Page 39 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

I inhaled getting their scent, then jolted.

They were rogues, but recent rogues. Which would explain why they weren’t completely feral yet.

Well, they really should be better aware of their surroundings.

I grabbed the tire iron and slammed it into the guy’s Adam's apple.

He clutched his neck and stared at me in horror. I pointed my gun at the driver side.

I told the dying man, “You really should stay away from people’s nephews. I’ll always come for him.. and I’m kind of the big bad around here…not kind of…I just am…I’m the one in the shadows who is every single bad person’s nightmare.”

I heard a thump against the door. Fury lit through me because that meant they’d tied Kai up. The driver jumped out and I shot him in the head. I didn’t hear other heartbeats beside Kai’s, but I checked the vehicle anyway.

I tucked my gun away before I opened the back. Kai looked up at me with tears running down his face. My fury I kept a tight lid on was rattling in its box. This was the first time I’d seen my nephew in person. I’d always wanted to come meet him and now….this was not the moment I’d planned.

I told him, “I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.

” I jumped inside beside him explaining, “I’m going to untie you, ok?

” He nodded. I took the gag off first. I kept talking, “I’m Melanie…

I mean... I’m your… well... it’s a little complicated.

.. not like technically speaking just...

like, well… oh good lord... this is harder than I thought.

I’ve written to you though... so... there’s that. ”

Kai jumped into my arms and hugged me tightly. I nearly started sobbing. I was holding my nephew and he was hugging me. Which…duh…I saved him…but this was a whole moment for me. Kai whispered, “I know who you are. I did the second I heard you outside and then it was confirmed when I saw you.”

I was stunned. I thought the letter would be how he knew. I stared at him asking, “You do? I mean did? I…you…know me? By my voice?” Uhh what? That would mean he’d seen home videos with me in them. Why would Jason let him see those?

Kai nodded. I shook myself then promised, “I’ll get you back to safety.

I just need you to stay inside the van here for another minute while I…

.uhhhh take care of some things… ok?” Kai nodded, “I’ll do that.

You ramble just like people said you do.

” Umm…people talked about me to Kai? They said he’d never know me… .so what?

I jumped out of the van before I questioned my nephew and called Virgil.

He answered, “Mel?” I told him, “I need you for a brief moment.” Virgil laughed, “Are you killing people already? That was a quick transition from vacation.” I snorted, “Some people take their time adjusting. I just jumped back in. You know me…except this wasn’t my fault… when you think about it.”

He shimmered in, set the bodies on fire, then leaned around the truck.

He smiled greeting, “Hello, Kai.” Kai frowned his eyes narrowing on Virgil.

Kai commented, “I’ve seen you before. You came to a t-ball game my daddy couldn’t come to.

No one could come but mommy.” Yeah, Kai was all Beta right there with his observation skills… and it made me really proud.

Virgil nodded admitting, “I did. I keep the bad people away.” Kai glanced at me before saying, “Ok. Thanks then.” I laughed, Virgil got out of Kai’s eyesight, and I hugged my friend. When I stepped back, he raised an eyebrow. He commented, “That’s is uhh not a smell I expected to get off of you.”

I flushed whispering, “Shut up.” Virgil snorted, “Ohhh, the gossip that will be started from that intense scent.” I rolled my eyes, “They won’t smell it when I get back.” Virgil teased, “I hope you got a whole bottle of your stuff with you. Because GIRL, you reek of sugar cookies and sexy things.”

Kai popped his head out of the van saying, “Alexander smells like sugar cookies.” Virgil gaped then asked, “Really? Would you be referring to Alpha Duke Alexander Conners, little Kai?” Kai nodded, “Yeah! He’s cool!

He comes to play with me sometimes so I knew that’s who she smelled like in the van when she joined me.

” Darn Beta blood and me being proud of it.

Virgil nodded, “Does he? How adorable. Is he the only person you know that smells like a sugar cookie?” Kai nodded emphatically, “Yup. Daddy says he’s the only one with that scent too.” I glanced at the sky.

Virgil chuckled, “Thanks for that tidbit, little man. Can you give the adults just a few more moments?” Kai shrugged, “Sure. It makes sense though. People talk about both their fighting skills. Of course they like each other.” My jaw dropped.

Peopled in Red Run talked about my fighting skills? ME?! Kai disappeared back into the van.

Virgil hit my arm saying, “You’ve got to be kidding me. You met your Alpha man! THE XANDER?! YOUR XANDER?!” Kai gasped from inside the truck then whisper yelled, “YES!” I groaned. I answered Virgil, “He sort of showed up….where I was.”

Virgil nodded, “And bow chick a bow wow! Get it! Get it! So, he doesn’t care about the whole ordeal then? I knew it! I actually said that.” I hit his shoulder, “Don’t be crass. He doesn’t exactly ummm... know about stuff. We were in the bubble. I’m explaining it when he gets back from a mission.”

Virgil snorted, “Then the show moves onto Black Mountain. I dig it.” I looked away saying, “We will see.” Virgil grabbed my arms, forcing my eyes back to him.

He said, “Melanie McAlister, on a scale of one to ten you are a twenty. If that Alpha hybrid does not see that then he will contend with my fire throwing hands.”

I winced, “No... no matter what, don’t hurt him.” Virgil stared at me before replying, “He will see how lucky he is to have landed you.” He kissed my forehead, “I’ll get rid of their van.” I replied, “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He chuckled, “Anytime.”

I helped Kai out of the back. My nephew studied me but didn’t say anything.

I walked him back to my car. Kai smiled when he saw the gun in the passenger seat.

I quickly put it in the glove box. He grinned, “I knew I heard a shot. They thought they ran over something, but I knew someone was coming to save me. How did you find me?” I started the car and turned back towards Blue Moon.

I answered, “You wear the wolf necklace I bought you.” Kai grinned and pulled it out from under his shirt. He said proudly, “I never take it off. I never told anyone where I got it either.” I smiled telling him, “Whenever you need me, as long as you have that necklace… I’ll always find you.”

Kai was quiet then said, “You seem sad.” Beta bloods were so darn observant. I looked at Kai and allowed myself to think what I had the moment I saw him….in person…honestly I thought the same through the pictures I hacked .

Kai looked so much like Tristan. I told him, “You look just like your uncle and I miss him. Quite a lot actually.” Kai shrugged, “Everyone says I look like daddy.” Everyone in Red Run had mentally lost their minds then. Kai was a mini Tristan, not Jason.

Kai said innocently, “You should come home if you miss it.” I looked away and admitted, “I wish I could.” Kai groaned, “Oh come on, Aunt Ladybug! Daddy misses you so much. He cries about it sometimes at night. I saw him looking at the pictures of you dancing in a photo album. That’s a secret though.

You can’t tell.” I had to pull over as sobs racked my body.

Jason missed me? Maybe… Maybe we could work this all out so I could be with Xander. We could be cordial to each other. Kai gently asked, “Do you not like being called Aunt Ladybug? Daddy always calls you that when he talks about you.”

I cried harder asking, “He does?” Kai nodded “Yup.” I wiped my tears, “I’m surprised he told you about me.” Kai snorted, “I hear lots of Aunt Ladybug stories. Daddy really does miss you. Do you have fun dancing though? Everyone says that’s your dream.” I wiped my tears and started driving again.

I evaded, “Once upon a time… it was up there in my dreams.” Kai frowned before he crossed his arms. He told me, “You should come home if you aren’t happy dancing anymore.” Jason had clearly told Kai I was off dancing somewhere.

I reached out and ruffled his hair. I told him, “Coming home isn't in the cards for me.” Kai pouted, “But you're so close! We could just go back together and I’d be the hero of the pack.” My heart ached. I whispered, “I know we are close. You’re already a brave hero. Ok?” Freya linked me, “I like this one. He is adorable. I’m so happy we are meeting our nephew.

” So was I. Meeting him was a pipe dream I never thought I’d have since they all out refused to let him near me.

Kai asked, “Did your wolf get hurt?” I yet again evaded, “Why do you ask?” Kai shrugged, “I can usually tell when adults are wolves. Yours isn’t as strong a sense, but I can tell you have one.

” I explained, “In a way… my wolf was hurt. I’m not exactly sure how to explain it.

I don’t even understand it really….which I don’t really care for.

I like having answers…so…this is…annoying.

” That word worked. It was the all-encompassing word I needed but it would work.

Kai grumbled, “Daddy won’t like that you got hurt.

” I snorted, “I get hurt a lot… so… it’s ok.

” Kai argued, “But you never fall when you dance.” I agreed, “No, I don’t.

” Kai made a face saying, “I don’t understand.

If you don’t get hurt dancing, how did you get hurt?

And how did you get to me so fast? You weren’t with your Demon friend. He showed up after.”