Page 32 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

My mom stood holding out her hand, “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 everything. 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, Melanie’s favorite drink.

Melanie sat back down and stared at her drink. Finally, she said, “They all make fun of my stuffed wolf and try to take him from me.” Drake stalled asking, “Him?” She raised her wolf up. My dad’s lips were twitching while 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 urged, “Go on, 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 DARED SAY MY GRANDPUP WAS THEIRS THAT IS NOT A SUPERNATURAL THAT CANTELL THAT?!” My grandpa put his hands on him, “Ben, it’s ok.” He dragged him outside.

Drake growled, “Go on, Melanie.” Melanie shrugged, “They’ve tried to do stuff but I’m faster and stronger.” My eyes widened. Dalton linked, “What the shit?!” I replied, “I don’t know.” Dakota linked, “I will rip them to pieces.”

Sam gripped the table so hard I thought it was going to break. My dad growled, “What does ‘stuff’ mean?” Melanie blushed. Sam stood, “Melanie, come upstairs with me for a minute.” Melanie took her hand and followed her to my room. No one spoke a word.

After ten minutes Sam came back down alone. Drake frowned, “Sam?” She took off outside, shifted, then howled in anger. Drake was right behind her. My parents were out the door after them.

I ran upstairs and 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, and pin me down, but I’m better at fighting than they are. They ripped my shirt off once.”

She whispered, “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 dad’s and mom remembered when I came home that day. She cried and said she should’ve asked. I made mom feel bad.” Jason was enraged and Tristan wasn’t much better.

My brothers put hands on each McAlister boy. Tristan declared, “We need a code word.” I asked, “What?” Tristan continued, “Between our families. We need a code word sothat when one of us says it the others believe what we say no questions asked.” Jason nodded.

Dalton agreed, “Sure, but why?” Tristan continued, “This happened because Ladybug didn’t think we would believe her. I want everyone in this room to know that 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 up and rocked her.

She whispered, “I’m sorry, daddy.” He held her tightly, “No Ladybug, Daddy is sorry. This shouldn’t have happened here. Not to you or anyone else. You didn’t do anything wrong. They won’t get away with this. I swear that to you.” She tried to console him, “I always win the fight. They didn’t touch me in any of the places mommy asked about.” Drake let out a sob and held her tighter. Eventually they left while 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 our grandpa’s. She was good. My grandpa said she’d push me because she was good. I didn’t actually beat her, 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. He’dactually told her that too. Even Ray was annoyed with Charline. I shouldn’t have said anything to Alexander about the dance in the first place.

When EJ popped away after visiting Ray said, “So 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.” I agreed but gave no indication I did.

He mused, “People would leave her alone too. There’d be yet another guard from the Conners pack here. There’s no way I could guard you both, she’s gone too much.” I shrugged, “I said nothing.” Ray snorted, “I see it all so clearly now. Everything’s snapped into focus. I saw Robert’s after the dance looking like he got the beating of his life. Now, I don’t think Melanie’s crush is one sided. No, I don’t.”

He tapped his chin, “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 shit 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 I do.”

That reminded me I had unfinished business. I told Ray to hang back, I had some things I needed to say. I found Robert easily and 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. None of us liked it so he handled it.” 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 questioned, “Because of my dad or because of something else?” Robert clenched his jaw. One of his friends answered,“Alexander Conners put the fear of the goddess in him. He won’t even tell us what was said. He walks the other way if he sees Melanie now though.”

I smiled, “Good. All of you leave her alone, 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 and sighed, “I hate that boy. I used to think he was just a dumb pup. Now, I just plain hate him. I know one should not hate pups, but I hate that one. He ripped her shirt off because it had a wolf on it. Jesus Christ.” I commiserated, “I hate him too.”

I ran inside and changed to get everything ready for Drake and Sam’s anniversary party. Melanie ran into my room and gave me the bags of stuff to decorate. She called, “Gotta run! Mom has me under a close watch. I barely got all this for you!” She hugged me, “Thanks for putting this all together.” I laughed, “Of course. I’ll see you there.” She squealed, “I meet my Xander tonight.” I replied, “You will.”

Ray drove me there early. A few other pack members were helping me set up. The Lyons group popped in first. Luna Emmaline came over asking, “Can I help?” I nodded, “If you want to.” She smiled and snapped her fingers.

Our pack members sighed in relief because we were running behind. Sharon and Garrett’s were on vacation so we didn’t have our partial Fairy help. Luna Emmaline was looking at the pictures frowning. I looked at what she was staring at. 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, we are missing something!” Luna Emmaline looked relieved, “What’s that?” I explained, “Sam’s favorite family picture, it’s not here!” Luna Emmaline frowned, “I’m assuminga lot of pictures didn’t make it here. There have to be some with Melanie in them.” I frowned looking 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 Sam’s favorite.” Luna Emmaline studied me, “Is it an emergency?” I nodded, “Yes, please!” She thought about it, “I’ll pop to your house then walk over. You’re not Drake.” Huh? Whatever. The McAlister’s were due any minute, and I needed that picture.

People had started to file in. Jason texted me there was a slight problem, but they were on schedule. I didn’t even want to THINK about a problem right now. Luna Emmaline popped back in frowning. I grabbed the picture she was holding as relief filled me.

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