The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

The Beginning of Something Pt. 3

            He snarled saying Robert told her she was his. Oh my god. The emotion in his eyes….Did Alexander like Melanie too? Alexander was pissed that Robert made Melanie cry. There was something else there too. He was proud of something when he talked about her toy wolf. It hit me. He’d heard what it looked like. Oh...my….god….HE LIKED HER TOO! They were practically mated in my head now. I’d have her by my side in Black Mountain. I was too excited. I needed to reign myself in. Jason and Cassie liked each other but they weren’t mates. We’d get answers at Sam and Drake’s anniversary party. Alexander popped away. My mind and heart were racing. EJ was angry. He said if he was older he’d have killed Robert. That should be scary, but we were supernatural’s. To me it was hot. He needed to cut this out before I jumped him. We walked inside. I looked at Tristan. He was too angry. He hadn’t heard or seen what I had with Alexander. Tristan had blocked it out because he was angry about Robert’s actions. Cassie began to question Robert. I cringed that EJ wanted to know how he felt about me. Robert tried not to answer. That wasn’t good. He said I should be his. Oh hell no. I wouldn’t be mated to someone like him. We’d kill each other...rather I’d kill him. I wrapped my arms around EJ. I told him I was his. 

            EJ turned around to face me. He asked what happened to my dress. I gave them the nicest version I possibly could. Every male in the room growled. I even heard my mom’s growl. EJ told Robert I’d saved his life. Good. I could use that as leverage. Robert would fall in line, or I’d kill him myself. EJ said Cassie’s name and she asked about Melanie. He admitted after several tense moments that he bullied her. Drake lost it. Robert went off about her toy wolf again. Then my dad lost it. He’d had Dustin and Ryan Bishop look at the wolf. They told him it was an ordinary toy. He had my mom have Emmaline Lyons look at it too. She also declared it was just a regular toy. Robert said she was too old to have a stuffed animal. I locked eyes with Tristan. Melanie would never give up that wolf. We both knew it. My dad wanted to know why Melanie didn’t say anything. Cassie then asked Robert about their birthday last year. Robert admitted he didn’t see her. That didn’t make sense. I’d been here when the patrol told my dad and Drake what they'd seen. The patrol wolves were upset they had to report it. There’s no way they’d have lied to my dad or Drake. I’d come to the conclusion that they saw someone they thought was Melanie. Melanie was just so adamant she hadn’t done it. Tristan and I believed her because we knew she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize meeting her Xander. It was the only explanation, but we had no proof that’s what had happened. 

            I winced when Robert said after that Melanie didn’t think people would believe her about him. I always believed her. I knew she hadn’t crossed the border. Jason charged forward and punched Robert; he told him to leave Melanie alone. Oh...I think Robert was going to do exactly that. Something told me Alexander had told him to. Alexander popped back in. Charline was ready to pounce on him. I shot her a warning look. She sighed and sat down. My dad said he’d deal with this and sent the triplet’s home. EJ walked me outside. He apologized for how the night ended. Alexander actually looked guilty when he apologized too. I told both of them it wasn’t their fault. It was Roberts. Jason said goodnight to Cassie. Charline told Alexander they should do this again. I nearly laughed. He looked like he didn’t know how to nicely say no. Charline walked away before he could say more than ummm. I was going to have tell Melanie….Charline was full of s**t if she said he wanted her. EJ told his siblings to give us a minute. They popped away, and Jason left. EJ gave me a hug. I told him I should’ve just taken Cassie with me to the bathroom. EJ told me I handled it fine on my own. He called me a badass. He kissed me and then our tongues met briefly. He told me that’s how he wanted the night to end. That would’ve been great. 

            EJ told me to lay Robert out if he approached me again. Oh...Robert and I were going to have ourselves a chat. Ray ran up and said next time he was coming. I groaned. One night, and Robert just had to mess everything up for me. I walked inside with Ray. I sighed when I heard EJ pop away. I walked over to my parents. My dad asked, “Did you know about Melanie? Did you know this was still happening?” I shook my head, “No, I didn’t.” My dad nodded. He said, “What didn’t you want to tell EJ about what happened?” I sighed, “Robert was going to touch me, but I didn’t let him.” My dad kissed my forehead, “Good girl. You make me damn proud. Go on upstairs.” I did and fell asleep quickly dreaming about my kiss with EJ. 

            The next day when Melanie got back my dad was waiting with Drake. Melanie walked in with a medal around her neck. I smiled. Of course she’d won. My dad said, “Have a seat Ladybug.” She hugged Drake then sat down. Sam frowned but sat. Jason and Tristan sat down. My dad said, “Ladybug….I need to know what’s been going on with those boys. This pack is a safe place. I want you to be safe. I can’t protect you properly if you hide things from us.” Melanie sat back and frowned, “You won’t believe me.” My dad sighed. Drake said, “Ladybug….tell us what they’ve been doing to you. No one here will doubt you; I promise.” 

            Melanie looked at me. I squeezed her hand, “You can tell them. You can tell me.” Melanie asked, “Can I just tell Elise?” My dad frowned, “No, we need to know.” Melanie tried again, “Can I tell Elise and she can tell you?” Drake said, “Melanie Jane….you have Beta blood in your veins. We do not hide from the truth. We ask questions….we help our Alpha’s and our pack. Is it really that bad?” She blushed. Jason and Tristan growled. My mom said, “Why don’t we just step into the kitchen for a minute, Ladybug?” Melanie nodded and got up. My mom spoke to her softly, encouraging her to tell us. Melanie told her that her dad and brothers would get mad. Oh gosh. My mom eventually convinced her to tell us all. She came back with strawberry lemonade. It was Melanie’s favorite drink. Melanie sat back down and stared at her drink. Finally she said, “They all make fun of my wolf. They try to take him from me.” Drake said, “Him?” She raised her wolf. My dad’s lips were twitching. Drake looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. I guess he never knew the wolf was a he. If only he knew its name. He might not be so upset then. Sam put a hand on his thigh. She said, “Go one Mel.” Melanie sighed, “A lot of them say I’m theirs….but I’m not.” I heard a snarl from the doorway. I looked over to see Ben McAlister standing there with my grandpa. 

            Ben shouted, “SOMEONE IN THIS PACK DARED SAY MY GRANDBABY WAS THEIRS?!” My grandpa put his hands on him, “Ben….it’s ok.” He dragged him outside. Drake said, “Go on Melanie.” Melanie shrugged, “They’ve tried to do stuff but I’m faster….I’m stronger.” My eyes went wide. Sam gripped the table so hard I thought it was going to break. My dad growled, “What stuff? What does stuff mean?” Melanie blushed. Sam stood, “Melanie….come upstairs with me for a minute.” Sam took Melanie upstairs. After ten minutes she came back down. Drake frowned, “Sam?” She took off outside and shifted. She howled in anger. Drake was right behind her. My parents were out the door after her and Drake. 

        I ran upstairs. I found Melanie crying on the bed. I frowned, “Mel….what happened?” She cried, “Mommy’s so mad.” Tristan said, “Ladybug….she’s not mad at you. Can you tell me what happened?” Melanie shrugged, “They’ve tried to kiss me before….They sneak up on me in groups. They pin me down but….I’m better than them. They ripped my shirt off once. Mommy kept asking if they touched me, but they didn’t. Not inappropriately anyway like she was asking. I swear they didn’t. I didn’t let them. I had to grab one of the shirts around the territory. It was dads...mom remembered when I came home that day. She cried and said she should’ve asked. I made mom feel bad.” Jason was enraged. Tristan wasn’t much better.

        Tristan said, “We need a code word.” I frowned, “What?” Tristan said between our families. We need a codeword that when one of us says it the others believe what we say no questions asked. This happened because Ladybug didn’t think we would believe her. I want everyone in this room to know...there’s a word to say that means we will believe you no matter what.” Jason said, “It can’t be a word anyone could guess though. It needs to stay with us.” Tristan said, “Mshango.” Melanie laughed and wiped her tears, “That’s not a real word.” Tristan shrugged, “It’s our word. Ours and the Kyle’s.” Melanie nodded. My dad and Drake came into the room. Drake was crying. He picked Melanie and rocked her. She whispered, “I’m sorry daddy.” He held her tightly, “No Ladybug….Daddy is sorry. This shouldn’t have happened. Not to you, and not here. You didn’t do anything wrong. They won’t get away with this, ladybug. I swear to you.” She said, “I always win daddy. They didn’t touch me in any of the places mommy asked about.” Drake let out a sob. He held her tighter. They eventually left. My heart broke for Melanie. My dad held a pack meeting with all the adults and boys. It was about leaving Melanie alone. The adults were appalled by the boy's actions. Melanie was well loved around the pack. The boys who’d been involved were punished. Tristan was going to go with Melanie when she went to dance now. She was annoyed about that, but she said it was fine. She and I were training with my grandpa and her grandpa. She was good. My grandpa said she’d push me because she was good. I didn’t actually beat her in a fight. We had draws. She was just so scrappy.

            Every time EJ came to visit me Charline would ask him about Alexander. If he thought she was annoying….he should see her when he wasn’t here. She constantly asked me if he got her texts. She needed to take a hint. Alexander wasn’t interested. EJ asked why I was her friend. I told him we weren’t exactly friends. Even Ray was annoyed with Charline. I shouldn’t have said anything to Alexander about the dance. EJ asked if it was because Melanie was pouting. Ray did a double take. I told EJ that Melanie wasn't happy….she wasn’t. She was in fact grounded for punching Charline in her stupid face. She was excited about the anniversary party though. She’d been talking about meeting her Xander all week. When EJ popped away Ray said, “So umm….the stuffed wolf of Melanie’s….it’s not a coincidence whose wolf it looks like then.” I shrugged, “I didn’t say that.” Ray said, “I can’t believe I didn’t see it. She DECKED Charline for talking about Alexander. Decked her pretty good too. That’s so cute. I hope they are mates. They’d match pretty well. People would leave her alone too. There’d be yet another guard from the Conners pack here. There’s no way I could guard her and you. She’s gone too much.” I shrugged, “I said nothing.” Ray snorted, “Oh, I see it all so clearly now. Everything’s snapped into focus. I saw Robert that night Elise….I don’t think Melanie’s crush is one sided. No...No I don’t. Alexander doesn’t care what people say about him. One punch and he’s proved he’s an Alpha. He didn’t have to beat the s**t out of him, but he did. He was IRATE that Robert called Melanie his. I couldn’t place what upset him about it so much but now….oh now I do.” 

        That reminded me. I told Ray to hang back. I found Robert. I found him easily. I crossed my arms, “It was you wasn’t it? You ripped Melanie’s shirt off her.” Robert rolled his eyes. His friend answered, “It was him. She used to have a shirt with a black and white wolf on it. He ripped it off.” Robert clenched his jaw, “I wasn’t going to touch her or anything weird! I just hated the shirt!” I growled, “Leave her alone!” Robert looked away, “I’m never going near her again.” I said, “Because of my dad or because of something else?” Robert looked away. One of his friends answered, “Alexander Conners put the fear of god in him. He won’t even tell us what Alexander said. He walks the other way if he sees Melanie now though.” I smiled, “Good. Stay away Robert, or the Conners will be the least of your worries. I’ll kill you before they ever get the chance.” All their eyes shifted to me. I stepped forward, “Got it?” Robert gulped and nodded. I turned around and walked off. Ray came out. He sighed, “I hate that kid. I used to think he was just a dumb kid. Now...just plain hate him. I know one should not hate kids….but I hate that one. He ripped her shirt off because it had a wolf on it. Jesus Christ.” I laughed, “I hate him too.” I ran inside and changed. I was getting everything ready for the party. Melanie ran into my room. She gave me the bags of stuff to decorate. She said, “Gotta run! Mom has me under watch. I barely got all this for you!” She hugged me, “Thanks for putting this all together.” I laughed, “Of course. See you there.” She smiled, “I meet my Xander tonight.” I smiled, “You will.” 

            Ray drove me there. A few other pack members were helping me set up. The Lyons group popped in first. Luna Emmaline came over, “Can I help?” I nodded, “If you want to.” She smiled and snapped her fingers. Our pack members sighed in relief. We were running behind. Emmaline was looking at the pictures frowning. I looked at what she was. I laughed, “Melanie takes her stuffed wolf everywhere. That’s why it’s in all the pictures.” Luna Emmaline was about to say something when I noticed, “Oh my god!” Luna Emmaline looked relieved, “Yes, Elise?” I said, “Sam’s favorite family picture….it’s not here!” Luna Emmaline frowned, “I’m assuming a lot of pictures didn’t make it here. There have to be some with Melanie missing.” I frowned. I looked around. Every picture had Melanie in it. Several at her dance competitions. I shook myself, “Can you PLEASE pop to their house and get the picture? It’s really Sam’s favorite.” Luna Emmaline studied me, “Is it an emergency?” I nodded, “Yes! Please!” She smiled and popped away. Thank goodness. The McAlister’s were due any minute. People had started to fill in. Jason texted me there was a slight problem, but they were on schedule. I frowned. I didn’t even want a problem right now. 

            Luna Emmaline popped back in frowning. I grabbed the picture. It was around the Christmas tree. Drake had Melanie in his arms. She was smiling brightly. The boys were both leaning down with their arms around their mom. They all looked so happy. Melanie of course had a hold of her wolf. Emmaline asked, “This picture? I mean….” I nodded, “I don’t know how you even knew, but bless you.” I kissed her cheek. She went to say something, but I needed to set this picture out. EJ walked over. I kissed his cheek and dashed off. I set the picture in the place of honor. Several other packs had arrived. Their pack members outside our pack looked confused as they looked at the pictures. I shrugged that off. I walked back to EJ and announced everything was perfect. EJ looked confused. Cassie did too. Alexander looked somewhat angry. My phone beeped. I excitedly told everyone they were coming. EJ asked who told me. I told him it was Tristan, but I was watching Alexander. I frowned. He didn’t get tense or anything. Oh no….was Melanie not his mate? We all yelled surprise. I looked at Tristan. He looked sad. I looked around. Melanie wasn’t here. My heart sank. I should’ve anticipated this. I should’ve told my mom to say she was with us. GOSH! Why didn’t I think of that? Of course Drake didn’t want her out of our territory. He never did. He had no idea most of us would be here tonight and not at home. It was a surprise. Dang it! Plus she was grounded for punching Charline….in her stupid face. Even though we all wanted to.

        Alexander’s eyes were flickering between his and black. He looked really angry when he found out they hadn’t let Melanie come. He walked out. His dad was right behind him. Haley looked really confused but I knew she’d let Eric talk to Alexander. EJ asked where Melinda was. I told him that she was at a piano thing. She was never coming. He asked me what was wrong with his cousin when he got here. I didn’t actually know at the time. Now I knew it was because she’d probably seen Melanie when she popped to the McAlister house. I tapped EJ’s wrist. He did his space unheard. I told him I’d had to tell her it was an emergency that we needed the picture. EJ said she met Melanie. There was no way she didn’t. I didn't describe the picture to her. Melanie was the only way she could’ve known this was Sam’s favorite picture. It had to be why she was upset. She knew Melanie couldn't come to the party. Emmaline was around a lot. It was just all these things popped up, so she’d never met Melanie. She had now though so….the weird series of events were over.