The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Interesting Meetings Pt. 2

            EJ and Xander closed the door and conferred with their group. A license appeared in my hand. I put it in my back pocket and waited a little longer. I walked out into their view. They pointed at me saying I was Ashley. I turned and to my surprise I knew these guys. They were altering their real voices, but I knew them. They looked at me as though they won something. Did everyone just bury their heads in the sand and think no one could outsmart them? Even if everyone here agreed I was Ashley….they had no cause to take me. I linked my dad, “I need you and mom to come to the living room.” My dad answered, “We are on the way, Ladybug.” This just didn’t make sense. Did these warlocks not know no wolf, particularly an Alpha, would just hand over their mate. I teased them and produced my license. I pointed out who my brothers were and my parents showed up to confirm I was their daughter. Both warlocks paled at the sight of my family. Did they think I was up here and they didn’t notice I was home? Or did they think I made them stay away because I was mad. That option seemed far more likely. My dad said something about me not being married. I was absolutely not married. I pointed out they could just google Melanie McAlister and my picture would come up. I was older, but I looked like myself. 

            Xander’s patience ran out and he shut the door in their face after calling me his fiancé. I blushed. Aaron Crawford confirmed I wasn’t married. I didn’t need him to do that. My searches would’ve caught that. At least I knew I didn’t need to update any codes...the warlocks didn’t have an actual report I was missing. They weren’t even cops. I offered to go with them to catch who was behind this. Xander was not on board with the plan. His logic did make sense. Freya linked, “I don't mind the plan….but let’s wait until after we’ve shifted for such things as being bait. I don’t want them to hold us up any longer.” Both Freya and Xander had a point. It was too raw for him right now after what he saw….and I didn’t want to delay Freya and my shift any longer either. I informed everyone they were warlocks. Oh GOD! PAIGE! They would go after Paige next. EJ said they wouldn't get out of the territory, but I still needed to warn Paige. Xander popped us upstairs and said we needed to talk about several things, but first off….our mating ceremony. 

            I held up my hands, “I agree. We can talk about all that...I just need to make a call.” I ran over to my phone and called Paige. She answered to my relief. She said, “Hiya Mel.” I sighed, “Ivan and Yusef were just here trying to claim I was reported missing. They want you way more than they want me. EJ was going to have them taken into custody here….but they have to have a quick getaway planned. If they slip away from Black Mountain….they are coming straight for you. They will attack or use a distraction to get to you.” I heard Dalton snarl. Alpha’s man. He started barking out orders, “I want warriors on our goddamn borders right now. Someone get EJ on the f*****g phone. I want to know if those fuckers slip through their warriors.” Dakota answered him, “T is already on the phone with me. Same warning. We will know when they have them or if we need to get them. EJ is ready to pop to us.” Paige laughed, “You are such a worrier, Dalton. They can’t even get me if they take me by surprise. I’m way better than them. Having the advantage of Mel’s call….well….They have a negative percentage of succeeding.” Dalton growled, “You don’t leave my side.” Paige fake pouted, “Aww….what a harsh stance to take. I suppose…..if it will make you feel better…..I’ll stay right by your side until they are caught….you’ll have to make it up to me later though.” I bit my lip so I wouldn’t laugh. Dalton wouldn’t even notice her tone was teasing. I said, “Go get them Paige….Well, you know…..should they end up in your territory.” Paige laughed, “Ohh...I’ll give them hell, Mel.” I laughed, “You do that.” I hung up as Dalton was ranting about how they wouldn’t get near her.

            Xander was behind me in the next second. He said, “I will sense your teasing tone if you do that to me.” I laughed, “Probably not at the moment, but later….sure. Alphas hear or perceive their mate to be in danger….and they go very Alpha male about it.” He nipped my ear and whispered, “You and your friends tend to run to danger.” I snorted, “It’s not running to it, if danger comes to you. It’s being prepared. We also know we are better than them. Oh god...that sounds brag-y….it’s not...it really a fact...Paige is better than them. I could kill those two guys easier than I’m taking breaths right now.” Xander snorted, “My mom sent her tornado at them. Their escape was near where she was. She does not take kindly to unknown witches or warlocks in this territory…..particularly in her current mood....plus after what they helped do to you...so...it’s all good.” I laughed, “I’d bet she’s very upset in her current mood as you say. Did she kill them?” Xander smirked, “Not quite. Now, back on topic. Our mating ceremony. Plan whatever you want. Go dress shopping. All I want is the traditional wolf, fairy, and Hackura component. Well, if we don't’ have our Hackura bonding ceremony before then.” I laughed, “That’s it? You don’t have anything else you want?” Xander smiled, “You and I married at the end. You can plan it and the day after you are marked we can have it. If you want more time...that’s fine...if you want as much time as Paige...I might combust….but I can give you that.” I laughed, “No, I don’t need as much time as Paige. I struggle with a few things about it, but at the end of the day...I want you to be my husband.” I blushed saying it out loud. 

            Xander asked, “What do you struggle with?” I sighed, “Jason will be standing up there with you.” Xander started to speak. I held my hand up, “Don’t offer to not have him up there. I know he’s important to you. It would hurt his feelings if he wasn’t, and I don’t really want that. I know he doesn’t actually hate me...I know he didn’t say all that s**t to me. I’m trying to work through all that. It’s honestly a small struggle...I’m just trying to be honest and share and...stuff….” Xander kissed me then asked, “What else?” I sighed, “My dad. He’s alive. He can walk me down the aisle. My feelings about that are difficult. I’m happy but I’m not sure I’m ready for that. I stopped dreaming about our mating ceremony years ago. The ideas and dreams come back, but some of them hurt. I just….I didn't think it would be this way. I didn’t think I could have all this, and now I can...it’s weird….Gosh, I’m weird. I can have everything I dreamed of before everything changed. Plus my new family I made while I was gone can come….I just…..” Xander kissed me, “You are just dealing with a lot. I understand. You didn’t think I would accept you. As much as it pisses me off they made you believe that…..because it was NEVER true…..I still understand why aspects of this are hard to cope with for you.” I wiped my tears, “You don’t care about the colors?” Xander laughed, “I assume red will be one of the colors. Do I care about the colors? No, whatever makes you happy makes me happy.” I smiled, “Then it will be mostly red with some white and little gold.” Xander kissed me, “Works for me. Whatever makes you happy. I want you to have your dream mating ceremony. Start planning whatever pieces of it all make you happy. Don’t think about the pieces that don’t.” 

            I nodded, “I’m thinking our mating ceremony could be the weekend after you mark me….or the one after if I shift on a Friday or something.” Xander’s joy shot up from my foot. He spoke cautiously, “We can wait. If it’s too much with your feelings about your family. I am a patient man when it comes to you.” I sighed, “It’s a lot but….I’m tired of waiting for big moments with you. We are already having to wait…” Xander said, “We don’t have to….I’ll marry you tomorrow.” I sighed, “I know. Part of me just wants something about us to be normal. My wolf doesn’t seem to think anything about us will be.” Xander laughed, “We are normal. How we are with each other is perfectly natural and normal. We may have things that are in our way….we might even have things in our way later. I love you though, and it’s the most natural thing in the world to me.” I smiled, “I love you too.” Xander kissed me then pulled back, “So...about downstairs…” I groaned, “Which part?” Xander asked, “Obviously those are warlocks from Nashville….I thought they came with the hunters and were killed.” I cringed, “That was just one coven. There are lots of covens in Nashville. Not all of them are bad but….” Xander sighed, “If you’d give us the bad ones names….we’d take care of them.” He had a point. I nodded, “Ok.” Xander smiled, “Easy enough. Elise has you set up to observe some Luna things Monday. I’d like you to observe some of my meetings after hers.” I nodded, “What day?” Xander smiled, “The same day. Elise, Buttercup, Micah, and Jane hold their Luna disputes in the morning. Zoe attends if she can, but she’s the head of the kitchen now. That’s her passion and we have more than enough Luna’s to help out with disputes. I want you to sit in on some of our afternoon meetings. Normally, Elise would join; however, she’s got some things to catch up on afterwards.” I nodded, “I could do that.” Xander smiled, “I love you.” I smiled back at him, “I love you too.” We laid in bed and fell asleep in each other’s arms. 

            The rest of the weekend went by drama free. It was nice but I found it highly suspicious. I was definitely on alert for something to go wrong. It was all smooth though. I planned to go with my friends on Wednesday to look for a mating ceremony dress. I’d invited Haley, Elise, and Cassie along with the other Conner’s siblings mates. After a lot of internal debating….I’d invited my mom. I knew she was really happy about it. After I’d invited her,  it was like a weight had lifted from my chest. So, I knew it was the right decision. Before I knew it, Monday rolled around. Now, it was time to listen to Luna disputes. As I listened to all the disputes come and go I decided Elise was a very fair Luna. Her decisions matched the situation. So did Buttercups. I was really proud of Micah making his decisions. They considered him an Alpha Male, but as Max’s mate...He was part of these proceedings since he clearly wanted to be. I felt a little bad watching Jane, Theo’s mate. I avoided her a little bit because…..she could out me. She didn’t see my face, but she’d heard my voice so I limited our interactions. She was a really good Luna though. The last case of the day stepped into the circle to present their dispute. I already had a feeling this one was going to test my patience. The look of the guy who’d filed the dispute was haughty and holier than thou. My annoyance level was already high before he even spoke.

            They stated their case. He was upset that the gardener planted the wrong colored flower in his yard. You have got to be kidding. I bit my lip. I mentally chiding myself, “Do not say any words, Melanie. No words. No punching the asshole in the face for this absurd dispute. Don’t do it.” My mantra was interrupted by the haughty holier than thou guy speaking to Elise, “No offense Luna Elise, but I want to hear how the muffin Luna would handle this. In fact, I want her decision to be what’s implemented.” I couldn’t stop myself from speaking. I snorted, “No, you don’t.” Elise cracked a smile. Jane was staring at the ground smiling. Buttercup actually laughed. Micah looked deeply amused. I spotted Haley in the crowd. She looked interested in what I would say. I was astonished to find Dylan in the crowd crunching on popcorn. Was he everywhere? I actually spotted my parents, T and Everly in the crowd. Why was everyone here? Elise broke the silence, “Bradford, are you sure that’s what you want? I will allow Melanie’s decision to be implemented. I won’t listen to a dispute if you don’t like her decision. I’ll make sure EJ does not either.” Bradford? HIS NAME WAS BRADFORD? This just got better. He sounded like a spoiled rich kid and he acted like one. I added, “It’s not a good call on your part, Bradford.” The gardener was trying and failing to hide his smirk. 

            Sierra caught my attention by laughing out loud and not quietly. Bradford was apparently overly confident and didn’t listen well. He said, “Luna Elise, I will abide by the muffin Luna’s ruling. I think this pack and myself deserve to know what type of Luna she will be. She has been exposed to more Luna dispute hearings than this one. She was raised in Red Run and is a Beta by birth. She would’ve attended Luna Chelsea’s hearings.” He was right. I did. Elise nodded, “You are correct she did. Melanie, the floor is yours.” I sighed, “I warned you Bradford. You have some kind of audacity about you…..along with the fact that you clearly don’t listen, but that’s your fault...and probably a little bit the fault of those who raised you. We will get to that though. I don’t think I have ever heard a more entitled spoiled rich person problem in my entire life. Did you go to the gardener and inform him he made a mistake in the COLOR of the freaking flower you asked for?” Bradford’s face was bright red. He sputtered, “No.” I nodded, “I didn’t think so. Did you go to the head gardener...or any of this to...I’m so sorry sir, I do not know your name.” I looked directly at the other man in the dispute. The gardener spoke, “It’s Mitch, muffin Luna.” I nodded, “Thank you, Mitch. Bradford, did you go to any of Mitch’s superiors about this?” Bradford flushed, “No.” I nodded, “Naturally. Did you...I don’t know, think about the fact that you could re-plant the correct flower yourself?” Bradford growled, “I AM A WARRIOR! I do not do gardening” I nodded, “I can tell you are a warrior. That’s not what I asked you.” Bradford hissed, “No, I didn’t think to do it myself.” I nodded, “From my understanding….the flower in question is the type of flower you wanted….just the wrong color. Is that right? Dear god, please let me be misunderstanding that point. Not that it being the wrong flower AND color makes this any better…..it just makes you less of a tool. Not much...but a little.” Bradford’s shoulder sagged, “It’s just the wrong color.” I asked, “Did you consider dyeing the flower the proper color? Or doing anything but running to the Luna to fix your….it pains me to call it a problem...but I guess we will…problem?” Bradford stammered, “It’s….the Luna’s job…”

            I cut him off, “I don’t know what rock you’ve lived under that you believe a Luna’s job is to get involved in a gardening issue before it’s gone through superiors, or the head gardener. You're wrong. Or call me crazy….you could’ve just kept it to yourself and found a solution all by your lonesome...but you want everyone else to pity you. Woe to you, the gardener planted the wrong colored flower. Then you didn’t even talk to him about….you came here. It’s absurd. That’s not the intent behind these disputes. If you read our history’s Alpha’s and Luna’s hold these to make sure cohesiveness exists in the pack. AFTER they have gone through the structure in place to make sure it’s truly a dispute of something that has occurred. This didn’t go through any channel as you believe yourself superior to the process. Because your problems should go straight to the top…. because I’m guessing you were raised to believe you were better than others. I have news for you that you should’ve been told a long time ago. That’s not how a pack works. From the Alpha down the Omega’s we all have jobs to do. Part of that job is working with each other. I spent the last several years in a pack that didn't know that. Do you want to know what your attitude breeds? A pack that has to struggle for scraps. A pack that doesn’t look out for each other. From the top of the pack to the bottom everyone is out for number one. Not their friends, family, mates, or pups. A pack where a warrior sees an Omega being attacked by rogues and does nothing because in their mind….oh well, it’s an Omega. That’s where your attitude leads. You are not better than others here. We all have a place here. We work as a unit, which is what a pack is, to survive. I dare say without the cooks you’d probably die or have to make your wolf hunt and eat for you all the time. You seem to believe yourself too important for such a task as learning how to cook. Yet you deem yourself better than those doing crucial work. You can’t even plant a flower…..A simple search on a computer or phone would probably give you a VIDEO guide of how to plant a flower.”

            Bradford stammered, “I’m a warrior….it’s not my job to garden.” I nodded, “I already told you I got that you were a warrior. I’ll be seeing you in practice here soon. I see that going badly for you because you’re going to challenge me. I can see it on your face. It’s a bad call, but it’s your right to do so. Back to the topic of the dispute and not your poor future choices…..You need a serious lesson in how packs work. Packs work side by side with each other. So, for the next four months you, in your spare time...because you will not miss a single duty as a warrior….you will be replanting a garden on the north side. There was a sudden vacancy over there that needs to be re-plated.” Haley and Dylan snorted. Bradford stormed out before I could finish speaking. I rolled my eyes and looked at Sierra, “I’ve got twenty bucks that he runs and cries to mommy and she storms in here.” Sierra bit her lip. Buttercup said, “I doubt that. It’s not allowed...and Xander would make training hell if she did.” I smiled, “You’re on, Buttercup.” She laughed, “Alright. I’m in.” I turned to Mitch, “Now, as for you Mitch….you planted the wrong colored flower on purpose, didn’t you? Bradford is annoying and a jerk. You messed with him by planting the wrong color of flower.” Mitch turned red. He sighed, “Yes, Muffin Luna. I did...if he’d said something I’d have fixed it though. I did not think he would file a dispute.” I nodded, “It shouldn’t have come this far, but Bradford brought it here. So, you will work alongside him in the north garden.” Mitch gaped, “With him?” I nodded, “Yes, with him. Because when push comes to shove….you both need to know you can work together even if you don’t like each other. There was a girl in my pack, I despised to my very core; however, I’d have had her back if there even had been an attack. I know the same could not be said in reverse on her part before she died. I fought to protect all the people of Black Path even though I did not like a lot of them. I want you and Bradford to know….you can behave as pack members should without being best friends...or even friends at all. You need to know as a warrior he will protect you. He needs to know if rogues are coming at his back, and you’re around...you will have his back and fight until he’s taken those facing him in the front. That’s how a pack works. We have each other’s back. It doesn’t mean we sing kumbaya and hold hands all the time. It does mean when it comes down to it, we protect each other. We survive and thrive together.”

            I trailed off as a woman stormed into the room. She glared at me, “JUST WHO do you think you are? Some wretched little girls who is our Alpha’s mate speaking in these proceedings?! He hasn’t even marked you! You are NOT a Luna! You CANNOT SPEAK to my son and demand he do gardening! He’s so far above that! We are not kitchen, gardening, or working people.” Elise snarled and stood. I held up my hand in a stop motion to her. She nodded to me.  I said, “I presume you are the mother of Bradford.” She hissed, “It’s Patricia.” I nodded, “Thanks Patricia...I just earned twenty dollars. I assume your precious, better than everyone son you raised to believe that….did not inform you that I decided his case because he asked after I told him...he didn’t want me to?” Patricia flushed but answered, “He didn’t, but that doesn’t matter. You have no right to speak here.” I told her, “Neither do you. You have no appointment. To interrupt these proceedings is not allowed. Punishments are handed out for doing so. Luckily for you, you’re in a good pack where that means extra chores not beatings. I had permission from Luna Elise to hand down the judgement in Bradford’s dispute….per Bradford’s request. You did your son a disservice by making him believe he is better than others. For your interruption here today, and because you need a serious dose of reality…..You will be reporting to the kitchen workers for the next six months. Not in place of your duties as a warrior, but in addition to. You’ll learn the hard work those you look down on do to make sure you are fed and dishes are washed. You will learn the time, energy and effort they put into such things.” 

            Patricia shrieked, “YOU CANNOT DO THAT!” I said, “Ohh….your time in the kitchens just went up to seven months and now your son will work with the garters for five. Care to make his gardening time half a year and your kitchen days for a year?” Patricia gaped, “Luna Elise! Do something! This woman isn’t even marked. Not even Alpha Alexander considers her worthy.” Everyone growled now. They didn’t need to. I put Patricia on the ground in a second, cutting off her windpipe. I told her, “So it’s a year in the kitchens for you, and I’ll make sure you’re washing dishes too. Your son will work with the gardens for six months. You’ll also be doing additional warrior training to your schedule because you didn’t even react to me coming at you. You’re a warrior in this pack and it’s beyond just sad you didn’t even get a hand up. My relationship with my mate is none of your business. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from him though….” I trailed off as I smelled him in the problem. I added, “Probably right now since he’s here. You are so far out of line it’s insane. You, not unlike your son, need to learn how a pack works. For your son, it’s just sad at his age he doesn’t know. For you, it’s tragic.” I eased off her windpipe she hissed, “You didn’t even punish the other party involved.” I sighed, “You know his name. Unlike me, you’ve lived in this pack and that man has been working in the gardens since he was a kid probably. His name is Mitch in case you forgot or didn’t care enough to learn. Mitch will be working alongside your son in the gardens. As they do not get along….and your son is difficult….it’s going to be hard for Mitch too. Had Bradford not stormed out like a toddler throwing a tantrum and been the grown man he should be and stayed; he would’ve heard that. They need to learn to work together even if they don’t like each other.” 

            I let her up and said, “I know that’s not what you wanted to happen here. You’re the type who wanted Mitch whipped for such a small offense against your precious little boy. Here’s a newsflash lady, he’s not a little boy. He’s a grown ass man who still ACTS like a little boy. There’s a difference. You’d have gotten along with the former Alpha of Black Path just fine. No Luna here would’ve punished Mitch harshly for planting the wrong colored flower. Get over yourself.” She flushed, “I am nothing like those horrible people in Black Path!” I laughed, “You are very much like them in a lot of ways. One way you are not is that you seem to truly care for and love your son. So, in that aspect you are not like them. Your mindset about people who have other ranks below yours, and jobs you consider beneath you are just like their mindset. I’ll burst your bubble further and tell you Mitch would be a better warrior than your son. He clearly loves gardening. I can sense he is a strong fighter. Your son is a good fighter, but he could be better. I’d have to evaluate him, but I just bet if I read his file it would tell me he doesn’t put in the work. He does the bare minimum and isn’t living up to his potential. Wanna know who to blame? Look in a mirror standing beside him. You’ll see who is at fault. Enjoy washing dishes. I hope you realize the true meaning of how a pack works, but I seriously doubt it. Your son, I have hope for. You not so much.” 

            Patricia smirked, “The Luna’s around here believe everyone can change.” I smiled, “They can continue to believe that. I’ll be the realistic Luna around here whose eyes are firmly on you. I can see what kind of person you are, and I know you’ll do something you consider to be right….because in your mind it is. When in reality, it will be treason against this pack. Prove me wrong, I dare you. Get out of here before my mate loses his temper and kills you because I can tell he’s close to doing just that. The only reason he hasn’t is because he remembers his oath as an Alpha. Oh, and you and your son will attend classes on the histories of packs. I know they have one here, and you both clearly missed it. I’ll work with the teachers to get time that works. You’d better pass the class too, or you’ll be re-taking it.” Patricia was stuck rooted in her spot. I let Freya come forward. Her voice boomed around the room as she yelled authoritatively, “LEAVE!” Patricia and Bradford scurried from the room like rats fleeing from a sinking ship.