Page 70 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Sam whispered, “It did. He could be sick for days sometimes, but the pack doctor couldn’t find anything wrong with him.

He’d just throw up constantly like the humans do with the flu.

” Drake practically snarled, “It’s not good enough.

She’s my daughter and I failed her. She was shot! ” Micah flinched.

I raised an eyebrow and linked him, “What was that?” Micah sighed, “I mean...” He trailed off then tried again, “I just….” Cayden linked us both, “I see those looks. Stop it. Melanie should tell Alexander herself. She did not tell us what we know. We found out and she doesn’t know that.

” I frowned but nodded. I told Micah, “Never mind.” He looked relieved.

Drake whispered, “What did they do that Melanie freaked out over not cleaning dishes?” I admitted, “I honestly do not know.” Drake looked me in the eyes stating, “You’ll go after Trevor McCann.” It was not even remotely a question.

I confirmed, “With everything I have.” Drake nodded, “I will too. I want time with him if you get him first.” Oden declared, “We will.” I knew that because I intended to get to find that rat bastard before anyone else. I nodded to my mate’s dad .

Tristan chimed in, “Ok, can Ladybug come back now? My question wasn’t about the Resistance.

That was going to come later.” Jason asked, “What about being Swiffer?” His family turned to him in shock.

My family was not surprised. Elise let out a wail.

EJ’s bond filled with annoyance that it had been mentioned.

Sam wiped her tears questioning, “What are you talking about, Jase?” Tristan looked pained, “He’s right.

Jane and Madeline said our sniper is Swiffer.

” Jane looked at Theo and I knew she’d already figured it out and had kept silent the whole time.

She’d told him though based on the bond with my brother. Theo squeezed her hand.

Drake snarled, “The fighter who let herself get the shit beaten out of her before winning?! That’s what was in the memo I read.” Dylan said, “Which you are welcome for. It was colorful with pizzazz too. You left that part out Drake, and I wanted it added for the record.” I bit my lip.

My dad sighed, “It was too much to hope you’d remain quiet.” Dylan smiled saying, “I would like a reward because it has been SO LONG since I spoke.” Drake growled, “DO NOT tell me that girl who lets herself get beaten up before winning a fight is my daughter.”

Phil gently said, “It tracks, Drake. I know you don’t want to know that, but you know it does. She thought you all were dead.” Peter gritted his teeth, “My letter said I requested she should be punished because she deserved it.”

Drake snarled, “So she LET people beat the fuck out of her?!” Cayden answered, “Yes, I think that’s obvious now. I do know Melanie spiraled after she didn’t get her wolf. I didn’t know she was letting people hurt her, or I would’ve stopped it. So many things make sense now though.”

Micah added, “She hasn’t been fighting that way for about a year or so. Her bruises lessened, but I don’t think she stopped fighting.” Cayden locked eyes with me as he agreed, “You’re right. She didn’t stop fighting. That’s definitely not what happened.”

We both knew what had changed her style.

I called her and left a message. I’d told her I was worried, and I wanted her to stop.

Tristan asked, “So, what did happen? What’s with the look between you two?

” I sighed, “I’ve been calling and leaving the sniper messages since I got that call where she said I hated her. ”

I ran a hand through my hair explaining, “After we found Jane and Madeline and we heard the things the sniper was doing, I called her and asked her to stop fighting like that. I told her I’d help her with the money.

She never reached out to me, and I didn't know if she stopped or not.” Oden said, “Mate did for us.”

Sam cried, “Drake, our pup. What happened to our pup? She’s letting people hurt her.

” Sam broke down in tears while Drake had tears coursing down his cheeks.

Cayden offered, “The pack called her a curse a lot. They blamed her for your death, and she blamed herself. I think she did more often especially after reading that letter impersonating Alpha Kyle among others from your pack.” Peter snarled.

Cayden continued, “I think she let them hurt her to punish herself. It’s safe to say she has letters from Jason that say he wished she was dead. Or she should’ve died.” Jason cried, “You don’t know that.” Cayden sighed, “No, I don’t for a fact but it’s logical.” It was.

My brother in law added, “If I’d known who she was, who she REALLY was, this wouldn’t have happened. I obviously knew you all weren’t dead. I know I didn’t spend much time with you all, but I don’t know what the hell was going on that I didn't put it together. You guys look similar.”

Micah agreed, “They do.” Cassie whispered, “It’s not your fault, Cayden.” Drake agreed, “No, it’s not. That’s my daughter and my responsibility. This is my family and my failure. That’s not on anyone but me.”

Peter whispered, “Drake.” Drake wiped his tears cutting that thought off, “No. There’s nothing else to say here other than I failed my little girl.

All that I can do now is try to fix this.

We will do as Haley suggests. We let Ladybug open up at her pace.

We protect her now as we should’ve done all along. ”

He snarled, “We will find all the sons of bitches responsible and make them pay. They WILL feel me breathing down their neck before they die. Anyone who hurt my little girl goes down. That’s what I have to offer her. ”

“Because there is no apology that will fix this. I’ll give her one every day for the rest of our lives if that’s what it takes, but it’s not enough.

It was my job to protect her, and I failed.

” Oden howled sadly in my head. It wasn’t his fault, he’d been compelled. I just understood why he felt that way.

No one spoke for a while as the mood in the room became quite somber. My mom finally said, “Guilt is a motherfucking asshole, Drake. You didn’t just abandon Melanie. There were compulsions and shit. Honestly, I think there’s more. So much fucking more.”

She pointed at me and my siblings, “My kids cannot be compelled. Something else is going on here, but I’ll figure that shit out too. You’re right in saying that what you have is moving forward. The past is just that, the past.”

“We will find a way to move on from this with time. That’s a bitch and a half too, but I’m sure my brothers would be willing to speak to you about that. They are the most amazing group of men about giving space and time.” Drake wiped his eyes again, “I’ll give Melanie anything she needs.”

I linked Cayden, “You still think that’s what the letters from Jase said, don’t you? About wishing she was dead.” Cayden asked, “Don’t you?” I acknowledged, “Yeah, I do. I think they might even say something worse.” Cayden winced before replying, “Probably.”

Jason looked at me beseechingly, “Can you ask them to come back out? I’ll side with dad.

Hell, I’ll do whatever I have to do because I need to be in my sister’s life.

I have to tell her how damn sorry I am. I was supposed to protect her.

How could Ladybug think I wouldn’t want her if everyone was gone? She has to know that’s not true.”

Tristan assured him, “We will get answers. We all agree with you, Alexander. Ladybug can come to us on her own terms. Unless someone else gets kidnapped. Then I’ll have a come to Jesus meeting with my little sister about the things that I know.”

My mom raised an eyebrow, “Exfuckingcuse me? What does a come to Jesus meeting mean? I know you don't want to kill her. That’s how those who believe in Jesus would meet him, right? By dying?” I laughed, “Mom, I love you so much. He means he will sit down with her and tell her what we know.”

My mom frowned in confusion then laughed. She looked at Tristan saying, “I seriously doubt if anyone goes missing that you’ll be able to find her. She’s the Resistance’s best asset by far. If someone is missing, who are they calling? Because I know who it would be if I ran that shit.”

Tristan paled and I growled. My mom reasoned, “She’s perfectly fucking capable, Alexander. With a brand new mindset even. She was punishing herself, but now she’s out to punish those that did this to her. I’m just saying I don’t think you’ll find her for that chat if shit hits the ceiling.”

Uncle Marcus offered, “Not the saying little sister. It’s shit hits the fan.

” My mom groaned, “The fucking ceiling is HIGHER than the damn fan! If the shit hit the fan, it could still be fucking worse because there’s some space it could continue to go before coming down to get hit by the fan and sprays the room. ” I bit my lip.

EJ linked me, “You just have to love her.” Phil linked, “Are we talking about the tattoos? And the electricity thing your mate does?” I answered, “Not with the larger group, no. I’ll tell EJ and my parents.

They might know something about it. We’ll have to read Gage in too, but until we know what’s going on that’s not a larger group discussion. ” Phil sighed, “Alrighty then.”

Zoe stood, “I’ll go get them.” I nodded, “Thanks Zoe.” She kissed my cousin, Dana, then walked out of the room. It was tense waiting for them to come back. Jason, Dalton, Dakota, and I relaxed the second the girls stepped into view.

Tristan asked his question. I nearly roared at his mention of Trevor.

The only thing that stopped me was my mom’s link, “Alexander Conners, I swear by all that is good and green in this world if you so much as fucking HUFF right now at the mention of that horrible child’s name I’ll get you good.

You and me young man, we are going to have ourselves one HELL of a FUCKING of a chat later. ”