Melania –
Tonight marked my farewell to the resort, and I was all set to head home and prepare for an exciting new chapter at the university I had been dreaming of. My brothers and their friends were expected to arrive at the hotel for a quick refresh and some pool time—it was bound to be a blast! I knew I couldn't resist the urge to playfully taunt my brothers, which for me is always a timeless pleasure.
I adored the woods; as I ventured in, who should I spy but my dear Wolfie? He walked over and affectionately nuzzled my side, causing me to erupt into giggles. Settling on a large rock, I remarked to Wolfie, "Your eyes remind me of an attractive man, if one could believe such a thing. But Wolfie, I have no time for men. I yearn for independence, with a dominant nature that avoids being controlled. Despite my appearance, I'd choose climbing a mountain over a manicure, and a boxing match over a beauty pageant. I know, it's odd, isn't it, Wolfie? I wish I could bring you along, but alas, the university doesn't permit wolves." I chuckled to myself. "Let's walk together, Wolfie. I trust you to keep me safe." Standing up, she placed her hand on his head as they strolled through the woods. Amidst the rustling leaves, the moonlight filtered through the tree branches, casting a gentle glow over their path.
Brock –
I glanced at Melania and felt a pang of guilt, knowing she would never confide in me like that if she realized my connection to Wolfie. I trailed behind her, I was attracted to her, but it wasn't just because of the mate bond. She's one-of-a-kind, not like other girls. I don't know how to win her over; the mate bond barely affects her, so I'll have to approach this like a regular human would. Maybe Google has a guide on "How to win over your mate like a human." I chuckled in my wolf form. She's leaving tomorrow, so it would be nice to spend time with her in the woods. I'm relieved to have an investigator keeping an eye on her. This way, I won't lose her. The pull to be with her is strong, and as the Alpha, I'll need to be near my mate most of the time. Not being near her could drive me mad.
Third Party Scout -
The rustle of leaves broke the quiet only as a pair of eyes looked at Melania and Wolfie. Wolfie and Melania were being photographed by the individual. Seeing both the Alpha and the young girl, he's also tailing; the mysterious person is fortunate at such a find.
Why were these two together in the first place? I found it odd that this girl, whose features resembled those of the previous royal family, was with Alpha, the son of the top warrior of the previous royal family.
Her likeness to the former queen was uncanny, as if they were reflections of each other. The king would surely disapprove; this girl could be the princess Melania and the future queen. If she were to become queen, they would swiftly bring an end to her life, as the King would never allow her to survive.e as the queen. In the unlikely event that she becomes Queen, they will cut her life short as the King would not allow her to live.
Brock's Point of View –
A rancid odor hung in the air, sending chills down my spine. I caught a glimpse of something moving in the periphery of my vision. But I couldn't afford to be distracted; Melania's safety was my top priority. I nudged her, urging her to follow me out of the woods. Her bewildered expression asked: "Do you want me to follow you?" I nodded, the tension building as the unknown threat loomed.
I saw her speaking out loud to herself questioning her sanity, "I'm going crazy," she chuckled, addressing me as if I could understand. "Lead the way, Wolfie." Her laughter trembled with unease as she obediently followed me out of the woods.
Her curiosity lingered as she questioned my sudden retreat. I remained still, my instincts on high alert, sensing an intruder nearby.
"Is there something dangerous out there?" she asked, searching for answers in my silent response. Again, she laughed, masking her fear with humor. "I'll head back to the hotel, but I'm not a damsel in distress. I can take care of myself. Wolfie, I'm glad you're looking out for me."
As she leaned down to kiss my nose, I pushed her gently toward the hotel, urging her to safety. She laughed at my insistence, playfully scolding me before making her way back, leaving me alone with my concerns.
Once she was out of sight, I mind-linked my beta and gamma, urgency pulsing through my thoughts. "Somebody was following us in the woods. I couldn't get a good look." But their hoots and laughter in response made it clear they weren't taking me seriously.
"Guys, this is a security breach. NOW get out here!" I demanded, their laughter abruptly ceasing as they acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and rushed to act.
Melania’s Point of View–
As I saw my dad and brothers pull up in their van, a smile lit up my face, and I couldn't wait to give my dad a hug. I playfully took the van keys from him and handed them to the valet. "Hey, daddy-o! Missed you," I said with a laugh as I wrapped my arms around my dad, feeling his familiar warmth.
He chuckled and asked me, "Where are you coming from?" I couldn't help but giggle as I answered, "I was out playing with Wolfie in the woods." His raised eyebrows made me burst into laughter. "Come on, dad, Wolfie is my buddy! He wouldn't hurt a fly," I reassured him with a grin.
But my dad’s stern expression made me hit my older brother behind his head. "Don't scare daddy, you big goof," I teased him, knowing he'd chase me. And true to form, he did. I darted off, fully aware that I could outrun him. As we headed toward the pool, I made a quick turn and tripped him, sending him headfirst into the water fully clothed. I couldn't contain my laughter as I left him spluttering in the pool, feeling victorious.
Filled with pride, I headed up to my room, eager to relax. I changed into my PJs and grabbed a bag of chips and a mug of hot chocolate before settling onto the balcony. As I gazed out at the woods, I spotted Wolfie with a couple of his wolf friends, and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. "Maybe that's why dad doesn't want me in the woods," I thought with a mischievous grin.
Of course, the voice in my head chimed in, nagging me about intruders and danger. I brushed off the warning, shaking my head and laughing at my own supposed craziness. The mocking voice from within sounded exasperated, but I just rolled my eyes. "Nope, I'm not possessed. Just delightfully weird," I said to myself, reveling in my own silliness.
Brock’s Point of View–
The search had turned into a dead end. Disheartened, my Beta, gamma, and I made our way back to our room. As I mulled over Melania's advice, a spark of an idea ignited within me.
I decided to use the mind-link to contact some of my pack and asked them to swiftly prepare the training grounds for a wrestling match tournament.
I wanted to gather all the young warriors to compete, hoping it would pique her interest. It was impromptu, but I was willing to go to any lengths to spend time with my potential mate.
Once everything was set up, I informed my boys about my plan and encouraged them to find dates if they were interested.
Melania–
I heard a gentle knock at the door and assumed it was one of my sisters who had forgotten her key. But when I opened the door, it wasn’t one of my sisters. It was Brock.
.
"Mr. Monroe, what is it you want?" I asked, curious at his sudden appearance.
Brock, a hint of sheepishness in his eyes, nervously ran his hands through his hair before speaking, "Listen, you have got me all wrong. Not looking for a booty call. I really like you and, well, I just want to hang out tonight since you are leaving tomorrow. There are some wrestling matches going on in about an hour. Would you go with me? Please?"
I couldn’t help but feel curious about Brock’s sudden change of demeanor. Where did the overly macho man go? Despite feeling a bit taken aback, I found myself considering his offer. "Well, it would be fun to go, and it’s not like I will ever see him again," I thought to myself. I mentally scolded myself for the fleeting thought, part of me almost purring at the idea. "Stop it," I chided myself silently.
As I looked into Brock’s beautiful blue eyes, I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that I had seen them before. Nodding my head, I answered, "Yes, I would love to go. It sounds like fun. Give me half an hour to get ready and then come and get me."
Smiling at him, I closed the door. He looked so endearing, as if he truly believed I was going to say no. Turning around, I headed into my room and picked out a pair of ripped jeans and a crop top from my suitcase.
I dressed lazily, pulled on some boots, and added a leather jacket. After a light touch of makeup, I checked myself in the mirror and knew I looked hot.
As I heard a knock at the door, I felt a rush of excitement. It had to be Brock. I grabbed my purse, opened the door, and saw Brock standing there in an outfit that matched mine. "Wow, how weird. We are both wearing the same thing," I blurted out.
Brock smiled and stated, "Like minds, I guess," before putting his hands around my waist. We walked to his black truck, and he opened the door for me, waiting until I was seated and buckled in, then joining me in the driver's seat.
As he started the truck, and we drove onto a dirt path in the woods, I teased him, "Uh, you're not a psychopath, are you? Are you going to kill me out in the woods?" I laughed, trying to ease my own nervousness.
Brock shook his head, the moonlight casting a soft glow around him. His blonde hair and strong features captivated me, and I quickly turned away, feeling a surge of attraction that I hadn't expected. It was foreign to me, and I had to remind myself of my plans to leave tomorrow. I couldn’t afford to be swayed, not by Brock, not by anyone. If I ever considered being with someone, it would be Brock. The thought startled me, and I inwardly cursed myself for even entertaining it.
We arrived at what appeared to be an ancient Greek coliseum, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. As we made our way towards the entrance, I noticed numerous couples streaming in, laughter and chatter filling the air.
It felt like stumbling upon a hidden village nestled amidst the woods, complete with charming mansions and quaint cabins.
Amidst the jovial atmosphere, something peculiar caught my attention; as people passed by, they respectfully greeted Brock with a simple "Hi Alpha," and bowed their heads in reverence. Curious, I looked to Brock for an explanation. With a sheepish smile, he admitted that the title had been bestowed upon him in light of owning the community, which only deepened the mystery shrouding this enchanting place.
Once inside, we were ushered to the front row, where I was surprised to find that his friends had also arrived with my sisters as their dates. Their playful waves and giggles brought a smile to my lips, adding to the charm of the evening. As Brock explained the different wrestling skills on display, I found myself engrossed in the spectacle. Discussing and selecting our favorite wrestlers, Brock's infectious smile filled me with anticipation for the matches ahead. It was a unique experience, and I couldn't help but be glad to be a part of it.