The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

What Is Happening? Pt. 3

            Drake growled, “We aren’t hallucinations.” Dylan added, “So Melashley….I have questions.” Melanie tilted her head, “Umm...ok?” Dylan smiled, “Well Melanie has a dad….Ashley is technically an orphan. I’ve been looking up such things, and I’m pretty sure I can adopt you.” Drake snarled, “YOU CAN’T ADOPT MY DAUGHTER!” Dylan sighed, “Ummm Drake you weren’t listening earlier….we aren’t supposed to talk to hallucinations. Abide by the rules of the territory.” Drake yelled, “I AM NOT A HALLUCINATION, AND YOU ARE NOT ADOPTING MY DAUGHTER!” Dylan nodded, “I hate that you’re making me break the rules of this horrible place, but Ashley Griffen….is technically not your daughter….and available for adoption. What do you say, MelAshley?” Melanie shook herself, “This is so weird.” Dylan smiled, “That was not a no. I’ll take it! We will keep this conversation flowing. I hear what you’re putting down.”

            Lucas nudged him. Dylan shrugged, “What? She thinks she got a bump to head and now she’s Bruce Willis seeing dead people.” Melanie frowned, “Are you talking about the sixth sense?” Dylan nodded, “But of course. You think you’re seeing and hearing dead people.” Melanie frowned, “But that would make me the kid because Bruce Willis is the one who is dead.” Dylan gasped, “THE HORROR! LUCAS! THIS IS CURSED LAND! WE MUST GO RIGHT AWAY! I HAVE MESSED UP A MOVIE REFERENCE! I MUST RE-WATCH ALL MOVIES RIGHT AWAY! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. MY GODDESS...WITCH BITCHES MUST GO IN DITCHES PRONTO! I BLAME THEM FOR THIS KERFUFFLE! It was obviously not my fault. Cursed land people. CURSED! Nashville is a BAD PLACE! We must leave henceforth and with haste!” I was not alone in my laugh. Even at this moment, Dylan was making us laugh. I had no doubt he messed up the movie reference on purpose to see if someone would point it out. Dylan said, “By the way MelAshley you just highlighted the reason I should be your adoptive father. You get movie references. I love movie references and having fun. We were clearly meant to be.” Drake snarled, “I WILL NOT LET YOU ADOPT MY DAUGHTER!” Dylan yelled back, “HALLUCINATIONS DON’T GET OPINIONS DRAKE!” He winked at him. Peter Kyle held Drake back. 

            Melanie sighed and took a step towards her friends. She said, “You three with me.” She marched past Jason without a look, but gave Dalton and Dakota scathing looks. Elise stopped her. She ran to Melanie and engulfed her in a hug. She cried, “Mel….” Melanie put her hands on her back. She hugged her for several moments then pulled back. Melanie told Elise, “We will talk. Just...give me a second here.” Elise stepped back, “You promise? You’ll talk to me.” Jason snorted, “She’s not mad at you.” Melanie ignored him and nodded, “I promise, Elise.” She walked off with her friends. She nodded to Paige who did a chant. Katie sighed, “Oh good.” My mom snorted, “The witch chant so we can’t hear?” Katie nodded, “Yup.” All three girls started talking immediately then quickly stopped as Melanie was clearly talking. Her back was to us. Caine and Dax were looking at each other from across the field. 

            Dax moved first. He put his hand out to Phil, “I’m Dax, Sierra’s brother. You’d better take care of her.” Phil shook his hand, “I’m Beta Phil Kruthers, and I will take care of her and treat her like a queen.” Dax smiled, “Good.” Caine snarled at Jason, “I wish your sister was the type of person to convince my sister to reject you, but she’s not.” Jason snarled, “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!” Caine studied him, “Have fun proving that, Beta Jason.” Jason threw his hands in the air, “I AM NOT THE BETA! T is!” Caine’s eyes flickered to T. He said, “Would someone care to explain how he is not dead. Or why they left their daughter here to be mistreated all these years?” Drake snarled, “Mistreated?! She was supposed to be in NEW YORK living her goddamn dream. For god’s sake, how did my baby not have a wolf!” Peter spoke, “You know how.” Drake closed his eyes, “Who did this?!” No one said anything. Drake demanded, “WHO DID THIS MY LITTLE GIRL?!” Caine frowned, “What are you talking about? Do what?” Dax said, “Uhh Caine…. I can sense Mel’s wolf now. I had to try.” Caine gaped and turned to face Melanie. He yelled, “WHAT THE EVER LOVING s**t?!” I told him, “When she looked into my eyes….it unlocked her wolf.” Caine frowned, “Unlocked? She just had to meet you to get her wolf?” Katie sighed, “Her wolf was locked away from her when she was sixteen. Someone else besides Alexander marking her would’ve made her lose her wolf completely.” 

            Dax hissed, “THAT BASTARD SON OF A b***h!” Caine hissed, “AJAX!” Jason frowned, “My wolf didn’t do anything.” Dax paled, “Wait….AJAX is your wolf's name?” Spencer offered, “And Ajax is NOT the name of the warlock who lives here. He does not exist. I haven’t gotten his name yet. I’ve been a little busy.” Caine closed his eyes. Mason snorted, “Just another way they wanted to torture her. Have someone around who reminded her of the only brother she thought she had.” Drake said, “And you are?” Mason answered, “I’m Mason King and this is Hendrick King. We watch out for Melanie. She’s family to us, and you people have a HELL of a lot of explaining to do.” The Alpha from Nashville spoke, “What about him?” I growled, “EJ!” EJ put his hands on my shoulder, “You will get your answers little brother. Take the Beta and Alpha back to Black Mountain beside the Melanie impersonator. We will get answers. Melanie needs them and the whole lot of us do.” I said, “Cassie...make them tell you where their Gamma is.” The Beta answered, “We don’t know. Melanie thought Ajax and Booker spelled the Alpha. He would never harm a baby.” I snarled, “Just teenage girls for not knowing how to cook breakfast.” The Beta paled. Everyone else said, “What?” Katie sighed, “The Alpha is spelled. We can fix that.” 

            Walker’s Alpha sighed, “I guess….we take over this pack.” Melanie said, “No, you won’t. Caine and Dax will take their rightful place leading this pack. They are not like their father’s, and the only reason they haven’t done so yet is because we were waiting for the right moment.” Avery, Addison, and Paige were still where they’d been talking behind Melanie. She turned to Dalton, Dakota, and Jason. She hissed at them, “Those girls deserve the world, so you better be the f*****g world to them...Or I will kick ALL your asses.” Dalton recovered first, “Ummm I’m an Alpha.” Melanie snorted, “So? Do you want me to prove I can beat you? I can and if you hurt my friend...I will, you giant asshole.” T gasped, “MELANIE JANE! You do not talk to Alpha’s like that.” Melanie still ignored him. She was looking through the crowd and landed on Lucas and Dylan. Melanie crossed her arms, “You’re former Alpha Lucas.” Lucas nodded, “Just Lucas will do.” She said, “My mom grew up in your pack. You know her family.” Lucas frowned, “I know your grandparents, yes. They will be so excited to have you home.” Melanie snorted, “Sure. Does my mom have a sister?” Cayden winced. 

            Lucas frowned, “I beg your pardon?” Sam said, “Melanie….you know I don’t have any siblings.” Melanie ignored her and stared at Lucas and asked again, “Does my mom have a sister?” Dylan jumped up, “Oh pick me future adopted daughter of mine! Your mom is an only child.” I didn’t need a bond to know Melanie’s anger snapped. Addison gasped, “Oh god.” Caine said, “Holy mother of….” Melanie let loose a scream of anger. She whirled and took off like a shot. I groaned, “Melanie wait!” I couldn't deny it felt good to say her name when she could hear me. My dad asked, “Where is she going?” Caine sighed, “The pack….to her ...well to her not Aunt Stephanie’s house.” My dad paled, “Stephanie McCann?” Caine nodded. Avery spoke first, “Melanie said we should hear your sides of the story. That we should give you a chance because that’s what we fight for around here. My wolf agrees with her. I’ve been determined to not like you for a long time though.” Paige sighed, “Same. Though….they are less to blame than him.” She pointed at Jason. Addison whimpered. Jason snarled, “I don’t understand what the hell is going on!” Addison frowned, “We all just need to sit down and talk once we get Mel situated. She’s not going to want to talk to you just yet, but….I want to hear your side. I want to know what you guys are talking about.” Jason nodded, “Whatever you want Addison. I’ll tell you everything I know.” 

            I didn’t have time for this. I popped to the pack. With the barrier already down here….I was stunned by the sight before my eyes even though I’d seen it in pictures. My mom gasped, “What the f**k is this s**t stain?!” I was about to explain when I heard several people gasp, laugh, and holler, “GET HER MEL!” Melanie screamed, “YOU LYING b***h! I popped to the crowd. There she was, beating the ever loving s**t out of a woman who could barely put up a fight. Sam yelled, “Melanie! It’s ok!” Melanie finally broke and spoke to her mom, “OK?! I’m glad YOU think it's ok, but it IS NOT OK!” She turned back and rammed Stephanie McCann’s face into a house. Drake went to stop her and Melanie’s warriors stood in his way. He raised an eyebrow, “I could easily get by you.” They shrugged, “We are her warriors. She’s our female lead warrior, and you are not from here.” My dad said, “Let her do what she needs to Drake. You might get more information this way.” Drake nodded and watched Melanie with pained eyes mixed with pride. She screamed, “YOU SAID JASON DIDN’T WANT ME! YOU SAID HE  HATED ME! YOU SAID YOU WERE MY AUNT! YOU ARE A LIAR!” Eventually I stepped in and touched her shoulder. Stephanie had fallen unconscious a long time ago. Melanie whirled and turned into my chest. She cried, “It hurts.” I whispered, “I know. I’m so sorry.” I rubbed her back. 

            Finally she whispered, “Is it true?” I asked, “About your family?” She cried harder. I pulled back. I told her, “I’ve known who you were from the moment I smelled you in Louisiana. I have always wanted you. I still do. You are mine and I am yours. Your family is not dead, Melanie. I promise you we will figure this out and anyone who hurt you emotionally or physically will die.” She looked into my eyes and nodded. She whispered, “I don’t know what to do. My place is with you, but I fight here.” Caine said, “Your time to fight is over. Those you were fighting against are out of power, and Dax and I are in it now. We can form an alliance with Black Mountain now. We will turn this pack around.” Melanie nodded, “Ok….” She looked at the man beside Avery then said, “I think you should keep Buck on.” Everyone looked astonished. Avery smiled gratefully at her. Melanie continued, “He’s changing. I think under the right leadership….he could be a good lead male warrior. He’s never going to be my favorite person, but you need good people right now. I think he could be one.” Caine laughed, “And you’re taking so many with you.” 

            EJ linked me, “I think we need to get home and have a group talk. I’m leaving warriors behind to help Caine and Dax. So is Phil’s friend's pack.” I linked Melanie, “We are leaving people behind to help them. Let’s get you packed and home to Black Mountain.” She nodded and led me towards a house. She walked in and started crying. I snapped her stuff packed. She knelt by the floor and opened up a safe. She grabbed several things out of it including her Xander wolf. Mason spoke, “I found your bag in the car. I knew you’d want him safe.” She got up and ran to them. I looked out the window and saw Drake watching them with pain in his eyes. She said, “I can’t go without you guys.” I told them, “We can help you keep the diner open here. I can have one built for you in our territory. It would be built quickly. I told Melanie you could come.” Hendrick came up behind him, “Sign me up. We stayed for her. Where she goes….we go.” I nodded, “If you want to come with us now….” Mason laughed, “No, we will stay and help the boys for a few days. We’ll be up by the end of the week little Mel.” She nodded. He threw her keys. She laughed and asked me quietly, “Wanna take a ride?” I smiled, “With you? Always.” I conjured her things to my room. We walked out into the garage. I didn’t have to ask. I knew her car was the shiny red bike. She hopped on and handed me the helmet. I snorted, “I don’t think so. You wear the helmet.” She smiled and put it on. I got on behind her. The bike roared to life and the garage opened. She ripped past her family all waiting to talk to her. 

            My dad linked me, “So….you’re biking back to black mountain?” I told him, “I think we are going to her other place.” My dad linked, “Oh good. She has two places. That’s just great.” I told him, “We will be home tonight.” My dad answered, “For my sake, son. Please do. I can handle the McAlister’s….your mom though…..she has things to say.” I laughed, “I’m sure she does.” We made it to Melanie’s other place in no time. She went into the garage. I wondered how many people were living in this building. I didn’t hear anyone else, but there were a lot of cars. Melanie went over to the elevator and punched in a code. It took us to her floor. There were pictures of her family everywhere. I frowned, “Why aren’t you in these pictures?” Melanie frowned, “I’m in most of them.” I looked around, “I don’t see you in them. In fact, I’ve never seen you in a picture.” Melanie frowned, “Things aren’t what they seem.” I nodded, “Evidently. How are you?” Melanie whispered, “Numb. Confused.” She picked up a picture of her family and cried, “Why didn’t they come for me? Why did they leave me here? I don’t understand.” I told her, “I can answer, but do you want to hear it from me?” She nodded. I told her, “They thought you went to New York that night. They thought you were mad at them and left early. We were told you won the competition. There was someone who was pretending to be you. They talked to her. On skype on the phone...she emailed. She must be working with a fairy to be able to look like you.” 

            Melanie frowned. I continued, “Apparently there’s a vampire who can compel other supernatural’s.” Melanie’s jaw dropped. I told her, “Your pack and family were compelled. Whenever any of us thought about things about you not making sense….we’d get a headache. Bad ones.” Melanie frowned, “I fought for them, and they didn’t fight for me.” I put my arms around her, “I don’t know what to say here Mel.” She whispered, “Say it again.” I laughed, “Say what?” She whispered, “My name.” I smiled, “I love you Melanie Jane McAlister.” She smiled, “I love you too.” She yawned, “I’m really….tired.” I held her tight, “With the last few days you’ve….I’d say so.” She got up and started to pull her things out of her drawers. I snapped it all packed then conjured it to Black Mountain. She sighed, “I guess there’s nothing left to do, but ….go home and face everyone. I don’t know if I can tonight. Or be nice about it. I don’t….they got headaches...I got a lot worse.” I nodded, “I will be on your side with this.” She asked quietly, “Can you conjure my motorcycle to Black Path?” I smiled then said, “Done.” She crawled into my lap, “I guess we will go to your home then.” I kissed her then pulled back, “Our home.” She smiled, “I like the sound of that.” I nodded and popped her home into the scene of complete chaos of the aftermath of this whole shitty day.