Page 90 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

I corrected myself, “I mean… I did before I left, but then I thought Xander didn’t want me. I had dreams as a pup... of my dad walking me down the aisle, and my mom helping me get ready. Jason will be in the mating ceremony as a groomsman I’d bet.”

“He’s been friends with Xander forever. I just…

I gave up that dream. It was left in the punishing hole with every other dream I had.

I don’t know how to adjust to all of it being an option again.

I thought on the slight chance Xander accepted me we’d have a small ceremony that only his family attended.

“I don’t know how to not be hurt by family right now. Their lives continued on. My whole world stopped. Nothing was the same. They talked to someone who never came home…which they didn’t find weird…probably because of a compulsions but still…Everything except my presence stayed the same for them.”

Addison took my hand gently saying, “That’s true but it’s not. They missed you, Mel. So much.” I believed her. I sighed, “Anyway, you know what? I’ll ask Elise about dress shops. She’d have a better idea than Xander.”

Paige laughed, “So, are you saying there are no dress shops in Red Run?” I frowned, “Well there are, but this is the bigger territory. The Conners own several malls here. Most of the girls go to Blue Moon or here for dresses for dances, Mating Ceremony’s and stuff.”

Avery smirked, “Our mates don’t own a mall? I think that has to change.” I laughed, “They’d build you a mall if you wanted one. They own businesses and restaurants. So… is Jason the Lead Male Warrior? That was always his dream.” Addison smiled answering, “He is.”

I nodded, “That makes more sense. They didn’t send their Beta to infiltrate the Hunters. They sent their Male Lead Warrior. I should’ve known that… even though it’s still a REALLY bad idea on their part… so…”

Avery sighed, “Mel, how could you know that?” I answered, “I’m supposed to be smart.

No pack would send their Beta in to do that.

” Addison said, “To be fair, you said those exact words.” But I’d watched Tristan die.

So, in my mind Jason was the only option for their Beta.

I rubbed my head saying, “Jason was listed as the Beta in Edward’s stuff too. ”

Addison rolled her eyes, “My dad is such an ass. I can’t believe they did that to your wolf. And umm just so you know your Xander got a vision. I’m not quite clear on how…” I interrupted, “His pushing power. What did he see?” Paige frowned.

Avery answered, “He saw your first time cooking and shouted about what he saw.” I scoffed, “Is Edward dead then?” Paige sighed, “Sadly, no. It took a horde of people to hold your Xander back. Tristan told D alton that Cassie had to get in your Xander’s face to calm him down.

” I shrugged, “He hasn’t said anything about it. ”

Addison said, “So, subject change required. Red One is out.” I nodded, “Yes. I’d imagine your mates know that too at this point.” Addison sighed, “Jase is going to flip.” I winking teasingly saying, “That sounds like his mate’s problem.” Addison snorted and splashed me with water.

A soft knock came, and the door opened. I grinned, “Hi, Abigail… I totally sent Gage to get you and…” She interrupted, “I know. He told me.” She sat on the edge of the hot tub, and we all gave her hugs.

Abigail admitted, “It feels crazy to say that I was in a good pack for a hot second before coming here. My brother is doing what he should in his role and so are his friends.” I told her, “I’m really glad about that.”

She nudged me, “That’s all your hard work. Then you sent my mate to me. My brother said to feel free to send someone his way.” I laughed, “I’ll think about it… we should have a big get together… with everyone.” They all agreed, “Yes.”

Freya told me, “The guys are coming.” I announced, “All our mates are on the way.” Paige snorted, “And can we just say how fabulous it is we all found mates at the same time? In the same area even. It’s a little fucked up because of stuff and things, but still cool.”

I agreed, “It is. I’m beyond thrilled to see you three so happy.” Addison whispered, “You’re really not going to be upset if Jase and I are marked after Allison’s party? Even with having me having my mating ceremony so fast?”

I was about to answer when she continued, “Jase and I agreed it’s only happening if you were comfortable with it. We want you there, it’s important to us.” I told her, “If you are happy, I’m happy. If you wanted tomorrow, I would be there. You are one of my best friends.”

Abigail squealed, “I can’t wait to see it happens!” She hadn’t actually seen a Mating Ceremony yet… because her pack was awful and just had forced markings in public… which was sad. I added, “If I could be marked, I’d be marked.”

Freya huffed, “I’m still sure we could be.

Pretty sure. Almost positive actually.” I told her, “If that upgrades to you being positive then you let me know.” Freya snorted, “Sure, I’ll just consult the dictionary of things that have never happened before.

” I smiled because I really did like my wolf.

When the guys came in, we got out of the hot tub. Freya said, “Ajax does really want to talk. He’s so sad.” Which I didn’t want, and I knew Jason wanted to talk to me. We needed to at least be civil for now. For Addison and Xander’s sake.

There was a lot of hurt between us, and not just on my side. He had to be crushed by me thinking he’d abandoned me… so… this was going to be… horrible. I told my friends to hear my family out though. I suppose I needed to take my own dang advice. Gosh… that sucked.

I wanted to yell at my brother to go away, while simultaneously wanting to talk to him and hang on his every word. It wasn’t fair but I hoped there would be something he could say that would be…. like a soothing balm to the ache in my soul.

Addison knew she was a strong factor in why I agreed to talk to Jason. Without her being his mate, I’d have talked to him... just not privately and not right away. I would’ve if Xander asked me to, but gosh… this was so messed up.

Xander popped us to his room and asked if I wanted to talk. No, I didn’t because I literally felt something inside me about to snap at myself for agreeing to talk to Jason. I didn’t want to deal with that. I wanted to mark my mate.

When Xander was close to an orgasm I linked Freya, “Let’s mark him.” Freya softly replied, “I think we should wait until he marks us and do it together.” I teared up instantly. Nothing could ever be fair for us. She apologized, “I’m sorry, Melanie.” It wasn’t her fault.

I couldn’t hold it together after we’d finished. I asked my wolf, “Why?” Freya sighed, “I don’t know if he would have a wolf on him since we haven’t shifted.” I questioned, “So, this is about you not wanting me to know what you look like?” She’d be brown and I already knew that .

Freya asked, “Wouldn’t it hurt your feelings if he had no wolf in his mark because we haven’t shifted?” I sighed because it might, but her answer was evasive. I asked her, “Umm did Xander say he had marked us in a way?”

Freya coughed, “Yes and so have we.” I asked her, “What?” I felt her pull back into herself without answering me. We hadn’t marked him, I knew that much. Xander explained he’d already shared his light with me. I’d missed that? Seriously? What else had I missed?

I needed to seriously reevaluate everything I thought I knew. I studied Xander noting he looked tired. He mentioned the pack party. I linked Freya, “Maybe I’ll just say I really don’t need him to give me stuff. I could find something in my clothes. Maybe… I have A LOT of hoodies.”

She snorted, “You did the research and know it makes Alpha’s happy to provide. Let him.” It was just that the small, but loud, part of me was still screaming I didn’t deserve it. Xander changed the subject to watching me fight. He might want to get used to that.

Plus, he DEFINITELY needed to change his policy about visitors being searched. They had something that could hurt him, and I found that unacceptable. I could show the Warriors what to look for. I had pictures.

I was asleep as soon as we’d stopped talking.

Before I knew it I saw Jason screaming at me, “How could you think I’d hate you?

Now I do! You vapid bitch!” Tristan shook his head saying, “I’m so disappointed in you.

Ladybug.” Peter, my parents, and family all shook their heads at me.

They started shouting at me while I sat down and screamed, covering my ears.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I shoved the nightmare aware. It was real my family didn’t say that… it was how I thought subconsciously they should feel…that’s it. I slowly got myself out of Xander’s arms and took deep breaths. I hated my nightmares. My family was always saying mean things to me.

This was different from the past. Normally people screamed at me for my parents being dead, and saying it was my fault they’d died. I shook myself and grabbed Xander’s hoodie and some Yoga pants. I quietly went outside and felt more centered.

I found a spot to dance, but I didn’t play music since I didn't go very far from the main house, and I didn’t want to wake anyone up. I just danced by the lake. I let the movement and the visions of dancing in my mind calm me down.

After thirty minutes I went inside. I was starting to get really nervous about the pack party. I was not liked in Black Path from the moment I set foot in their territory. What if Black Mountain didn’t like me? I was not a typical Luna.

Elise and even Buttercup were. They had that typical Luna spirit about them. They were bad asses who hadn’t seen the hard side of life I had. They wore cute outfits, and I wore hoodies and leggings. They didn’t have ugly scars to hide.