Page 73 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Alexander continued, “She’s a good fighter, but I doubt she could beat me. I think they are afraid that I’m possessive of her without meeting her, that” He winced, “I could hurt her. But I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t hurt her!” I argued, “Alexander, they can’t believe that.”

Alexander yelled, “Then why is she always in trouble for shit she didn’t do! Why can’t I meet her? They wouldn’t even let me heal her when she got hurt! She couldn’t dance for a month! They would rather she be in pain than meet me.”

Elise sighed, “She wasn’t dying.” Alexander snapped, “I don’t care! I offered to heal her! She was hurt and they STILL wouldn't let me come to her. I even begged dad to have mom go. She offered to, I HEARD her! They hurt her feelings by refusing, and confirmed her belief that Melanie is damn prank.”

He turned to me pleading, “I wouldn’t hurt her, you have to know I’m not like that.” He curled into himself in anguish. He cried, “I’m not. I know I’m a strong Alpha Enforcer.” He broke, “What if I’m just like the others obsessed with her? What if she’s not mine?” I growled, “You are NOT like them. I know you wouldn’t hurt her, and I’ve always known that.”

I pulled him up and hugged him. Alexander cried into my neck. I turned to Elise, “Are they truly keeping her from him?” Elise was stunned by question. Her emotions told me she didn’t think that was it. She whispered, “I don’t think so. Sam told me at your birthday party last year that they didn’t know what wasgoing on. That they didn’t think Ladybug was lying, but they couldn’t let the pack think the rules were different for the Beta’s daughter.”

She grimaced, “I hate it, but I know that’s true. People would push back on my dad and Drake about their decisions.” I nodded accepting her answer. I pointed out, “She’s right, little brother. You know she is.” Alexander snorted, “Fine, but the other shit is ridiculous. Broken down cars, and not letting us pop in. It’s not about us, and it clearly never was. It’s about me. They think they need to protect her from me.”

I told him, “I would NEVER think that’s true. This is why you haven’t confided in me? You were afraid I’d just see you as some other wolf who was possessive of Melanie?” Alexander wiped his eyes and nodded, “Sometimes Oden and I are just so sure she’s our mate. Other times I have this fear that I’m just another in a line of other wolves who are possessive of her. What if she’s afraid of me? What if they are? Jase is supposed to be my friend. Why doesn’t he know I wouldn’t hurt her? I couldn't, not her.”

Elise frowned, “My dad said the McAlister’s would be excited if you were her mate. I don’t think they have any idea you suspect you are. I know you’re thinking on the side of what if you’re not her mate, but from where Drake’s coming from it’s different. What if you are her mate?” Alexander looked at her.

She continued, “Then everything surrounding Mel stops. No wolf in his or her right mind would go for Mel anymore. Or her stuffed wolf since it looks just like Oden. It would be suicide.” She was right. Alexander snorted, “She has a crush. T was talking about it when I walked up on them. She likes someone and I want to RIP THEM TO PIECES!” I barely managed not to laugh, but just barely.

Alexander sighed, “Maybe I am just like those other possessive assholes. Mom and dad would be so disappointed in me.” I smacked him on the back of head. “Hey dipshit, no oneis disappointed in you. I’m incredibly annoyed you’ve kept all this in for five years when it bothered you so much. I know you, Alexander, and I always have. You would never hurt someone.”

“You would never take Melanie if she wasn’t yours. You’d be moody and beat the shit out of several heavy bags, but you’d never hurt her.” Alexander said, “Which I need to continue doing right now. I need a heavy bag to hit. Or I’ll beat the shit out of Jase until he tells me who the fucker is that Melanie likes.” His eyes were flickering back and forth to black.

I sighed, “Oden, let Alexander stay in control.” I linked Brutus, “Are you not trying to help here?” He chuckled, “I am amused neither wolf nor human realize Melanie likes them.” Unhelpful wolf. Oden told me, “I need to kill something.” I argued, “No, you don’t. Give him back control.” Oden growled and gave Alexander back control.

I glared at Alexander. Finally, I asked, “You need me to spell this out for you, don’t you? Melanie’s toy wolf, it looks like someone doesn't it? You did hear Elise say that, right?” Alexander smiled, “It looks like Oden. I saw it in the pictures, so I already knew that.” I winced.

I realized the pictures probably furthered his theory. He thought they’d taken her out of the pictures so he couldn't see her. He linked me, “That’s exactly what I think brother.” I reasoned, “I don’t think so.” Brutus said, “So, he knew you thought that because I was saying it to Oden. They already thought it though, so I didn’t give him the through or anything.

Elise blurted out, “You’re missing a hoodie.” Alexander frowned, “Huh?” Elise continued, “You’ve been missing it for years.” Alexander paused then shrugged, “I left one at the McAlister’s. I don’t need it.” Brutus told me, “I think you’re just going to have to be blunt. They don’t get it.”

I rolled my eyes shouting, “For god’s sake, Alexander, YOU are Melanie’s crush. You have been since she was three yearsold. She has the damn hoodie. From what I’ve heard from T she sleeps in the damn thing.”

Elise whispered, “She calls you her Xander. You are why she’s always so upset she can’t come to things.” Alexander smiled brightly this time, “Really?” I snorted, “I can’t lie, remember? It’s you she wants to meet. When I met her, she knew immediately that I wasn’t you. She called me EJ right off the bat, and just knew I wasn’t you. We all think you two are mates. Me, Elise, Dad…”

Alexander cut me off, “Dad knows?! I only talked to Uncle Bjourn about it.” I snorted, “Dad knows everyfuckingthing. Of course he knows about this.” Alexander shrugged, “He didn’t say anything.” I raised an eyebrow, “He didn’t because you didn’t say anything, you dork. We’ve all been giving you your damn space.”

I added, “Apparently, I shouldn't have done that. I could never think so little of you as you assumed I would. We are Alpha’s which makes us naturally possessive. I know you and your heart. I know you would never force someone to be yours. You couldn’t because you don’t have it in you. If the McAlister’s so much as HINT that they think that I’ll pulverize them.”

I felt Elise’s pain at the thought in our Hackura bond. I felt bad, but I would. No one would ever so much as speak those words about any of my siblings. Alexander cried, “She’s leaving.” Elise frowned, “No, she’s not. Let’s stop this. We will go talk to them and find out exactly what happened.” What good would that do?

As if I asked aloud, she answered, “I was on Facetime with her until she jumped into the shower. It was maybe twenty minutes before they had to leave. This has to be a misunderstanding. They can’t call me a liar.” I growled, “No they fucking can’t.”

Elise nodded, “Exactly. They’ll let her come. Honestly, I can’t believe they didn’t. This is incredibly hurtful to me because sheshould’ve been here.” I felt her hurt and guilt for not realizing sooner that Melanie wasn’t here. I was going to punch someone too.

I pulled her to me, “I’m so sorry, babe. Please don't be sad, not today.” She whispered, “She missed my big moment. No, she missed ANOTHER one. After she missed our mating ceremony and reception, it hurts. Especially since she didn’t even want to miss it! It’s not fair. I wanted her here and they promised me that she would be!” Alexander was silent.

I could feel his guilt. He felt like he’d ruined her night. It pissed me off because this wasn’t his damn fault either. My mom linked me, “So help me I am TRYING not to fucking come to you and your brother right now. You are adults and I respect that, but you guys are making it so damn hard.” I assured her, “We as brothers are fine.”

She asked, “Why the fuck wouldn’t you be? What the HELL is going on?” It was right there. I could tell her, but something stopped me. I answered her, “I’m going to find out.” I grabbed Elise’s hand. I told Alexander, “Let’s pop back and get this resolved. Ladybug’s not leaving for New York without you seeing her. When is her flight?”

Elise answered, “She said it was first thing tomorrow morning. She’d put it off for me. They should’ve left tonight.” I conjured my phone to see the time. It had been three hours since our run. This was getting resolved right now. I nodded to Alexander, and we popped back.

Jason instantly asked, “Hey slugger, what the hell?” I growled, “DON’T!” Several people looked at me in shock, but I didn’t care. I saw Angela, TJ, and my mom were missing. Red Run seemed to be the only pack left here.

I looked at Drake and Sam. I practically shouted, “It’s not enough that Melanie missed our mating ceremony. Now you do this to Elise? On her big night? EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!”Drake glared at me, “You think we wanted to? You know full well why we had to ground her! Do you think I like my daughter screaming at me? Do you think I like her telling people in our pack who love her that she hates them? You think I don’t hate everything about this?”

He ran his hand through his hair, “I can’t change the rules for her even though I want to. It kills me! I don’t understand ANY of this! Do you really think I wanted to disappoint Elise or Melanie? Elise is like a daughter to me. I knew how important Melanie being here was to her. I can’t allow my decisions to be questioned though. You know that, EJ.”

Elise grabbed my hand and squeezed. She sent me her confidence she had this under control. She questioned Drake, “What did the patrol say? I know Melanie didn’t even leave the house today.” Sam sighed, “That’s what Mel said.”

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