The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

First Step to Healing Pt. 1

            Melanie opened her eyes. I came face to face with the white wolf again. I laughed, “Hello again. I feel like I see you often now. Which probably means I keep passing out. I have got to cut that out.” The wolf yipped and took off. I followed it. We ran side by side. I started to hear fighting. I pushed myself to run faster. I came to a field and hit a wall. I fell backwards and jumped right back up. I saw everyone I loved in a battle. Xander was fighting by EJ’s side. Elise was next to them. I screamed, “XANDER!” He didn’t hear me. He wasn’t shifting. Why wasn’t he shifting? He wasn’t using his fairy powers. I looked around….No one had shifted. What was going on? My mom went down. She begged my dad not to watch her die. My heart stopped as someone made a move to kill her. I was thrown backwards into a pond. The field was gone. I jumped up, “MOM! MOM WHERE ARE YOU?!” I looked at the white wolf. I asked, “Where are they? Where is my mom?” The white wolf put her forehead into my chest. I rubbed her coat. I told her, “It won’t happen. I wasn't there. I’ll be there when they fight. No one will hurt my mom. I just got her back. We haven’t really even talked yet.” I started crying. The white wolf cried too. I shook myself, “I’ll stop that from happening. I swear.” The white wolf yipped and licked my face. I snorted, “You’re silly.” The wolf wanted to play and she ended up leading me back to where we started. 

            I felt heavy. My eyelids slowly opened to see Paige and Dustin Bishop arguing about her real name. I was not about to have that. First, I searched for my mom. I relaxed when I saw here, perfectly fine. I turned back to Dustin. Paige could tell them her background if she wanted to. If she didn’t, then they could back off. I had to go through so many layers to get to her real name. I doubted they had my skill. Micah could, but I seriously doubt he’d do it for Dustin Bishop. Maybe Katie Cambridge….but certainly not Dustin. Xander snapped me food. I was starving so I sat down and ate it. I could feel my energy returning. Freya linked, “Wow….I feel better than I have.” I linked back, “Are you ok? You sound stronger?” Freya linked, “I am definitely getting stronger. I feel better than I have this whole time. I still have some progress to make, but….definitely heading in the right direction. We will shift. Don’t worry.” I linked, “Will we get any type of warning or just like BAM pain and shifting.” Freya snickered, “You’ll see.” I sighed, “I kind of need to plan that. I don’t want to shift alone again.” Freya linked, “They knew where we were. If they didn’t….that never would’ve happened.” I linked, “That makes no sense, but ok.” Paige was snarking at Dustin. I told her who he was. She didn’t care. I should’ve guessed that. Paige was very protective. I got her attention and told her that I was ok. I was feeling much better, and I didn’t feel a darkness in me anymore. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that was her doing. 

            My friends surrounded me making sure I was ok. Paige was ready to go all witchy and curse people for this. I wanted to curse myself at this point. I’d actually told my family they didn’t love me. That was mean. I knew they did. I didn’t even mean it. Xander stood putting the stop to any questions about Paige. He was worried about me. Paige teased me about how sexy it was when your mate stood up for you. I was mortified she kept forgetting about werewolf hearing. Paige, of course, said she did know. That girl. I loved her something fierce, but she could also embarrass the hell out of me. I loved her all the same. Paige was upset we had some physical distance between our living spaces now. We had basically lived together for the last four years. I pointed out it’s a pop away. There were a lot of people who would pop her or me or the other way around. We would make this work. It was just going to be an adjustment. Dustin agreed to table the conversation but said he wanted an answer. If he thought he could pressure my girl to give him an answer he had another thing coming. He’d take her even if she wasn’t so powerful because she was Dalton’s mate. As powerful as she was, he’d take her anyway. Sierra linked me, “You tell him, Mel.” I winked at her. Dustin agreed that I was right. I didn’t really need verbal confirmation. I knew that. 

            Then he offered up that Dalton earned her trust, and he would too. If he thought it would be easy for him as it was for Dalton….he didn’t understand people with trust issues. Dalton and Paige were soul mates. While I have personal problems with Dalton, he is a good man. I’d have never let him near Paige if I didn’t believe that. I knew Dalton was raised to treat his mate like a damn queen. Paige had an innate response to trust Dalton, and if I didn’t believe he would protect her and treat her as true mates should…..then I’d have warned her. Paige was leery of warlocks because of the one who’d tried to forcibly mark her. She had that right. No one would pressure her as long as I had breath in my body. Sierra and I had both maneuvered Paige behind us. Dustin commented we’d make things interesting around here. We might contribute to it, but from what I knew….it had never been boring around here. Former Gamma Female Sharon smiled softly at me before she popped the Bishop brothers out. Yet another person I didn’t know how to act around. Great. 

            Corbin teased Paige and she snarked back at him. I started to choke on my pizza. I was going to have to explain the Hackura again to Paige. I was sure her parents had, but she didn’t remember. She was laid back with Cayden and Micah because they were always on our side. Paige was sassy and fun. She didn’t mean any disrespect by it, she just treated everyone the same. I envied that about her. Sometimes I held my tongue and yelled at people in my head. Paige would never do that. You’ll always know how she feels about a situation. No one has to make her nervous, angry, or any other emotion for her to say it how it was. She’s just a straight shooter. Dalton appeared to misinterpret Corbin’s intrigue for flirting. I knew Corbin had a girlfriend….or...well...maybe….I’d covered him a few times and he was usually with this one girl. I’d seen them making out a lot. Did no one else know that? Paige started on a tangent about how her last name was Kyle and that would be weird. That’s true….she used to talk about hexing them A LOT. She’d been determined to hate them, but I was that she didn’t stick to that. I could see how happy she was with him. Which made me happy for her. She deserved every happiness. Katie wanted the rings so Paige gave them over. I nearly laughed at their expressions when Paige said she didn’t need the rings to figure out what they did. They had a lot to discover when it came to Paige. 

            I personally didn’t think that the warlock who was trying to forcibly mark her would've been able to. Paige was too smart, and too powerful to have her powers bound by them. Paige had never agreed with me though. She said it could happen to anyone. She agreed hers power being bound would be a shorter timeframe than most witches, but she believed it was possible. I taught her how to fight just in case she ever didn’t have her powers. Sierra linked me as people began to leave, “You don’t have to do this tonight, Mel. You can just rest.” I linked, “Do what?” Sierra gave me a look, “I know you. You want to apologize and talk to your family.” I replied, “I need to apologize. I told them they didn't love me.” Sierra sighed, “Everyone knows you didn't mean it.” I looked at my family. I linked her, “No, they don’t know that, and I need them to.” Sierra frowned, “Alright, but just relax.” I snorted, “You know where I’m going after this.” Sierra groaned, “Gym rat.” I smiled, “Whom you love deeply.” Sierra smiled, “Yes. I do. Link if you need me. I’ll come running.” I linked, “Love you, Si.” Sierra smiled, “Love you too Melanie.” When I looked around it, it was just my family, the Kyle’s and Xander. I couldn’t look at my family. I felt so bad. 

            I told them I was sorry. T told me it was ok, but it wasn’t. I could hear and practically feel his hurt from my earlier statements. I may not understand a lot about how they let all this go, but I do know they love me and I love them. I may have my moments of doubt, and I absolutely thought my dad's side of the family didn’t love me; however, I never doubt the core group of my family. Especially those I did not know were alive. I knew that Alpha Kyle and Jason did not know the punishment I received. Alpha Kyle’s version of a punishment was so far away from Edward’s scale. Alpha Kyle might have treated traitors as I was treated, but never a pack member who hadn’t betrayed his family or the pack. I thought they should’ve asked. I still felt they should. Alpha Kyle was my alpha. Apparently until Dalton and Dakota took over, he had been the whole time. He should’ve been there for me. If I was anyone else…..he would’ve been. I didn’t understand why I was their exception. Alpha Kyle asked me to call him Alpha Peter. I closed my eyes. He did go by Alpha Peter. His dad had gone by Alpha Kyle. Why didn’t I question that? He would’ve asked anyone to call him Alpha Peter. I also flashed to the time I’d called and begged him to let me come home. I’d called him Peter. I took a nap and woke up to silver chains holding me down. It didn’t burn me like it should’ve, but I couldn’t get out of them. Trevor and Booker beat me badly for calling him Peter. I really didn’t know if I could call him that. After I was bruised and blooded they threw me into the hole and left me there. The same thing happened when I referred to Jason as Jase. I talked to him more often on the phone. It was a hard habit to break. I’d always called him Jase since I could first remember. It took a long time for me to break the habit completely. 

            I tried to explain that I didn’t always speak out against the Alpha. I told my group I was training that the leaders of the pack were bad at their jobs, but I didn’t say it to their face until after the female warrior tournament. What else could they take from me? I had no wolf….the man I believed was my father...wasn’t. Grandpa Ben told me nothing could make him not love me. That’s not what a letter I had said. I had a particularly nasty one from him after my birthday. Though I guess it wasn’t really from him. It broke me. They’d tried for so long to break me, and I just became so angry and bitter. I didn’t want to be there anymore, and I was devastated because I’d been such a daddy’s little girl. I couldn't keep it together anymore. It hurt so bad remembering everything. Remembering every horrible thought I’d had in that hole. Every spiraling thought about not being a real McAlister. When I was all alone. All the self doubt and hate I’d spat at myself…..over a lie. I felt like I could feel the literal wounds on my soul.

            I felt my dad's arms around me. I stiffened. My dad whispered reassurances to me that I really was his. In every single way. He promised to find a way for me to have my first shift and be able to run in wolf form. He told me he was sorry he wasn’t there for me. I buried my face into his neck and cried. I’d cried for him so many times, and now he was really here. He was my biological dad. I’d never been more embarrassed in my entire life when my dad talked about Xander being the only guy I’d slept with. STUPID WITCHES! I gave my s****l history to my family. COME ON! That was so uncalled for. My dad honestly told me he was glad he knew I wasn’t r***d. That made two of us. I endured a lot, but not that. I honestly couldn’t imagine it. My dad started to cry and it tore at the strings of my heart. He couldn’t even keep talking he was so broken up about it. I linked him, “I’m ok dad.” My dad linked, “I should’ve been there for you. No one should’ve hurt you. Or drugged you. No one should’ve ever been able to drive a wedge between you and Jase. No one should’ve used my death, your mothers, or T’s against you. Ladybug, if anything ever happens to us…..I will haunt your ass if you try for one second to blame yourself. I will make a deal with every single god and goddess but so help me; I’ll accomplish it.” 

            I answered, “I’m still really hurt dad, but I can't lose you guys.. We’ve lost so much time, and I can’t….not again.” My dad answered, “I don’t plan on going anywhere, Ladybug.” I linked, “Stick close to mom.” My dad linked, “Why are you worried about your mom?” I winced, “Through a series of events….when I was passed out I saw this huge battle…..Mom went down and someone was about to kill her….she begged you not to watch. No one could shift….Xander and his family weren’t using their powers, and I wasn’t there.” My dad linked, “No one will get to your mother. I promise you that. I will protect your mother with my life.” I answered, “I need you and mom to be ok, dad. I need you guys. I know that’s not fair. I know that….I’m not exactly being the warm welcoming committee but I need you.” My dad linked me, “Whatever you need from me Melanie Jane….I am here. Whatever piece of yourself you let me see….I’ll take it. We all will. Wounds like this don’t heal automatically. I’m so proud of you for how open you’ve been with us. You could’ve asked Alexander to kick us out of the territory, and he would’ve. You could’ve told him to keep us out, but you haven’t. We aren’t where any of us want to be, but we have time. I’ll take any piece of your life you are willing to give me. I’ll claw and fight my way back into your life. I’ll tear down any walls….I’ll slay any monster….I will do whatever I have to do for you. No one will ever hurt you again. This is all my fault, and I’m so sorry. I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve done more. I’m your dad, and you didn’t deserve a damn thing you’ve gone through. I will work with your mate. Our family will not rest until everyone that had anything to do with this is gone from this realm and eventually dead and gone.” I whispered, “I love you daddy. I do.” My dad answered, “Oh ladybug. I love you so much, and I’ll never be able to say sorry enough.” 

            I whispered, “Where do we go from here? I don’t know what to do.” My dad answered, “We go wherever you want. We won’t fade from your life. You’re our Ladybug. We’ve missed you so damn much. We rebuild the trust we lost. We will talk about the hurt we feel. We will listen to each other. We love each other, and we will move forward from this. You’re so strong, Melanie. I am so damn proud of you. You think they broke you, but they didn’t. You stood. You did everything we always knew we could. They did not break you. They tried. They did not succeed. You’re here. You’re in your new home with your mate. We are here and we aren’t going anywhere. They may have caused some bumps and roadblock to our path, but we are back together. You’re my daughter, and you Melanie Jane McAlister….are so far from broken. You’re going to be an amazing Luna in this pack. I know Alexander will protect you, but I will never be too far away again.” I couldn’t help but smile into his neck. Hope bubbled in my chest that one day we could be ok. He rocked me for a while longer before I sat beside him. Now it felt awkward. Why was I like this? 

            My dad told me we’d talk more later. Later was probably good so I could sort through my feelings. Right now I was mad at myself. I didn’t even know how I really felt about them all. Was anything I felt towards my family real? Or was it the darkness? I needed time to sort through all that. I knew I was hurt, but was I really mad? My dad said something about black sweat. I’m glad I didn’t see that. I’d probably think I was dying. That sounded like something that happened to someone only if you were dying. My dad wanted me to get some rest. Well….I could do that after the gym. Xander needed to hit the gym and so did I. Once everyone left I stood to go. To my surprise Xander was heading towards the stairs. I frowned. Did he not want to go to the gym with me? He wanted me to rest. Rest was not really my thing. Hitting things...that was. Xander eventually agreed and snapped me into a really cute workout outfit. I loved it. He introduced me to his uncle, The freaking king of the Hackura….who gave me permission to call him by his first name. I looked around and smiled. 

            Micah was here. We got in the ring and began to fight. Micah had taught me how to fight with bamboo sticks. We fought for a while when Prince Gunner jumped in, “I want in on this. Do you mind?” I shook my head, “Not at all, Prince Gunner.” He snorted, “It’s just Gunner to family.” Haley popped over, “Don’t let him f*****g lie to you Melanie. His name is Harper’s boytoy lover.” Then she popped away. I started laughing. Gunner sighed, “She’s still going with that.” Haley popped back, “Because it’s your name.” She popped away. Gunner winked at me, “Just know...she hears something once….and you’re stuck with it. Forever.” I smirked, “I don’t know about that. I have two names, but she only calls me Melanie.” Gunner snorted, “Touché. She did hear Melanie first though.” I smiled, “But she didn’t know they were the same person.” Gunner smiled and we started fighting again. We traded jabs for quite some time. 

             Eventually Levi jumped in, “Alright. I’m in. My best friend's little sister is KILLING it. I’ve seen those moves, little ladybug. You trained with the commander and Micah. I’m jealous because this should be a feather in my cap. You’re my best friend's little sister. I should’ve been the one to train you.” I laughed, “Cayden and Micah taught me how to fight with several things.” Levi smirked. He tried to come at me from behind, but  I blocked him and knocked him to the ground. He jumped up with renewed vigor. He smiled, “No taking it easy on you then.” I snorted, “I wouldn’t.” Micah laughed, “I wouldn’t either.” I ducked behind Levi. he frowned, “How the HELL are you so fast?” I shrugged, “I was born fast.” T snorted, “You’ve gotten faster.” I smiled, “I do a lot of cardio. Like a lot.” Levi smiled, “I’d imagine so. Xander has a crazy training schedule he puts out there because he forgets not everyone does cardio like we do.” I smiled, “I managed to keep up.” 

            We fought for a bit. Until the fight was called. T looked disappointed. I told him to get in the ring. He asked if I was tired. Does no one listen to me? I do an insane amount of cardio. Freya linked me, “We’ve got this.” I linked back, “Oh I know.” The pack started cheering for me. My cheeks turned red. T linked me, “They already love you here. I can’t say I’m surprised.” I answered, “I make them muffins.” T smiled, “They see your heart and your amazing baking skills. Let’s go, little sister. I won’t take it easy on you either.” I smiled, “Good. Neither will I.” I’d watched T practice before. He’d gotten better, but he fought with the same style. Styles didn’t tend to change. T was smirking. He linked me, “You’re damn good at fighting, Ladybug.” I smirked, “Thanks. I train a lot.” I connected a punch. T snorted, “I can tell.” I saw an opening to pin him and I took it. I’d taken him by surprise. He bucked against me, but he couldn’t shake me off. He laughed it off and told me I had moves. I couldn’t help but feel really happy. I could see the pride in T’s eyes. We should’ve been doing this all this time. I refused to let myself go there. I wanted to enjoy this moment. Sparring with my brother. 

            We walked back, and I just didn’t want the moment to end. Nor did I want to do the awkward….wow...good fighting with everyone. I challenged T to a race. I knew I’d win. Fowler hollered at me to run as fast as I could. Bjourn called the race and I took off. I’d beyond smoked him. Freya chuckled. I linked, “Am I getting faster because you’re getting stronger? I was always fast, but that was fast even for me.” Freya linked, “Yes. You get faster as I get stronger.” I teased T that he was slow, and grabbed two Gatorade’s out of the fridge. Xander popped back in and when T ran in I threw him a Gatorade and winked at him. He just raised an eyebrow. T questioned when I got so fast. I mean, I’d always been faster than T. I also did every program Xander put out. I wasn’t ready to share that Freya said it was because of her. Freya chuckled, “They’d probably think I was just full of myself.” I didn’t care about that. I just wasn’t used to being so open. I always had to keep things to myself. It had become second nature. T finally believed I could beat Dalton and Dakota in a fight. They would be tougher than the Alpha’s I’d beaten because they are true Alpha’s who don’t fight their wolves, but I could beat them. Freya linked, “Oh hell yes we could. Thor and Oden…..that’s questionable. We would give them a good fight though.” I frowned, “Thor?” Freya linked, “That is Eric’s wolf’s name.” That made sense. I was surprised I hadn’t heard that growing up. Eric was legendary in fighting. 

            Everyone joined us and Xander tossed in the fact that I’d almost beaten him. T and my dad looked at me in shock. My cheeks flushed. Everyone seemed stunned. Haley was all about it though. She wanted me to come to some training with the girls. I was fine with that. Everyone was staring at me and it was awkward. I quickly excused myself to go upstairs and shower. I locked the bathroom door knowing Xander would respect that. I peeled my clothes off and jumped in the shower. I grabbed my body wash and loofa. I was humming. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and tears filled my eyes. I gently ran my hand along the scars on my back. I whispered, “I hate you, Trevor McCann. I’m GOING to find you, and you’ll pay.” I wiped my eyes furiously. I was finally home, and I still couldn’t be normal. 

            Freya linked, “You can.” I snorted, “No, I can’t. We have enough to deal with this...would just…..break them all over again. My past and tragedies are just that. Mine. We can keep this to ourselves. I’ll triple my effort to figure out a way to hide them.” Freya linked, “Just tell Xander.” I linked, “No.” I stepped out of the shower. I dried myself off and grabbed Xander’s hoodie. Anger and anxiety felt like it came up from my foot. What the hell? I jumped on the bed and looked at my foot. I closed my eyes and shook my head. My tattoo seemed to be pulsing. Freya linked, “Mate needs us.” I frowned, “That anger and anxiety I feel…..it’s his?” Freya answered, “Yes.” I frowned, “How?” Freya sighed, “I’ll explain later. You need to go to him right now.” She was right. 

            I ran back down the stairs as the anger intensified. Now there was a possessiveness feel to his feelings. This was about me. I heard him snarl that no one would take me. Who did they think would? I had no intention of leaving. I jumped into his arms letting him inhale my scent to calm down. Phil linked me, “Here I was getting the gym all prepped for him to come back and beat things to a pulp. I’ll tell the warriors to stand down. You really are better than Prozac, Melanie McAlister.” I rolled my eyes, “I do my best.” Phil answered, “Your best is far better than most. I do my best and he would still spend all night in the gym. You do your best and he’ll just go to sleep.” I smiled. I hoped so. I was actually hoping for something other than sleep first. Xander popped us away and we somewhat seriously talked about anyone who would try to take me away. I would not go willingly. Silver and wolfsbane didn’t affect me. Freya linked, “He doesn't know that yet.” That was true. I was trying to give him my freakishness in doses. Freya growled, “We are not a freak.” I sighed, “Even before I shifted….they tried to drug me with wolfsbane...it didn’t do anything to me.” Freya linked, “It never would’ve. It can’t hurt us.” That was weird. I’ll give her it was somewhat special, but weird. Xander pushed up his hoodie to see my stomach. This was ok. God it felt good. He couldn’t see the scars from the front.