Page 82 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Melanie shrugged, “A little… can you help me with what to wear for the party?” Elise smiled, “Of course.” Melanie started talking, “I’m really nervous. I normally walk around in leggings and a hoodie, but I don't think that’s really a Luna thing.”

I kissed her before saying, “It’s a Luna thing if that’s what you want.” She flushed. Maverick said, “La, la, la, SHE IS THE ONE WHO COOKED THIS DELISHOUSNESS?” Zoe giggled from the back, “We have to have that cooking session, Mel. I need to know your secrets.”

Melanie smiled, “Oh… really? Yeah, that’s… sure... Really? My secrets?” Zoe snorted, “The Conners are never going to shut up about your cooking. The Kyle’s and McAlister’s want to know who made it too, and so do the rest of the pack.”

I asked, “How could they pack possibly know about it?” Zoe snorted, “She put out some food in the pack house. It didn’t last long.” I teased my mate, “You didn’t mention that.” Melanie picked at my hoodie she was wearing. Elise was so happy EJ briefly purred.

Melanie explained, “Well… it was a lot of nervous cooking. There’s a party… and….” Preston ran out of the room yelling, “MOM, WE NEED TO HAVE A PARTY ONCE A WEEK!” I snorted, “He’s teasing, Mel.” Julian laughed, “He’s not.” He better be .

I snorted, “We are not having a party once a week so you can get my mate to nervously cook you breakfast.” Elise smiled, “You’ll have to teach me your skills with Zoe, Mel.” Buttercup clapped, “Me too! I can’t cook to save my life, but I can watch.”

Melanie told them, “I wasn’t great when I started either. The guys who taught me are moving up here and they are great teachers! They will even have their own diner. Mason’s burgers are the best.” EJ snickered, “Don’t let Al hear you say that.”

Melanie frowned saying, “He doesn’t live here…so I don’t think he’d care.” EJ agreed, “True. Come on, little brother. Let the women pick their clothes out.” I linked my brothers, “Cockblockers. All of you.” EJ howled with laughter as we walked downstairs.

The Kyle’s and McAlister’s were waiting. Peter smiled asking, “Have you boys found the new cook? I heard Preston yelling about needing parties but not why.” I sighed “It’s not a new cook. It was Melanie.” Sam gasped, “What? My pup cooked this? She can cook?”

Drake laughed “That girl can do anything she wants to do. I should’ve snagged a muffin from Phil.” I smirked agreeing, “Yes, you should’ve. Those are the best damn muffins I’ve ever had.” My brothers shouted, “WHAT?!”

Angela snickered, “She makes them tomorrow.” Angela wiggled her eyebrows, “A lot of them. She’s very happy and that translates to ALL the muffins for us.” I laughed, “Why?” Angela sang, “You’ll see.” She popped away.

Drake shrugged, “Melanie must get up pretty early. I’ll be down here waiting to see if I can talk to her and grab a muffin.” Sam smiled saying, “Me too.” Zoe laughed, “You get up early. Meanwhile I’ll be camping out in this kitchen. I will see how she cooks and learn her secrets.”

I laughed, “You know you are a great cook, Zoe.” Zoe nodded, “And now I’ll be even better. Why was she so surprised I would want to cook with her to learn her secrets? I told her that when she got here.” Before we could answer Sierra and Phil walked up with an empty tray.

I snapped it clean and away. Phil smirked, “Damn your mate is a good cook.” I laughed, “Wait till the larger find out Sierra has her own specialties.” Gage said, “I’m sorry. The Beta Female AND Luna can cook like this?”

Abigail winked saying, “Me too.” Julian said, “Ok. Abigail isn’t from there but can all the women down in Nashville cook?

” Peter perked up, “Can my future daughter in laws cook?” Sierra snorted, “Oh yeah. You need to get Avery to cook you her famous barbeque menu. The pack will fawn over her. It’s amazing.

Addison and Paige are both really good too. ”

Julian sighed, “So, what I hear you saying is I just need to go steal all the she wolves from Black Path. That’s what I heard her say.

” I snorted. Sierra bit her lip, “You’d have succeeded with that plan before Caine and Dax took over.

They’d have flocked to your pack. I’m going to see Mel. ” She ran upstairs with Abigail.

Sam smiled proudly, “Maybe I can ask Melanie to teach me how to cook those eggs for you, Drake. Maybe I can bond with my pup again that way.” Zoe said, “I think she would. She was excited but clearly thought it was odd I wanted to learn from her. Still excited though.”

She looked at me asking, “Right?” I told her, “If we had a Hackura bond, I could tell you. I believe she was excited.” It didn’t shoot up my foot or anything, but Melanie’s expression said she was.

Sam asked, “Do you boys mind if our families come to the party? We don’t want to push Melanie and will stay away, but we just want to be around her. ”

Drake held her from behind as she whispered, “We’ve missed her so much and after the things we learned yesterday, everyone’s just reeling.” Peter added, “My sons were already coming but now they want to bring their mates.”

I snorted, “You have and always will be welcome here. That didn’t change. I’ll always do what I have to in order to protect Melanie. She knows you’re around though. If she’s uncomfortable we will talk about it together.”

I sighed and added, “Shit, you guys. I never thought this would be so tense. I’ve thought she was mine for so long I just didn’t think there would be a problem. I…” Drake cut me off, “You’re between a rock and hard place. We all are.” I nodded .

EJ and I left and did a little bit of work, then headed out back. It wasn’t a formal party, so jeans were fine. I knew Elise would have Melanie in something nice. Melanie would probably just be more comfortable because Elise picked it out.

EJ smirked and I saw the signs that Elise had come outside.

I turned and did a double take. Melanie was in a fitted, black long sleeve casual dress.

I growled at several people who looked at her too long.

EJ clapped me on the back, “The pack is curious about your Luna.” They could be curious without lusting after MY mate.

Whispers were going around. I heard the words ‘Red One’ a lot. I walked over to Melanie and tucked her into my side. Several people ran over and hugged her. They cried, “You saved us! You are the new Luna? Alpha Alexander, she’s amazing!”

Several asked what her real name was. The pack was whispering like wildfire about my mate being the famous Red One.

People began to filter around. Many stopped by to greet Melanie.

KJ came over and introduced himself, “Hello, Melanie.” She replied, “Hi.” He said, “I’m KJ.

” Melaine offered, “Melanie, except you said that so… you knew that. I’m just…

ummm…awkward…like that…which your face says you already knew about. ”

She kissed my cheek smiling, “I’ll be right back. I’m going to grab a drink… and figure out how to be less awkward.” She walked away. KJ said, “I’ll keep guarding her. The real her is a lot more like the file I had on her than the fake her.” He turned and walked with her.

I turned and growled when I saw the woman who had joined the party. EJ turned where I was facing and sighed, “Her again?” Amy Polseter was here all the way from Montana. I saw my mom tense. Melanie was standing by her and noticed so she turned around too.

We all listened to Amy greet dad, “Oh hi, Alpha Eric!” I heard Elise snort. My dad smiled politely, “Amy, what brings you here?” My mom grumbled, “You.” Amy smiled saying, “Oh, well I was around, and I remembered you said to stop by if I was in town. I bought a car.” She started talking about it.

EJ questioned, “How doesn’t dad see she’s flirting?” Elise snorted, “The same way you and your brothers miss it when it happens to you.”

We all looked over when a portal opened. I linked EJ, “Why does Cassie have a fairy charm on?” The woman with Cayden had brown hair and didn’t look like Cassie. Our family knew it was her from the bond though. He answered, “I have no idea.”

I linked Cassie, “What’s with the disguise?” Cassie answered, “Cayden is testing a theory.” I asked, “What theory?” Cassie smiled, “You’ll find out.” Cayden and Cassie separated. So that was clearly part of theory being tested. It would be obvious it was Cassie if they stayed together.

I asked EJ, “Did you get the same answer I did?” EJ nodded, “I’d imagine so.

Did she tell you it was theory of our brother in law is testing?

” I hummed, “Yup.” Everyone's attention went back to Amy and my dad when Melanie’s voice said, “Hi Eric…. and you are?” Melanie’s face told me she knew the answer.

Amy frowned answering, “Amy. I didn’t realize your pack was so informal in addressing Alpha Eric without his title.

” Melanie shrugged, “I didn’t realize there was a decent pack around that believed it was acceptable to waltz into a territory and flirt openly with the former Alpha in front of his mate, and his children…

..but here we are.” I wasn’t the only one who spit out their drink.

Melanie wasn’t done though. She continued, “How long have you known Eric?” My dad was surprised but amused. Amy was scarlet red. She answered, “Five years. We are just friends. You are clearly just misunderstanding the….”

Melanie laughed interrupting her, “I’m going to stop you right there because I know so many things. I understand exactly what you’re doing…I’m an actual genius…so I understand a ranging variety of complex topics. Here’s what you’ve failed to notice in the five years you’ve known Eric.”

EJ snorted, “This ought to be good.” Dylan squealed, “I love her! She’s amazing.

No one try to change MelAshley ever. Or I will SIC my wind up toys on you.

There will be no etiquette teachers lurking around.

Or I’ll get them good.” I watched Melanie noting KJ, Chason, and Fowler were all near her ready to act, if necessary, to protect their Luna .