gym in a second. ”

He sounded anxious, but that was probably because he was ready to start his search for his mate. I popped to my room and to my astonishment Melanie was reading a book from my Fairy charmed bookshelf, that was hidden.

I always made sure to put them up, so I wasn’t sure how she got it. I watched her walk over and put said book back on the correct shelf. I gaped at her. How the hell did she do that? I linked Oden, “She shouldn’t be able to see the bookshelf.”

Oden evaded, “People shouldn’t be able to do lots of things they can do.” I complained, “You have become increasingly unhelpful since we met her!” Oden snickered, “You’ll know soon enough and then I can explain it all.” Ok then. He was DAMN lucky I wasn’t a Beta wolf.

Gage entered the room and I shot him a look. He linked, “Hey, I gotta make sure she makes it to the gym, and you don’t claim her in your room.” I snorted, “You just want to leave.” He agreed, “I do.” Both of glanced at Melanie as she rambled about where to find his mate.

Gage linked me, “Which sister of the Gamma am I looking for?” I replied, “The only unmated one. His youngest sister. Her name is Abigail and she’s one year older than Melanie.” Gage admitted, “I hadn’t gotten around to talking to him yet.”

That wasn’t surprising since we weren’t their ally, but we were looking at talking to them.

The son of the previous Alpha was doing things very differently from his dad.

He had submitted the paperwork to be under Werewolf Council purview instead of the Supernatural Council within hours of his dad’s death.

Which told me he had no lost love for the man.

Not that I’d blame Alpha Granger. His dad was a dick.

Gage linked, “You realize if she’s right, we need to have a chat about who else she thinks goes together.

Right?” I replied, “Not really. People have suspicions about mates all the time.” Gage argued, “But she’s practically certain I need to meet Abigail.

” True. I replied, “Best of luck to you.” He left and I was certain he’d have news soon enough for me.