The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Half Moon and Stars Pt. 1

                Alexander felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest as Melanie fell apart. I couldn’t do anything, but hold her. I’d thought she’d passed out but she woke right back up. She was sobbing and trying to speak. What came out was, “You’ll hate me. You’ll hate me. It hurts. I don’t want to see it anymore. I hate this.” Fury and anger battled within me. Phil linked, “Alexander….” I linked him, “WHAT?” Phil winced but said nothing else. When Melanie finally passed out for real this time.  I looked at Sierra, “Start talking. NOW.” Sierra winced, “It’s….about the bigger explanation….it doesn’t go in the bubble. That’s what she said to tell you.” I growled, “You have GOT to be kidding me. She JUST said she thinks I’ll hate her. I would nor could I EVER hate her.” Sierra leveled me with a looked, “Yes, well we both know...no...all three of us know she’s wrong. You already know what she wants to tell you. You’re just pretending you don’t. She doesn’t see it, but I do. She’s insanely smart….but not so people smart sometimes. Especially…..When it involves things about her. You don’t care what her actual name is….Right? You do know it, and you haven’t cared at all....the entire time.” 

            Phil’s eyes widened. I nodded, “I have known the entire time. I knew from the moment I smelled her in the building.” Sierra sighed in relief, “And you don’t care?” Phil frowned, “This conversation makes no sense. Why would he care?” Sierra frowned, “She was told you did.” Phil gaped, “Oh good god. I’m going to need you to take that back….fast.” I roared, “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!” Sierra flinched and explained, “When she turned sixteen…..she was told you didn't want her. That you’d reject her if she was your mate. She’s always been so adamant it was you. It broke her.” I clutched Melanie to me and roared, “SHE IS MINE! MINE! WHO DARED TO TELL HER THAT?! TELL ME!” 

            Phil got in my face, “Calm down.” I snarled at him. Sierra sighed, “I can’t tell you who told her. That’s something she needs to talk to you about. I knew it was bullshit! We ALL did! Your mom…..the rumors about her...there are too many not to be true. She’d kick your ass if you rejected your mate. There’s no way you’d promise to reject Ash specifically.” I growled, “Tell me who said it, and they die tonight.” Phil sighed, “Not tonight….tonight you have to make sure Shley is ok….” I growled, “That’s not her f*****g name! Her name is MELANIE!” Sierra clapped, “I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU KNEW!” Phil sighed, “Yes, but you’re doing this whole pretending not to know thing FOR Melanie. She wants to be in the bubble.” Oden was raging in my head. I needed to kill someone. 

            Melanie snuggled into my chest. I looked at her. I close my eyes. I needed to keep it together for her. I asked Sierra, “Why did she get drunk? Why was she crying?” Sierra winced, “It’s about the date.” I looked up at Phil who turned his phone around. I stared at the date showing. It was one I knew well. It was the night Melanie left to go dance at her competition. The one she supposedly won. I locked eyes with Phil. He knew too. I linked him, “Did she even make it to the dance competition? Was she taken by the council when they landed in New York? Did they force her to do this? How would they even know about me and her?” Phil linked, “I mean…..she has a wolf that looks like you. Sierra knew she always thought you were her mate…..maybe they took Melanie and that Tiffany chick at the airport….Tiffany was her friend. She probably knew that Melanie said you were hers.” I linked him, “They will die for this, Phil. She didn’t want to meet with me this whole time because she thought I’d reject her.” Phil nodded, “Yup. I got that. Very dead people….so very dead. What’s a beta cousin to do? A sobbing hysterical mate….trumps rational reasoning every...damn….time….Really I’m in a lose lose situation. So I’m embracing all the killing that’s going to happen. Whoever did this, they hurt her. Intentionally. That’s my Luna man. To use a rejection as a scare tactic for a sixteen year old who didn’t think she had a wolf….she probably thought a rejection would kill her.” I snarled. 

            Sierra looked between us. Oden finally formed words, “They die Alexander….they die HACKURA deaths. They told mate we didn’t want her. They hid Freya from her. It was from the beginning. From the day she left. They got their hooks into mate and I want them to PAY! Then they DARED to say we’d reject her. OUR MATE! They made her doubt us. They have SCARED her into doing their dirty deeds in the shadows.” I looked at Phil and Sierra. I told them, “She wants to stay in this bubble. So that’s what we will do. She gets whatever she wants. I don’t know the whole story, but I will. When I do...People die. I’ve wanted her since I was fourteen years old. She is MINE! They won’t take her from me.” Sierra gaped, “Did you say since you were FOURTEEN?!” I nodded, “Yes. My wolf was certain she was ours when I smelled her hoodie in the back of one of Red Run’s SUV’s going to a school dance. I questioned that since people tend to be possessive of Melanie. They have been since she was little. They hated her toy wolf.” Sierra smirked, “Her Xander wolf. Yeah it’s not popular in our pack either.” I snarled, “Your pack is a s**t stain.” Phil winced, “Hey now.” I glared, “They are.” Sierra said, “It’s true. We are...We know that. My brother and Caine will fix it.”

            I told her, “If your dad is party to this...I’ll kill him.” Phil linked, “Ease into it. We were going to ease into that.” Sierra snorted, “Can I watch?” We both gaped at her. She shrugged, “I’ll find a way to watch. Maybe my mom will get a good second chance mate. The LORD knows she deserves one. Maybe she could even come with me to Black Mountain.” She looked wistful. I told her, “Your mother is welcome if she is not part of this.” Sierra smiled, “Oh she’s not. Her and Luna are under an Alpha Command. They fight it as much as they can.” Phil said, “I’m sorry….they Alpha put his OWN Luna under an Alpha Command? That shouldn’t even work. They are equals. I’d kick Alexander’s ass for doing that to you….unless it was one hundred thousand percent necessary and all three of us agreed.” I told him, “I wouldn’t do it. I trust you as my Beta, Phil. You know that. Her word would be enough for me.” Sierra sighed, “There are reasons it works.” I frowned, “Reasons you won’t tell us.” Sierra sighed, “Look, that’s….a conversation for another day. This is Mel’s show. Things sucked in our pack until she showed up. If not for her, I can tell you I wouldn’t be standing here.” Phil snarled. I linked, “Uh huh….What happened to calm?” Phil snarled, “I was already on your level inwardly...now I’m just outwardly on your level.” 

            Sierra sighed, “Melanie changed things. Big things. She’s a force to be reckoned with and people don’t know how to deal with her.” I frowned, “What does that mean?” Sierra sighed, “That they don’t know what to do with her. They can’t beat her in a fight. She’s stronger. She’s better. She’s made the pack better. Anyone who wants to train….now they can...with her. Even if they don’t want to be a warrior. Even if they want to train in secret because the stubborn old families can’t admit their way of life sucks. She bends over backwards to protect people. She’s who people look to in a crisis in our pack. They look right past my dad and the Alpha.” Phil said, “Time out. Can I FINALLY call you Sierra?” She purred, “Yes. Just not around Mel.” Phil zipped his lips then unzipped them, “Whatever my sugar lips says.” Then he zipped them back. She laughed, “How did you know my name?” I told her, “We knew the whole time. We know what you and Addison look like. I know the Beta and Alpha families of everyone in the state. Even if we aren’t allies.” Sierra’s jaw dropped, “Damn….that’s….different.” 

            I asked, “Why don’t people look at your brother and Addison’s? Why do they look at her?” Sierra sighed, “Until Mel showed up….Caine nor Dax were trained. The warriors were told not to fight them. They fought each other. Their wolves taught them what they could in wolf form. Mel taught us all. You put out videos and she made us all watch. People look to her because she’s smart. Because she’s fierce. We get attacked by power hungry Alpha’s and their warriors. If not for her….many in Black Path would’ve died. The first attack when she was there. She was fourteen. She saved fifteen pups. She killed six warriors. By herself. Some people don’t like her, but when s**t hits the fan….She’s who they want towards the danger to save them.” I snarled, “She shouldn’t be alone.” Sierra raised an eyebrow, “She’s not alone. She wasn’t then either. Mason and Hendrick fought with her. They got to her first. She was impressed by them. She was spitting mad when she found out they weren’t warriors because they were gay. She dressed Alpha Edward down REAL good. It was….hilarious.” I frowned, “You don’t call him Edward?” Sierra’s lips twitched, “No, we aren’t exactly close.” 

            Phil frowned, “That’s unusual.” Sierra shrugged, “I didn’t know that until Melanie told me that. None of us did.” Phil and I locked eyes. This was not good. I sighed, “We can’t ignore Nashville anymore. We need to do a deep dive.” Sierra laughed, “You just need to talk to Mel. If you want to go to a pack you suspect is like ours….take her with you. She’s the champion of the neglected packs. Not just ours. Not just in Nashville either. She has a way with words. When you hear a true Melanie speech….prepare to be amazed. She’s inspiring. She makes you feel like you can make a difference.” I raised an eyebrow, “There are other packs like yours? In taters and ruins?” Sierra tilted her head, “How could you know that?” I didn’t bother to answer. Sierra laughed, “When I told you her name was Ashley Griffen….you sent someone…. A magical someone.” Phil asked, “Yes he did. Why hasn’t Alpha Theo reported the state of your pack? He’s been in Ashley’s house.” Sierra sighed, “Alpha Theo has not seen it’s true state. He’s a good man. He wouldn’t have let that go. Ashley’s house isn’t in tatters because she makes money to make it nicer. To have repairs done. Mason and Hendrick make money too with their diner. Until Ashley came….they only got one percent of the money they made. The Alpha, my dad, and the Gamma took it. Alpha Theo would never let that go.” She was right. He wouldn’t. He would’ve told my dad, and my dad would’ve been pissed as all get out if he’d seen what I’d seen in pictures. 

            Sierra added, “There are many packs like ours. They do a good job of staying off your radar, or crying when you come around to the supernatural council. They do things you don’t like so you avoid them because they don’t want to be on your radar. For a reason.” Phil frowned, “It’s more than the pack being in tatters….That’s what you’re implying. Son of b***h! Are packs really involved with the drugs?” Sierra sighed, “Tip of the iceberg mate of mine. That’s all I can really say. Look into them. Look hard. There are things lurking beneath the surface. Melanie faced all those things head on. She’s never looked back. She walked into the chaos and demanded better for people. She’s inspiring. She’s always had a natural leadership quality. I was stunned she didn’t have a wolf. Addison, me, Dax, Caine, Hendrick, and Mason all thought her wretched aunt did something to her. We were all sent away at the last minute before her birthday for a reason. It can’t be because they thought she might not shift like they said. She remembers being in pain. It’s because she was supposed to shift. Wolf less pack members….that I know were never in pain. Her life changed that night. Around you though Alexander…..she’s the girl I met. With bright eyes. She’s happy. Look me in the eye and tell me you won't let people take her from you or pressure you into giving her up. She’s one of my best friends. I have to know you’re not going to break her heart because someone doesn’t like her.”

            I snorted, “I am an Alpha Enforcer. No one is going to pressure me into s**t. I’m not giving her up. I don’t give a s**t if a goddess or god themself tells me to.” Sierra smirked, “Yeah well...Selene’s a big enough b***h to do that.” I raised an eyebrow. Phil’s jaw dropped. Sierra shrugged, “That b***h has never done a damn thing for me or my friends. There’s a large group of us she turned her back on. Why shouldn’t we do the same? Melanie hates Selene. With a passion.” I sighed, “Can we get any specifics on what to look into? Are you all in the ring resistance?” Sierra smiled, “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I snorted, “Sure.” I picked Melanie up off the ground. I told Phil, “I’m not sure what tomorrow looks like.” I linked him, “If you manage….get me some answers. This is shaping up to be a VERY bad conversation. I don’t want them back there in that place. Find a way for me to not let that happen.” Phil linked, “Hear me out…..we open a portal and push them into the Hackura realm. Bam! Problem solved.” I glared at him. He shrugged, “It would work. They can’t open a portal or pop.” I linked, “I don’t want her or your mate to be pissed off at us.” Phil linked, “That was not in the original stipulation.” I rolled my eyes. 

            I popped to our room. I held Melanie tightly. I snapped off my shirt and pants leaving me in my underwear. I held her tightly, “No one will take you from me Melanie. Anyone who tries will die. You’re mine. You’re my everything. You’ve owned my heart for a very long time now. Anyone who hurt you….is dead. Black Path….except your friends….they are dead. I will wipe them out. If the supernatural council did this to you….They will die at my hands. I will fight beside you. You are not alone. You will never be alone. You are mine and I am yours Melanie McAlister. I’m going to bring you home and to my side, where you have always belonged. With my family and our allies at our sides….we will bring this whole thing down. You and me. Whoever told you I’d reject you will know severe pain. They stopped you from coming to me. I know they did. Maybe not physically…..but with scare tactics that are reprehensible. You should’ve been with me at least for the last two years. I should’ve protected you and I failed. It won’t happen again. I’m here now. Nothing will hurt you again.” I held her tightly knowing she didn’t hear any of what I said. 

            I fell asleep picturing and plotting the deaths of the Black Path leadership. They’d know who told her I’d reject her. If she didn’t tell me. They would. Their cries would echo in the Hackura realm. There were going to be a lot of blood eagles in a few years. Maybe decades. I wasn’t sure how long they would suffer yet. I had a feeling….as I looked at Melanie’s red puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks; It was going to be a long ass time. Finally the pictures stopped and I drifted to sleep. 

            Melanie woke with a jerk that startled me. She seemed upset. Then I studied her. She was more startled. What had she seen? I pulled her back in my arms and told her I was here for her.  She looked at me and clearly said in my head, “I need to brush my teeth.” She gave no indication she knew she was linking me. She jumped up and ran into the bathroom. I linked Oden, “Are you going to tell me how she’s doing that?” Oden linked, “No.” I asked, “Will you tell me I can do it back?” Oden replied, “Probably. You should be able to.” I smirked. Something to test. I snapped us food and we ate in silence. I pulled her back against me when we were done. The need to touch her was so strong. Someone told her I didn’t want her. That’s why she was so afraid. Before the rage could fill me again...I tried to get her to talk to me. She said we’d talk when I was back. I was disappointed, but I understood. In her shoes….I’d want the same. Oden linked, “We could just tell her we know….she could panic though. Actually don’t do that. Freya says she would panic. We might have to chase her, and she’s fast.” He had a point. She was ridiculously fast. 

            She told me she should’ve done things differently. Getting drunk and crying weren’t exactly the healthiest options physically and mentally to deal with whatever upset her….but she was an adult. I’d prepare dancing as a coping mechanism. This had to be an extreme situation. She’d also seen things….she was never meant to see. I couldn’t begin to imagine the pain she’d suffered. That was going down an angry path again. She knew about the seedy things going on. Oden linked, “She’s the sniper….you feel it too.” I linked back, “We don’t know that.” I didn’t and I didn’t want to. Until she told me herself…I’d deny it. I didn’t want it to be true. Because that meant…..she was getting hurt...a lot. Fighting in the undergrounds. I look into her beautiful eyes. I couldn’t imagine it being her. No...she was not THE sniper. Maybe another one. Just not that one. Melanie interrupted my thoughts. She said she didn’t mean about drinking. She meant about something in the past. 

            Did she think it was her fault? What could she have done differently? She told me I’d understand when I got back then tried to push for us to keep meeting up in secret. Hell the f**k no. She needed to be right by my side. I needed to know she was safe. I needed to know she was out of their clutches. I needed her with me. I told her I wanted her to stay in the Hackura realm while I was gone. She wanted to. I could see it on her face. She was going to say no though. I tried to reach her. I told her I knew she wanted to. She told me she didn’t like Black Path. I had no doubt about that. I nearly fell over when she said their Alpha was trash. She’d never joined? Well, technically I suppose she couldn’t. Red Run was where her Alpha lived. She snarked that Alpha Edward Davis would never be her Alpha. That I was her Alpha. 

            It wasn’t a choice really. I craved her as soon as she’d said it. My lips were on hers. She’d called me her Alpha. Plenty of people had said that. She said in the most fiercely loyal and sexy way I’d ever heard. I needed to possess her. To claim her. Oden linked, “MARK HER!” I linked, “That’s her choice.” Oden linked, “Technically….the holdup is us knowing her real name…WHICH WE KNOW!” I sighed, “She doesn’t know that.” Oden grumbled, “Obnoxious human.” I linked back, “Obstinate wolf.” Oden replied, “Yeah well….Your wolf is right.” He probably was. I was just trying to do what our mate wanted. I needed to taste her so I sat her on my face. Pictures flooded my mind. Picture of my lips on Melanie’s breasts. I linked Oden, “The hell was that? Wishful thinking?” Oden snickered, “That’s what mate is thinking while she touches herself.” How the HELL did she do that?  I didn’t know mates could project images to each other. Once she’d come I popped behind her. I needed to touch her. I put my hand under the hoodie. I waited there tracing my fingers on her skin. Waiting for her to tense or say something. When she didn’t I asked if this was ok. She nodded. I went further. I finally reached her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra. I could’ve wept. I couldn’t see them, but….she’d given me a flash in my head. I pictured them as she showed me. I’d just use her neck if I couldn’t suck on the real thing. She’d have hickey’s. I could give Oden that at least. Oden snorted, “It’s slightly less than nothing.” 

            I spanked her and ordered her to call me her Alpha again. She immediately did. She listened very well, and that excited me on a deep level. Melanie was picturing things again. She was naked in her mind. I was hoping I could file it away to see if she had a scar on her stomach, but I really didn’t know how this worked. She started to rub me with her hand. I bit her marking spot lightly and linked her to come for me. She did. I smirked. I could do it too. Good to know. We lost ourselves in each other. I told her she was mine. She said she’d always been mine. Then clear as day she said in my head, “Since I was three years old. I’ve always been yours.” I was so possessive of her right now. We should’ve been together her entire life. When I found out…..and I would….what forces kept us apart…I’d find a way to make them pay. Phil linked me, “Because….you’ve never been like this with a girl and normally a growl from you means you’re fighting…..Melanie is ok, right? Like you’re not raging up there are you? It that a sexy Alexander growl? You can’t blame me for asking here….I’ve never heard it, and you just shook the house.” I linked back, “She’s more than fine. It’s a she’s mine sexy time growl. Go away!” Phil linked, “Rude…..Going away.” 

            We had s*x on every possibly surface. My hands were itching. I had no clue what that was about. I must have burned them on the carpet. Even just being in my hoodie….with images of our naked bodies together she was projecting to me….We’d never leave. I couldn’t get enough of her. We both came. I saw stars. I linked Oden, “What was that?” Oden linked, “An orgasm….we’ve had several.” I rolled my eyes. I shredded a pillow as my teeth elongated. They literally itched to be buried in her neck. Melanie asked if Male fairies had a concupiscence. I had to laugh. I wish we did. Once I marked her….she’d have a heat though. I was already looking forward to it. She talked about recovery time. Did she make human friends? Or did Black Path ignore their supernatural sides so much….they were like humans in that area? I could honestly care less about them at this point. 

            Melanie tapped my shoulder and pointed to a letter that had appeared. Crap. The real world wanted into our bubble. I knew the handwriting. It was Wes. s**t. Did he need help? I told Melanie he didn’t call because I didn’t have my phone. I teased her about knowing my family's names and their mates. She flushed and said that she was sure lots of people knew that. I’d let it slide. She was a bad liar. She was cute when she was flustered. I opened the letter. 

 Alexander, 

I need some help if you have the time. Everyone’s out today, and I don’t want to bother EJ on vacation. I’m alone today. Even Toby is gone. Be safe Big Brother. 

Wes

That’s it? Not even telling me what he needs help with. Now I needed to go. I’d have gone anyway. He’s my little brother. I told Melanie that Wes needed me. She pulled her knees into herself and whispered that was ok. If she thought she wasn’t coming with me...she had another thing coming. She was nervous about going. I quickly told her everyone was gone today. I could see the excitement in her eyes. She even wanted to see the mountain. When her excitement shown through, I was ridiculously happy. She was going to finally see our home. 

            I linked Phil, “Tell Sierra we are detouring to Black Mountain today. She and Melanie are coming. They can stay in our rooms and we can shut down the gym to show it to them.” Phil linked, “I’m in. I miss the place. I really do want Sierra to see it.” Melanie jumped up. I told her I needed to talk to Phil. I popped downstairs and linked him, “Living room.” Phil ran down the stairs. He smiled, “You convinced Melanie/shley to come to Black Mountain? How?” I snorted, “She wants to see it. She always has. Elise said that all the time about Melanie. I told her no one from our family was there today besides Wes.” Phil sighed, “What’s up with Wes? Is he ok?” I sighed, “I don’t know. He didn’t say. He said he’s alone and he needs me if I can spare the time.” Phil laughed, “If you can spare the time. That’s cute. All you Conners kids ALWAYS spare the time for each other.” I raised an eyebrow, “As if you Kruthers kids are any different.” Phil smiled, “We are awesome at being siblings.” I smiled, “We had great examples.” 

            Melanie came down in metallic jeans and a tight turtleneck. I wanted to throw her back down. I had to pop away to shower before I did just that. My little brother needed me. I heard Phil teasing her about smelling like me and s*x. I popped back down and linked him, “Not cool man. Not cool.” I told Melanie that Sierra smelled like she did, only she smelled like Phil. I grabbed Melanie’s hand and popped her into our room. I told her she could change anything she wanted. Hell….I’d paint the walls red if she wanted. She was really excited. She looked outside. I swear I saw a flicker of recognition on her face as she looked out. I didn't see anyone from Red Run outside. I asked what she thought. She was mesmerized. Her tone had a wistfulness to it. I’d show her the whole place once I got back. I wanted to take her on our bed…..but then Wes would come here. He’d absolutely hear us. She asked if we could mess around later. Then we might not make it back to Switzerland. Worry flashed in her eyes. I told her to help herself to anything in my room, and popped to my brother.