Page 66 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Thankfully, EJ did too. GOOD GOD! I didn’t think there was any way in which he wasn’t perfect. We’d fought before, but we always talked our fights out. We never went to bed mad at each other. Rhea purred, “Remember talking about him sharing his light?” I did.

My life was already going to be extended to a Fairy's lifetime. Sharon had shared her light with Garrett, which had extended that to our pack. Then I would join Black Mountain. So, we weren’t forcing him sharing his light. Melanie might be able to tell me if he could help it. Some stories made it sound like it just happened and others it was a conscious choice.

I knew some people wondered why it didn’t happen when we were pups. Rhea growled because she knew my thoughts. I was positive Cassandra Conners had done something about that. EJnever said anything about it, but maybe he didn’t suspect her of anything.

Something told me that I was right though. People speculated it was because EJ didn’t have as much Fairy blood as others who shared their light when they were young. It just didn’t feel right to me. Cassandra doing something so he had to wait until he was eighteen, did. I shook myself and focused.

Rhea distracted me, “I could look at his face for centuries. He just offered to let us be the Alpha and he’d be our Alpha Male. Mount him.” When he said things like that knowing he meant them made me want to do just that. Especially right after just being offered his dad’s position, he still thought of me.

Our destiny was Black Mountain and I knew it. Rhea linked, “Melanie incoming.” She must have seen EJ from her window. She handed EJ a present and took off. He was lucky she didn’t have time to rant and explain what that was because she’d given me Cassie and EJ’s presents to take to the party early. This had to be Alexander’s.

I’d asked her but she hadn’t told me what she’d gotten Alexander. I had to walk EJ through why she still had it when the other presents were at this house. Rhea snickered, “Men.” No joke. It was so beyond obvious Melanie wanted to give Alexander his personally. EJ popped away.

I walked inside where I found Dalton and Dakota waiting. I sat down asking, “What’s up guys?” Dalton questioned, “What’s going on with Alexander?” I frowned stating, “I’m not getting into this.” Dalton sighed, “Do we need to worry that without you here that Black mountain won’t want to be our allies?” I gasped and hit both of them in the shoulder.

I shouted, “That will never happen! You are my brothers. Besides, Alexander isn’t upset with you.” Dakota frowned, “He seems to be. He leaves whenever our group enters the room.Jase said sometimes he feels like Alexander is on the cusp of beating him up. Or getting mad at him.”

I explained, “That’s not about….” Then I trailed off. Oh my god. Angela said Alexander got mad at his friend. Was it Jason? Why would he get mad at him? He wasn’t grounding Melanie. I shook myself, “That’s not what it looks like.” Dalton studied me, “What is it about then?”

Tristan’s voice floated through the back door, “Melanie.” We all turned to him. Tristan sat down, “It’s about Mel, it has to be. He wants to meet her too. Right?” I shrugged, “I don’t actually know that. I can tell you he’s teased me about her existence for years. Maybe he thinks it’s all just some big joke we won’t let go of. You know Fairies would find a prank this long unfair.” Rhea snickered, “You are so good at being evasive. I love it.” Yeah, well I hung out with the Conners a lot.

Dalton snorted. Tristan continued, “He’s protective of Ladybug. I think he’s annoyed he hasn’t met her.” Dakota raised an eyebrow. Dalton changed the subject which I found suspicious. Tristan and eventually left and I stood to go to my room.

Dakota grabbed my arm, “T’s wrong isn’t he? He’s not connecting the dots because he thinks it’s crazy that Alexander would like Melanie. It’s not though. Alexander isn’t mated. He’s a strong fighter and so is she. She’s a Beta’s daughter which would match well with an Alpha Enforcer. Does Alexander suspect she’s his mate? Is that why he’s so damn pissed when he sees she’s not with our group?”

I shrugged, “He hasn’t told me that.” Dalton laughed, “How evasive, big sister. I see you and the writing on the wall. I don’t see why he’d be annoyed with Jase though.” I admitted, “I don’t know the answer to that either. Nor do I even have a guess to be perfectly honest. It doesn’t make sense why Jase would catch his ire for it.” They both nodded and we all went to sleep.

My birthday was approaching rapidly, and I couldn’t wait. EJ had been really busy taking over pack work. Even done slowly, the amount of paperwork was staggering. Haley was copying me on all her stuff for me to review at my own pace.

She told me once I’d moved, I could let her know when I was settled. Then I could then jump in or give myself time to get my bearings. It was all up to me. I was so grateful for her support and guidance. I had just finished looking through her last email when Melanie came into the house.

Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. I sighed, “Mel.” She cried, “It’s going to be so different without you here.” I held her in my arms, patting her hair, “You know that you can come see me anytime.” She snorted, “Yeah right. I haven’t ever been there… mom eats those cookies and becomes mom monster. She won’t let me come…. She gets weird about me leaving the pack, but no one notices…” What? She’d mentioned those cookie before. She actually talked about the mom monster cookies a lot.

I told her, “I can come see you.” She wiped her tears, “That’s more likely. You’re going to be busy though since you’ll be the Luna.” I laughed, “We’ll figure it out. Ok?” She nodded and we talked about several other things before she’d calmed down and left.

My week was filled with more of those heart wrenching conversations. Melanie signed up for a competition on my birthday so she wouldn’t be here when the clock struck. That actually worked well, because I knew I was going to be with EJ. She threw herself into choreographing a new routine.

Before she left, she dragged me out to her meadow so I could watch it. I’d sobbed my eyes out because of her song choice. She’s pickedI’ll Always Remember Youby Miley Cyrus. It was beautiful and I knew she’d win. I hugged her, “I’ll never walk away from you, Ladybug. This isn’t goodbye. It’s just I’ll see you later.” She nodded and whispered, “Ok.”

Drake walked up, “Come on Ladybug, you and your mom need to get moving. T wants you to say happy birthday before you leave too.” He winked at me. Melanie gave me a big hug and I told her, “You go win that competition.” She sniffled but nodded her head whispered, “Happy Birthday” and left.

I wiped my tears and splashed water on my face. By the time I got back downstairs EJ was already here. I flung myself at him, wanting him to take it all away. In his arms everything was ok again. The second the clock struck midnight the moment I’d been waiting for happened.

His scent hit me. Rhea and I growled, “MINE!” At the same time Brutus and EJ declared us theirs. Coooper linked me, “Congratulations, big sister.” I replied, “Thanks, little brother.” Dalton and Dakota linked, “Congrats! Just don’t let us hear you getting claimed because that’s a big hard and fast no.” I snorted, “Thanks, guys.”

EJ took my hand, and we ran outside. He popped us to the treehouse he’d conjured for us two years ago. I’d brought Mel here several times. I knew I’d be leaving, and I wanted her to use this place. It would be her escape.

As soon as we were there EJ snapped us naked. He was going to take his time, but I was ready to explode with desire. I wanted his mark on my neck. Rhea linked, “You tell him girlfriend! Get us marked by his fine, sexy ass.”

I ended up having to take control, but EJ quickly took it back. Rhea growled possessively, “Marking time. I’m coming forward.” I saw Brutus had already taken over. His teeth sank his teeth into me first. I had to bite him quickly before I lost myself.

As soon as I marked him, I saw stars and my ears were ringing. I couldn’t feel anything but pleasure. I saw EJ’s hand light up as he put it on my chest. I don’t know where I went, but I knew I’d left my body in pleasure. Rhea was purring in my head. I guess everyone was right that sharing your lightwas instinctual. Which kind of proved my point Cassandra had totally done something to stop this. My brain was too muddled to figure that out.

Rhea grumbled, “Why is he talking? We were marked by an Alpha and I’m sleepy.” I agreed, “Sleep. I needed sleep.” I was ready for him to take me to our home. He was it for me now. I was sad to leave my family here, but I was ready.

I couldn’t fathom being apart from him now. He was my forever, and it was official. I was claimed. I was going to be the head Luna of Black Mountain Pack. I’d make everyone proud. My parents, siblings, EJ, Haley, Eric, Mel, and most importantly myself. I could do this. It was my destiny. I could do anything with EJ by my side.

Elise slowly came to awareness. Rhea grumbled, “Why is Rain staring at us?” Rain? Cassie was here? She grumbled, “That’s the scent in the room, yes. Our sister in law is staring.” I opened my eyes and Cassie grinned, “Good. You’re awake.”

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