The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Emotional Overload Pt. 3

             Corbin quietly said, “We are looking into twenty four seven. We will find the witch. We need her name.” I told them, “Ask Paige.” Corbin whipped his head, “You think Paige knows the name of the witch who did this?” I shrugged, “More than likely. Do you have a description?” Eric answered, “We do.” I nodded, “I saved Paige from a coven. She basically lived in the pack after that. She knows a lot of witches though.” Phil asked, “What do you mean saved?” I told him, “Nashville is not like this area. Paige was sold from another coven to be marked by a warlock who was not her mate. It was more complicated than challenging in the pack because...I was part of the pack...actually no. Apparently somehow I was and wasn’t part of Black path….wow...things just got REAL hairy. No wonder Edwards and Jean were so pissed all the time. A non-pack member…..was kicking everyone's ass. Constantly. God...good thing most of the pack didn’t know I wasn’t actually from there. Did they get away with it because Ashley joined? But I joined as Melanie….maybe that’s how they got away with me being their lead warrior...” Eric interrupted me, “I’m sorry…..are you saying that you fought members of Black Path….for the right for the females NOT to be forcibly marked. Is that what you’re saying?” I nodded, “Yes. More often than not actually.” Eric’s jaw dropped. He closed his eyes, “Well that’s just….Angel….explode something for me please and thank you.” Haley threw a pillow into the air and it exploded. 

            My eyes went wide. Sierra said, “Mel….maybe go to bed. You’re in shock and...ranting.” I shrugged, “Logically….he’d find out anyway. They are going to question Edward….he’s a spineless toad. He’ll tell them everything. Then he’d ask me anyway. Not that Eric needs a lot of the information from Edward. I have evidence he’s a crooked, spineless, hapless, monster. I have records and everything on a flash drive in Xander’s room.” Eric pinched the bridge of his nose, “A flash drive….I’m guessing it has oh gee I don’t know….about seven years of data…” I nodded, “Yup.” My dad said, “Now...I actually have a real non-vampire induced headache.” Alpha Kyle said, “Me too.” I snapped, “Then get an Excedrin migraine. That IS how one deals with headaches.” Buttercup bit her lip. Eric cut in, “Anything else?” I asked, “About Edward and Jean?” Eric shrugged, “Sure, let’s go with them.” I looked at Sierra. She nodded. Eric sighed, “Oh, I didn’t like that one bit. That does not give me good feelings.” Haley snorted, “I’m the one who gets the bad feelings around here, Thor.” He smirked and grabbed her, “I am aware of that, Angel. You’re just rubbing off on me.” Haley frowned, “I mean….” EJ groaned, “MOM! No...do not finish that sentence. Dad meant you influence him. That’s what he meant….do NOT talk about rubbing dad.”

            Elise asked, “What else Mel about Jean and Edward?” I told Eric, “I had to fight Jean for Sierra to be with Phil. That’s why she couldn’t come home with him. Or let him mark her.” Phil roared in anger. Eric nodded, “Sure...why not just have them mark her and leave?” I sighed, “It’s not how it works.” Sierra spoke up, “Because the girls who did that…..their mates were killed alongside the girl from our pack. They were brought back to the pack and put on spikes for six months.” I nodded, “Plus that….mostly that.” Eric bit his lip so hard he drew blood. Alpha Kyle said, “Since Eric’s trying to be calm….I’ll again ask why this was never reported to the council. Not just by Melanie….anyone.” Sierra said, “Fear. Fear that we wouldn’t be believed, and that life would be terrible when you left. They treated Omega’s like less than humans sometimes….if you spoke out...you were demoted. It worked on everyone except…” She trailed off. EJ said, “Melanie. It worked on everyone except Melanie.” Sierra nodded, “We just aren’t a pack people help. It’s been this way forever. Until Melanie came I didn’t even know I could file with the council for anything.” Eric yelled, “OH THAT’S JUST f*****g GREAT! I’M GOING TO RIP HIS GUTS OUT!” I laughed, “That might be difficult. He doesn’t have any. This is….me being way late to the game here, but someone did give that pup back to his mother….right?” My mom answered, “Haley did, Ladybug.” I nodded. 

            Eric asked, “Any other wonderful pieces of news?” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. Haley frowned, “None of that was any kind of wonderful, Eric.” He kissed her, “I love you so, Angel.” I told him, “No, I can get you the flash drive.” Eric waved his hand, “Tomorrow will do. I’ll have myself a chat with Edward Davis.” I told him, “I’d wait for everyone you want present at that chat….he'll spill everything he knows….easily. You might not even have to hit him. His mate hates him. A lot. It bothers him that she does, and his children. He blames me because I obviously didn’t train my son how to be an Alpha or ignored my daughter and made her think I didn’t love. Oh wait...I don’t have kids. Edwards hates me. Use that….he’ll tell you anything you want to know.” Eric said, “Oh, I know his mate hates him. She told me. Explicitly...before AND after she was released from his Alpha Command and the spell he had placed on her. So did Sierra’s mom. Spelling their own mates. It shouldn’t even surprise me they were selling off their females.” I winced, “And forcing some males to take chosen mates. They only had so long to find their mates...and if they weren’t in Black Path….they were brought a girl and told if they didn’t mark the sobbing girl their family would die…..then the girl...then them...It’s not….great. Well, it doesn't happen anymore to be fair. I shut that down….it used to though. They do still try….they are not very smart in some ways...obviously...that’s probably obvious. I mean….I just don’t...he’s so...obnoxious...then they have all the older wolves being all this is the way it is. They are so scared that if they challenge for their own daughters and win they will be treated horribly. They challenge me so the Alpha sees they tried. It’s all a serious loss of perspective...they truly are terrible and…” Xander kissed me. 

            When we broke apart Xander’s dad just looked confused and angry at the same time. I frowned. Xander said, “I’ll meet you in a little bit guys.” He popped me upstairs. I told him, “You can go.” Xander shook his head, “No, I’m staying until you fall asleep and then Elise will be staying in here until EJ pops her out.” I smiled, “Elise and I haven’t had a sleepover since….she left Red Run.” Xander nodded, “I know.” I bit my lip. Xander tilted up my chin, “You can ask me anything you want. You can also tell me anything you want.” I whispered, “Did you ever promise to reject me?” Xander said, “No, and no one ever asked. I would’ve seriously injured them, if not killed them for that, Melanie. I ripped apart Two peaks when you were a kid for trying to take you from me. For daring to say you were theirs. If you think for one second anyone who has caused this kind of hurt to you will get away from my wrath….You are wrong. Do you think Alpha Kyle did that? Had me promise to you reject you?” I shook my head, “No, he didn’t.” Xander asked, “Then who do you think did it?” I whispered, “The person who knew I said you were my mate.” Xander frowned, “I mean Elise knew, but she didn’t tell me. Neither did EJ.” I shook my head, “No….” It hurt to say. I whispered, “Jason.” Xander stiffened, “Jason never asked me that, and I promise you….he never said that you. He was growling here earlier when I said you didn’t tell me your name because you feared I would reject you.” 

            I nodded, “Ok.” Xander sighed, “This is just too much for my Lovebug in one day.” I whispered, “I feel so conflicted. All I’ve wanted for the last several years was my family back….they are here...and I….It’s never going to be the same. They….they still left me and...I don’t know how to get past it.” Xander took my hands, “Never is a long time. We have so much time, Mel. I know this will not be easy, and it may never be how it was. I am so incredibly sorry for that. I think eventually it might be, but that’s a journey. I think group therapy will be needed. That’s down the line though. For now, you just need to breathe. This is all at your pace. Ok? I will make everyone take this at your pace.” I snorted. Xander must not know that Grandpa Ben saw me. He knows I’m the sniper in the resistance. Xander whispered, “Hey. No one will go against me. Or my mom. My mom is firmly on your side. She’s a huge advocate of people telling their own stories at their pace. This is your show.” I looked down, “So you want me?” Xander answered, “I have wanted you for so long. I have been insanely conflicted about my feelings for Ashley Griffen because my instincts and Oden told me you were ours. I honestly worried because of how possessive people are over you and have always been. I thought I was just another one.” I shrugged, “I’ve always known you were mine.” He touched my nose, “So you are.” 

            I started crying again, “But you can’t mark me. It’s not fair. My wolf was taken from me for years, and now my mate can’t mark me. Why does everything have to be so hard? My family….how are they alive? I just want that one answer tonight.” Xander sighed, “We think you were put into an illusion. Drake, Sam, and T didn’t leave here early. You were gone when they called to bring you over.” I gasped, “They called to bring me here?” Xander nodded, “Elise and Chelsea both said you were on the phone when the warriors claimed you crossed the border. Your dad was going to tell the warriors EJ was popping to get you for a sleepover with Elise.” I cried, “I should’ve called you when I saw the hunters I memorized your number….I should’ve…..gone out the window….I should’ve just….” Xander grabbed me, “The blame game will be played by all of us for many things. You do not get to take blame for that. You were fourteen. You were at home alone, and people were breaking into your home. You had no reason to believe the pack wouldn’t protect you.” I laid down on his bed then groaned, “Oh my god your bed is so comfy.” Xander chuckled, “Our bed. As for marking you….Oden and I are pissed. We don’t want you and Freya never to have a chance at shifting though. My family is going to look into it.” I nodded, “Ok.” Xander kissed me, “I’ll mark you eventually, Melanie Jane McAlister. No one but me will ever mark you here.” He trailed his fingers along my marking spot. I smiled, “I can still mark you though. They just said you couldn’t mark me.” Xander smirked, “That’s true. I always thought we’d do it together.” I groaned, “So did I. FUDGING FUDGERTON FUDGE NUTS!”  Xander laughed, “What now?” I shrugged. 

            Xander asked, “If I ask them how they hurt you….” I cringed, “I don’t know what all they will say. Honestly.” Xander nodded, “How mad will I be?” I winced, “You...probably shouldn’t ask until you have every other answer you want.” Xander’s jaw clenched. He nodded, “Ok then.” He snuggled up to me, “Close those beautiful eyes. You’re safe, you’re home, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.” I listened to him and fell asleep wrapped up safely in my Xander’s arms.