Page 79 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Rhea laughed when Melanie told him the time. I teased, “Rhea, that’s not nice.” She replied, “I think it was funny. He bolted right up, but there is nothing for him to take care of. Mate meticulously went over all the details.” He really had, which was very sweet of him, because it was all for me.

Rhea growled when Melanie said she had an emergency. I linked her, “She can’t miss today. Not my Luna Ceremony.” Rhea replied, “She’s not crying. This is going to be outfit related.” Thank the goddess Rhea was right. EJ was baffled by how many choices she had. He should’ve seen the tornado that was Melanie deciding what to wear to our mating ceremony. It still made my blood boil that she wasn’t there.

Flashback

Elise was dancing with EJ. Our outside reception was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I had talked to almost everyone. EJ and I decided our first dance would be the one Melanie taught us moves to all those years ago. I loved the song he’d picked for that dance too. Robert was not invited to this event though, so he couldn’t ruin the dance for me.

Everyone cheered for us, and we went to the head table. I told EJ, “We still have people to talk to.” He replied, “And we will see them, but right now my wife should try the cake.” It was broughtover to us so we could cut it and we could feed each other. I’d told EJ I didn’t want cake shoved in my face. We had Fairies who could snap all that away, but it just wasn’t a memory I wanted of today.

We fed each other cake and EJ leaned down and kissed me. Rhea purred, “Let’s just get him out of here again. This Hackura bond is mmmm GIRL. He is SO LUSTY!” I replied, “It’s not just him.” She reasoned, “Hence the getting him out of here.” I told her, “We haven’t talked to Mel yet. We can talk to her and leave.” She grumbled, “I hate when you make such good points.”

We went and found my parents and I hugged my dad. He told me, “I am so proud of the beautiful, loving woman you have become. I can already see this pack adores you.” My mom hugged me next. She whispered, “You are always beautiful, and today you really do shine.” I blushed, “Thanks mom.” Cooper barreled into me.

I hugged him, “Hey little bro!” He grumbled, “I’m taller than you.” I gasped, “By a hair!” Rhea snickered in my head. Cooper grinned, “I’m still taller.” Dalton and Dakota surrounded me from the sides. I giggled, “You guys!” Dakota yelled, “AN ELISE SANDWHICH!” I rolled my eyes, “May you both never change.” Dalton snorted, “Why would we change? We are awesome.” I agreed, “Yes, you really are.”

I looked around, “Where are the McAlister’s? I haven’t gotten to talk to any of them.” It was like there was a change in the air. My dad answered, “They are around. I’m sure you’ll see them.” Weren’t they sitting with them?

Before I could question that Sharon, Red Run’s Gamma Female, swooped in. She squealed, “You look so beautiful Elise! The Earth Fairies are all loving this outside thing.” I snorted, “You’re a Water Fairy.” She grinned, “And there’s the lake, right there. I’m happy as a clam.” She pointed behind me.

I rubbed EJ’s back, “Well, my mate is an Earth Fairy.” Rhea snorted, “Damn straight he is.” I added, “And the wolves like the outside too.” She grinned, “Rena looked stunning in that dress.” Her daughter was one of my bridesmaids. I grinned, “I’m glad she could make time with her busy schedule.”

Rena and I had been friends since we were pups, but she was very into her Fairy side. She spent a lot of time in Faerie as a Lady’s maid for Aristella Holloran. Aristella was one of EJ’s cousins and Aiden and Lucinda’s daughter. It was a high honor to be a Lady’s maid and she loved it. She was just very busy with it, and she did mostly live in Faerie. She had breaks, vacations, and summers off so she was in the pack then. She told us that she wouldn’t do it forever though because there was someone training she thought would be better for Aristella when she was older.

Sharon rubbed my arms, “You know Rena would never miss your big day.” Rena popped over, “You know I wouldn’t. You know it’s time to get the bride back on the dance floor and boogey the night away.” I heard Haley ask, “What? You want her to pick her nose all night? Is she supposed to put the boogers on the dance floor? Do we help her? She wouldn’t produce enough boogers to cover it. Or last the rest of the night. I say that with extreme fucking confidence because as a healer, I know there’s nothing to heal. Elise doesn’t even have a cold.”

I snickered while Rhea cackled. She told me, “I love that little Fairy Hackura. She’s amazing.” She really was. EJ said, “Mom, it’s an expression. She means dance the night away.” Haley blinked at him several times. She asked, “Who the fuck told you that? Because I have been to human play parks with you kids, and ALL the mom’s say boogies in reference to boogers. They even carry around Kleenex’s called boogie wipes.”

My Uncle Marcus appeared, “He’s right, little one. It’s the expression to dance the night away.” She groaned, “No, let’sdance the night away is the correct expression for that. I swear to god, this realm and it’s bullshit will end. I will fix all these things. Boogies. For god’s sake.” Every snickered and EJ led me away to the dance floor.

I never found the McAlister’s, but I eventually found out that was because they were at the hospital. Melanie and Sam had gotten in a car accident. No one wanted to tell me and ruin my day. It had pissed me and EJ off beyond belief. Haley had rolled her eyes because she thought it was a prank. I’d her say she’d offered to heal them, but it was turned down. I knew I must have heard wrong because that wouldn’t have happened.

I later found out that Alexander had offered to go and heal Sam and Melanie too. When Drake arrived at the hospital they’d been taken to by ambulance, he found out that they weren’t seriously injured. They were conscious when he arrived, but that had been a recent development. The hospital wouldn’t give him the information on them when they called, because they’d been taken to a human hospital.

Drake spoke with the doctors and asked if it was an urgent situation. The doctors looked at him like he was crazy and told him both Sam and Melanie would heal in time. Melanie took a month to recover because of an inner ear injury.

I knew Drake was still mad about the doctor not saying it was urgent so he could accept the healing offers. Well, bitter was a better word. I just couldn’t understand this entire situation. Drake was upset and so were the Conners. It all seemed ridiculous. EJ and I went to visit Mel while she recovered. Of course Alexander couldn’t make it. I was curious about the whole thing, but it was a hit and run accident. We still hadn’t found who’d hit them and the cops had no leads.

Flashback Ends

I shook myself clearing my head of those last memories. I loved everything about our mating ceremony and reception. I just hated that Melanie wasn’t there. EJ gave me a kiss and left me to try to figure this out with Melanie. It would probably take a while.

Melanie was bouncing on her bed. I teased, “Let’s calm down.” She told me, “This time we are coming with Warriors, and daddy is staying back with us. He’s been on edge since the accident.” I sighed, “We all have. I don’t understand how we can’t find who did this.”

Melanie pursed her lips, “I wish I could remember what happened. I remember seeing the headlights from behind us… I even remember the sound of them accelerating to hit us… I definitely remember the crashing and rolling. I was screaming for mom. I thought someone was coming… then there was the pain in my head… Then I woke up in the hospital.”

She looked away and whispered, “They wouldn’t even tell me where mom was. It was so scary.” My heart broke for her. I told her, “I know it was, but that won’t happen today.” Melanie smiled, “Nope. Not today! Daddy seems determined to make sure it never happens again. Even for competitions we have a follow car of Warriors instead of just in the car with us.” I nodded.

Honestly, I didn’t blame Drake because the escort car made me feel better too. The whole thing had me unsettled. I dismissed those thoughts, “Ok, let’s see these outfits.” Melanie squealed and set her phone on the desk.

She picked up the first one. “Outfit one.” It was a short halter top dress. The top was white with red and gold designs and the bottom was red. Which wasn’t surprising since Melanie’s favorite color was red. She had gotten into red lipstick this last year. It looked amazing with her black hair. She was a stunner for sure.

I reasoned, “That’s very cute, but it’s a bit fancy for a Luna ceremony.” Melanie groaned, “That’s what I thought. Hang on.” She ran into her closet. She came back out in a black dress with flowers on it with a deep v in the front. I laughed, “Your dad let you buy that? Has Drake gotten a head injury that I don’t know about?”

Melanie frowned, “Tiffany gave it to me. She said that it didn’t fit her right… why wouldn’t he like it? What’s wrong?” I laughed, “Keep that dress for another time. For example, a date night or your dad will have a heart attack and never let you out again.” The only way he would was if the date was with Alexander who could explode heads and take names.

Melanie nodded, “Ok, that’s a good idea. I mean date night… my Xander would totally take me on a date… right?.” I told her, “If you guys are mates, he would absolutely take you on date.” She replied, “We are.” She ran back into her closet. Rhea chimed in, “I agree. They are.” I tried to temper my hope with that. It didn’t go well, but I did try.

My mom knocked on my door as she opened it. I waved her in. She sat down, “I can’t believe my pup is going to be a Luna today.” She kissed my forehead. Melanie asked, “What about this one? Oh, Hi Momma Chelsea!” I laughed. Melanie had always called my mom that. She called my dad, Daddy Peter too.

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