Page 89 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Xander popped us to his parents once we were done. His mom smiled at me warmly and I smiled back. From what I knew, she probably understood me better than anyone else around here. His dad asked about our meeting.

I could tell Xander wanted to tell him about me being Red One. Freya agreed, “He does.” I was fine with that coming out and told Xander as much. What startled me was neither gave anything away. They weren’t surprised though. I could tell that. I still didn’t know how, but I did.

I studied Haley. Her not showing her thoughts was odd. Fairies were expressive. I’d learned a lot about them. The one Supernatural race that was the most expressive out of all of us was the Fae. Why wasn’t she?

Eric said I was impressive. Wow. Former Alpha Eric Conners thought being Red One was impressive? I bit my lip so I wouldn’t say anything else other than ‘thank you’. Freya said, “Thor is impressed to.” I squeaked, “Really? They are so hard to impress.” She replied, “Yes, they really are.”

I quickly handed him the flash drive with everything he needed to eventually kill Edward Davis and Jean…

whenever I found Booker, him too. Eric told me he’d take care of that.

I’d always known he would. I’d planned to leak him the information I had once we were ready to move. I knew he would do something.

Hell, I’d know the entire Werewolf Council would, but I’d planned to send the information to Eric. We agreed if he had any questions he could ask. Xander popped me to my friends next, who were still in the hot tub. Xander kissed me then popped away.

Paige said, “Mel, you’ve been waiting for that man since I met you and you’re not have sex with him yet? What on earth are you waiting for girl?” I blushed. Sierra snorted, “Oh they’ve had sex, and they are LOUD.” My eyes widened. I shouted, “SIERRA!” Freya cackled in my head.

Sierra laughed, “You are.” Paige clapped, “YAY! My little Melanie is growing up. This is so great.” I rolled my eyes, muttering, “Enough about me.” I got into the hot tub and asked, “How are you guys? Si?” Sierra smiled, “I’m ok. You were right. Phil will handle it.” I knew that.

She continued, “I actually feel so settled. Your Xander came with you to see me. The Alpha was saying I was safe here. Warriors immediately followed us as we ran away. Not to hurt us, but to protect us. They actually said out loud that they were there to protect us.”

“Avery was ready to attack until they said that. It was just like being surrounded by your Warriors. It’s the whole pack here.

An Alpha told us we were safe. An Alpha.

” She started crying. I hugged her admitting, “I know.” I’d told them it was supposed to be like that, but she’d finally experienced it.

Once she calmed down, I asked my other friends, “Where are you at with your mates?” I held up my hands, “Keep in mind… I don’t want sexy details. One of them is my brother and the other two… are quasi family. So….no sexy details.”

Paige snorted, “None of us have had sex yet. We all went to a PG-13 level. I have to say, I’m so proud of my girls.

Normally I’m the one bringing the higher rating.

” Avery blushed, “It’s…” She trailed off then explained, “there are two sides to me. Me and my wolf. Plus, everything just feels so good with Dakota. I swear Mel they have their own side to the story. I promise…”

I put my hands up again, interrupting, “I told you guys that no matter what happens with them, nothing changes between us. They are your mates. What you do with them is up to you. I support you. Plus, I know all of you. I know if you didn’t find their side acceptable, you’d have punched them hard enough I’d have seen black eyes…

IN THE MEETING YOU JUST LET ME WALK INTO! ”

Paige snickered, “But it was a little funny… until it went to hell.” I snorted, “I’m trying to make these people like me guys!

” Addison touched my arm assuring me, “They love you already. Jase told me a lot about you and the pack last night. This is different from Black Path. Once word spread who we were around Red Run, the amount of people that asked about you was, umm high.”

Paige snorted, “Literally everyone I met asked about you once they found out we knew you. Most were in shock about your situation. The whole Ashley Griffen is Melanie McAlister emergency pack meeting was a whole ass experience.” Avery added, “Me too. I mean people asking about you.”

I shrugged and looked away because it hurt to hear. Addison said, “They want to see you. Especially a girl named Adeline. I literally cannot believe I’ve never heard her name since she has pictures of you two and told us you guys did a bunch of stuff together.” Talking about Adeline was painful.

I shook my head saying, “I can’t go there right now.” I knew all about Adeline’s life though. I knew who she mated with, and it was the boy I said she’d be cute with…that I saved and sent to Red Run for her to meet.

I’d made sure she was ok… even if we weren’t friends now… so I just… couldn’t go back to Red Run. All these years I wanted to cross and now that I could….I didn’t know if I physically had it in e me to take that step across the border.

Paige simply said, “You don’t have to. We did go to some of the places you talked about. Your dancing field is stunning. Like wow.” My eyes filled with tears, “Yeah, it’s really beautiful.” I’d choreographed my dances for Xander there.

Addison said, “Do you think you’ll come to our mating ceremonies?” I snorted, “I’ll be there. This is a mental issue…but … I’ll be there.” They all smiled. Addison whispered, “Jase and I will probably be first. We were thinking about having it after Allison Daniels' birthday party.”

I asked, “When is her party?” I knew it was soon since her birthday was.

Addison’s guilt came through when she said, “Thursday.” I told her, “So, your mating ceremony is next weekend.” It wasn’t a question.

Addison’s eyes filled with tears as she said, “Only if it’s ok with you.

” I really didn’t want to go to Red Run next weekend, month, or year.

Maybe Haley could help me dissect that new feeling.

I’d been trying to get back there for years.

Now, I didn’t even want to look at it. I told my friend, “You do what you feel is right. It’s not about me.

Your mating ceremony is about you and Jase.

I know you don’t have a dress, but I’m sure Xander can tell us about a store around here. We’ll go shopping.”

I knew she’d wanted to wear her mom’s mating ceremony dress. One day when she was a pup, Addison had been playing in her mom's mating dress. Edward found out about it. He promptly threw the dress in the fire. He was such a jerk.

Addison’s eyes filled with tears, “Yeah? You think we can find a dress?” I snorted, “Of course we can. If we can’t… we know a lot of partial Fairies who can conjure one for us.” Addison hugged me saying, “I love you, Mel. So much.”

I hummed, “Monday is apparently going to be eventful… so we can go Tuesday.” Paige yelled, “Hell yes! Wedding dress shopping with my girls! Because it’s a wedding, you weirdos.” We all laughed. Mating Ceremony dress sounded normal to us since that’s what we called it.

Paige added, “Oh and someone better back me up with Dalton on the lingo. We call them kids or babies. What is with the pup thing?” I laughed, “You know that already. It’s what we call them.

” Paige raised an eyebrow retorting, “Nope, I am not calling my kids ‘pups,’ or yours. It’s not happening. I’ll start a new trend.”

I teased, “Are you already talking pups, Paige?” Paige snorted, “I had to know what I was getting myself into. He could’ve wanted a litter!

” I snorted, “Dalton wanted four kids back in the day.” Paige nodded, “He still does. I happily accept that. I thought he was going to say eight or something unattainable.”

I told her, “A litter of wolves... the actual animal wolf… is usually four to six… so he does in fact want a litter.” Paige rolled her eyes asking, “Is ANYONE surprised she knows that?” Avery laughed, “No, that’s what she does. She knows things like that. ”

I sighed, “Lots of people know that.” Sierra disagreed, “No, they don’t.

” Paige laughed, “Whatever. My definition of a litter is eight, and it was NOT happening.” I reasoned, “Well, then it all worked out. What about you two?” I asked Paige and Avery, “Are you having Mating Ceremonies back to back?”

Avery blushed, “Ads is going first.” Paige said, “Uhh I’m planning a wedding people. I need at least four months, and that’s rushing it.” I laughed knowing Dalton would climb the walls. Paige smirked at us adding, “I’m aiming for six.”

Avery bit her lip before saying, “Mine will be sooner. More like a week or two after Ads.” I nodded, “More shopping.” Avery smiled, “You’re one of a kind Mel. Really.” I rolled my eyes, but it was actually true. Just not right now… I was being normal.

Avery asked, “What about you guys? When’s your mating ceremony?” My eyes filled with tears as I explained, “He can’t mark me until I shift.” I broke down in tears. Avery gasped, “What? He can’t mark you?” Paige frowned saying, “So? They can still get married.”

Avery sighed, “They have to be marked to have a Luna and Mating Ceremony.” Paige shouted, “What utter bullshit!” I actually laughed, “It’s tradition.

Especially since he’s an Alpha.” Paige rolled her eyes insisting, “It’s bullshit.

If you want to get married a mark on your neck shouldn’t matter. You’re his Luna. Ceremony or not.”

I told her sincerely, “I love you, Paige. I don’t even know when… we haven’t talked about any of that.” Avery surmised, “It’s about your family, isn’t it?” I sighed, “I don’t… I just don’t know how all that works out. I didn’t think I’d have a mating ceremony.”