The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

White Hot Rage Pt. 4

   I grabbed Melanie and led her up the stairs. When we got to our room I turned, “You’re surprised I would marry you?” Melanie looked down, “I mean...we haven’t talked about really….you did say you wanted to marry me, but not when.” I told her, “Whenever you want. I meant what I said downstairs. If you want to be married now, f**k the tradition. We can have a mating ceremony with the pack and allies after we are already legally married and you are marked. No one will say anything about it.” She smiled, “I’ll think about it.” I took her hands, “If you want to start planning with my mom, yours, Elise, Cassie, Addison, any and all of your friends….I want you to. You will be my wife.” I heard someone banging on the door downstairs. I hissed, “f**k. Someone is downstairs. I’ll be back.” She nodded. I popped downstairs and opened the door. EJ came up behind me. I raised my eyebrow, “Officers.” Something was off about them. I just didn’t know what. One sneered, “It’s detectives.” I sighed, “Ok. Can we help you?” The other officer said, “We received information that Ashley Griffen is here.” EJ asked, “Why would that matter if she was or wasn’t?” The Detective answered, “We are here to bring her back home. She’s probably off her meds, and we have an ambulance waiting to transport her. She’s a very sick girl, and her husband is worried.” I growled. 

            Both look startled. EJ gripped my shoulder hard. Tristan spoke, “Ashley Griffen is from Nashville….why would you look here?” I linked Melanie, “Do not come down here.” Melanie linked, “Ok….” I could sense her confusion. The Detectives sighed, “Ashley is a runaway from Missouri. They’ve been looking for her for about seven years. We got a tip that she was here. I’m honestly stunned she was able to survive. Her brother and husband are worried about her.” EJ said, “Her husband? So….she’s been missing for seven years…..we’ve heard of Ashley Griffen from Nashville. She’s twenty years old. So is her husband in jail for marrying a fourteen year old? Or should I go get my lawyer to explain to you how if a woman is so mentally unbalanced you need to medicate her in a psychiatric hold….there is a want of understanding in their marriage and she can get it annulled.” The detective's face went red. I felt my siblings pushing calm at me. Cassie put her hands on my back and TJ did as well. My Uncle Bjourn was on my other side. 

            The detective said, “Look, we just need to get her home.” EJ asked, “Do you have a warrant to search this house or a warrant to take her? She’s not a minor. She’s done nothing illegal that you’ve stated. You cannot simply take someone off the street.” The detective hissed, “She’s been reported missing.” Aaron Crawford came around the corner, “Hello, I am the attorney for the Conners. EJ is correct. If she’s been reported missing all you need to hear from her is that she’s not missing. She’s an adult.” The detective said, “She’s not allowed to make those decisions.” Melanie linked me, “Conjure me a license with my real name. They have to leave if they can’t prove I’m Ashley. They will just come back if you make them leave.” I linked EJ, “Melanie wants to come down with a license with her real name. EJ spoke, “Give us a minute gentlemen. We have a lot of tenants, though I do not recall one with that legal name.” He closed the door and asked Aaron, “If Melanie had identification that she was Melanie McAlister…..they would have to leave her alone right?” Aaron nodded, “Yes. if they didn't we could file harassment charges.” I conjured Melanie a license. 

            EJ opened the door, “I’ve had my assistant check our electronic files. We do not have anyone named Ashley Griffen here.” The detective’s face went stony, “We know she’s here. She needs to go home.” Melanie walked into the room. He pointed at her, “THERE! THAT’S HER!” Melanie turned around to face him. Recognition flickered in her eyes. She smiled sweetly, “Me?” The detective tried to step into the house, but EJ blocked him. EJ said, “Careful detective. You have no warrant to enter this home.” He hissed, “Hand over Ashley and we will be on our way.” Melanie smiled, “You must have me confused with someone else. My name is Melanie McAlister.” The detective hissed, “Lying bitch.” Uncle Bjourn grabbed my fist before I could punch him. Melanie titled her head, “I’m not lying. My legal name IS Melanie McAlister. This is my older brother Tristan McAlister….this is my other brother, Jason McAlister...my parents are around here somewhere.” Drake rounded the corner, “Right here, Ladybug. I don’t know who you think you are detective, but this is my daughter. She’s not missing or married.” Melanie frowned, “Married? I’m definitely not married.” Addison joined, “As someone from Nashville….I’ll tell you Ashley Griffen isn’t married either. Nor is she unstable. Do you all do your jobs? Or just take a fake file as gospel.” EJ said, “I’ll be filing a complaint with your superiors.” The Detective said, “People saying she’s Melanie McAlister doesn’t make that true.” Melanie took out her license, “How about this?” She showed it to him. He snorted, “It’s fake.” His partner took out a blue light and flashed it over her license and paled. He said, “Smalls, it’s not fake. This girl is Melanie McAlister.” Melanie smiled, “You could also google me. I used to win a LOT of dance competitions.”

            I finally spoke, “You will leave because if you continue to harass my finance….I’ll bury your department in lawsuits for fun. Oh wait….how silly of me...I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Alexander Conners. Get the hell off my property and stay the hell away from Melanie.” I slammed the door on their faces. Addison snorted, “What a load of s**t….you’re not married.” Aaron spoke, “She’s really not. I was worried they faked a marriage license with her signature; however, there is nothing for either Ashley or Melanie.” Melanie sighed, “I could go with them and you could follow to see who is behind it.” I grabbed her and slammed her into me. I snarled, “MINE!” No one spoke. Melanie sighed, “It’s not a bad plan.” I said, “Absolutely not. You are not bait, and they’d have to know we’d plan something. They have some plan, and I am not losing you. I’m not exactly in a good place right now after the ribbon experience.” Melanie paled and nodded, “You’re right.” Aaron spoke, “I’ll take care of this Melanie. They will not bother you again.” she smiled, “Thank you Aaron, but they aren’t cops. Those are warlocks from a coven in Nashville….Tristan...you need to warn Dalton...they want Paige more than they want me.” EJ snarled, “They won’t leave our borders. Are they affiliated with the police in any way?” Melanie shook her head, “No. They aren’t.” EJ nodded. I popped Melanie to our room. I crushed her against me. I kissed her hard. With great effort I pulled back and took a deep breath, “Ok, I do want to talk about us and our mating ceremony before we talk about what just happened.” She blushed but nodded. I was going to get it all out there. That I truly did want her.