Melanie was astonished. I knew that we’d planned to hike together, but I wanted to take her to a special place here. I was about to start walking when she asked if I’d shift. Oden immediately perked up. He urged, “Let’s shift. She’s had that toy wolf all these years so she should see the real thing. It’s only fair.” I agreed.
When she called him by his name it was a done deal. He was purring with delight. Oden grabbed her hand and led her to some cover before taking off my clothes. Oden laughed at how innocent Melanie still was. I linked him, “Be nice.” Oden replied, “I am. It’s adorable. I love her blush.”
I couldn’t argue because she was adorable. Their banter made me smile while simultaneously feeling pain in my heart. We should’ve always been like this. I should’ve pushed to meet her. I wouldn’t have let whatever was going on happen if I was in her life. Oden shifted.
Clear as day I heard Melanie in my head, “He looks just like my Xander wolf.” Oden tilted his head. I linked Oden, “How did she do that?” Oden replied coyly, “Mate is special.” I snorted, “I know that, but what do you mean?”
Oden ignored my questions, “I told Freya I want Melanie to ride on our back.” I surmised, “So you’re not going to tell me what you mean.” Oden shot back, “I already did. Mate is special.” Obnoxious wolf. Oden snorted, “Annoying when the other half of you doesn’t listen, isn’t it? I can sympathize. I’ve been telling you she was ours FOR ELEVEN YEARS!” Touche.
Melanie started to pet Oden’s fur. I teased him, “You’re purring.” Oden growled, “Shut up. You know it feels good.” I pointed out, “You seem to be contacting Freya easier than you were before.” Oden agreed, “Yes, I am. She’s getting stronger because we are around. She doesn’t have to sleep as much, but she does still get tired out.” That made me sad for my mate.
Melanie climbed on my back and Oden took off. When we reached the lake, I shifted back and took over because I needed her. She was going to be the death of me, but I didn’t care. She made no move to take off her shirt, and I remembered why I was so upset earlier. Someone hurt her.
I knew in my bones that was why she didn’t want me to see her top half naked. I vowed here and now they would pay. Everyone would know to hurt Melanie McAlister would be signing their own death certificate.
I shoved those thoughts from my mind and focused on her. I couldn’t get enough. She was the air that I needed to breathe. She was my calm in the craziness of my emotions. My anger evaporated near her. It was waiting though. I could feel it on the edge ready to consume me, but she never let it. She was just there. Keeping me from going over the edge.
When I managed to pull myself away from her it was time for lunch. I snapped us back to normal even though I had no problem with everyone knowing what we’d just done. They didn’t need the visuals though. Any supernatural would smell it. I was contemplating another round when my cousin linked me.
Phil asked, “Where are you? We have been here for fifteen minutes.” I groaned, “Remember the days when you’d be busy having sex and I stopped you? You were not happy with me. So, seriously, man! Have more sex with your mate so I can have sex with mine.”
Phil argued, “I did! We had a set time to meet up, so I pulled it together for the timeline.” I snorted, “Sure, slacker.” I got us to them. Phil linked me the second he smelled me, “Please fix Sierra’s hair. She’d overly self-conscious about it, and I don’t have snapping magic fingers that fix hair.”
Phil mentioned Elias. Elias was the Alpha around here and he wanted us to stop by the gym. I linked Phil, “Did he really want us to stop by, or did you ask if we could?” Phil replied, “He actually did. It was all very handy and even came wrapped with a bow on it. Who was I to argue?”
Melanie was excited and wanted to go. I should’ve anticipated that. Melanie’s excitement grew the closer we got to leaving the restaurant. Phil linked, “I think she likes a good fight as much as you do.” I admitted, “I’m looking forward to seeing her fight.”
Phil agreed, “Me too. I might even get in the ring with her.” I raised an eyebrow before replying, “If you do, then I get to as well.” Phil chuckled, “I’d very much like to see that. I’m ABSOLUTELY getting in the ring with her now. I’ve gotta see you two throw down. Gosh, I don’t know who to put money on. This is an odd feeling. Normally, hands down, I back you. Now, I’m conflicted. Gage will be back to being jealous I’m here and not him.” I rolled my eyes.
When we walked into the gym the girls walked off to the locker room to change. Elias smiled greeting, “Hello, Alexander. My brother wants to fight you and called dibs.” I agreed, “I’m game.” Elias asked, “Who should we pair the women with?” Phil replied, “If you want everyone to live, mated men or any women.”
Elias laughed before asking, “And their names are?” Phil hummed, “What an interesting question, Elias. What a question. We were introduced to them as Ashley Griffen and Samantha McLean.” Elias gasped, “THE Ashley Griffen from Nashville?” I nodded.
He clarified, “The wolf less Female Lead Warrior from Black Path?” Phil nodded, “Yes, that one.” I linked Elias, “She’s not wolf less anymore, but we are keeping that on the down low. I’d appreciate it if you could tell your men. She hasn’t shifted yet and her wolf is very new to her.”
Elias agreed, “We can do that. I didn’t sense Ashley’s wolf, but I wasn’t really trying. I could sense Samantha’s though.” I inclined my head. Out loud Elias warned, “There will be a line to fight Ashley.” I growled. Oden said, “I don’t like that.” Neither did I.
Elias raised an eyebrow, “Oh yeah?” Phil groaned. Elias asked, “Are you sweet on the woman, Alexander?” Phil interjected, “I told you, mated males when I ran into you earlier and just now. Mated males only. The implications are all there for you. Ask a Beta.” A few people groaned.
I ignored them and got into the ring. I tossed my shirt off and started my own fight. I nearly faltered when Melanie walked out in tight yoga pants but noted her shirt. Oden growled in my head. I linked Phil, “A long sleeved tight top. I swear to ALL the gods and goddesses if she has a scar….”
Phil interrupted, “I know. You’re distracting me and I’m busy. I don’t want to get hit in the face. I’d bother you until you healed me. Because one cannot do the sexy time activities I have planned with a busted lip.” I looked over seeing he was actually busy because he’d started his own fight.
I retorted, “Sierra is distracting you more than me. I would heal you if you got hurt and you know that.” Phil snorted, “I notice I’m not the only one distracted, oh smarmy one. You are still a machine, but not your usual machine self.” Oden snorted, “So?”
Phil continued, “We’ll have to get you two working out together at home, so you get back to the machine man Alpha we all know and love.” I noticed Melanie glaring at someone, so I looked over. It was a group of women looking at me.
Oden was gleeful. He boasted, “Mate is jealous.” I replied smugly, “I am aware.” Melanie looked at me and I winked at her, then showed off a little for her. My opponent grunted with the shot I’d taken. I nearly fell over when Ludvig introduced himself to Melanie. I knew who he was.
I linked Elias, “YOUR LEAD MALE WARRIOR IS FIGHTING HER?! WHAT ABOUT A WARM UP?” He reasoned, “She’s a Lead Warrior herself.” I warned, “It will be you and me in this ring next if she gets hurt.” Oden agreed, “Damn straight.”
Elias asked, “Alexander, what’s going on here? Is she your mate?” I answered, “Yes.” Elias winced before asking, “Is there a reason she’s not marked?” I evaded, “It’s complicated.” Elias snorted, “Fairies, man.”
I snorted, “This has to do with wolves in Nashville not the blood running through my veins. Besides, it’s not my decision.” Elias surmised, “I assume you wish for these wolves in Nashville to be dead soon. We will stand with you should you need us.” I replied, “Thank you, Elias.”
I maneuvered my fight so I could watch Melanie. The whole gym stopped their fights when she flipped Ludvig and pinned him like it was nothing. Oden purred, “In one move.” Elias linked me, “Ummm WHAT THE SHIT?!” I had no idea. Ludvig had Alpha blood. She shouldn’t have been able to do that.
I knew Melanie was good, but Ludvig was a skilled fighter. He was the Lead Warrior for a reason. No one moved as she easily took Ludvig down again and again. No one could stop staring at her. My eyes were drawn to her ass bouncing around along with her boobs. God, I needed her. I needed to be buried deep inside her right now.
