The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Hold The Line Pt. 3

                Haley spoke, “It’s not that they don’t want the answer….they wish the f*****g answer was different.” That was semantics in my opinion. T asked, “Is that the worst thing that happened to you? Getting shot?” I stared at him. I was not answering that. Jason quietly asked, “Ladybug?” I told him, “I’m not answering that, and I don’t have to.” T looked away; his jaw was flexing. My mom started crying harder. I linked T, “That’s why.” T linked back, “Not answering is an answer.” I linked, “Then why did you ask the question?” T replied, “I want the answer.” I snarked, “You know the answer. Evidently.” My dad said out loud, “You said they couldn’t take you with several knives in your back. Did you mean that literally?” I sighed, “Yes.” My dad growled, “Why did you have knives in your back?” I raised an eyebrow, “No matter if the wolf is a partial or full werewolf….hunters that belong to a group don’t like them. No matter if there’s an understanding with their Alpha...who is a piece of crap for agreeing. A group of hunters were tormenting one of the wolf less members of Black Path. I stopped them and took a few knives to the back to do so. I still kicked their butts.” I’d had to get the guy untied. They’d used that to stab me. They didn’t get me that deep anyway. Eric sighed, “Ok….I think that’s….a lot of information for one night. Let’s go….somewhere else.” Xander popped us out to his treehouse. His lips slammed on mine. He growled, “Mine….” I nodded, “Yours.” 

            He ripped my pants off. I looked down and realized someone had snapped me clean. I should be covered in blood. Xander picked me up and set me on the counter. The counter? I looked down, “Your version of a treehouse has a kitchen? I didn’t really look around last time….oh god…” His tongue was on me. I gripped the edges of the counter. Xander kept at it until I was seeing stars. His mouth was on mine in the next second. I could taste myself on his lips. He thrust into me. I gripped his shoulders. He pounded into me. I was holding onto him for dear life. It felt so good. My orgasm crashed all around me. Xander popped us into the bedroom. His treehouses had a bedroom? I didn’t have much time to think about anything else as his hand smacked me hard on the ass. I gasped as he entered a finger inside me and began to move it slowly. He spanked me again. Freya purred. The pain and pleasure were mixing as he continued to spank me. I couldn't believe I was about to orgasm from this. I screamed his name, “XANDER!” He spanked me twice while I was orgasming. He pulled his finger out and flipped me around onto my back. He slammed back inside me. I made a choking sound. 

            He leaned down and nipped my ear, “You...are mine. I fight with you. Do you understand me?” I frowned, “I mean...that wasn’t my fault…” he slammed into me. He repeated, “Do you understand me, Melanie?” I gripped his upper back and nodded. He pulled almost all the way out and slammed back in. He said, “Out loud.” I nodded, “I understand my Alpha, but that really wasn’t my fau….” I was cut off as his mouth was on mine. We broke the bed. We couldn't stop. Xander had destroyed at least fifteen pillows in an effort not to mark me. I pushed all my feelings about how that made me feel down. I wanted to enjoy this. Eventually my body needed to sleep. Xander kissed my forehead as I was barely conscious, “Sleep Lovebug. I’ll be back.” Where was he going? I couldn’t force the question out of my mouth as sleep took me. I was back in my dream. A field came into view again. Everyone I knew was fighting. I frowned. I’d seen this before. I screamed, “MOM! LOOK OUT!” She didn’t hear me. She was defeated. I was screaming and crying. I just couldn’t get through whatever was keeping me away. My family was screaming. A man with a blurred face was smirking as he was leaning down to rip my mom’s heart out. Everything paused when a snarl of anger hit the air. It sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it. Everyone looked towards the sound in shock and then it all faded from view. NO! Who was that? Were they going to save my mom? 

            I bolted up in bed. I was sweating. I looked over and found Xander. Wherever he’d gone...he’d come back. I found a piece of paper and wrote him a note that I’d gone to dance. I grabbed his hoodie off the floor and exchanged it with the shirt I’d been wearing yesterday. I looked around and realized….I had no pants. He’d destroyed them. SERIOUSLY?! I opened a few drawers and found leggings. I felt a little hurt. Whose were these? I picked them up and found a note. 

Lovebug

Elise said these were your style. We can replace anything you don’t like.

Your Xander

I smiled. I felt silly for being hurt. He’d got them for me. Warmth filled me. I threw them on and walked outside. I looked around. Dang...these guys built a LOT of treehouses. They were all over the damn territory. I began to search for a place to dance. I walked a few miles and found a pond in a secluded area. I smiled and played music on my phone. I let myself go. After a while the wind blew and I smelled Elise. I turned around, but didn’t see her. I paused the music. 

            I said, “I know you’re here, Elise.” She came out and smiled tentatively, “I thought you might like this place. Rhea and I woke up early to come find you.” I nodded, “You found me.” I sat down and she came to join me. She sat down and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” I frowned, “For what?” Elise wiped her eyes, “Everything. I always thought you and Ashley had similarities. I should’ve looked harder into it.” I shrugged, “I didn’t want you to. I never thought you knew. I didn’t know if EJ did. I figured he didn’t from the emails he’d sent me. I knew Xander didn’t know….along with Eric. He sent me emails….if he’d have known….they’d have been worded differently.” Elise snorted, “All our emails would’ve.” I nodded and changed the subject, “Are you still thinking about pups for your next heat?” Elise wiped her eyes, “I don’t know Mel….after what happened to you…” I snorted, “You think I’d let anything happen to your pups? I’m the GPS tracking queen basically.” Elise bit her lip, “You have me, Alexander, and EJ chipped too, don’t you?” I nodded, “And technically Cassie. For her wedding I gave her those simple stud earrings she wears a lot.” Elise snorted, “Of course you did.” I shrugged, “I wanted everyone to be safe.” 

            We sat in silence for a while. Elise asked, “What happened to your back?” I flinched, “What are you talking about?” Elise sighed, “It has to be something. Sierra would only approve dresses that didn’t show any part of your back for the pack party. I’ve only seen you in that dress and hoodies since you got here.” I looked away. Elise whispered, “Ladybug….” I told her, “I don’t want to talk about it.” We sat in silence for a while. Eventually she asked, “Did you really tell people you’d die before being theirs?” I nodded, “More often than you would think. Yes.” Elise cringed, “I don’t like the imagery.” I shrugged, “I was only ever going to be Xander’s.” Elise smirked, “I’m so glad he turned out to be yours.” I frowned, “I told you he was.” Elise laughed, “Oh I know. Most of us were convinced. It just wasn’t official until you met...which was how?” I told her, “I don’t know...he was just at a concert afterwards. He wasn’t there, then the smell of a sugar cookie was drawing me in. He took me to Switzerland.” Elise smiled, “It’s a very pretty house.” I smiled, “He taught me how to snowboard.” Elise laughed, “You took to it like a fish to water didn’t you?” I shrugged, “I picked it up pretty fast.” Elise whispered, “I wish this had not happened to you.” I sighed, “It did. It is what it is.” Elise frowned, “Why haven’t you told us all of it?” I looked away. I thought about it for several moments. 

            Eventually, I answered her honestly, “Keeping things to myself is how I have survived for a while now. What you all know has hurt you enough. The more you know….the more upset everyone will be. What’s the point in that?” Elise answered immediately, “Healing. When it’s all out there….the emotions, the hurt, the anger, the bitterness, the guilt...it’s all out there. We can heal from there. You aren’t an island. You should’ve been protected. You don’t need to do all the protecting alone. We are here now. We should’ve been there all along, and I’ll never not be sorry for that.” Freya linked, “I like her.” I answered, “So do I.” I sighed, “I’ll repeat. You were running your own pack.” Elise shook her head, “Yes, but you have been and always will be like a sister to me. I’ve beaten that stupid fake you to a pulp and I still feel like s**t about it.” I laughed, “Is she still alive?” Elise snorted, “EJ pulled me out of her cell before I could kill her. Your fake aunt is a piece of work.” I snorted, “She is.” Elise frowned, “Did she really almost kill you?” I glanced at her sharply, “What?” Elise shrugged, “She told your mom if Mason and Hendrick hadn’t interfered you’d have died at her hands.” I snorted, “At her hands is a strong word, and I seriously doubt it. Of all the ways I’d planned to go out….dehydration and starvation weren’t on the list. She said that to my mom?” Elise nodded, “What did she do to you, Mel?” I shrugged, “That time? The one she’s talking about….she locked me in the cellar after I’d been punished.” I stood, “Are you coming?” Elise smiled and nodded. 

            We jogged to the main house. The guards on the door to the dungeons nodded to us. They smiled, “Luna Elise, Muffin Luna.” I snorted. Elise smirked. We went down into the dungeons. I kicked on the bars of Stephanie's cell, “It’s time for bitter old hags to wake up.” She startled then glared at me. I reached through and grabbed the collar of her shirt. I grabbed it and pulled her against the silver bar. She screamed as it burned her forehead. I told her, “If you EVER say s**t to hurt my family again…..I’ll beat you within an inch of your life. Got it?” She screamed, “YES!” I punched her in the head and she dropped into a heap. I turned to Edward and Jean, “Same goes for you two. Unless you are forced to tell the truth….you don’t say s**t to hurt my family. You’ve done enough to us as it is. Are we clear?” Both men nodded. Elise smiled, “We’ve got to train together again. That was a heck of a punch.” I shrugged, “Sure. We could do that.” We walked upstairs together. Elise smiled, “I’ve got Luna things to do. I want you to sit in with me next week on disputes.” I nodded, “Ok.” She took off. I heard a throat clear behind me. Claire was being wheeled in a bed somewhere, but my eyes landed on Alpha Theo. I smiled, “I thought you guys were coming tomorrow. Alpha Theo smiled, “No, I got a text from a girl from Nashville I quite adore...With a far more interesting story than even I imagined. The memos Finn and Dylan Frost have sent….are next level about it. I asked Alpha EJ if we could do this today in the morning. He said as long as it was done before Allison Daniels birthday he didn’t care.” 

            I smiled, “Hey Lux.” Lux smiled, “You and Alexander are mates. Just break my heart to pieces, Melanie McAlister.” I laughed, “You’ll find your mate, Lux.” Alpha Theo inclined his head and we walked inside together. He led me to a smaller office. I asked, “What’s this?” Alpha Theo said, “Basically a meeting room. You said you wanted to talk in your text. Would that be about not telling me you were Melanie McAlister?” I shook my head, “No, logically you know why I didn’t.” Lux smiled, “I still like her, dad.” Alpha Theo smiled, “So do I. What did you want to talk about then?” I told him, “I gave you my word if I remembered the night of my accident, I’d tell you about it. I remember. Trevor tried to mark me. It’s superfluous, but I’ll get you the paperwork as an official complaint against him.” Alpha Theo raised his eyebrow, “You’re not going to give the paperwork to your future father in law?” I shook my head, “No, we spoke about this between us. I told you that I’d tell you which to me implies...I’d file the complaint with you.” Alpha Theo smiled, “I really do like you.” I laughed, “I like you guys too.” EJ stepped into the room. He paused, then asked, “Dear god...what’s happening?” I shrugged, “Nothing much...Just the fulfillment of my word.” Xander popped behind EJ and ran into the room. He grabbed me and glared at Lux. Lux smiled, “Hey….I only respectfully flirted with her before I knew she was yours. Not a single flirtatious comment has left these lips today.” I added, “That’s true.” EJ winced, “Not helping, Ladybug.” I frowned, “Why not? Lux didn’t force the issue. He never fought me about it. He was nice. It was the closest I got to real flirting.” I heard a snort in the hallway. My dad came into the room, “Ladybug….let’s uhhh...go have a chat.” 

            I sighed, “Ok. Alpha Theo….how long will you be here? I can email you.” Alpha Theo smiled, “Probably for a bit.” I nodded, “Ok….is everyone ok?” Xander kissed me. He pulled back, “Go with your dad, Lovebug.” Lux clapped, “Aww...that’s a good one! I’m stealing that for future girlfriends.” EJ gestured for me to go. My dad grabbed my hand and someone slammed the door shut. Eric was smirking in the hallway at me. I frowned, “What?” My mom came up behind us, “This is a mother daughter conversation, Drake. I’ve got it.” I sighed, “I do need to get something to Alpha Theo and then I need to practice with the band...we didn’t really practice yesterday.” My dad laughed, “You’re still adorable, Ladybug.” My mom laughed, “Come on. We can have breakfast and….talk.” I shrugged, “Ok….” I followed my mom down the hallways. We found our way into the kitchen. She grabbed the tray that had already been set out on a tray. She led me down a hall that led to an indoor patio. She sat down and smiled. 

            I followed her lead. I grabbed my plate and began to eat. My mom said, “You’ve grown up into such a beautiful woman.” I blushed, “Umm thanks.” My mom smiled, “We never got to have the whole...crushes….boys...and flirting talk.” I shrugged, “I didn’t have crushes.” My mom laughed, “From what I understand you’ve had a crush on Alexander for a long time.” I frowned, “That wasn’t a crush. He’s my mate. That’s different.” My mom smirked but didn’t push. What was so hard for everyone to understand about that? There was a difference. My mom sighed, “Any kind of flirting is going to set him off. Especially right now. He can’t mark you, and as an Alpha….or any wolf really...particularly an Alpha…..that sets off their possessive side.” I frowned, “I mean...most of the guys that flirt...if you can call it that... I get that reaction. Lux is different.” My mom smiled, “That’s probably not going to help if you liked Lux too.” I set my fork down, “I like him as a person. I didn’t like him in a romantic way. He flirted. He was kind about it. He’s basically...no he IS the only guy who flirted with me that was kind. I don’t know if you can call telling someone you want to possess and f**k them...flirting...but that’s mostly what people say to me. Lux wasn’t like that. Is Xander mad at him? I need to go talk to him…” My mom’s jaw dropped, “That’s what boys said to you?” I shrugged, “Not just boys….You think Xander is mad at Lux?” 

            My mom grabbed my hand, “Melanie….it’s ok. Xander and Lux are allies. He didn’t hurt you. I’m sure...now they are perfectly fine. I want to talk about this….what does not just boys mean?” I frowned, “Didn’t dad and T tell you? Edward tried to have s*x with me. So did Jean and Booker….I guess dad doesn’t know that, but it would stand to reason. Dax, Caine, Hendrick, Buck, and Mason are the only guys who didn’t say that to me in Black Path. That Alpha….if you can call him that...Alan...he’s the first Alpha I ever beat in a fight. He’s wanted me ever since. He tried to get Edward to sell me to him.” My mom paled, “Sell you?” I nodded, “I was the pack slave. Booker refused his offer every time. I should’ve been worried about that because he hated me the most.” My mom wiped tears away, “Did they...hurt you?” I nodded, “All the time. I wasn’t lying to dad though….I’ve only had s*x with Xander...no one but him has touched me in an intimate way.” My mom nodded, “I’m….god….I’m really glad that’s the case but ladybug…” I held up my hands, “It shouldn't have happened. I know that. I know that Alpha Peter would never be like that...or allow that in his pack. It’s my reality.” 

            My mom sighed, “Will you call him Peter again?” I shrugged, “I don’t know. We will see.” She nodded, “The hunters….they all said things…” I nodded, “Yeah they wanted me too. They made lewd persistent comments, but they couldn’t take me on any level. Honestly, none of them could. I can even hold my own against a Hackura. Not that they ever tried to have s*x with me….they didn’t. Huh...I really should’ve gone there. They are the only damn group of people that didn’t say they wanted to possess me.” My mom cringed, “You know a pack should’ve never treated you that way.” I nodded, “I do know that.” My mom stood and hugged me tentatively at first, but when I didn’t back away...she hugged me harder. She whispered, “You are so strong. I am so proud of you, Melanie Jane. I’m so sorry about all this.” I patted her back, “Thanks mom.” I held onto her tightly remembering the fight I kept seeing. My mom pulled back and wiped her eyes, “Now, you know….no respectful man would ever treat you that way.” I nodded, “I know that mom. I did pay attention around our pack. To how dad treated you. To how Alpha Peter treated Luna Chelsea. All the mates. Even how boys talked to girls in our pack. All of it was different.” 

            Red Run didn’t have pack slaves either. My mom sighed, “Why did you let Trevor get away with saying you were his mate? Were you worried on some level without your wolf, he was?” I shook my head, “No, I always knew it was Xander. Anything I did to Trevor would be taken out on my friends. Honestly, I thought I deserved it. You guys were gone...I thought you were anyway. He was just another type of payment for that.” My mom cried, “Oh Ladybug….no matter what….All your dad and I want is for you to have a good life. I don’t ever want you to punish yourself for anything that happens. I want you to be happy with Alexander.” I nodded, “You’ll be careful though?” My mom smiled, “I just got my little girl back, and I have a list of apologies to make. You were always suspicious of those cookies. I should’ve…” I shook my head, “You didn’t know.” My mom sighed, “I’m your mother. I should’ve known. It was my job to keep you safe, and I failed.” I raised an eyebrow, “Technically, it wasn't just your job. You were not my Alpha at the time.” My mom winced, “You know Peter would never stand by and let you be hurt.” I nodded, “I’m trying, mom. It’s harder than I thought.” My mom squeezed my hand. We finished our breakfast talking about superficial things.