The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Eventful Times Pt. 1

            Alexander popped Melanie home. Cassie linked me, “So...this is not going well here. The McAlister’s are pretty upset, and dad’s just listening. Mom is mad. Like….blowing stuff up mad.” I yelled at everyone to stop. Everyone turned as one to face us. My dad linked, “That was much faster than I was anticipating. I don’t care how that happened, but I appreciate it from the depths of being, son.” I told him, “I snapped her stuff packed.” My dad smirked, “Handy. Where is her other place?” I told him, “Outside the pack. Gunner is running down the address for me. It’s owned by a shell company. He’s hitting walls on the person behind the shell corporation.” My dad linked, “You think it’s the resistance.” I answered, “I’m one hundred percent sure it is. I’m also pretty sure that I've been in two buildings they own.” My dad raised an eyebrow, “Two?” I nodded, “We have a LOT to talk about once Melanie is asleep. Or tomorrow. We have so much stuff to do.” My dad nodded. EJ linked me, “Why is Melanie staring at the window?” I looked over but didn’t see anyone there. I linked back, “No idea, big brother.” EJ linked, “Can we talk?” I pushed him off, “Later. I know what you want to talk about. Right now, I need to focus on Melanie, and what she needs.” EJ nodded. 

            The McAlister’s were all getting ready to talk, but Melanie cut them off. She wanted to say something. I honestly had no idea what she was going to do when she said she was still mad. Then she took off directly into Drake’s arms. All of them looked shocked. My mom, Cayden, Micah, and Melanie’s friends all seemed to understand. I actually did too. I looked at my parents, and my siblings. If I’d thought I couldn’t hug them for years…..even if I was spitting mad at them; I’d hug them too. Melanie seriously seemed to consider if she was going to hug Jason. I winced. Their sorrow was overwhelming to those of us fairies in the room. I linked my dad, “Where is Angela?” He answered, “Upstairs with TJ, your grandpa Titus and Grandma Veronica.” I nodded. My mom waited until Melanie was done getting her hugs before she moved us all into the living room. I sat down and everyone followed suit. Then we all plunged into silence. I raised an eyebrow at the McAlister’s, but each of them were staring at Melanie in shock. They had learned a lot in a short period of time, and none of it was how they thought things were. 

            Wesley linked me, “Maybe you should say something.” I replied, “She and I have talked. They are the ones who want to talk. I don’t think she’s going to make the first move to speak….which is a feat in and of itself. She’s a talker.” EJ linked me next, “Is anyone going to say anything? Elise is about ready to jump in.” I shrugged, “I mean...it couldn’t hurt.” Alpha Kyle apparently couldn’t stand the silence. Micah linked me, “Umm he might have been the worse choice to talk first…” Micah turned out to be right. Melanie snapped at him that he knew what was going on. I linked Cayden, “She believes that...doesn’t she?” Cayden linked back, “She does.” I cringed. This was going to be rough. My mom jumped in before anyone else could. I couldn’t help but smile. She probably should’ve jumped in first. I winced when my mom said she was confused. She shot me a pointed look. My dad linked, “We are all in SO much f*****g trouble.” I wondered if that was a direct quote from my mother. Melanie knew exactly who my mother was. Cayden linked, “How she knew me makes a lot of sense now….” I frowned, “She knew you?” Cayden answered, “On sight. As the commander of the armies, my name, and that I was Cassie’s mate. She knows A LOT about fairies and the Hackura. Which makes sense...because she’s always loved you.” I couldn’t help but smile. 

            Melanie started to explain happened to her that night. Elise jumped in to say they knew Melanie wasn’t crossing the border. It was a neighboring pup. Melanie pointed out it could be the girl pretending to be her in our dungeons. I linked EJ, “I want that goddamn answer. If that’s true…...they’ve been plotting since Melanie was born. I will kill them all brother.” EJ answered, “Not alone you won’t. We will be by your side, little brother.” I could feel all my siblings anger. My mom got Melanie back on track of her story. She explained what we knew then got to part about being taken from her house. I couldn’t help it when I growled. She’d been shot. My mom linked, “You cut that growling out right f*****g now young man. Let her tell this story her way.” I linked, “They shot my mate!” My mom answered, “And they will all f*****g wish for death for that alone, but we need to hear to rest. So NO f*****g growling. You kids and your dad are in enough trouble as it is.” I winced. My mom told Melanie to continue. She explained that her family minus Jason came home. I closed my eyes. I linked my dad, “An illusion? They put her in an illusion.” My dad answered, “Since Tristan was mating with Everly, and her parents did not leave early. In fact, Drake didn’t make it home. He got wasted. They stayed here. It had to be an illusion. I am so sorry, Alexander.” I linked back, “It’s not your fault.” Then Melanie added that she woke up in Nashville where Jason and Alpha Kyle sent her. 

            I frowned as both men denied that. I linked Cayden, “Why does she believe that?” Cayden frowned, “She has letters she hides in her backpack. I’m guessing it has something to do with those.” Jason was over Melanie calling him Beta Jason. He wanted to know who shot her and where. Melanie ignored all those questions. I wanted answers to those questions too. Whoever shot her….was going to wish they’d never laid eyes on her. Melanie asked if Alpha Kyle had nothing to do with it why no one came to help them. I knew the answer. Alpha Kyle wasn’t there, but it was a valid point. Someone should’ve come to help her. I linked EJ, “Are we talking about more than one traitor?” EJ linked back, “With as much time as they apparently had to plan this? The witches did something to the warriors. Everyone’s memory was altered. Drake questioned everyone there the next day. So did Peter. They wanted answers about why they just let Melanie leave. They all said the same thing.” I frowned. Great. Melanie stunned us all saying Peter banished her. My eyes went wide and gripped her tighter to me. 

            Peter looked astonished and hurt. Drake was in complete disbelief. Sam hadn't stopped crying. T and Jase looked completely confused and pissed off. Dalton and Dakota looked guilty and confused. I could sympathize. I looked at EJ and knew he could too. If this has happened to someone in our pack. We’d feel a tremendous amount of guilt. Hell, I felt a ton of guilt now. We all did. I could feel it in all my connections. My dad’s was pretty strong. It was rivaling mine. I looked at Melanie in my arms. I’d failed her. I couldn’t do it again. She deserved the world. Alpha Kyle clearly linked Melanie to prove she was still in Red Run. She jumped six feet. I got up with her. EJ linked me, “Are you ok?” I linked back, “She was tortured, and I couldn’t get to her. I let her out of my sight against my better judgement, twice. She was beaten and tortured. I am not ok.” EJ put a hand on my back. 

            Melanie didn’t understand what was happening. She said she was forced to join Black Path. Her friends all agreed with her nodding. I needed more information about what that meant. Alpha Kyle said she’d never broken with Red Run. Phil and I shared a look. Phil linked me, “So it’s not just us. She can link anyone she wants. That’s….weird and unheard of.” I linked him, “We will look into it quietly.” Phil linked, “I feel like that’s all we do now….look into things quietly. You have a strange tattoo and so she does, we look into it quietly. Your mate lights up like a glow stick and we look into that quietly. Now, she can link whoever she darn well pleases and we look into that quietly….It’s my new motto. I’ll look into it, quietly.” I rolled my eyes at him. He was not wrong though.

            My mom wanted the conversation back on topic. She wanted to know Melanie believed Peter would banish her. Melanie asked me to pop us to my room. Her dad didn’t want her to yet. He wanted more of the story. His eyes told me he just wanted to be in the same room with her longer. Melanie assured him we were coming back. She was just getting proof Peter banished her. Every time she called him by his title….he looked like a knife was stuck into him. I popped us out. She riffled through an old backpack that was pretty beat up. I was getting a sick feeling in my stomach. I linked EJ, “I see handwriting from Peter, Chelsea, Jason, Ben, Esther, Melinda, and Marybeth in her bag. I’m sure her Aunt Allison and her Uncles are there too.” EJ linked, “But none of them are from them.” I linked back, “I know. I’m just telling you. Most letters appear to be from Jason...OH f**k ME! I see Everly’s handwriting too.” EJ linked back, “Fabulous. This is truly a god awful day.” Had it only been a day? 

            Melanie eventually found the letter she was looking for. The hurt and the pain that had to be in those letters broke my heart for my mate. I should’ve listened to Oden. I should’ve gone to her. Oden linked, “Something stopped us Alexander. Something or someone has to pay.” I linked him back, “They will.” I pulled her into me and kissed her gently. I’d needed to taste her lips again. I conjured the letter back into her hands and I popped us downstairs. She handed it immediately to EJ. Peter frowned thinking he would’ve gotten it. Elise was stunned by whatever she read. EJ looked at Melanie with pity and sorrow. I linked him as Peter practically flew across the room for the letter. I asked EJ, “What does it say?” EJ linked, “The High level overview would be It does say she’s banished. It also says Drake is not her father.” I winced. 

            EJ continued, “They told her she was a hunter’s daughter. Specifically the hunter who she believed killed her family.” Hot searing rage burst through me. Edward Davis and Jean Kiern were not prepared for me. Sam whispered about the Alpha steal being stolen. EJ linked, “She could’ve continued the story. They didn’t just not look into it. They were told the kids burned it in the bonfire when they got drunk. They didn’t just say oh well...it’s missing.” I linked back, “I think Sam is in a bit of shock. Her daughter was not where she thought she was. She was being tortured thinking she was banished and they were dead. I’m not a parent….but I’m pretty sure that would make me feel like shit.” EJ nodded. 

            Peter told my mom to make him tell the truth. I linked dad, “Hasn’t mom been doing that the whole time?” My dad answered, “Yes.” My mom simply asked the question. He denied it. Which everyone but Melanie and her friends knew. Her friends actually gasped. Melanie….god I wanted our Hackura ceremony yesterday. She looked confused, hurt and dejected. Sierra ran to her and the rest followed. Melanie looked like she was forcing herself not to break down. How many times had she done that over the years? Once was too many. T wanted to ask a question. No. We needed to talk about what they could ask. We were NOT confronting Melanie about being in the resistance. Not tonight. Not ever if I got my way. She would open up and tell us. She needed time to adjust. This was a lot. I told Buttercup to take Melanie and her friends to the office. Sierra knowing I knew her name was one thing. Knowing we all knew they were in the resistance was not a secret they would keep from her. 

            I waited until Buttercup shut the door. T growled, “Don’t tell me what I’m allowed to ask my own damn sister Alexander.” I stood, “This is MY home and she is MY mate. I damn well can tell you what you can and cannot say here. She is on overload. She’s trying not to break down. She’s devastated and hurt. There is a bag full of letters in our room with handwriting ranging across MULTIPLE members of your pack. Most of them are from Jase.” Jason snorted, “They are NOT from me.” I sighed, “I know that Jase. I do. I’m telling you it’s your handwriting. They...and whoever they is….is going to f*****g pay with their lives….they manipulated her. They emotionally and physically abused her. She freaked out after cooking a gourmet breakfast for us that I MADE her eat with us. She’d left the dishes out and not soaking. She nearly had a panic attack. There is A LOT we do not know about what happened down there in that s**t stain sad pathetic excuse of a pack. Cayden could probably elaborate, but I know she didn’t get in a car accident last year.” Micah sighed, “She did...it just wasn’t just a car accident. She had bite marks all over her.” I snarled. EJ stood, “Alexander…..no one marked her. She’s ok. She’s here. She’s home now.” Phil threw a hoodie at me. I caught it on a reflex. I inhaled Melanie’s scent. I raised an eyebrow. Phil smirked, “I snagged a hoodie or two. Always be prepared and quietly look into things….that’s my motto now.” I raised an eyebrow. 

            T asked, “Look into what quietly, Phil?” I turned around, “Several things about Melanie. We all know she didn’t break with Red Run, but she can link people in Black Path. She can link both myself and Phil too.” Drake frowned, “That’s not possible.” I shrugged, “Yet she can do it.” Jase sighed, “While it kills me that she looks at me with hurt and mistrust in her eyes….I do actually like seeing her again. Physically….even though I was never looking at her. DAMN IT! Not the point, what don’t you want us to ask her about?” I said, “No one, not just you all, will ask Melanie about the resistance or being in it.” Ben McAlister snorted, “The hell I won’t, boy.” My mom stood, “Don’t ever speak to my son that way again. I like you Ben, truly. He’s not a boy anymore. He’s a man, and I agree with him.” Ben frowned, “He’s your kid. Of course you do.” 

            My mom touched my back and said, “True. I will always back my kids. I’m saying this as an expert on trauma, not his mom. If you force her into a corner...she will snark back. She will retreat, and she will not tell you want to know. If she feels safe...and comfortable she will share with us. We need to give her some space here. You are throwing a lot of information at that girl on top of….she’s found her mate. That’s a lot to balance. When you add in...she’s been clearly manipulated to think we all hated her for something that never happened nor would we have hated her for...because I would charm the f**k out of anyone who agreed to let her hurt that way especially for something that wasn’t her f*****g fault even if it had happened. You cannot force someone to share if they aren’t f*****g ready. The only person here….who probably could get something out of her...well ok, there are three people. Those people are Cayden, Micah and Alexander. They could probably ask without her feeling cornered.” 

            Drake asked, “Alexander I get….Why the other two?” My mom snorted, “Because she’s their source. They are both f*****g smart. There is literally no way Cayden hasn’t already asked Melanie about the resistance. My son in law is not a f*****g moron. He had to have suspected.” Cayden answered, “I’ve never had proof. She’s always saying what I have is conjecture and supposition.” My mom nodded, “I still think they should wait to ask her. Let her adjust. The rings and the resistance will still be f*****g there in a week, or a month.” My mom turned to the McAlister’s and continued, “I am sorry Sam and Drake. I’m so damn sorry because that’s your baby, and I don’t want you to think I don’t understand. I do. I just know if you push her….you could lose her forever. She clearly wants you all back in her life. She’s wanted the Kyle’s back in her life this entire time. That’s why the f*****g note was pointing to who she was. If this was true….if anyfuckingthing Melanie thought was true...was actually what happened...Peter would’ve known exactly who saved him.” Elise whispered, “Her name. She wanted us to know it was her.” Elise then broke and screamed, “My head!” My mom cursed, “Oh f**k balls.” She popped away and came back with Sir Arthur. He vamped in front of Elise and released her from all compulsions. EJ frowned, “Elise...you’ve been in pain this whole time. Why didn’t you say anything?” Elise cried, “It’s nothing compared to what Mel went through.” Sir Arthur frowned, “No need to suffer Lass….” My mom popped him back and came back alone. 

            My dad crossed the room and put her in his lap. Peter said, “So we can’t say anything about her being the sniper.” Nick added, “Or saving mine and Ben’s life.” My mom sighed, “Just for a while. Let her open up. She’s wanted us to know the entire f*****g time she was the sniper. Especially you Peter. She specifically wanted you and Jason to catch on. She WANTED you to know. If ANYFUCKINGONE had mentioned that Melanie McAlister loved my son….” She glared at everyone in the room then continued, “She would’ve been my first guess as for who was behind Laxenread. In fact, I DID guess her because of the bracelets. You all acted like I was a damn lunatic because she was “living her dream”.” I winced. My mom even put it in quotes. She hissed, “And some of you f*****g knew she was head over heels for my son! All of you shits are SO MUCH f*****g TROUBLE!” She took a deep breath and added, “But this is not about me right now so I will continue to put those feelings on simmer before I lose my s**t on EACH and EVERY ONE of you….who didn’t tell me about this f*****g shitty mess. Don’t think I won’t. As far as Melanie….I think she will open up. I think she will tell us things. From what you’ve all said...she’s an actual genius.” Everyone nodded. Drake smiled, “She’s a smart little thing.” 

            My mom nodded, “Right so logically….she has to give up some things. The resistance will be what she holds onto the tightest.” My dad asked, “What do you mean, Angel?” My mom pointed outside, “She has to give up that she was working with Cayden and Micah. That she was embedded into a f*****g hunting organization. On that note, SOMEONE is going to tell me how that f*****g happened. Eric….I want that piece of s**t Alpha to explain his goddamn self on so many f*****g things….letting a f*****g werewolf join hunters...is one thing.” Cayden said, “It’s not just her. Addison and Sierra were part of it until they got their wolves. The wolf less from Black Path were all sent to help them.” My dad growled angrily. My mom’s eyes blazed. Wesley linked me, “Buttercup said they need drinks. What’s Mel’s drink? Does she have one?” I linked back, “She does. The drink she favors is a Cranberry vodka.” He nodded. My mom snorted, “Someone get me a REALLY damn good f*****g answer or I WILL work with my sister in law….he will be charmed with evil s**t AND cursed. You know what? Katie...go ahead and work up some evil f*****g curses. He defuckingserves it….My point. There are people walking around this pack that know Red One. They will recognize her. They will want to thank her. Random people walking up and thanking Melanie is a huge ass sign. She has to know that. I’d imagine she’d give the information to Cayden to do with what he will. He’d tell us.” 

            She had a solid point. Ben sighed, “It’s obvious she’s in the resistance too. I saw her. Nick saw her. Drake said on the call she said some weird word.” Elise whispered, “Mshango.” Ben pointed, “Sure, that.” My mom nodded, “Melanie clearly did not know we were on a skype call. She has NO idea we know that. Elise was f*****g drugged. Her not remembering would make sense. Nick and Ben are probably going to be her strongest suspicions. You were shot though, and you had silver in your systems...I’m assuming.” Ben nodded, “She gave us something that made the silver go away. She’s so smart with her tinkering’s.” My mom nodded, “Right.” Nick sighed, “That other one did drug us, Ben. She could think we were shot, drugged, and hallucinating.” Ben frowned, “I don’t like it.” My mom sighed, “I don’t f*****g like it either. I don’t like so many f*****g things about this. I did not under a SINGLE set of circumstances….want to have so much in common with a daughter or son in law of mine about pain and abuse. That’s what I’ve worked against since I met Eric to avoid. Women and men having to go through that kind of f*****g pain. To have my own child and his mate go through this….navigate this f*****g s**t….is NOT what I wanted for either of them. ESPECIALLY, when it’s a little girl who should’ve never known a second of any of it. Melanie has a loving f*****g family, who would’ve never allowed harm to come to her.” 

            Sam burst into tears again. Drake held her up. I looked at Jason, “We can’t push her Jase.” Jason looked away, “Everything I saw was real. I let people convince me I was crazy. She was hurting and I knew I was right!” I walked across the room. I put my hand on his shoulder and told him, “There is blame that we can all go around the room and say we feel. I ignored my instincts, and I don’t know why. We know you all were compelled. We have no idea what was going on with me and my siblings.” My mom sighed, “I will f*****g figure that s**t out.” I turned, “I know you will, but there are so many instances….one that I will regret for the rest of my life….is her birthday.”

             Oden linked, “That’s how I recognized Freya’s voice Alexander. It was her. She was the wolf who needed help.” My dad spoke, “You think it was her….that she reached out to you. The wolf that called out for help.” I told him, “I know it was her. Oden recognized the voice.” Drake started to cry, “You came at five in the morning. She fought….for five hours…..my...oh god my little girl. She was all alone.” Several people started crying. Marybeth said, “Daddy...I don’t understand….what is going on?” Ben wiped his eyes, “I’ll explain later MaryBeth. I promise. We’ll have a family meeting.” Cayden spoke, “So the werewolves in the world went down because a wolf was suppressed.” EJ’s voice was tight, “It certainly seems that way.” Aunt Katie added, “Magic does come with a price. There is magic in all of us supernatural’s. To suppress her wolf….the wolves all felt that pain of one of their own. It makes sense.” 

            My mom snorted, “Not one damn thing about this makes any sense.” Aunt Katie smiled, “True. I just mean as a magic balance.” I said, “Selene can go fall off a cliff all I care. That NEVER should’ve been allowed to happen. To anyone.” Emmett asked, “Why would her wolf reach out to Alexander out of everyone?” Elise spoke quietly, “Because Melanie has always loved her Xander. It’s him. It’s always been him. She’s been convinced since she was a little girl he was hers. Her wolf must have known that.” Drake asked in a pained voice, “Will my baby shift? Did I cause my little girl to live with a wolf inside her and never be able to be in wolf form?” I spoke, “Her wolf is certain they will shift. She’s getting stronger.” Spencer spoke, “Her wolf took over for a minute when she was fighting Stephanie. It stunned the crowd into silence. I think Stephanie even s**t her pants.” Sam snarled, “I WILL be speaking to that bitch.” My mom nodded, “Right there with you Sam. Momma bears are going to come to play with that bitch.” Sam nodded. I told Drake, “That’s the first time her wolf has taken control. She just needs to get stronger. I feel it’s important to note...you did not do this to her, Drake.” Drake laughed hollowly, “I’m her father.” My mom sighed, “You were under an incredibly powerful compulsion Drake. Sir Arthur told me it was the strongest on your family, but specifically you. He said that it had to make you physically ill at times.” Sam whispered, “It did….he could be sick for days sometimes….the pack doctor couldn’t find anything wrong with him. He’d just throw up constantly like the humans do with the flu.” 

            Drake frowned, “It’s not good enough. She’s my daughter and I failed her. She was shot.” Micah flinched. I raised an eyebrow and linked him, “What was that?” Micah sighed, “I mean...I just….” Cayden linked me, “She should tell you herself. She did not tell us what we know. We found out. She doesn’t know that we know.” I frowned but nodded. I told Micah, “Never mind.” He looked relieved. Drake whispered, “What did they do that Melanie freaked out over not cleaning dishes?” I told him, “I honestly do not know.” Drake looked me in the eyes, “You’ll go after Trevor McCann.” I told him, “With everything I have.” Drake nodded, “I will too. I want time with him if you get him first.” I nodded. I intended to get to him first. T said, “Ok...can ladybug come back now? My question wasn’t about the resistance. That was going to come later.” Jason asked, “What about being Swiffer?” His family turned to him in shock. My family was not surprised. Elise let out a wail.