Page 31 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

On the dance floor EJ kept rhythm with me easily. All of his siblings had rhythm. When he went over to the DJ I was confused. I asked, “What is he doing?” Alexander shrugged, “I’d imagine he’s requesting a song.” His tone had a hard edge to it.

I frowned and looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. I looked past him and saw Robert staring at me. I rolled my eyes and shot him a warning glare. I turned back, “It’s fine, Alexander.” Alexander argued, “It most definitely isn’t. You are not his. If he thinks he can try to take you from my brother, he’s got another think coming.”

Charline commented, “That’s so hot.” I stared at her. Alexander rolled his eyes, “Sure.” Charline insisted, “No, it is. You’re willing to fight for your brother and his mate.” Alexander was now offended, “Of course I am. He’s my brother. Elise is his mate and basically my sister. I would fight for either of themany day.” Charline was quiet, “I didn’t mean to offend you.” Alexander shrugged and led us over to a table.

EJ walked back over and saw where Alexander was staring, letting out his own growl. That did things to me. I started to think about unsexy things before the whole gym smelled my arousal. That would be embarrassing.

When he matched my steps, I knew what happened. He’d met Melanie. I was so excited I nearly shouted the question at him when we were done. He led me away. Alexander winked at me as we left. He didn’t look like he was having any fun. In fact, he looked sad.

Honestly, the confirmation EJ had met Melanie was so exciting. For nine years he’d teased me about her existence. I realized the date they met coincided with when I’d talk to Tristan the second time. That’s why she came home excited. She’d met EJ. I was so happy for her. She’d wanted to meet the Conners and Lyons forever. She thought they were so cool.

Our conversation involving her was what I expected. I also loved that EJ never discounted the fact that I had Alpha blood too. When we went back inside, I needed to go to the restroom. After I washed my hands and fixed my hair I stepped into the hallway. The hairs on my neck instantly raised.

I whirled around. Robert smiled, “Hello Elise, you look stunning.” I crossed my arms, “Thanks.” I turned to leave. Robert blurted out, “Wait, I want you to understand something. I don’t like Melanie McAlister.” I snorted, “You’ve made that perfectly clear. You bullied her when she was a small pup.”

Robert frowned, “I meant to say I like you.” I rolled my eyes, “I’m not listening to this.” He reached for me, and I raised an eyebrow. I nailed him in the balls. He reached to grab something, but the only thing was me. I gasped when he ripped the strap on my dress. My eyes widened as did his.

I knew it was bad even before EJ appeared. Uh oh. EJ had him against the wall in seconds. It was so sexy. GOSH! FOCUS ELISE! It was hard. He was so distracting. I calmed him down somewhat stunned he hadn’t noticed my arousal level had jumped through the roof.

It meant I had time to get it under control, but he needed to stop doing the growling, aggressive, defending my honor thing he was doing. Hearing Melanie kept further bullying a secret did it. When EJ led me away, I was lost in my own thoughts. How did I not see what was going on with Mel?

I heard an angry snarl I knew. Only EJ had a chance of calming Alexander down right now. All the Hackura guards faded in. I could see they all respected Alexander for his actions. I linked my dad, “You need to get to the school.” He asked, “Are you ok?” I answered, “Yup.” He assured me, “I’m coming.”

I knew Alexander didn’t get any answers he liked in their fight. It seemed generous to call it that though. It was just Alexander kicking Robert’s ass. I spotted Charline in the crowd and didn’t like how she was looking at Alexander.

My dad joined us and linked me, “Someone assaulted you and you didn’t link me right away because?” I replied, “Assaulted is a strong word. He didn’t even touch me.” My dad made an annoyed face, and I knew he was pissed.

This was so not how I thought the night was going to go. Ray and Dad were never going to agree to him never being around ever again. We got to the car and Alexander helped Charline in. I sighed knowing Melanie was going to hurt Charline. I didn't know how we’d avoid it at this point. Alexander showed absolutely no interest in her, but it seemed she was stoically avoiding that.

My mom was waiting at the house. We hung back as EJ tried to calm Alexander. He shouted things that set the pack link on fire. I heard growls outside and inside. “Robert stillbullies Ladybug?” “What the hell are those boys thinking?” “They should leave her alone!” “Why didn’t she tell? No one is supposed to be bullied in our pack.” “Poor Ladybug.” Yeah, I agreed with all that.

The emotion in Alexander’s eyes had me thinking he liked Melanie. He was clearly proud of something when he talked about her toy wolf. I realized he’d heard what it looked like. I wanted to scream, “HE LIKES HER TOO!” They were practically mated in my head now. I’d have her by my side in Black Mountain and I was too excited about it. I needed to reign myself in.

I reasoned to myself that Jason and Cassie liked each other but they weren’t mates. We’d get answers at Sam and Drake’s anniversary party. When we walked inside, I looked at Tristan. He linked, “What the hell was that?” I answered, “I don’t know.” He pressed, “Ladybug didn’t tell you.” I shook my head, “I wouldn’t keep her getting bullied a secret.” He nodded.

Robert’s questioning had me rolling my eyes. I linked Dalton, “He can’t be serious. I wouldn’t be mated to someone like him. We’d kill each other. Well, I’d kill him.” Dalton ground out, “You wouldn’t be mated to him long because I’d kill him if he tried to touch you.” I sent him a grateful look.

Dakota linked, “Why didn’t Ladybug say anything?” I replied, “Honestly, I don’t know.” I linked Tristan, “I’ve come to the conclusion on the border crossing.” He asked, “What’s that?” I replied, “That they saw someone they thought was Melanie.” He agreed, “That makes more sense than anything else.” We believed her because we knew she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize meeting her Xander. It was the only explanation, but we had no proof. Tristan told me, “I’ll work on it.” I nodded.

Robert’s eyes flashed when he was warned to stay away from Melanie. I linked my mom, “I think Robert is going to do exactly that.” She asked, “Why?” I replied, “I think Alexandertold him to.” My mom gasped, “Do you think he likes her too?” I answered, “I do now.”

Alexander popped back in. Charline was ready to pounce on him, but I shot her a warning look. She sighed and sat down. When the triplets left it was clear how Alexander felt. I was going to tell Melanie that Charline was full of shit if she said he wanted her.

I linked my brothers ranting, “One night out alone and Robert just had to mess everything up for me.” Cooper asked sleepily, “What’s going on?” I winced, “Go back to bed, bud.” He blew out a breath that told me he was already back asleep. Dalton linked, “Robert is the worst, I agree.”

I walked back inside with Ray with a slight smile on my face. The twins winked at me. I walked over to my parents. My dad asked, “Did you know about Melanie still being bullied?” I shook my head, “No, I didn’t.” My dad nodded.

He continued, “What didn’t you want to tell EJ about what happened during this encounter where your dress was ripped?” I sighed, “Robert was going to touch me, but I didn’t let him.” My dad kissed my forehead, “Good girl. You make me damn proud. Go on upstairs.” I did and fell asleep quickly dreaming about my kiss with EJ.

The next day when Melanie got back from her competition, my dad was waiting with Drake. Melanie walked in with a medal around her neck. I smiled thinking of course she’d won. My dad ordered, “Have a seat Ladybug.” She hugged Drake then sat down. Sam frowned but sat with Jason and Tristan.

My dad said, “Ladybug, I need to know what’s been going on with those boys. This pack is a nonviolent place and I want you to be safe. I can’t protect you properly if you hide things from us.” Melanie sat back and frowned, “You won’t believe me.” My dad sighed.

Drake encouraged, “Ladybug, tell us what they’ve been doing to you. No one here will doubt you, I promise. You are a terrible liar.” She made a face, and I knew why. She was a bad liar, yet everyone believed she crossed the border when he responses made it obvious she didn’t.

Melanie looked at me and I squeezed her hand. I urged, “You can tell us.” Melanie asked, “Can I just tell Elise?” My dad frowned, “No, we need to know.” Melanie tried again, “Can I tell Elise then she can tell you?”

Drake interjected, “Melanie Jane, you have Beta blood in your veins. We do not hide from the truth. We ask questions and we help our Alpha’s and our pack. Is it really that bad?” Her face flushed red. Jason and Tristan growled.

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