Page 134 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

I evaded, “That would depend on the definition of what you’re asking.

It requires further clarification on by whose definition.

Because in mine there is nothing that compares to thinking I got Tristan, mom, and dad killed.

Waking up in Nashville with no one and nothing is easily worse than getting hit by any bullet. ” I felt Xander’s shock.

I winced, “I’d rather be shot than be told Xander would reject and hate me.

Or that he was desperate not to be my mate and working to make sure it didn’t happen.

” Alexander snarled loudly. I continued, “Thinking everyone hated me is worse than being shot. If you mean physically, I’m not answering that and I don’t have to. ”

Tristan looked away, but his jaw was flexing.

My mom started crying harder. I linked Tristan, “That’s why I can’t answer you on the physical aspect.

” Tristan replied, “Not answering is an answer.” He was wrong, because their pack would never do the things done to me.

So, their imagination wasn’t even the worst thing here. The truth was.

I asked, “Then why did you ask the question?” Tristan replied, “I want the answer.” I snarked, “You know the answer, evidently.” My brother asked, “Is it sad that even though you’re snarky and feel your back against the wall, you’re answering and that makes me happy?”

I replied, “No, I had a similar thought earlier.” Tristan said, “You never used to have your back against the wall with me.” He was right. I didn’t…and I hated that I did now. It was just a default I had now because I had to on guard twenty-four seven.

My dad said, “You said they couldn’t take you with several knives in your back.

Did you mean that literally?” I answered, “Yes.” My dad growled, “Why did you have knives in your back?” I raised an eyebrow, “No matter if the wolf is a partial or full blooded Werewolf… bad Hunters that belong to those groups don’t like them. ”

“No matter if there’s an understanding with their Alpha.

.. who is a piece of crap for agreeing. That particularly time, a group of bad Hunters were tormenting one of the wolf less members of Black Path.

I stopped them and took a few knives to the back doing so.

I still kicked their butts.” I’d had to get the guy untied and the bad Hunters used that to stab me. They didn’t get me that deep anyway.

I whispered, “I stood there, not knowing a pup was going to be killed when they wanted me to join. I didn’t think an Alpha would allow such a thing. I wasn’t prepared to save that boy… he was barely old enough to have lived any type of life.”

“I was never going to let someone die like that again. I had to free that pup they had tied up and I got knives for it. But he wasn’t dead…

and he’s still alive today. It was worth it…

because he’s not in the ground like those poor pups who did nothing wrong the first two times I went to Hunters meetings. ”

Eric sighed, “Ok. I think that’s a lot of information for one night. Let’s go somewhere else. The gym seems likely.” Haley said, “I agree. That is information that needs to be digested and processed. Melanie, I think we need to have some sessions. Those children’s deaths were not your fault.”

I admitted, “We probably should… I’d probably take up a lot of your time though…

and your time is valuable.” Haley replied, “I will always make the time for my children. I consider you one because you’re mated to my son.

Whenever you’re ready my door is open.” I nodded.

Haley inclined her head in a signal to my mate.

I knew it meant take this moment to leave and he took it.

Xander popped us out to his treehouse. His lips slammed on mine. He growled, “Mine.” I agreed, “Yours.” He ripped my pants off. I looked down and realized someone had snapped me clean. I should be covered in blood. Freya asked, “Who cares?” Valid point.

He picked me up and set me on the counter. The counter? I looked down questioning, “Your version of a treehouse has a kitchen? I didn’t really look around last time… oh god…” My mate’s tongue was on me. I gripped the edges of the counter.

Xander kept at it until I was seeing stars. His mouth was on mine in the next second. I could taste myself on his lips. Xander thrust into me, and I gripped his shoulders as he pounded into me with a feverish, amazing pace.

I was holding onto him for dear life, and it felt so good. My orgasm crashed all around me. Xander popped us into the bedroom. His treehouses had a bedroom? I really should’ve asked Jared to show me one of his treehouses. Or any member of our Gamma family.

I didn’t have much time to think about anything else as my mate’s hand smacked me hard on the ass. I gasped as he entered a finger inside me and began to move it slowly. Xander spanked me again. Freya purred. The pain and pleasure were mixing as he continued to spank me.

I couldn't believe I was about to orgasm from this. I screamed his name, “XANDER!” He spanked me twice while I was orgasming. My mate pulled his finger out and flipped me around onto my back. Xander slammed back inside me, eliciting a choking sound.

Xander leaned down and nipped my ear saying, “You are mine. I fight with you. Do you understand me?” I replied, “I mean... that wasn’t my fault…

” He thrust into me. Xander repeated, “Do you understand me, Melanie?” I gripped his upper back and nodded.

He pulled almost all the way out and hammered back in.

Xander demanded, “Say it out loud.” I said, “I understand my Alpha, but that really wasn’t my fau….” I was cut off as his mouth was on mine. We ended up breaking the bed, but we were still unable to stop. Xander had destroyed at least fifteen pillows in an effort not to mark me.

I pushed all my feelings about how that made me feel down. I wanted to enjoy this even though that made me feel like Xander was rejecting me. My deepest, darkest fears wanted to cloud my mind but I shoved them away.

Eventually my body needed to sleep. Xander kissed my forehead as I was barely conscious, “Sleep, Lovebug. I’ll be back.” Where was he going? I couldn’t force the question out of my mouth as sleep took me.

I was back in my dream. A field came into view again. Everyone I knew was fighting. I frowned knowing I’d seen this before. I screamed, “MOM, LOOK OUT!” She didn’t hear me, and I watched as she was defeated .

I was screaming and crying trying to get to her, but I couldn’t get through whatever was keeping me away. My family was screaming too. A man with a blurred face was smirking as he leaned down to rip my mom’s heart out.

Everything paused when a snarl of anger hit the air. It sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it. Everyone looked towards the sound in shock and then it all faded from view. NO! Who was that? Were they going to save my mom?

I bolted up in bed sweating. I looked over and found Xander there. Wherever he’d gone... he’d come back. I found a piece of paper and wrote him a note that I’d gone to dance. I grabbed his hoodie off the floor and exchanged it with the shirt I’d been wearing yesterday.

I looked around and realized… I had no pants. He’d destroyed them. SERIOUSLY?! I opened a few drawers and found leggings. I felt a little hurt. Whose were these? I picked them up and found a note in the drawer.

Lovebug,

Elise said these were your style and Sierra agreed. We can replace anything you don’t like.

Your Xander

I smiled feeling silly for being hurt. He’d got them for me, the gesture filling me with warmth. I threw them on and walked outside. I looked around. Dang... these guys built a LOT of treehouses. They were all over the dang territory.

I began to search for a place to dance. I walked a few miles and found a pond in a secluded area. I smiled and played music on my phone. I let my mind wander to my space for dancing. After a while the wind blew, and I smelled Elise. I turned around but didn’t see her. I paused the music.

I called, “I know you’re here, Elise.” She came out and smiled tentatively, “I thought you might like this place. Rhea and I woke up early to come find you.” I replied, “You found me.” I sat down and she came to join me.

She sat down and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” I asked, “For what?” Elise wiped her eyes saying, “Everything. I always thought you and Ashley had similarities. I should’ve looked harder into it.” I shrugged, “I didn’t want you to. I never thought you knew about what really happened with me.”

“I didn’t know if EJ did, but I figured he didn’t from the emails he’d sent me.

I knew Eric didn’t know… or Haley. Eric sent me emails.

If he’d have known who I was…. they’d have been worded differently.

Beta Dylan emailed too.” They were hilarious and matched what I’d heard about him. My mind flickered back to that day.

Flashback

Melanie sighed, exhausted after a grueling workshop. I checked the email address that Edward didn’t monitor and sat straight up. I gasped, “Beta Dylan emailed me?! Well, I guess he’s the former Beta… but still.” Tristan always said he was really funny. I clicked it.

Lead Warrior Ashley Griffen,

I am in need of assistance. I don’t often say this. I’m usually on the CUTTING EDGE of information. It’s my thing. These young whippersnappers think they can take MY THING! Beta Phil is over in Black Mountain SCOOPING me on information. It’s a ghastly offense.

He knew before me that you’d taken over as the YOUNGEST LEAD WARRIOR EVER! Kudos on that by the way. It made Saint God Alpha Prick’s eyes twitch, and we have to applaud that when it happens. Normally, I’m the only one that make his eye twitch; therefore you join an elite club.