Page 85 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Melanie woke up and looked around. I smiled knowing I was home.

It had been a long time since I felt I was somewhere I could call home.

I had places I lived, but I hadn’t called Black Path home ever.

Even my own place wasn't really home. It was where I could breathe and protect people….but it didn’t have that feeling of home.

Elise was still sleeping beside me. I looked at the clock noting it was three thirty in the morning. I quickly got up and grabbed another one of Xander’s hoodie’s off the floor. I watched Elise making sure she was really asleep before I undressed in the bathroom without closing the door.

I turned around to face the mirror and looked at the scars that Trevor carved into my back. Tears filled my eyes when I landed on the words he’d carved. I wiped the tears from my eyes before putting on Xander’s hoodie.

It was my fault the scars were there. I could’ve given Trevor what he wanted, I just didn’t…

.nor did I even want to. I shook myself off from the memories.

That was over. It was in the past. Freya linked, “Mate could fix them if you wanted.” I questioned, “How? I was healed by his mom, and they didn’t go away. ”

Freya answered, “She healed what was physically wrong with you. A scar is not physically hurting you; it’s emotionally hurting you because of how they happened.

Just tell him.” I shook my head arguing, “No, he can’t know about them.

Because then they would all find out. It was embarrassing, and…

Jason. I know that Jason didn’t know this was done to me. ” It would gut him.

I added, “Even before I knew he didn’t know where I truly was…

Hell, I’d even known Alpha Kyle didn’t know.

His punishments weren’t like Black Path’s.

That's not what they would have meant if they asked that I was punished. As mad as I was at them, I knew that they never would’ve wanted what happened to me. ”

Freya insisted, “That doesn’t mean you should have to live with them if you don’t want to.

At some point you deserve to protect yourself and your own mental health.

You deserve to have mate protect you. You don’t always have to protect everyone.

You live with the physical reminders that you don’t have to now. ”

If my scars came out now… it would hurt them all. We had enough hurt to navigate past. I knew they all felt guilty enough as it was. My past wasn’t something I needed to burden them with. Especially not the darkest depths of it.

I knew I’d blocked some moments during that time from myself. Freya could probably see it in my memories. I remember what Trevor did to me… but the time in the hole… the terror I felt… I’d blocked that all from myself.

I walked into the kitchen and quietly found what I needed to cook. My eyes burned with tears. I should’ve told Cayden after the ordeal with Trevor happened. I knew that. It would’ve changed everything though.

Now that I knew it would’ve changed everything for the best it hurt more. Freya said, “You do the best with the knowledge you have. You didn’t know, and you did what you did according to that to protect people. It’s what makes you, you.” I smiled because it was nice she understood.

I needed a pick me up, so I decided to make my chocolate muffins. Xander liked them… so that was a bonus. I wiped my eyes and started baking. I pulled my phone out and plugged in my headphones and listened to music.

I heard a throat clear behind me after I pulled the first batch of muffins out.

I startled and whirled around. My eyes went wide when I spotted Mrs. Blanch, the head cook here.

I apologized, “I’m sorry… am I not supposed to cook?

I just… I usually cook to deal with nerves…

. I found all the stuff and…. now I realize that was very presumptuous to think I could just use it all… . ”

Mrs. Blanch laughed, “No, my dear. You are welcome to anything in this house. I’m not used to being beaten into the kitchen.

I am Mrs. Blanch.” I knew that. I said, “I’m…

.” I trailed off. It had been a long time since I introduced myself to an outsider with the right name unless they were my friends. Like Kinglsey… I told her my real name.

Mrs. Blanch just waited. I spoke shakily, “Melanie McAlister.” I forced myself not to think about the last time I’d said that to anyone in Black Path.

Booker had beaten me pretty badly for it.

Mrs. Blanch smiled, “I must admit I did know who you were. I know many things around here. You are Alexander’s mate. ”

I smiled proudly saying, “Yes, I am.” She nodded, “I know your parents quite well. Your mom especially since she grew up in Blue Moon, I saw her a fair bit. Chelsea’s mother loves cooking so we swapped recipes and stories often. Sam and Chelsea were always running around together.” I nodded.

Mrs. Blanch walked over asking, “May I hug you?” I was startled but replied, “Umm... sure.” She gave me a hug. She whispered, “I am very sorry for whatever you went through. I know that no one wanted that.”

She pulled back, “Now, can I try a muffin? My baking senses tell me they are the ones the pack girls talked about years ago.” I laughed, “Oh, of course… what pack girls?” I linked Freya, “I totally pulled that off. She has no idea I know because Xander and Phil mentioned it. Evasions are my jam.” Freya chuckled.

Mrs. Blanch answered, “Two girls ran out of gas in Nashville and bought the best muffins they’ve ever had from a bakery who stole them from a drunk girl.

” Freya scoffed, “How rude of them to steal things from you. I would’ve killed them if we were together.

” It was rude to sell them…when I didn’t charge people for them.

Mrs. Blanch grabbed one as I poured the batter in for the next batch into the muffin tin. I added the fudge in. Mrs. Blanch moaned, “Oh my land sakes alive child! I am taking a group of these. I will study them and figure out how you made this muffin.”

I laughed offering, “I could tell you.” Mrs. Blanch waved her hands, “Nonsense. I have been around Fairies for quite some time now. So, you telling me would be no fun. No, this is a mystery, and I will solve it. It is so much more satisfying that way.”

I admitted, “I have a feeling I will make them more than I used to. Xander loves them.” I blushed remembering his reaction to them. Mrs. Blanch cooed, “You call him Xander?” I nodded. She squealed, “That’s adorable. I love that.”

I smiled saying, “I’ve called him that since I was three.” Mrs. Blanch touched her heart, “That’s just the sweetest thing. Now, if you ever need anything you come talk to Nana Blanch. You hear?” Tears filled my eyes. She reminded me of my own grandmas. I nodded, “Thank you.”

Mrs. Blanch kissed the top of my forehead, “Any time. I am early riser myself. The Alpha’s like to think they are the early risers with their six am run they do.

It’s those of us in the kitchens that are truly the true early risers.

We just let them think they are the ones up early catching that worm. ”

I asked, “They run every day at six?” Because from my findings that was mostly true, but not always. I needed to figure out the pattern of when they didn’t. Mrs. Blanch nodded, “Usually. They probably won’t today since they are drinking whiskey at the moment.”

I snorted, “They are getting an early start, I see.” Usually that was my thing… so… this was odd for me. Mrs. Blanch smiled, “They’ve already had quite the day.” I questioned, “Does anything go on around here that you don’t know about?”

Mrs. Blanch winked, “Very little. Some things get by, but I keep a close watch on my boys and girls.” I replied, “I’m glad they have you.” Mrs. Blanch bumped my hip saying, “You’re one of my girls now too.” I smiled at her unsure of what to say.

She grabbed a plate and said, “Now, I’m off to figure out this muffin mystery. I’m even taking an extra one for my husband, who I will have to hit with a rolling pin if he tries to take any more of them from me than his allotted one.” I laughed, “I’m making a pretty big batch.”

Mrs. Blanch changed the subject, “Do you know about the party tomorrow?” I gasped, “Party? What party?” Mrs. Blanch snorted, “My boys, they forget the details sometimes. It does not mean the same thing to them as it does to us women. It’s just a pack gathering, but I’d figured you want to know.

It’s your first one in this pack.” I nodded, “Ok… I’ll think about that later. ”

I had to push it aside for now. I had a lot to think about as I baked.

I had to give everything I had on the Hunters to Cayden.

If the larger Hunter group didn’t already know I wasn’t actually Ashley Griffen, but Melanie McAlister…

add in that I am Xander’s mate, they soon would, and they could change things.

I hadn’t heard from Nate, so word must not have spread yet. Then, there was the fact that I was Red One. My hair might be different, but the people I’d sent here and saved would recognize me. You don’t forget the face of the person that saved you. I knew that.

So, I’d have to tell them I was Red One.

They’d probably guessed I was working with the Resistance, but maybe with that information they would let it simmer for a while.

Freya chimed in, “It would be enough to give them Red One and let that all settle. You’ll have to tell Xander and Oden about everything else eventually though. ”

I sighed, “I know. I just can’t give up every piece of myself to them right now.

I’m not the only one who needs to adjust. I can’t just waltz up to Xander and say, oh by the way…

I’m the sniper in the Resistance who’s been saving all of you.

Also...I’m Red One, I’m in the undergrounds…

the real ones... thank GOD they don’t know the names of the fighters so… we could skirt that.”