His Warrior Alpha

Serious Talks

Melody’s POV

I woke up to a soft knock on the door. Groaning, I slowly sat up. Why did everyone insist on disrupting my beauty sleep? I checked the time and saw it was 9 in the morning. I had slept 10 hours.I guess I couldn’t be too mad after all. After coming home last night, I barely had time to wipe the makeup off my face and change into some basketball shorts and a tank top before passing out. The day had been so long and I was both physically and emotionally exhausted when I arrived home. I wondered if Reed had to get up early for his duties. He had said they were starting sign-ups today, but would he have to meet Alpha Jacobs and his son early this morning to prepare that?

I tried to wake myself up as I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stretched. The sun shone brightly through the window and it took my eyes a few minutes to adjust to the light.

“Who is it?” I called out to whoever was on the other side of the door.

“It’s me, Celia, are you up?.” Her voice was quiet and nervous. She still seemed on edge like she was yesterday and I wondered what was going on with her. Originally, I thought she was uncomfortable with talking about fated mates as she wasn’t old enough to identify hers. Quinn and I were certain it would be Jeremy though. Both of them and their wolves were smitten already. I didn’t want to be there if they found out otherwise.

“Come in, Ceal.” I responded and Celia entered my small room. She kept her eyes on the floor, refusing to look up at me.. “Is everything alright?”

“I’m just nervous about this whole Warrior trials thing….” I could barely hear her as she spoke towards the floor. Celia was typically shy around others, but she was typically sweet and bubbly when around those of us who were close to her.

“Celia, look at me. Let's talk about what you are feeling. No judgment.”

“I’m just scared. It being moved up means Jeremy can’t sign up, right? He doesn’t turn 18 until four months from now. If I succeed, will I have to leave him behind?” Her eyes filled with tears and I could feel the heartbreak in her words. It was true Quinn and I were always pushing them together but they had always both had feelings for each other.

“Maybe we can talk with the Alphas' son and ask why they moved it forward. If we can’t get them to change it and you don’t want to sign up, then that is fine. I would never make you do something you don’t want to.” I looked at Celia as tears still flooded from her eyes. This girl was basically my little sister and she was worried her decision would make me disappointed in her. “I am proud of you, yanno?” I told her. “You have grown up from the scared little girl who came here with us. You are the smartest person I know and I could never be disappointed in you.”

“But I am your Gamma Mel, why aren’t you mad that I might not go through with this?” Celia was almost shaking now. I grabbed her hand and led her to the bed to sit down. She gripped my sheet, her eyes still refusing to meet mine. I sat beside her, she acted so mature all the time, it was hard to believe that she had been an adult for less than a year.

“Celia, you love Jeremy, I would never stand in the way of that, even if it meant you have to stay here longer. An Alpha's job is to do what is right for their pack. You have the right to make this choice and not only your Alpha, but also your friend. I will support you regardless.” I pulled her into a tight hug as she continued to cry. The emotions she had held onto all night were flowing out of her. After a few minutes, she was finally able to put herself back together.

“Thank you Mel.” Celia looked up at me, her eyes were red and puffy. I went over to my dresser and pulled out a clean rag for her to clean her face with. She grabbed it from me and wiped off the remaining tears. This time, I sat down in the chair that was close to the bed and gave her a moment to breathe.

“Now that we got that conversation over with, want to hear something amazing?” Celia looked at me curiously as she nodded. “Last night, Reed's dad told me he had a library with over 1500 books.” Celia immediately squealed with delight. “That's where I got the books Quinn gave you last night.” I continued. I knew Quinn had given them to her as I heard her yell excitedly that she got to read all of those books. “AND he said you could borrow books from him if you want.”

Celia's mouth hung open and her eyes were lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Really? He’d let me borrow other books? He doesn’t even know me yet.”

I nodded my head. “He was very excited to meet you. I’ve never met someone who loved books as much as you do. When we were planning, he asked if I’d bring you along next time we came over.” I heard another knock from the door but I didn’t have to guess who it was, as they immediately opened the door to let themselves in.”Quinn, when I asked you to knock I meant knock and wait for me to get the door not just barge in.“

“You are dressed, it’s fine.” She said, strolling across the room. Jeremy was close behind her. Concern painted his face when he saw Celia’s puffy red eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked her, kneeling beside her on the floor, cupping her face with his hands to look her in the eye.

“I’m fine Jeremy. I got myself worked up over nothing. Sorry Melody.”

“Let me guess, she was worried you would be mad if she told you she didn’t want to join the Warrior trials because Jeremy here will still be a pup?” Jeremy growled in response to Quinn's words, making her laugh. “I told her you wouldn’t mind and to just talk to you.”

“Quinn!” Celia cried out, embarrassed that she had shared this while Jeremy sat in front of her.

“What? My secrets are out already, we can all put our feelings out on the table. The puppy love thing is cute and all, but wouldn’t you rather be able to be true to yourselves?” Both Jeremy and Celia blushed, staring intently at one another.

“She’s only like this because she almost drove her mate away last night. Now she will pretend she is all in tune with her emotions, as if they had a civil talk and didn’t yell at each other.” Quinn stared daggers at me for giving her a taste of her own medicine. “Oops. I guess cats are out of the bag for everyone.”

“Anyways, the sign ups are today, you need to get ready so we can head to the pack house.” I shook my head. “Jeremy, Celia, let's go.” Quinn instructed, helping her brother stand straight as she led them back out the door.

I made my way back to my dresser and pulled out some leggings and a large t-shirt and threw them on. My hair was a mess from sleeping and I grabbed my brush, combing through the tangles before neatly braiding it down. I gave myself a look in the mirror.

“-I guess today is the day, Aria. From here on out we will take steps forward.-” A new fire burned within me. “We are going to do great.” Aria responded back.