Page 60 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Dylan messed up a movie reference which didn’t make sense. Tristan always said Dylan was spot on with movie sayings. The correction had Dylan ranting about this land being cursed. He had to do that on purpose. Freya linked, “Fang is delighted you caught on. He’s trying to lighten the mood.”

Addison linked me, “Dylan Frost has NO idea how right he is. This land is beyond cursed.” No, he really didn’t have a clue, but my blood stained this area…so he probably had a though. A longing hit me. I wished I’d known Dylan before.

He was funny and friends with my dad….he even mentored him a little. I should’ve known Dylan. I gazed around the field. Alpha Eric was studying me. I nodded to him slightly which had him smirking. Freya offered, “Thor also contacted me.” Of course he did. Eric was confused but he didn’t show it.

I asked Freya, “How do I know he’s confused? He doesn’t look confused.” Freya answered, “We just know things sometimes.” That was vague, but I didn’t have time to dive into it. My dad, who I was beginning to think was real, and Dylan were arguing.

I whispered, “Freya... I can’t.” Freya advised, “Hold onto mate and center yourself. You can do this.” I didn’t want to.

I wanted to crumble on the floor and sob my heart out.

I looked up at my friends and at that exact moment I knew Freya was right.

I could do this. I couldn’t break down right now because my friends needed me. That always trumped what I needed.

I pushed my personal feelings down and got myself together. I was putting on my Female Lead Warrior and best friend hat. I walked past Jason without a glance but shot Dalton and Dakota an angry look.

They’d been careless with my brother and nephew’s lives.

Not to mention they could’ve overturned my banishment.

They knew it too. I was almost to my friends when Elise slammed into me.

I put my arms around her and nearly caved into the crying fit I wanted to have.

She was like home. She was here, and she still cared about me.

I had to pull away before I lost it. Freya linked, “I assured Rhea we do want to talk. She did not call me Ember.” I was certain Freya had warned all the wolves not to call her that by now. Freya admitted, “I did. ”

Well, I was glad she’d assured Rhea we’d talk. Jason was making snide comments that I was ignoring. I’d talk to Elise and unlike him at least she’d emailed Ashley. I’d picked the name so Jason would notice, but he never did.

Once further away from the larger group, I motioned to Paige. This was an ‘us’ conversation. Not everyone and their brothers… who were possibly all not dead. I just knew there was no way Xander was going to let me out of his sight.

I’d even caught a glimpse of EJ watching me like a hawk.

In truth, all the Conners siblings looked like they were prepared to run, portal, and pop after me.

I glanced around again. Yeah, none of them looked like people who were going to let me disappear.

Not to mention several golden glowing eyed people with the last name Cambridge that were zeroed in on me. This was just so great.

Paige did her chant. All three started to speak at once. Addison sobbed, “I’ll run, Mel. I can’t reject him, but I’ll run.” Paige snorted, “I’ll keep my ass in Black Mountain. Dalton can pine and beg for my attention.” She winced but didn’t cry. Avery cried, “I don’t know what to do.”

I put my hands up, so they’d all stop. I told them, “They are your mates. Before Jason was a crappy brother, he was amazing. That amazing man inside him has been around. He’s in there.

His problems are with me, not you Ads. He’s your mate.

You deserve to hear his side. For you and your wolf.

We know my side, but as his mate… You should hear his. ”

“Same with you two,” I pointed at Paige and Avery.

“You know my feelings about them… which are complicated…because I love them and I always have….but this isn’t about me.

They were made for you. It doesn’t even matter what you decide about them.

My feelings will not be hurt if you want them.

I have been saving them this whole time… even when they IRK me.”

I waved, “But that’s about them not us. We are forged in fire.

We have fought battles side by side. We have bled together, had each other’s six’s, and gone to hell and back together.

No man will come between that, and heaven help one that tries.

It’s not blood, but we are sisters. No one will change that.

Plus, if you all live in Red Run… we can meet in Blue Moon and hang out. ”

Paige’s eyes filled with tears as she whispered, “It will ruin everything.” I shook my head arguing, “No, it won’t. Being happy will not ruin anything. Let’s just… I mean come ON…. We all deserve to be happy. You owe it to yourselves to hear what they have to say.”

“We fight for people to be with their mates here. To not at least hear them out would show people we don’t practice what we preach. I know each of you has wanted to meet your mate. Jason apparently doesn’t have two mates….” My voice broke.

Avery whispered, “Melanie.” I put my hands up explaining, “It’s going in the box. I can’t think about that. Or what the story of how the HELL this all happened is right now. I’m telling you guys… if you want to be with them... I’m in your corner and on your side.”

“I will always be there. Men can’t change that for us. We will be who we always are. They will be good to you, or they will deal with me. Plus…I’ve told all of you those men want their mates… like a lot. They talked about it….all the time.”

Addison cried and gave me a hug that Paige and Avery joined.

Avery whispered, “It feels disloyal.” I assured them, “It’s not…

I don’t factor in here. This is not about me.

You hear their side and the two of you with wolves trust them.

Paige, trust your instincts. We all have a lot to deal with here. ”

“What will never change is us. It may not be the mate bond, but we have one as friends, as family, and as sisters. It’s not disloyal to follow your heart. I will never be upset about that… and things clearly aren’t as they seem… for reasons that go in a box.” All three nodded.

Paige sighed, “Well, Dalton Kyle is REALLY hot.” I snorted, “Agree to disagree. There was a time... I considered him a brother... so... I’m not touching that….though I suppose objectively speaking…you are correct…but he’s like a brother to me…so…stop it.” All three of them laughed.

I reiterated, “Give me a second before you start listening to the space again.” Addison laughed, “Are you going to threaten them?” I answered, “Yes…. Yes, I am. On a different note. Ave… what do you want to do about Buck? It’s your call….but fair warning…I did tell Caine he should be the Gamma…so.”

Avery whispered, “The Gamma?” I said, “As I told you, you have Gamma blood. Buck does just try to survive and he helps…on the so down low…but it’s better than most people.

He’s been more vocal lately too.” Av ery agreed, “He’s changing.

He’s my brother and I…” I held my hand up interrupting, “Of all people... I get it.”

I’d save Buck. Again. He wasn’t a bad person and he did possess the ability to change…

he had good moments. They all snorted and hugged each other in a circle.

I couldn’t help but smile. They would have each other in Red Run.

Sierra and I would be close by too. We’d still see each other all the time.

I turned around in time to hear Blair’s Alpha say they needed to take over.

My box of anger started to rattle. I immediately corrected them.

Caine linked, “I’d planned to say that.” I replied, “I know…but like…as Xander’s mate…

the Conners will back me up…also…I might have started to see red hearing you be passed over. ”

Caine chuckled, “Easy there, killer. All is well.” Good because Caine would take over with Dax. They had a plan to change things around here and would be good leaders. I turned to Dalton, Dakota, and my brother to threaten them.

Freya linked, “Their wolves are in disbelief.” Well, I was serious. I’d beaten enough Alpha’s to know I’d win. Dalton and Dakota would give me a hell of a fight, but I knew I could beat him. Freya snorted, “Yes, we could.”

Tristan wasn’t happy with me. Little did he know…. I’d said far worse to an Alpha before. Plus, one also didn’t let their sister think they were dead for almost seven years. That was a more pressing thing we did not do if you asked me.

I focused on who was here. I knew all of Xander’s siblings and all of the Hackura here related to Xander. Most that weren’t too. I gulped when I saw Xander’s Uncle Bjourn. I smiled at Cayden and Micah. Both nodded with strained smiles on their faces.

I found who I was looking for in the group, Former Alpha Lucas Lyons. I asked about my mom’s family. As her Alpha... he’d know. Everyone from Blue Moon looked confused by my question. My mom answered but I was not going to take it from her... she might not be real. No one had talked to her yet.

The only person that had been spoken to was my dad. My mom and Tristan were still possibly hallucinations. Freya spoke gently, “Melanie, they are all real. All three of them. Sugar, Apollo, and Pepper have all contacted me.”

I retorted, “Then I’m still not listening to mom because she left me alone for all these years…. Even if she ate ALL the mom monster cookies in THE WORLD she never left me alone. She was always there. So…. letting me think I got her head blown off was cruel.” Freya seemed to agree with that.

Freya snorted, “I do agree with that for now. It’s too raw. We can figure this out later, but this is enough of an emotional bomb for years to come honestly.” Dylan jumped in and practically danced a jig to answer my question.