The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Hold The Line Pt. 1

            Melanie ran out of the back of the shed with a bag of ammo and guns for the group. Dax smiled, “Isn’t it better this way because there is cover? Instead of you know….being bait..” I rolled my eyes at him. My watch beeped once...then again a second time. Dax raised an eyebrow, “Who joined our coms?” I smirked, “Cayden and Jason.” Dax snorted, “Took them long enough. Particularly Cayden.” I laughed, “I think Adeline told them about our coms and they realized they’ve had them the whole time.” Dax raised an eyebrow, “And they think you can’t just put us on a different channel?” I smiled, “Well, there’s no problem with them being on them right now.” Dax laughed, “They just aren’t ready for you, Mel.” I smiled, “They probably figured out I have GPS trackers on them too.” Dax laughed, “I bet Elise doesn’t know. Or your Xander….or Alpha EJ….I doubt they know that you can track them too.” I stopped running. Dax wiggled his eyebrows, “Aww, come on….I know you put trackers on that ring you gave your Xander. I remember when Hendrick asked you about the ring he wears. You gave it to him. It stands to reason you did it to EJ’s wedding ring too.” I flushed. Dax clapped, “I knew it!” I sighed, “Well….it...I….theirs aren’t as sophisticated, but I can track them.” Dax laughed, “Uh huh.” We met up with Caine and gave him the weapons.

            Hendrick ran up, “Paisley is here.” I gaped, “What? Why? She’s in the Conners pack.” Hendrick shrugged, “I saw her trying to get through to us, but she can’t. Without more than a knife….I couldn’t get her to us either. She’s close to the border. Where your mate is standing is standing by the way Mel. She’s cut off from us by rouges. She can’t take them all alone.” I smirked, “I see you brought your binoculars with you.” Hendrick smiled, “I don’t go anywhere without them.” I nodded, “Alright. You guys hold the line here. I’ll draw them away. You three draw them away from Paige. Since they are here for me….that shouldn’t be too terribly hard.” Dax sighed, “They will recognize Addison and Sierra if they see them.” I nodded, “Yes, that’s true. Addison and Sierra didn’t bruise their pride and ego’s though…..by constantly refusing to sleep with them and being better than them at LITERALLY everything. Or rubbing it in their faces in both things…..or proving it constantly. I went out more than Sierra and Addison….some of them probably figured out I killed their friends...Well, you know what? They probably didn’t they aren’t exactly smart.” Dax snorted, “She might have a point, Caine.” Caine smirked, “You keep your head down, Mel.” I smiled, “Don’t I always?” Caine raised an eyebrow, “No. Literally not once have you kept your head down.” I smirked, “I’ve never been shot in the head Caine….so logically...I have kept my head down.” Caine snorted, “Don’t break your record for getting shot during one fight today. We can’t deal with that level of your angry mate.” 

            I tilted my head, “I’ll do my best. Six times is hard to beat though…..hurts like a b***h too.” Caine smirked, “Celia will hurt you.” I shrugged, “She doesn’t need to know.” Dax smirked, “We brought her to listen to the band.” I groaned, “Oh come on!” Caine smiled, “She wanted to tell you about her promotion.” I grinned broadly, “You made her the pack doctor, didn’t you?” Caine nodded, “I did.” I gave him a high five. I told him, “I’m proud of you guys. I told you that you’d be amazing leaders.” Dax laughed, “Time will tell.” I shook my head, “No, you’ve already made differences.” Caine smiled, “The renovations have started, so at least there’s that.” I laughed, “I can talk to Xander. He could send someone to snap it done.” Caine shook his head, “I know that, but I want to pay for it to get done. I want to the pack to know I am different.” I nodded, “I understand, but they already know that silly.” I playfully shoved him and took off to the middle of the yard. Caine hissed, “I said head down, Mel.” I ducked my head into my chest. Dax snorted. I could feel several of the hunters following me. I saw a bow with some arrows. Perfect. I picked it up. There was a line of rogues, but not many. I took out my knife and quickly killed the group of ten. I kept running. I heard screaming and snarling. Crap. 

            I paused and took a moment to aim the arrow. Alpha Emmett yelled I’d better not be his little sister. I gaped. Really? His best idea was that the four year old was out here shooting? I had no doubt she could shoot. All the Daniel’s children took up archery at a young age, but….come on! I screamed at Paisley to run as I took down the men around her. I looked around. The house closest to us was the obvious choice for her to get to safely. Oddly no one was around it, and there would be weapons inside. Paisley took a knife to thigh. Great. Just what I needed. I moved from my spot and kept shooting. I took a stance in front of Paisley. How the HELL did Dawson get over here so fast? Did he learn how to throw his voice? He told me I was coming with them. Seriously? I forgot how delusional Dawson was. I nearly laughed when they said they weren’t surprised I was a traitor. Oh please. If they’d had any idea they would’ve handed me over with a bow and a request that they get to r**e me first. If they wanted something surprising though….I could give them that. I told Mason over the coms I needed a beat. Addison linked me, “Oh my god….I need Hendrick’s binoculars.” I smirked. Even Paisley started laughing. The people I trained knew that sometimes you had to do the unexpected. You have to throw people off sometimes. I’d shown them that in practice. Dancing often distracts people...and makes them easy to kill because they pause wondering what on god’s green earth you are doing.

            Mason linked me, “Your Xander will lose his s**t….Hendrick says you're by him now.” I answered, “Only for a second. It will be fine.” Music started playing and I began to dance. I saw jaws drop on our side of the dome. Easily distracted. I heard angry yelling. Jason linked me, “ARE YOU f*****g WITH US RIGHT NOW?! FOCUS!” I answered, “I am.” I could see he was astonished I’d answered him. What was their deal? They needed to stop being surprised I answered them. If they didn’t want an answer….they should stop talking. I was close enough to one of the hunters now. I kicked my leg up and hit the button on my watch to make a blade come out on my shoe. I sliced his neck open. He went to his knees holding his neck before he gurgled his last breath. While the group was watching him, I killed another guy then hit the button to retract the knife in my shoe. I teased the group asking if that was surprising enough for them. No one else had a blade in the sole of their shoes. The Hackura carried knives around….often in their shoes, but they had to take it out. I’d been trying to tell Levi about this idea for blades in one's shoes when I’d met him on the day of Xander’s birthday party; however, T told me to go home. 

            I nearly laughed when Dylan said he wanted to see me fight in heels. He though they were venomous. I mean….in a way...he was not wrong. Some of my heels had darts in them….others were more like a switch blade. The amount of people linking me that people coming up behind me got out of hand. Jason linked me, “Turn around.” No. I could smell who was behind me. It was Nate. If he had anyone with him, it would be others on our side. Dawson sneered, “You think you’re so smart.” I crossed my arms, “I don’t think….I know I’m smart. It’s a proven fact. My IQ has been tested. I’m a literal genius. My IQ could run circles around yours….oh wait...it has...MANY times.” T linked me, “Ladybug…..people are coming up behind you.” Again...I knew that. What stunned me was the next voice. It was Eric Conners, “My wife said you linked her, and my son says you can link him and Phil. So, it would stand to reason that I can link you. You know the people coming up behind you, don’t you?” I answered, “Yes, I do. He’s a friend….one your wife will be interested in getting to know.” Eric groaned, “It’s a partial fairy then. There’s a partial fairy working with hunters?!” I linked back, “Not really working with. He’s trying to find his adoptive werewolf sisters the ring took.” Eric sighed, “Ok...I still don’t know how this works. I shouldn’t be able to link you, but I appreciate that you answered.” I told him, “Me either, honestly. I’m weird...I guess.” Freya sighed, “We are not weird.”

            I turned to Paisley and told her to get to the house nearest to us. She looked at me like I was crazy. She told me there was nothing there. Great. Did she get hit in the head? Was there something wrong with her vision? That was not good. I described the house to her, but she still had a blank look. CRAP! She must have taken a big hit to the head before I got here. Xander or his mom could fix that though...right? Freya snickered, “Not exactly….if that was the reason she couldn't see it then they could.” I linked back, “Then how the HELL can she not see it?” Freya sighed, “I don’t think now is the time for that exact conversation.” Of course it wasn’t. Dawson taunted me about listening to people. I casually asked if he meant the people frantically waving their arms and linking me about the people coming up behind me. Dawson faltered but still thought I’d be coming with him. Freya linked me, “There’s an Alpha here.” I linked, “We are standing by several.” Freya said, “No...in here.” I frowned and inhaled. I jerked my head to the right and barely caught his tail. I knew that smell. The first Alpha I’d fought in the undergrounds. He was here for round two. Well, he’d be disappointed, just like the first time. 

            Dawson told Nate to get me. I snorted. Nate would not hurt me. Them….yes. I told Nate to surprise the group of hunters. He quickly killed them all. Damn. I would’ve liked a little more surprise from their end, but we were pressed for time. I turned to see Nate staring into Paisley’s eyes. I smirked. Those two would actually be really good for each other. He was her second chance. Paisley was scared, but I assured her Nate was a good guy. Haley was confused. Nate explained his story. I was watching the forest line. No one was coming. Why weren’t they coming? They had to know I was here. They’d heard the shots Nate fired…..they should be coming after us. I linked Dax, “Any movement?” Dax linked, “Not on our side.” I frowned. That didn’t make sense. They should be storming over here. Did they retreat? No….they couldn’t or the rogue's would advance. I asked Nate who cast the dome around us. He shrugged and said a coven from Nashville. Oh god...no. I asked which one. He said Shadow Vice. My heart dropped. Shadow Vice wanted Paige. They were the ones who’d bought her with the intent to forcibly mark her. I screamed for Paige. I took off running faster than I ever had. I called for Mason over coms. An eerie silence greeted me. Oh god….please not Mason. I screamed for him again, but there was nothing. I told Hendrick to get to Mason...that was probably pointless. He was probably on the way already.

            I asked Dax and Caine where Paige was. They told me they were behind some barrier, unable to get to her. Paige was being brought to the coven. NO! She needed to break the channel to the spell she was working on. We could get the dome down afterwards. I saw several people trying to get to Paige. Freya linked, “Don’t stop running. We can get to her.” I wasn’t even going to ask questions. I didn’t care. I wasn’t planning to stop running anyway. I didn’t care if it hurt hitting that barrier. Maybe I could break it from sheer force of speed and willpower. I screamed at Paige to stop. She gave no indication she heard me as she floated closer to the members of the coven. They’d kill her if they saw her neck. She was marked already. They’d consider her useless. Everyone was shouting at me to stop. I would never stop. Paige was family to me. You didn’t stop and watch your family get hurt. I reached the barrier and ran through like it was nothing. Dax linked me, “How the f**k did you do that?” I answered, “Don’t know. Don’t care. You know I’m a freak. It’s working out for me at the moment so we are running with it.” Dax growled, “You are NOT a freak.” I was. Freya sighed, “No, we aren’t. We are special.” I took out a gun and began to shoot coven members who were moving towards me. They could keep their spells to themselves. The coven leader was going to see Paige was marked. He moved her away from him, and took out a gun. NO!

            I screamed at Paige. I was out of bullets. I had a gun on my ankle, but if I reached down to get it….Paige would die. I only had one option if Paige wasn’t going to duck, run, or shoot the guy first. I jumped and dove in front of Paige. I could take a hit in the vest. I’d survive. Paige would not survive a shot to the head. I heard Xander’s agonized scream. It physically hurt me to hear it. In all the times I’d dove in front of a bullet...his scream tore at my heart the most. I felt his panic shoot up from my foot. I heard my family's screams. The bullet hit my vest. I nearly blacked out. I managed to hang on. I nearly had a flashback because it hit where I’d taken a bullet when my family was killed….No, that was an illusion, and I needed to stay focused in the present. I used Xander’s roar of anger as cover. I couldn’t breathe still, but I took out the gun on my ankle and shot the warlock repeatedly. It was a poor decision to keep shooting him after he was dead, but it made me feel better. Several wolves from Yellow Hills got to us first. They looked at me with reverence and awe. I raised an eyebrow. Interesting. Or it would be...if I could breathe. My ribs felt like they were on fire. I finally took a shallow breath, but it wasn't enough. Caine picked me up and sighed, “That’s not what I meant when I said keep your head down, Mel.” I linked him, “It was the only option.” Caine didn’t say anything because he agreed. My side jostled as he carried me. Intense pain radiated from my side. 

            Caine linked me, “You know I’m going to call Celia over.” I sighed, “She loves me….deep down.” Caine laughed. He set me down beside the pack house. I linked Addison, “We need salt. Surround Paige in it again.” Addison linked, “Are you ok?” I sighed, “Tis but a fire in ribs….it’s nothing.” Addison snorted. Caine checked my vest. He told me to breathe. Did he think I was doing a tap dance over here? I was trying to breathe and stay in the present. My mind was trying to go to other places. It was a lot to try and force the body to do at once. Dax called over coms that I should look at Xander. I could feel how Angry Xander still was, but I did want to see him. I forced my eyes to the direction he would be standing in. Thankfully….his group was much closer now. Dam. His eyes were gold….like the color of the sun gold. That couldn’t be good. Staring into his eyes though, I was able to take a deep breath. I kept watching him. It was like everyone but us faded. Celia was talking about how things were so calm back home. She missed me. She was bored without me. I heard the unspoken words. Celia smirked and told me my ribs were cracked. I did know that. She chastised me about guarding that side because of the scar tissue. Freya linked, “Mate can fix that.” Of course he could. I should’ve thought of that. Freya linked, “Sure, that you believe but the scars and words on our back….you doubt.” I linked, “That's different and you know it.” 

            Freya sighed. Celia and I bantered, teasing each other. I had missed her quite a bit. Caine helped me up. Celia wanted me to take it easy, but knew I wouldn’t. I had my wolf now. The cracked ribs would be healing faster than they did before. I’d be fine….I’d be fine faster if Paige got Xander in here. I took the sniper rifle from Caine. He linked me, “If they didn’t know before….this will give them a sign.” I linked back, “Maybe...but they won’t say anything about it. They want me to tell them myself.” Caine raised an eyebrow. I told him Alpha Alan was here. Caine nodded, “Alpha Alan worked with the Nashville hunters the most. It would make sense that he’d helped hide them. He was delusional enough to think he could take over Alpha Emmett’s pack while he was out of the area.” Caine gave me a boost, and I climbed to the top of the pack house. I sighed. Alpha Alan was an i***t. An egotistical one too. He was meant to teach me my place, and instead I’d beaten him. He’d wanted me and hated me ever since. Anyone with a brain knew….you didn’t truly take over an area unless you defeated the previous alpha, or killed him in a takeover. If Alpha Emmett wasn’t here…..you just kidnapped his area. You didn’t take it over. Alpha Alan was not that smart though. He probably thought it counted.

            I paused for a second when I reached the roof. I set up my gun and rolled onto my back. I winced in pain. I took a deep breath and focused. I rolled onto my stomach and looked through the scope. I began to fire taking out the remaining hunters that didn’t stand with us. It didn’t take long to take them out. I spoke over coms. I told my team to get ready. The rogues would take a beat before attacking. We could get Yellow Hills into formation. Then we could take the rogues out. Alan….who’d I decided I wasn’t going to call and Alpha would wait back….knowing we’d beat the rogues. He would think we’d be too tired to give him a good fight because his warriors would be. He didn’t know how packs up here trained. Yellow Hills would stand. The resistance would stand just fine….well...to be fair he didn’t know that’s who we were. I called over coms, “Hendrick?” He answered my unspoken question, “Mason woke up...they cast some spell on him. He’s spitting mad.” Mason called over coms, “Where is Paige?” I told him, “I’m sure they moved her inside once they had salt lining the way.” Addison called, “She’s safe. The pack members came out of the safe room to show us where we could put her. We surrounded her with salt in there. She’s safe.” Mason snarled, “Then get me some fuckers to kill.” I climbed down the roof. 

            I yelled, “YELLOW HILLS ON ME!” I heard shifting and people ran to me. I told them, “I need the twenty best warriors here on the west side. We will form a circle. NO MATTER WHAT….nothing breaks through the circle. Do you hear me?” They nodded. One stepped up and started dividing people. I looked at him, “You’re Lead Male Warrior Kincade and Female Lead Warrior Carry’s son.” He smirked, “One of them, yes. My older brother would be better, but you get me.” I snorted, “I’ll think we will stand just fine, Killian.” He seemed surprised, “You know my name?” I nodded, “Yes.” Once everyone was in position I yelled, “Hold the line! They are coming.” We fanned out in a circle. I knew most of the rogues would come from the west which is why I had their strongest warriors. The rest were coming from the east which is where we were. They began running into the clearing. I looked over at Caine, Dax, Addison, and Sierra. They nodded at me. Mason and Hendrick were on the west side of the circle. I linked them, “No one gets hurt, or I’ll kick your ass when you’re healed.” Hendrick snorted, “You got shot.” I replied, “In the vest.” Dax snorted, “Which you aren’t wearing now.” I rolled my eyes. Addison’s wolf threw a vest at me from her teeth. I sighed and put it on quickly. Worry warts. You intentionally take one bullet...I repeat...it was on purpose….and people freak out. My ribs were now feeling more like a dull ache. Freya’s healing was no joke. I pulled out a knife and spun it around in my hand. I yelled, “HOLD!” the rogues were coming...they were surprised we weren’t running at them. I could see it on their faces, but they brushed it off. 

            Once they were close enough. I yelled, “NOW!” The wolves on our side jumped the rogues. They were already tired from their run. Rogues didn’t train. It was always best to let them wear themselves out. They were staying away from me. I frowned. Only a few approached me. I killed them easily, but most….just stayed away. I sighed. I engaged with those fighting Caine. Caine linked me, “What the hell? Why aren’t they fighting you?” I replied, “I have no idea.” I helped him kill several. A scream pierced the air, “DADDY HELP ME!” Oh COME ON! Yellow hills wolves howled. I yelled, “YOU HOLD THE GODDAMN LINE! DO NOT BREAK!” I told Dax and Caine, “Cover my spot!” I could hear TJ snarling. It HAD to be him. Allison was his mate, and she was screaming. The Conners, Daniels, Kyle’s, my family and everyone outside the barrier was screaming or growling in anger. I took off for the woods. I only had to kill a few rouges in my way. I found a bow and arrow laying around. That was handy. How the HELL did they get Allison Daniels? Allison cried, “TJ….TJ HELP ME PLEASE!” I grabbed a tree branch and quickly climbed a tree and began tree hopping. Freya sighed, “We are still not a squirrel.” I rolled my eyes, “Habits and stuff.” Freya chuckled. I paused in the tree above Allison. Some coven members were still alive. Jerks. They’d somehow gotten Allison. My eyes narrowed. They’d cut her arm. They were taunting everyone outside the barrier. That was dumb. I drew my arrow back and released it into the forearm of the man holding Allison. He screamed. 

            I jumped down and took him to the ground. I yelled, “ALLISON RUN!” She stared at me with wide eyes. I quickly killed the man who had been holding her. I grabbed her by the arms. I asked, “Do you see that house over there?” She looked and nodded. Thank god for small favors. She didn’t get hit in the head. Allison whispered, “That’s my parents’ house….my mom’s special house.” I nodded, “Sure, the special house. Get to it.” She frowned, “What about you?” I smiled, “I’m a little busy….you go on.” I handed her the bow and arrows. I told her, “Anyone who tries to stop you….shoot them. Got it?” She nodded, “I’m a good shot.” I nodded, “I’m sure. Now run.” I gave her a push and she took off. I threw a knife at the first guy going after her. A coven member started chanting at me. I raised an eyebrow. He looked at me and gaped, “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shrugged, “Nothing. Obviously. I think your spell is defective.” I turned the dial on my watch and turned to face the guy sneaking up behind me. I held my breath and sprayed the gas in his face. He screamed. Making the gas work faster. He died. Which caused several of Alpha Alan’s wolves to come out. I smiled, “Hey guys….long time no see. I feel like I’m saying that a lot today. It’s like the worst reunion ever.” 

            The Gamma of their pack stalked forward and shifted back to human form. He snarled, “You’ll be coming home with us. Your mate didn’t mark you. Our Alpha decided if you weren’t marked….then you’d be coming with us...to be his Luna.” I tilted my head, “Ok...so no. Also...that was a seriously bad call to say that out loud.” Xander roared in anger. He was furiously trying to get out of at least ten different people’s grips. It hurt my heart to see. I linked him, “Xander...I’m yours. Only. Forever.” He stilled but...was clearly upset. Several of the wolves on my side turned in surprise to look at Xander. I looked back in time to Allison making it inside the house. I frowned at the guy who seemed to be stopped at a barrier. Whatever. I did not have time to figure that out. Allison was safe.

             I turned back to the Gamma and said, “You really should’ve asked who my mate was. As you can see….it’s Xander. He’s an Alpha...and he can kill you easily. Not that he’ll get to...I’ll kill you first.” Addison called over coms, “Mel, we have a problem.” I groaned, “I have a one crisis at a time, rule people! I’m still dealing with crisis number one. Give me five.” Dylan snorted, “She has a rule...I love her.” He threw popcorn into his mouth. I ran at the Gamma. I did a roundoff and wrapped my legs around his neck. I broke his neck and took us to the ground. I could hear shouting outside the barrier. Several rushed me, but I easily incapacitated them. Once they were dead. I called over coms, “Addison, what’s the problem?” Addison said, “On the south side of the territory….they have someone.” I threw my head back and groaned, “Do you mean the opposite side of the territory that I’m currently on? That south side?” Addison’s amusement came through when she answered, “That would be the one.” I sighed, “FINE! Shift back into your wolf and kill people.”