Page 66 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Phil hummed, “Ok, so we need a subject change for my future Luna. Let’s go with what do you mean you saved Paige?

” I answered “Nashville is not like this area. Paige was sold from another Coven where her foster family was to be marked by a Warlock who was not her mate. It was more complicated than challenging in the pack because... I was part of the pack... actually no.”

I laughed, “Apparently somehow, I was and wasn’t part of Black path…. wow... things just got REAL hairy. No wonder Edward and Jean were so pissed all the time. A non-pack member was kicking everyone's butt. Constantly.”

I rubbed my face, “Gosh... good thing most of the pack didn’t know I wasn’t actually from there. Did they get away with it because Ashley joined? That has to be how they got away with me being their Female Lead Warrior...”

Eric interrupted me, “I’m sorry. Are you saying that you fought members of Black Path for the right of the females NOT to be forcibly marked.

Is that what you’re saying?” I nodded, “Yes. More often than not, actually….but I did for the men too. So…. mostly women….some were girls… but you get what I’m saying. ”

Eric’s jaw dropped. He closed his eyes, “Well that’s just great. Angel, explode something for me please and thank you.” Haley threw a pillow into the air and it exploded. Wow. That would be so handy to be able to do.

Sierra advised, “Mel, maybe go to bed. You’re in shock and ranting.” I shrugged, “Logically, he’d find out anyway. They are going to question Edward…. and we all know he’s a spineless toad. He’ll tell them everything. Then Eric… who said I could call him that… would ask me anyway.”

I waved, “Not that Eric needs a lot of the information from Edward. I have evidence that he’s a crooked, spineless, hapless, monster. I have records and everything on a flash drive in Xander’s room.” Eric pinched the bridge of his nose, “A flash drive.” I answered, “Yup.”

He sighed, “I’m guessing it has oh gee, I don’t know, about seven years of data on it.” I nodded, “Yup.” My dad said, “Now, I actually have a real, non-Vampire induced headache.” Alpha Kyle agreed, “Me too. ”

I snapped at them, “Then get an Excedrin migraine. That IS how one deals with headaches. Or asking a HEALING Fairy to help. There are two in the room.” Buttercup bit her lip. Eric cut in asking “Is there anything else I should know?”

I asked, “About Edward and Jean?” Eric shrugged, “Sure, let’s go with them.” I looked at Sierra and she nodded. Eric sighed, “Oh, I didn’t like that one bit. That does not give me good feelings.” Haley snorted, “I’m the one who gets the bad feelings around here, Thor.”

He smirked and grabbed her saying, “I am aware of that, Angel. You’re just rubbing off on me.” Haley frowned, “I mean….” EJ groaned, “MOM! That’s not what dad meant. Do not finish that sentence. Dad meant you influence him. Do NOT talk about rubbing dad off.”

Elise took over, “Mel, what else about Jean and Edward?” I answered, “I had to fight Jean for Sierra to be able to be with Phil. That’s why she couldn’t come home with him. Or let him mark her.” Phil roared in anger.

Eric nodded, “Sure. Why not just have him mark her and leave?” I sighed, “It’s not how it works.” Sierra spoke up, “Because the girls who did that were killed alongside their mates. They were brought back to the pack and put on spikes for six months.”

I nodded, “Plus that….well… Mostly that. Like, not after I got there… because I just fought them… for the right… which made them mad….because I won…and they are sore losers…that I might have taunted…a lot….they might have a reason to be sore losers…but they suck so…it felt fair.”

Eric bit his lip so hard he drew blood. Alpha Kyle said, “Since Eric’s trying to be calm, I’ll ask again why this was never reported to the Werewolf Council.

Not just by Melanie, but anyone.” I grumbled, “Melanie was trying to save you from losing all your alliances…that’s what Melanie was doing not reporting it. ” I heard a few people snicker.

Sierra answered, “The rest of us didn’t report it for fear that we wouldn’t be believed, and that life would be terrible when you left. They treated Omegas like less than humans. If you spoke out, you were demoted. It worked on everyone except…” She trailed off.

EJ offered, “Melanie. It worked on everyone except Melanie.” Obviously. That was obvious. Freya agreed, “It was but it makes Pepper and Sugar proud of you, but angry you were treated poorly.” That made sense when a lot of things didn’t.

Sierra nodded, “We just aren’t a pack people help. It’s been this way forever. Until Melanie came, I didn’t even know I could file with the Werewolf Council for anything.” Eric yelled, “OH THAT’S JUST FUCKING GREAT! I’M GOING TO RIP HIS GUTS OUT!”

I laughed, “That might be difficult… since he doesn’t have any.

This is…oh crap…umm I’m like way late to the game here, but someone did give that newborn pup he took back to his mother…

right?” My mom answered, “Haley did.” I sighed, “Thank god…that was actually one of my Warriors new born pup.. and he’s a good guy…

I actually think he’ll be the Lead Male Warrior…

but I gave Caine all that information….so…

I could tell you who it would probably be though. ”

Eric replied, “Yeah, I’m fine waiting for the paperwork from Alpha Caine.

Are there any other wonderful pieces of news you have to give?

” His question was dripping with sarcasm.

Haley replied, “None of that was any kind of wonderful, Eric.” He kissed her and pulled back.

He smiled saying, “I love you so, Angel.” Now, Haley looked confused.

I told him, “Not like… right now… but I can get you the flash drive.” Eric waved his hand, “Tomorrow will do. I’ll just go have myself a chat with Edward Davis.

” I advised, “I’d wait for everyone you want present at that chat.

He'll spill everything he knows… easily. With a speed that will shock you for a supposed Alpha blood.”

I hummed, “You might not even have to hit him. His mate hates him….like a lot. It bothers him that she does, and his pups… He blames me, because I obviously didn’t train my son on how to be an Alpha or ignore my daughter…

. and made her think I didn’t love her. Oh wait.

.. I don’t have pups. Edward hates me….so use that too.

He’ll tell you anything you want to know. ”

Eric said, “I know his mate hates him because she told me. Explicitly. Before AND after she was released from his Alpha Command and the spell he had placed on her. So did Sierra’s mom.

Spelling their own mates is abhorrent. Though now, it is ex-mate.

They rejected them. After the way they treated their own ma tes, it shouldn’t even surprise me they were selling off their females.

” Good for Elena and Eden on the rejection. They deserved to be happy.

I winced, “It wasn’t just the women….they were forcing some males to take chosen mates.

They only had so long to find their mates.

.. and if they weren’t in Black Path, they were brought a girl and told if they didn’t mark the sobbing girl their family would die…

then the girl... than them. It’s… not great. ” Several people growled.

I offered, “Well, it doesn't happen anymore to be fair. I shut that down. It used to though. They do still try… they are not very smart in some ways... obviously... that’s probably obvious. I mean… I just don’t.

.. he’s so... obnoxious. Then they have all the older wolves being all ‘this is the way it is.’ Even though it’s not. ”

“They are so scared that if they challenge for their own daughters and win, they will be treated horribly. They challenge me so the Alpha sees they tried. It’s all a serious loss of perspective... they truly are terrible and…” Xander kissed me.

When we broke apart Eric just looked confused and angry at the same time. I frowned since I was trying to explain it all to him. Xander said, “I’ll meet you in a little bit guys.” He popped me upstairs. I told him, “You can go with them.”

Xander shook his head, “No, I’m staying until you fall asleep and then Elise will be staying in here until EJ pops her out.” I smiled admitting, “Elise and I haven’t had a sleepover since… well since she left Red Run.” Xander nodded, “I know.” I bit my lip.

Xander tilted up my chin, “You can ask or tell me anything you want.” I whispered, “Did you ever promise to reject me?” Xander growled, “No, and no one ever asked. I would’ve seriously injured them, if not killed them, for that.”

“I ripped apart Two Peaks when you were a pup for trying to take you from me. Because they dared to say you were theirs. If you think for one second anyone who has caused this kind of hurt to you will get away from my wrath you are wrong. Do you think Peter did that?” I asked, “Uhh did what?”

He answered, “Had me promise to you reject you?” I shook my head, “No, he didn’t.” Xander asked, “Then who do you think did it?” I whispered, “The person who knew I said you were my mate.” Xander admitted, “I mean Elise knew, but she didn’t tell me. Neither did EJ.”

I shook my head, “No.” It hurt to say. I whispered, “Jason.” Xander stiffened, “Jase never asked me that, and I promise you he never said that about you. He was growling here earlier when I said you didn’t tell me your name because you feared I would reject you.

He full well knows I was never rejecting my mate, but he was prepared to fight for you. ”

I said, “Ok.” Xander sighed, “This is just too much for my Lovebug in one day.” I whispered, “I feel so conflicted. All I’ve wanted for the last several years was my family back… they are here and I… It’s never going to be the same. They… they still left me and... I don’t know how to get past it.”

Xander took my hands, “Never is a long time and we have so much of that. I know this will not be easy, and it may never be how it was. I am so incredibly sorry for that. I think eventually it might be, but that’s a journey.

I’m sure group therapy will be needed. That’s down the line though.

For now, you just need to breathe. This is all at your pace.

Ok? I will make everyone take this at your pace. ”

I snorted because he must not know that Grandpa Ben saw me. He knows I’m the sniper in the Resistance. The part that was odd was that neither he nor Nick Kyle said a word about it. The looks on their faces said they knew though. Why wouldn’t they say anything? That was a tomorrow problem.

Xander whispered, “Hey, I’m serious. No one will go against me or my mom. My mom is firmly on your side. She’s a huge advocate of people telling their own stories at their pace. This is your show.” I looked down asking, “So you want me?”

Xander answered, “I have wanted you for so long. I have been insanely conflicted about my feelings for Ashley Griffen because my instincts, and Oden told me you were ours. I honestly worried because of how possessive people are over you and have always been. I thought I was just another one.”

I shrugged, “I’ve always known you were mine.

” He touched my nose, “So you are.” I started crying again, “But you can’t mark me and that’s not fair…

I thought since you knew my name we could have that…

that’s why I wanted to wait. My wolf was taken from me for years, and now my mate can’t mark me.

Why do es everything have to be so hard?

My family… how are they alive? I just want that one answer tonight. ”

Xander sighed, “We think you were put into an illusion. Drake, Sam, and T didn’t leave here early.

You were gone when they called to bring you over.

” I gasped, “They called to bring me here?” Xander nodded, “Elise and Chelsea both said you were on the phone when the Warriors claimed you crossed the border. Your dad was going to tell the Warriors EJ was popping to get you for a sleepover with Elise.”

I cried, “I should’ve called you when I saw the Hunters. I memorized your number… I should’ve gone out the window… I should’ve just….” Xander grabbed me, “The blame game will be played by all of us for many things. You do not get to take blame for that.”

He whispered, “You were fourteen and at home alone. People were breaking into your home. You had no reason to believe the pack wouldn’t protect you.” I laid down on his bed then groaned, “Oh my gosh your bed is so comfy.”

Xander chuckled, “Our bed. As for marking you, Oden and I are pissed. We don’t want you and Freya never to have a chance at shifting though.

My family is going to look into it.” I whispered, “Ok.” Xander kissed me then said, “I’ll mark you eventually, Melanie Jane McAlister.

No one but me will ever mark you here.” He trailed his fingers along my marking spot.

I smiled saying, “I can still mark you though. They just said you couldn’t mark me.” Xander smirked, “That’s true. I always thought we’d do it together.” I groaned, “So did I. FREAKING FUDGERTON FUDGE NUTS!” Xander laughed, “What now?” I shrugged.

Xander asked, “If I ask Jean and Edward how they hurt you….” I cringed interjecting, “I don’t know what all they will say.

Honestly… it’s not a small list of offenses.

” Xander questioned, “How mad will I be?” I winced, “You... probably shouldn’t ask until you have every other answer you want. ” Xander’s jaw clenched.

He nodded, “Ok then.” Xander snuggled up to me urging, “Close those beautiful eyes. You’re safe, you’re home, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.” I listened to him and fell asleep wrapped up safely in my Xander’s arms.