She continued, “Your mom’s like really nice. I gave her a tray for her and your dad. I left several outside your siblings’ doors… and my parents… ok even the Kyle’s. I’m really nervous about this party. What if the pack doesn’t like me?”
I laughed, “Then I’ll make their lives hell. I won’t need to that because they will like you.” Melanie put the tray on the table nervously saying, “People don’t usually like me.” I pulled her close saying, “That was your Black Path life. It never should have happened, but that’s not here. You shine and people are drawn to that. Your friends love you with a ferocity many never feel. Your family loves you. I love you. The pack will adore you.”
She smiled, “Probably not when I start training…” I laughed interrupting, “Even then. They love and respect me here. I’ve made their lives hell a lot.” Melanie waved, “But you’re just… that smile... the abs... I mean... oh god… stop talking Melanie.”
I grabbed her and kissed her. I pulled back to me assuring her, “You can talk about me anytime. Any part of me.” I wiggled my brows, and she laughed, relaxing, as I had intended. She muttered, “I mean… that’s probably good…since I ramble.”
We ate breakfast together. I had just laid her down on the bed when multiple knocks sounded on the door. I groaned, “GO AWAY!” Preston, TJ, Angela, Julian, William, Max, Wesley, Buttercup, EJ, Elise, Theo, Jane, Maverick, Parker, Cole... good lord... all my siblings filed in.
I growled, “WHAT?” Parker pointed at the empty tray shouting, “He got one too! No one knows who made this food, and I MUST KNOW! It’s amazing. I need to know who the new cook is. I mean it from my soul when I say I must know post haste.”
Angela giggled. I sighed, “You couldn’t have asked Angela who made it?” EJ laughed, “We didn’t think about that.” Elise smiled saying, “The food is really good. EJ said the muffins Mel made yesterday were the only thing he’s tasted on the same level.”
Melanie frowned asking, “You didn’t get any?” I laughed, “Phil ate most of them. As for your question on breakfast, Melanie made you all the food.” Elise gasped then asked, “You know how to cook? Like seriously cook? This well? Mel, do you sleep?”
Melanie shrugged, “A little… can you help me with what to wear for the party?” Elise smiled, “Of course.” Melanie started talking, “I’m really nervous. I normally walk around in leggings and a hoodie, but I don't think that’s really a Luna thing.”
I kissed her before saying, “It’s a Luna thing if that’s what you want.” She flushed. Maverick said, “La, la, la, SHE IS THE ONE WHO COOKED THIS DELISHOUSNESS?” Zoe giggled from the back, “We have to have that cooking session, Mel. I need to know your secrets.”
Melanie smiled, “Oh… really? Yeah, that’s… sure... Really? My secrets?” Zoe snorted, “The Conners are never going to shut up about your cooking. The Kyle’s and McAlister’s want to know who made it too, and so do the rest of the pack.”
I asked, “How could they pack possibly know about it?” Zoe snorted, “She put out some food in the pack house. It didn’t last long.” I teased my mate, “You didn’t mention that.” Melanie picked at my hoodie she was wearing. Elise was so happy EJ briefly purred.
Melanie explained, “Well… it was a lot of nervous cooking. There’s a party… and….” Preston ran out of the room yelling, “MOM, WE NEED TO HAVE A PARTY ONCE A WEEK!” I snorted, “He’s teasing, Mel.” Julian laughed, “He’s not.” He better be.
I snorted, “We are not having a party once a week so you can get my mate to nervously cook you breakfast.” Elise smiled, “You’ll have to teach me your skills with Zoe, Mel.” Buttercup clapped, “Me too! I can’t cook to save my life, but I can watch.”
Melanie told them, “I wasn’t great when I started either. The guys who taught me are moving up here and they are great teachers! They will even have their own diner. Mason’s burgers are the best.” EJ snickered, “Don’t let Al hear you say that.”
Melanie frowned saying, “He doesn’t live here…so I don’t think he’d care.” EJ agreed, “True. Come on, little brother. Let the women pick their clothes out.” I linked my brothers, “Cockblockers. All of you.” EJ howled with laughter as we walked downstairs.
The Kyle’s and McAlister’s were waiting. Peter smiled asking, “Have you boys found the new cook? I heard Preston yelling about needing parties but not why.” I sighed “It’s not a new cook. It was Melanie.” Sam gasped, “What? My pup cooked this? She can cook?”
Drake laughed “That girl can do anything she wants to do. I should’ve snagged a muffin from Phil.” I smirked agreeing, “Yes, you should’ve. Those are the best damn muffins I’ve ever had.” My brothers shouted, “WHAT?!”
Angela snickered, “She makes them tomorrow.” Angela wiggled her eyebrows, “A lot of them. She’s very happy and that translates to ALL the muffins for us.” I laughed, “Why?” Angela sang, “You’ll see.” She popped away.
Drake shrugged, “Melanie must get up pretty early. I’ll be down here waiting to see if I can talk to her and grab a muffin.” Sam smiled saying, “Me too.” Zoe laughed, “You get up early. Meanwhile I’ll be camping out in this kitchen. I will see how she cooks and learn her secrets.”
I laughed, “You know you are a great cook, Zoe.” Zoe nodded, “And now I’ll be even better. Why was she so surprised I would want to cook with her to learn her secrets? I told her that when she got here.” Before we could answer Sierra and Phil walked up with an empty tray.
I snapped it clean and away. Phil smirked, “Damn your mate is a good cook.” I laughed, “Wait till the larger find out Sierra has her own specialties.” Gage said, “I’m sorry. The Beta Female AND Luna can cook like this?”
Abigail winked saying, “Me too.” Julian said, “Ok. Abigail isn’t from there but can all the women down in Nashville cook?” Peter perked up, “Can my future daughter in laws cook?” Sierra snorted, “Oh yeah. You need to get Avery to cook you her famous barbeque menu. The pack will fawn over her. It’s amazing. Addison and Paige are both really good too.”
Julian sighed, “So, what I hear you saying is I just need to go steal all the she wolves from Black Path. That’s what I heard her say.” I snorted. Sierra bit her lip, “You’d have succeeded with that plan before Caine and Dax took over. They’d have flocked to your pack. I’m going to see Mel.” She ran upstairs with Abigail.
Sam smiled proudly, “Maybe I can ask Melanie to teach me how to cook those eggs for you, Drake. Maybe I can bond with my pup again that way.” Zoe said, “I think she would. She was excited but clearly thought it was odd I wanted to learn from her. Still excited though.”
She looked at me asking, “Right?” I told her, “If we had a Hackura bond, I could tell you. I believe she was excited.” It didn’t shoot up my foot or anything, but Melanie’s expression said she was. Sam asked, “Do you boys mind if our families come to the party? We don’t want to push Melanie and will stay away, but we just want to be around her.”
Drake held her from behind as she whispered, “We’ve missed her so much and after the things we learned yesterday, everyone’s just reeling.” Peter added, “My sons were already coming but now they want to bring their mates.”
I snorted, “You have and always will be welcome here. That didn’t change. I’ll always do what I have to in order to protect Melanie. She knows you’re around though. If she’s uncomfortable we will talk about it together.”
I sighed and added, “Shit, you guys. I never thought this would be so tense. I’ve thought she was mine for so long I just didn’t think there would be a problem. I…” Drake cut me off, “You’re between a rock and hard place. We all are.” I nodded.
EJ and I left and did a little bit of work, then headed out back. It wasn’t a formal party, so jeans were fine. I knew Elise would have Melanie in something nice. Melanie would probably just be more comfortable because Elise picked it out.
