His Warrior Alpha

Outburst and Ultimatums

Melody’s POV

The smell of the food was mouth watering. Melinda was a good cook, but the food Mary had prepared for us smelled gourmet. I couldn’t believe she had gone through all this trouble for me. His family seemed so nice and apparently my father had been friends with his father, too. Still, something was not right. Why would my father break an alliance with the Black River Pack? I was certain that this was just a cover for something else, as my father was always telling my brother how important alliances were. That alliance allowed us to be stronger together and prevented one pack from causing problems for the others. So, if the alliance wasn’t broken, did that mean that Reed’s father was part of the cover up for what really happened?

“It is not the time to ask questions about that. We need to stay focused on the Warrior Trials first. It is the only way we can get our freedom to be with our mate.” Aria must have felt my emotions rising, but she was right. These questions were swirling in my head and preventing me from properly focusing. I needed to push them aside so I could focus on what was important. I had to do what was right for Quinn, Celia, and I so we could be prepared for the warrior trials. “-You’re right but I can’t help this feeling gnawing away at my stomach. I need to know everything about that day before I try to gain a council with the Queen.-” “We have time for that later after the trials are over.”

I picked at the food on my plate. It tasted divine but the anxiety I felt was taking away the appetite I had moments ago. I turned 20 and my life turned upside down. I knew this was just the start of what was to come.

“Mel? You alright?” Quinn's voice was quiet but full of concern. Everyone’s eyes turned to me expectantly.

“Yeah… today has just been a lot to take in.” I admitted. “I feel like I don’t know what my next step in life is anymore.” I felt bad for saying it. I didn’t regret having Reed as my mate but he did complicate everything. I looked over at him but I couldn’t read the expression on his face.

After giving me a few moments in case I had anything else to say, Martin responded. “We can only live one day at a time in life. We can plan all we want but nothing can ensure those plans come to fruition. So start with what can be done now, and leave the rest for later.” His voice was kind and sincere. He made me miss my father. A few tears slipped from my eyes and Reed grabbed my hand.

“You know, you aren’t alone either. There are people who will help you along the way.” Reed reassured me.

“Hey lover-boy, that's my job. I’m the Beta here.” Quinn interjected. Reed looked up completely lost, while Ryan broke out in laughter.

“You are going to have to explain to me what is so funny.” Reed looked at Ryan, who couldn’t answer. Their father looked amused at the whole situation.

“Reed, all the slaves, they see me as their Alpha. We aren’t allowed to be officially part of the pack and I am the last one alive from my family. Quinn would have naturally become the Beta of our pack as the oldest child of my father’s Beta.” I answered back. “And Quinn, mind your manners. Reed is the Beta of the Black River pack.”

“Yes Alpha.” Quinn winked at me, which only made Ryan laugh more.

“You boys have your hands full with these two.” Their mom smiled at us. “I guess I worried for nothing about someone being able to keep you guys in line.”

Ryan's face was flushed red from laughing as he finally put himself together. “Better be careful, Reed or my mate might come for your Beta spot too.” He joked.

“Well, let's focus on getting them through the Warrior trials first.” Reed responded in a more serious tone. Ryan frowned back at him and I thought for a moment his eyes shifted black as if he was trying to keep control of his wolf.

“Speaking of things that can be done now, Reed said the Warrior trials were moved up until 6 weeks from now. Quinn, Celia, and I all train whenever we can. Quinn's brother Jeremy does too, but he is 17, so he won’t be able to join this time around as you have to be 18 to be sworn in as a warrior. I was wondering if you could help us prepare.” I looked towards Martin, who opened his mouth to respond. However, before he could do so, Ryan brought his fist down on the table with a loud bang. The plates rattled from the motion.

“No.” He said as he gritted his teeth. “I don’t even know why we are entertaining the idea of our mates doing something so stupid and dangerous.”

“We-” Before I could continue, Quinn cut me off.

“I’m sorry? What right do you have to tell me what I can do with my life?” The anger in her words could be felt by everyone in the room. “I am so tired of people telling me what I can do. Like I am not even a person. What do you want me to do? Stay a slave and play mate in secret? Or do you think if you both go to the Alpha and ask to take us as your chosen mate and Melody as Reeds' fated mate, that he will just say yes and everything will be sunshine and rainbows? How delusional are you?”

“Quinn, stop. I have loved you since the day I met you. I don’t know what we will do, but you can’t go through the warrior trials. You are my mate, chosen or fated, it doesn’t matter. I can’t see you hurt or worse.” He looked away as her glare threatened to skewer him alive. “I can’t lose you. Losing you would destroy me.”

Quinn laughed. “Then I refuse to be your mate, Ryan. If being your mate means I lose the right to make my own choices and be my own person, then I will not be your chosen mate anymore. ” She challenged him. “I’ve spent too many years doing what I was told and living my life by someone else’s rules. I will join the warrior trials and I will have my freedom. I am more than capable of taking care of myself and making my own decisions. Remember you were one of my choices as well. So make your choice.”

Quinn had tears in her eyes and I could tell this was breaking her heart. She clearly loved Ryan dearly, but this was something she would not budge on. She wouldn’t have her chance at freedom taken away by anyone. We all stood in silence waiting for a response from him. His eyes glazed over as he talked with his wolf. No doubt trying to calm him down before he did something stupid. He finally put his hands down and sighed loudly.

“Quinn. I love you more than anything. I hate the idea you might get hurt or taken from me, but the idea of rejecting you is a thousand times worse. I don’t know how I will get through this, but if my choice is to support you in this or lose you forever? I will choose you every single time.”

“Don’t you ever tell me what to do like that again.” Quinn was still very angry and barely keeping it together between her anger and tears. Her nails had become claws and had unknowingly dug into the wood of the table. I knew it would take her a bit to get her emotions in check, but I didn’t want this to go any further.

“Quinn. Calm down.” I commanded, letting out a little of my aura. Her hand immediately shifted back and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

“How did you do that?” Reed asked, shocked. “You should have lost that ability when Alpha Jacob denounced your pack.”

I shrugged back at him. “I really don’t know if I am being honest. We figured it was because so many wolves saw themselves aligned to me that the official title didn’t actually matter.”

“Well, while I still want to have you train more to be ready. I’m pretty sure these girls don’t need you boys worrying about them. Do you think any of the warriors in training can take on a ranked wolf? “ Martin's face lit up with this realization. “I trained those boys and if these girls are half the fighters their fathers were, I’d honestly be more worried for our guys.”

“I’d still like to get any help we can with training. I don’t think it could hurt.”

“Of course, we pulled books from the library for you this afternoon.”

“You have a library?” Quinn's face was suddenly filled with glee, as if she hadn’t been filled with anger just a moment ago. “Aw man. Celia is going to love you. My brother does anything he can so she has a constant supply of books.”

“I can’t wait to meet her then. Collecting books is my hobby. I got my library from my father and have continued to add to the collection. She is more than welcome to borrow books. My library has over 1500 books now.”

Mary cleared her throat. “Well, since everyone seems done with dinner, I have a surprise before you all get distracted. Ryan, clear the table and Reed, come with me.” She instructed them as she headed to the kitchen. Ryan began picking up the plates and Martin took the remaining food to the kitchen.

A few moments later, they returned. Reed is carrying a cake with a lit candle stuck in the center. He set it in front of me and they sang a birthday song. As they finished, Reed whispered in my ear. “Make a wish.”

I wished for a lot of things, but above all, I wished for the freedom of my people. I blew out the candle and Reed placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

The rest of the night went smoothly. The cake was cut and passed around. Mary put icing on Martin's nose and he chased her around. I hoped that Reed and I could have that in the future. The mood was lighter, even as we made our plans for training. Martin and Reed talked about their ideas for what strategies would work best, stating that they thought it was best to train us on how to get in close and dodge our opponents' moves, which would help us get them off balance and then we could focus on using their weight against them to make our attack more effective. This is something that Malcolm had taught me, always to use my size to my advantage. It began to grow late and I knew the others would be worried about us if we didn’t head back soon.

“We need to get going. Which way is the best way to get back without being seen?” I asked Reed.

“Patrol will be finishing their rounds now and the next crew will take over. If you follow the river and stay away from the pack house, you should be able to get back quickly. Do you want us to take you back?” Reed asked.

I shook my head no. “It is better if we go alone, but we will see each other soon.” I assured him as I hugged him goodbye. He picked up a backpack that had the books and helped me put the straps over my shoulder. We made our way out the door and to the river. While we had a long walk, just as Reed said, we did not encounter any patrols.

Approaching our quarters, I suddenly felt the exhaustion of the day hit me full force. I took the backpack off and handed it to Quinn. “Give this to Celia, I am going to bed. We can talk tomorrow, but please, for the love of all that is good, do NOT wake me.”

Quinn chuckled “Goodnight Alpha.”