Page 131 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Well, I was definitely not going to agree to that.

I would do it for him... or any of my friends.

.. or my family… or his.... crap. The list was getting longer.

Freya snorted, “Yeah, he noticed you didn’t say that you woul dn’t do it, and so did several others.

” Well, they didn’t say that out loud…to me so…

I got away with it until further notice.

Dax snorted, “Good luck with that, Alpha Alexander. Mel didn’t even touch her record for getting shot in a fight.

” I gasped as my eyes widened. I shouted, “DAX!” Xander growled, “RECORD?! There is a record?!” I glared at Dax who bit his lip.

He’d totally said that on purpose and all my research told me how an Alpha would feel about this whole getting shot a bunch deal. It was not good.

My dad growled, “What is the record?” I snorted, “I mean… records are many things… people call their albums records… there are records that people hold that one wants to beat… or in this case are really not trying to beat… but they just tease me about it. It doesn’t really mean anything. .. when you think about it.”

Cayden snorted, “Dear GOD Melanie, stop talking.” I reasoned, “But my dad asked, and I was answering ... it’s not my fault he asked a question.” Tristan growled, “You’re rambling to avoid answering dad. What your record is for getting shot in a fight.”

I linked my friends, “I swear by all that is good and holy… if you answer that question… I will get you.” Thankfully, no one said anything.

Cassie smirked and walked over to me and Xander.

She looked at me asking, “What’s your record for being shot at one time?

” I felt an intense pressure on my head.

I rubbed my forehead somewhat pleading, “Can you stop that? It hurts.” Cassie gasped, “WHAT?!” The pressure stopped, but I still rubbed my head.

Xander leaned down asking, “Are you ok?” I nodded, “Yes, that was just... weird.” Cassie was gaping at me, and I looked around realizing everyone was. Goodie.

I linked Dax, “Why does EVERYONE always look at me that like?” Haley popped in front of me. She asked, “Can I try?” I shrugged, “Umm... sure. Quick question, try to what?” Freya chuckled. Haley laughed answering, “Cassie tried to make you tell the truth. That’s what you felt.”

I hummed, “I don’t think so. People aren’t supposed to feel like that when you make them tell the truth. It only hurts if they try not to answer the question… which… wasn’t actually what I was doing… since I did not know she was doing that.”

Haley snorted, “No, no one fucking feels us unless they have mental defenses, which you do. I could tell you weren’t using them though. It doesn’t normally hurt anyone when they aren’t trying to keep from answering. They just tell the truth.” I frowned, “Umm ok, I guess you can try.”

Haley looked into my eyes, “What is your record for being shot in a fight?” The pressure was lighter, but I felt it.

I admitted, “I feel that, but it doesn’t hurt like before…

it’s like a bubble on my brain… so… ummm progress?

” Haley smiled and I felt the bubble go further around my brain. It was weird.

I also heard myself answer, “Six times.” I clapped a hand over my mouth.

Haley tilted, “Before all of you go all growly about that, can I just say that was really fucking interesting? It felt like I had to keep a hold of her and gently persuade her to tell me. Normally, people just blurt shit right now. I like her.”

Xander whirled me around to face him yelling, “Six times?! You got shot six times in one fight?” I winced, “I mean, to be fair… only two bullets were aimed at me… I feel like that’s important to factor into the whole six times record thing....we are determined to discuss.”

Cayden interrupted, “Yeah that’s not going to matter, Mel.” I sighed. Xander growled, “EJ!” EJ announced, “The area is clear.” I feel like we all knew that. Lexi Daniels hugged me pulling me away from Xander.

Lexi whispered, “Thank you so much for saving Allison.” I replied, “Of course.” Alpha Emmett told me, “Thank you seems insufficient for protecting our people, territory, and my little sister.” I nodded, “It works.”

Jason yelled, “I’m sorry, it works?! My sister is like the Flash combined with some super fighting machine. She is apparently getting shot left and right. Mel can feel Cassie trying to make her tell the truth and asks her to stop. What the hell?!”

I sighed, “I feel the need to clarify…. I have only been shot without a bullet resistant vest once. Every other time…. was a shot to the vest…. so just the one time being shot in the lung…. just the one….” Tristan snorted, “Oh, well then that makes it better.” I agreed, “I know it does. That’s why I clarified it.

” Tristan rolled his eyes snarking, “Sarcasm, Ladybug. That was serious sarcasm. ”

Xander asked, “Is anyone who shot you alive?” I nodded answering, “Yes.” Multiple people growled. Eric asked, “Do you know their names?” I repeated, “Yes.” My dad growled, “And they are?” Xander linked me, “I need to know.”

I cringed answering, “Slade Carter, Edward, Booker, and Trevor are the ones still living.” Jason snorted, “I’m sorry, me again.

Did you say the man claiming to be your mate SHOT YOU?

!” Dylan crunched on popcorn. How did he do that?

Was it lined into his jacket? It must be a charm.

Freya snorted, “I bet he’d tell you.” Maybe.

Caine answered my brother, “Trevor shot her in the back as she saved a group of pups.” I glared at him grumbling, “You’re not helping Caine. It was still shot the vest. The back of it... but still in the vest… and Trevor being the worst isn’t shocking.”

Jason clarified, “And he was AIMING at you?” I answered, “Uhh yeah… he is actually semi decent with a weapon… so… he was aiming at me…. he was uhh perturbed…. since… I might have… sort of… insulted him…just… a little bit.”

“But you know what? It isn’t my fault he smells like a wet dog…

and he’s rude…. so…. I was rude…. and he lost a verbal sparring match…

. with me… and this upset him… so to quote unquote teach me my place…

he shot me in the back… but I had a on vest…

so… it’s fine.” Jason snarled along with several other people.

Caine stiffened asking, “Do you smell that?” Dylan squealed, “It just got even more fun! YES! You smell things, Alpha Caine. Go one with your sniffing self.” A she wolf ran into the clearing. When she shifted back, I knew exactly who she was. Cassie snapped her clothes.

I smiled at Judy Miller sniffing the air. She was the daughter of former Beta Matt, Ted, and Warrior Joanie. Judy grinned when her eyes landed on Caine. Caine growled, “MINE!” Ted grabbed Judy who was trying to run to Caine.

Caine snarled, “LET HER GO!” I grabbed him to explain. I linked him, “Calm down. She’s yours and that’s her dad.” Matt spoke, “Ted.” Ted snorted, “No. No! There will be no saying of Ted in that tone! Do we even like this guy?!”

Caine growled, “She's mine! I would never hurt her.” Judy whispered, “Daddy Ted, please.” I said, “Former Beta male Ted, Caine is a good man who is not like his father. He’s always wanted his mate. He just never went looking because he didn’t want her to be subjected to Edward.

Caine was waiting until he challenged his dad and was the Alpha of his pack. ”

Ted frowned, “It’s just Ted and you are relatively new to the group.” I looked away and willed my tears away because I shouldn’t have been. Elise spoke, “She's not new and Alpha Caine just fought for Yellow Hills. If Ladybug says Caine is a good man, then he is.”

Cayden offered, “He is a good man.” They’d listen to him but not me…I was totally ok with that. I only protected them ALL the time. Freya said, “That will change soon. Ted is just being protective.” I knew that, but if I’d been around like Cayden he would’ve trusted me too.

Ted looked at his daughter and Judy smiled at him. Ted sighed, “You will call us every damn day. If you miss just one, I’ll run my happy ass down to Nashville.” Judy hugged Ted then ran to Caine. I let him go and he met her halfway.

Dax relaxed in his stance. I knew he'd been ready to fight for his Alpha and future Luna. Xander grabbed me around the waist. I looked over at my family. Grandpa Ben looked like he had A LOT to say. Freya said, “He does. Forrest is linking a LOT of snarls and questions.” My grandpa’s wolf was usually very even tempered so him snarling told me my Grandpa Ben’s mindset.

Haley snapped all the bodies away. I noticed Abigail was in Gage’s arms and that made me smile. Sierra linked me, “That would've been useful. SO MANY times.” I replied, “Burning bodies works too. Our Demons make quick work of the bodies we pile up.” Sierra nodded her head in acknowledgement.

Paige came running out of the pack house.

I smiled at her a second before Dalton collided with her.

Dalton grabbed her saying, “You scared me so damn bad.” Paige frowned replying, “Umm ok. I’m not sure how I did that, but I have a lot questions.

The first one being, how did I get into the pack house? ”

Dalton gasped, “You don’t know?” I offered, “When Paige zones in on a spell, she basically has a connection with the spell itself. She doesn’t know what’s going on unless she breaks the connection.

” Paige huffed, “Well, that one was like super serious. That dome was no joke. A whole Coven had to put it up. What happened?”

I shrugged, “Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Dax snorted, “You almost got shot in the head, Paige. Guess who dove in front of you.” I glared at Dax.

Paige gasped, “MELANIE!” I rolled my eyes, “Bullet proof vest people. Bullet proof. I made this one… so it’s not bullet RESISTANT like the other ones around…

this one is field tested and everything. Can we talk about something else?”