The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Pieces of the Puzzle Pt. 1

            Alexander woke up slowly. Something was missing. My eyes popped open. I frowned. Melanie wasn’t in bed again. Her side was even cold. I couldn’t smell anything in the kitchen though. Did she leave? f**k! Oden was quiet. Maybe he was still sleeping. I linked Phil, “Is Sierra still here?” Phil linked back, “Yes….why wouldn’t she be here? This is a strange way to be woken up.” I told him, “Melanie’s not here. Her side of the bed is cold, and I don’t hear her in the kitchen.” I closed my eyes and listened harder. Then I smiled. I could faintly hear her music outside. I got up and popped downstairs to the balcony. She was dancing her heart out, but she seemed upset. I watched her for several moments and decided she wasn’t just upset; her movements showed some anger. As I stood there I began to see pictures in my head of her next moves. Oden purred, “She’s beautiful.” I linked him, “Any ideas what that’s about?” Oden sighed, “Freya is still resting. I got nothing.” I watched her for thirty minutes before Phil came up behind me. He muttered, “Coffee….I need you to snap me coffee. You did wake me up after all. It’s only fair.” I snapped him coffee. He inhaled deeply, “Ahh, bless you cousin.” I snorted, “You’re welcome.” Phil drank his coffee then asked, “Who peed in her cheerios? I mean she dances beautifully but she’s mad….Right?” I answered, “Yes, I’m pretty sure she is.” 

            Sierra made her way out and sighed, “Oh no.” I asked, “What happened?” Sierra shrugged, “I don’t know, but she’ll be out there for a while.” Phil pouted, “Do snap us breakfast then Alpha cousin.” I rolled my eyes. “What do you want? I’ll snap us all breakfast.” Sierra said, “Oh no….I would like show off my cooking skills.” Phil smiled, “You cook too?” Sierra nodded, “I just need to get things started. Likely we are having more of a brunch time meal today..” She stepped into the kitchen. Phil told me, “People will envy us. Our mates are beautiful, good at fighting, and they cook. Who else knows what other wonders we will unfold? Your mate gives you tattoos….she’s given me a complex, you know? I kept checking myself for a low back tattoo, feet tattoos, and neck tattoos. I’m basically giving myself a tick check for tattoos.” I rolled my eyes, “Oden seems to believe Melanie is the only one who can do that, and only to us.” Phil shrugged, “Who knows? I haven’t found anything on a wolf who can give tattoos. Nothing. Not a hint or even a whisper. It’s weird.” I shrugged, “I don’t know that it’s been done before. Why would we be able to find it?” Phil snorted, “True…so we are back to the wolf hidden/suppression thing gave her weird superpowers.” I shrugged, “Selene could do that for Melanie. She’s supposed to be the balance….if they took Melanie’s wolf from her she should get something in return.”

            Phil sighed, “Sure….a wolf with powers….with no one to teach her how to use them.” I rolled my eyes, “I could teach her. So could my mom. We might not have the exact same skills, but we do have powers ourselves.” Phil nodded, “Good point. So what did you do to piss her off?” I frowned, “I didn’t do anything.” Phil shrugged, “Maybe she thinks you gave her that tattoo on her feet.” I sighed, “I don’t think so.” Phil asked, “Then what?” I told him, “You’re asking the wrong person.” Phil smiled, “Right you are.” He walked inside. I sighed. I’d meant he should ask Melanie. He was clearly going to ask Sierra. I walked inside with him keeping an eye on Melanie still. She didn’t seem to plan to stop. Sierra was listening to music as she cooked. Phil said, “Ohhhh sugar lips.” Sierra snorted, “What can I do for you muffin?” I raised an eyebrow. Muffin? Phil linked, “Shut it Xander boy.” I snorted, “That is in my name at least. Cute little purse dogs are called muffin.” He rolled his eyes at me then turned to Sierra. Phil smiled, “What’s wrong with Melanie?” Sierra frowned, “I don’t know exactly. Normally, I’d say the Alpha, my dad, or the Gamma pissed her off. She doesn’t have her phone though. Addison has our phones until the day we were supposed to be returning. Then Paige has a spell set up to get our phones to the hotel.” I nodded, “Handy.” Sierra nodded, “I thought so.” 

            I frowned, “I wanted to get her number.” Sierra rummaged around through several drawers then found a pen and paper. She quickly scribbled something then passed it to me. I smiled, “I assume this is her number.” Sierra nodded, “Yes, it is.” Phil pointed out, “You don’t have four plates set out.” Sierra laughed, “Oh, Mel won’t be done dancing until well after we finish eating.” I frowned, “How do you know that?” Sierra laughed, “Because of the way she’s dancing. That’s a...I’m going to dance until the music stops. Her playlists are several hours long.” Phil laughed, “She’s got stamina then.” Sierra snorted, “Blame your cousin for that muffin. She religiously does his cardio program that he put out into the community.” I laughed then straightened, “Oh my god.” Phil sighed, “I’m going to need more here. Expand on that sentence please” I frowned, “Two years ago. EJ called me after Elise went to sleep during her heat. He told me to tone down some of my cardio in my videos because they weren’t for partial Hackura’s, they were for werewolves. He’s talked to Melanie….as Ashley.” Phil frowned, “For what?” Sierra answered, “He wanted her to come to Luna Elise’s birthday party.”

`           We both stared at her while she kept on cooking. Eventually, Phil said, “Ok...I’ll ask. EJ invited Ashley to Black Mountain….for his Luna’s birthday and she said no? To EJ Conners…..the Head Alpha if you will of Black Mountain.” Sierra looked over her shoulder, “She said no very politely.” I linked Phil, “If she’d said yes….Elise would’ve known. So would EJ...me too but she clearly doesn’t know that.” Phil snorted and linked back, “Jason, Tristan, and Everly come to all the birthday parties we throw. There would’ve been quite a few people who would’ve known her.” Phil said out loud, “Everyone wants to see Black Mountain. I know as a child Melanie did too. I’m relatively good friends with her brother. He told me little things like that.” I linked, “You’re not going to say which brother?” Phil linked, “I’m fishing! Give me the line man.” Sierra’s face darkened, “Oh.” I spoke into the awkward silence, “That’s it?” Sierra shrugged, “Can’t say I’m a fan. Or that I’ll be nice to your friend, Phil. He’d do well to steer away from me.” I frowned, “You don’t know which brother is his friend.” Sierra snorted, “Sure I do.” Ok then. I was about to push when Sierra started banging pots and pans. Phil linked me, “Now we back off.” I sighed and linked, “A name. I want a name. Then I want to know why.” Phil linked, “Patience…..I will get a name.” 

            I asked, “Why didn’t Melanie come to Elise’s party?” Sierra raised an eyebrow and looked at me, “You know exactly why she didn’t come.” I sighed, “Elise, EJ, and myself would have recognized her.” Sierra smiled, “Exactly.” I said, “So?” Sierra sighed, “You know she’s afraid you’ll hate her. Do you think that’s a new fear? She’s had it for years. She couldn’t go to the party. Let’s change the subject.” Phil linked, “This is why you have me.” I linked him back, “I’m more direct.” Phil nodded, “Exactly.” I asked, “So if she doesn’t have her phone to be upset with someone….what else could’ve upset her?” Sierra shrugged, “Probably a dream or flashback.” I frowned, “Flashback of what?” Sierra sighed, “Look not everyone has the experiences in packs that you two do. Pack life is hard for some people. For people like Mel, who came from a pack where things are good….where life is good….She pushed back on the way things were that she didn’t agree with. People who are pushed around like that, but there are those who will always be angry about change. There will be those who are thriving in the current state of things that don’t like the person changing things. That did not make things easy for her. Being able to fight….being a strong capable female does not fit the mold of what they want in their pack. She’s fought tooth and nail to change that. To show that females can do more, can be more. She encourages people to go against the way they were raised because it’s wrong. She fights for the little people who get stepped on. She’s their champion, but that makes her other people’s enemies.” 

            I frowned, “I’ll kill them.” Sierra smiled, “I hope you do. I may not have grown up the way she did, but I did know that life had to be better than what I had.” Phil spoke quietly, “You seem to have no lost love between you and your dad.” Sierra laughed, “He donated sperm. That doesn’t make him a dad. It makes him Dax and I’s sperm donor. He’s not a father. He’s barely a mate….or my mom tells stories that one time he used to be different. A loving man, but I haven’t met that man. Or seen a hint of him. I wasn't kidding when I asked if I could watch when you kill him. He’s done horrible things. He did nothing for my mother or my brother.” I frowned, “You didn’t mention you.” Sierra snorted, “The crap he’s tried to do to me….” She looked at the window to Melanie. She spoke softly, “Without Mel….I don’t know where I would be. Literally. I have no idea where in the country I would be or if I’d even be alive.” Phil and I snarled. Phil hissed, “You think your father would’ve killed you without Melanie?” Sierra snorted, “No. No, my mother would’ve killed him if he’d even tried. He does claim to love me, but I don’t think he remembers what that even means. Melanie talked about how her dad would come to her competitions. He’d cheer her on. He picked her up if she scraped her knee and kissed it better. How he’d put her on his shoulder and walk around with her. My dad never did anything like that with me. He pretty much ignores my existence. I can’t really explain it now. I will though.”

            I sighed, “I think we’ll need alcohol and all our allies for this meeting.” Sierra bit her lip, “No, I can tell you things...Mel can you things….what you take to your allies is your call, but if you want her or me to tell you one damn thing….your allies won’t be there when we talk.” Phil frowned, “You really don’t like our allies.” Sierra shrugged, “I have no problem with most of them. I don’t like hypocritical two faced jerks. You can say a lot about my dad, hell I could write a book about his awfulness. He doesn’t pretend to be a good guy though when really….he’s an ass. He just is who is his. Take him or leave him. People may not know how much of an ass he is, but there’s not one person who says Alpha Edward or my dad are good people.” She was right. We didn’t like them, and we never had. She nodded, “Exactly.” I frowned, “So you think one of our allies is bad?” She snorted, “I don’t think they are.” Phil linked, “I’m getting a REAL bad feeling Alexander.” So was I. I frowned, “Which one?” Sierra sighed, “I can’t tell you now. We are in the bubble.” She put two plates in front of us. She had cooked French toast, sausages, and biscuits.” I snapped the dishes clean. 

            I asked, “Will you tell me what Melanie’s deal with the dishes was?” Sierra winced, “She….She’d never cooked before she came to our pack.” I raised an eyebrow, “So?” Sierra frowned, “Girls in our pack are in the kitchen from a young age. Melanie was put in the kitchen. She was trying to figure it all out alone. It was unfair. They set her up to fail. She was cooking breakfast for the whole pack by herself. Her eggs were a little runny. Pretty good for no instruction. She didn’t know that when you cook….you don’t get to eat when everyone one else does. She’d been up since four in the morning to cook. She took a bite of her food and the dishes were still in the kitchen. They weren’t cleaned.” I looked at Phil then said, “I’m still not seeing the problem.” Sierra sighed, “You wouldn’t. You don’t live how we do.” Phil frowned, “All they had to do was tell her to do the dishes. Also the dishes would’ve been fine while she ate.” Sierra sighed, “Look, you are thinking about this reasonably. Those are rational thoughts. I’m sure neither of you would think twice about an omega eating with you.” I tilted my head, “Melanie is not an Omega. She’s a Beta.” Sierra groaned, “Where she was from, yes.” Phil gaped, “Uh no….wherever you go….you are what your blood is.” Sierra sighed, “In your packs, yes. Not ours.” 

            I growled, “They had her labeled as an Omega in Black Path? That would devastate her! She’s a Beta’s daughter!” Sierra winced, “Omega….would’ve been a nicer term than the one she had.” Phil sighed, “Talk faster sugar lips. He’s going to get mad. What was she labeled then? There’s nothing below an omega. A wolf less pack member is still an Omega.” Sierra winced, “In your pack, and you treat your Omega’s like you treat everyone else. You do know that’s not happening all over…Right?” I frowned, “I know some packs try to get away without paying their omega’s….but they have to. It’s a council mandate.” Sierra snorted, “Funny thing about numbers…..you can lie about them. When you cry to the supernatural council about the vast majority of the werewolf council coming to your territory….Do you know who doesn’t check on those things in person?” Phil winced, “The werewolf council. They have to do it by reports.” Sierra smiled, “And reports can lie.” Now I was pissed. I said, “The Supernatural council is supposed to do in person audits for the packs who do that.” Sierra nodded, “Correct, but do you think they actually do? They aren’t the werewolf council. They have all supernatural’s to look after. I’m sure it’s on a list of someone’s to do’s, but they don’t have time to do it. What they should tell the complaining packs is deal with it because that’s why each supernatural group had their own damn council. I can tell you in my entire life that I have recollection of….not a single Supernatural council member has EVER come to our pack to review our books. Or to see how people are treated.” 

            My jaw locked, “You’re saying….that there’s an ENTIRE group of packs going unchecked. How did they get away with it before my mom killed the old werewolf council? I know the rumblings started with the werewolf council after my grandpa took over.” Sierra actually laughed, “Oh your mom made SO many people mad with that move. My mom LOVES her. My grandpa was so mad….he actually had a heart attack. He didn’t die then, but my mother has held yours in high esteem ever since. The old werewolf council weren’t just bad at their jobs. They were corrupt. They were busy Alpha’s who didn’t have the time to do their jobs so some extra money lining their pockets was….a stamp on running their packs how they were supposed to. Your mom further pissed everyone off pointing out current Alpha’s shouldn't be expected to be on the council. Hence the complaining. It took away their bribery option. Retired Alpha’s in good standing had no reason to take a bribe.” I gaped, “How the HELL would the new council not find bribes?” Sierra raised an eyebrow, “It was underhanded. They obviously weren’t writing down that they were taking bribes. They simply lied on documents about someone going over the books in person and signed it.” I put my head into my hands. I told her, “You do know I have to report that.” Sierra smiled, “Yes, I do. It does have to be investigated. Though you should tell your dad….he’ll have evidence when you get back from your mission.” I frowned, “You have evidence?” Sierra looked towards the window, “No, I do not.” Phil blew out a breath, “Melanie does?” Sierra nodded, “She does, and she’s always had a plan. She didn’t know when that plan to take down our pack leadership would come about….but she’s been prepared for almost seven years.” 

            Phil snorted, “But she’s lower than Omega. Nooooo amassing evidence and proof…..that doesn't sound like Beta blood. OH wait….YES IT DOES!” Sierra frowned, “She’s not lower than an omega anymore. She’s the female lead warrior.” I frowned, “Which is a part of your pack’s leadership.” Sierra smiled, “Exactly. So she had proof before she was sixteen….now she just has so much more. Due to access and all.” Phil sighed, “I hate the bubble Alexander…..it’s killing my brain.” Sierra laughed, “What’s a few more days?” Phil gaped, “You’re a beta! This should kill you.” Sierra winked, “I’m a beta who knows the answers you want to have. It’s not hard for me to wait. I already know all the things. On top of the three of us being able to be honest and truthful about what we know when Mel isn’t around.” Phil snorted, “You haven’t told us half of what you know about what in the actual f**k Melanie McAlister would be doing in your pack. Or how someone who is not a member of your pack….is the female lead warrior. I myself find that curious.” Sierra frowned, “Melanie is a part of our pack.” I snorted, “No she’s not.” Sierra nodded, “Yes, she is.” I looked at Phil. He linked me, “Alpha Kyle would’ve felt her break from the pack.” I frowned, “What if the witch did something so she could be in both. Dylan is a part of our pack and Blue Moon due to a fairy charm.” Phil snorted, “That your Uncle did for fun because it would drive your dad insane. Dylan asked the Bishop siblings first. They couldn't find a way to do it.” He was right. I sighed, “We might need to call Alpha Kyle.” 

            Sierra finished her breakfast and said, “What’s the plan for today?” Phil shrugged, “Pool day?” Sierra clapped, “YES! That’s just what we need.” I added, “Melanie will have to agree.” Sierra snorted, “She’ll agree. I love the pool. So does she….most of the time. Small spaces...she’s not a fan….pools...are large open spaces...she does just fine.” Phil grimaced, “So no hot tub.” Sierra rolled her eyes, “Small spaces with walls and a door, Phil.” Phil raised an eyebrow, “A claustrophobic wolf? That’s new.” Sierra didn’t answer. My anger was back in full force. Phil said, “Right...Alexander has things to do. Let’s go wait on the deck for Melanie to….stop dancing.” Sierra laughed, “She’s got hours left in her.” Phil snorted, “Impressive.” He linked me, “I’ll see what else I can get.” I conjured my phone. My dad was likely locked into my mom’s concupiscence. I took a shot and texted him anyway. I told him to call me if he could. To my surprise he called five minutes later. 

            I asked, “Dad?” He told me, “I’ve got a few minutes before I literally pass out on you, son. Your mom just fell asleep. I only looked at my phone in case you kids needed something.” I sighed, “I….well...you know what...it can wait.” My dad laughed, “I know you Alexander. It may be able to wait, but you want to talk to me. I’m your dad. You can always talk to me.” I winced, “It’s not just as my dad I need to talk to you. It’s as the leader of the werewolf council.” My dad spoke quickly, “Alexander….what’s happening? Are you safe? I’ll get someone to you.” I laughed, “You know I can handle myself.” My dad was quiet then said, “You are very angry son.” I told him honestly, “I have never been angrier, and I feel I will just get Angier the more I find out.” My dad sighed, “Tell me what you can.” I told him, “When I get back I will be able to present you with evidence that there are packs treating their omegas...badly. Not paying them for their….and think that’s the tip of the iceberg, dad. Some packs have classes lower than Omega for some reason.” My dad said, “That’s not possible. We go over reports.” I told him Sierra’s words, “Reports can be altered. There are people who have been crying to the supernatural council about the fairness of our council since Grandpa took over.” My dad said, “The Supernatural council is supposed to go survey those packs. Son of bitch...Don’t tell me they don’t.”

            I told him, “From my information….they don’t. They are too busy to visit the packs every year to review reports. The reports you have are falsified. I’m told I’ll have a substantial amount of evidence to prove that to you.” My dad groaned, “I’ll have their asses. How badly are they treating their Omega’s? What is worse? How badly are they treated? God, I don’t even want to imagine.” I snorted, “I mean….we know some packs are turning them over to hunters. That’s just from the people in our packs. I know that they are punished for eating at the same time as everyone else. Or leaving the kitchen with dirty dishes lying around to eat.” My dad growled, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me.” I sighed, “I don’t think it ends there dad. At this moment, I have proof of a pack that has siphoned money to the leadership and kept it from the pack. It’s in shambles dad. The Main house is immaculate. Regular updates. There is magic placed on where their other homes are so that no one can see it.” My dad was quiet then said, “You’ve involved your cousins then.” I said, “I have someone on it, yes.” My dad said, “I’ll call Lucas. I’ll have him start compiling a list of those we haven’t ever seen because they are on the supernatural council’s list. You’re going to say the old council before your grandfather was corrupt. Aren’t you?” 

            I smiled. My dad was just good, “Yes. I’ll Gunner and have him look into their accounts. See what proof he can find. I’m sure he never took a hard look.” My dad yelled, “Son of a b***h!” This is just so f*****g typical!” I told him, “From what I was told…..the old council was just too busy running a pack and their day to day to be bothered to visit everyone. Somehow it was circulated that a payment would get you the stamp of approval.” My dad hissed, “Your mother was too nice when she killed them then. They should’ve suffered far more.” I laughed. From the story I’d heard from Uncle Aiden….while they got a quick death...it was not kind. My dad was right though. They’d caused the suffering of at least hundreds if not thousands of omegas. I asked, “Have you made any progress on where the pack members we were gifted came from?” My dad snorted, “No birth certificates were filed by any pack doctors or non pack doctors for that matter. Ethan is up in arms about that. There are just no records of these people. We’ve had to get them documentation. They didn’t have anything. They couldn’t drive. They don't’ have licenses. They have nothing. This is just maddening.” 

            I told him, “I might be able to give you information on that. I don’t know when, but I do know that the same people who have the evidence about the treatment of omega’s….Likely have the information of the packs those people came from.” My dad asked, “And how would you have stumbled upon that, Alexander?” I looked out the window at Melanie. I told him, “I can’t tell you right now, but….when I’m home….hopefully I’ll have more of the pieces to the puzzle myself. What I do know is that everyone who had anything to do with this….dies.” My dad said, “Then we are at war. Your brother will declare war on those people if you feel that strongly.” I told him, “I am aware. I won’t back down, and I won’t change my mind. I know exactly what I’m getting into. I know what I’m getting us all into, but everyone will agree with me.” My dad said, “Ok then.” I snorted, “That’s it?” My dad said, “You were always more reactive than your brother. I taught you boys responsibility though….war is not something to be taken lightly. I know you would not say this if you didn’t have cause. I will always be in your corner and on your side, Alexander. If this is the path you are certain of then I am on it with you. We all are.” 

            I smiled, “Thanks dad.” My dad said, “You’re my son. If you walk into battle, you do it with the force of our family beside you. Always. We are always there for each other. That’s what we do.” I whispered, “I don’t know how to deal with this failure dad. I really don’t.” My dad said, “It was not just you that did not realize this was going on, but I don’t get the sense that’s what you’re talking about.” I told him, “That will be a serious lesson for me, but no it’s not what I’m talking about. The hurt….the anger I feel…..I’m not sure how to deal with it dad. I think that’s just going to get worse. The more I learn, the more the bad feeling sets in.” My dad sighed, “When we can speak frankly, and I know what you are talking about….then I can better know how to help you.” I snorted, “Do you have an idea?” My dad told me, “One is certainly forming. I’m not sure how it fits together though. I’m getting weird phone calls...This one...before you I got one from Cayden.” I winced. I’d have to avoid Cayden when I went to the Hackura realm then. I’d been planning to ask him about Ashley, but if he’d started to suspect...I’d have to leave quickly.