Eric said, “I know his mate hates him because she told me. Explicitly. Before AND after she was released from his Alpha Command and the spell he had placed on her. So did Sierra’s mom. Spelling their own mates is abhorrent. Though now, it is ex-mate. They rejected them. After the way they treated their own mates, it shouldn’t even surprise me they were selling off their females.” Good for Elena and Eden on the rejection. They deserved to be happy.
I winced, “It wasn’t just the women….they were forcing some males to take chosen mates. They only had so long to find their mates... and if they weren’t in Black Path, they were brought a girl and told if they didn’t mark the sobbing girl their family would die… then the girl... than them. It’s… not great.” Several people growled.
I offered, “Well, it doesn't happen anymore to be fair. I shut that down. It used to though. They do still try… they are not very smart in some ways... obviously... that’s probably obvious. I mean… I just don’t... he’s so... obnoxious. Then they have all the older wolves being all ‘this is the way it is.’ Even though it’s not.”
“They are so scared that if they challenge for their own daughters and win, they will be treated horribly. They challenge me so the Alpha sees they tried. It’s all a serious loss of perspective... they truly are terrible and…” Xander kissed me.
When we broke apart Eric just looked confused and angry at the same time. I frowned since I was trying to explain it all to him. Xander said, “I’ll meet you in a little bit guys.” He popped me upstairs. I told him, “You can go with them.”
Xander shook his head, “No, I’m staying until you fall asleep and then Elise will be staying in here until EJ pops her out.” I smiled admitting, “Elise and I haven’t had a sleepover since… well since she left Red Run.” Xander nodded, “I know.” I bit my lip.
Xander tilted up my chin, “You can ask or tell me anything you want.” I whispered, “Did you ever promise to reject me?” Xander growled, “No, and no one ever asked. I would’ve seriously injured them, if not killed them, for that.”
“I ripped apart Two Peaks when you were a pup for trying to take you from me. Because they dared to say you were theirs. If you think for one second anyone who has caused this kind of hurt to you will get away from my wrath you are wrong. Do you think Peter did that?” I asked, “Uhh did what?”
He answered, “Had me promise to you reject you?” I shook my head, “No, he didn’t.” Xander asked, “Then who do you think did it?” I whispered, “The person who knew I said you were my mate.” Xander admitted, “I mean Elise knew, but she didn’t tell me. Neither did EJ.”
I shook my head, “No.” It hurt to say. I whispered, “Jason.” Xander stiffened, “Jase never asked me that, and I promise you he never said that about you. He was growling here earlier when I said you didn’t tell me your name because you feared I would reject you. He full well knows I was never rejecting my mate, but he was prepared to fight for you.”
I said, “Ok.” Xander sighed, “This is just too much for my Lovebug in one day.” I whispered, “I feel so conflicted. All I’ve wanted for the last several years was my family back… they are here and I… It’s never going to be the same. They… they still left me and... I don’t know how to get past it.”
Xander took my hands, “Never is a long time and we have so much of that. I know this will not be easy, and it may never be how it was. I am so incredibly sorry for that. I think eventually it might be, but that’s a journey. I’m sure group therapy will be needed. That’s down the line though. For now, you just need to breathe. This is all at your pace. Ok? I will make everyone take this at your pace.”
I snorted because he must not know that Grandpa Ben saw me. He knows I’m the sniper in the Resistance. The part that was odd was that neither he nor Nick Kyle said a word about it. The looks on their faces said they knew though. Why wouldn’t they say anything? That was a tomorrow problem.
Xander whispered, “Hey, I’m serious. No one will go against me or my mom. My mom is firmly on your side. She’s a huge advocate of people telling their own stories at their pace. This is your show.” I looked down asking, “So you want me?”
Xander answered, “I have wanted you for so long. I have been insanely conflicted about my feelings for Ashley Griffen because my instincts, and Oden told me you were ours. I honestly worried because of how possessive people are over you and have always been. I thought I was just another one.”
I shrugged, “I’ve always known you were mine.” He touched my nose, “So you are.” I started crying again, “But you can’t mark me and that’s not fair…I thought since you knew my name we could have that…that’s why I wanted to wait. My wolf was taken from me for years, and now my mate can’t mark me. Why does everything have to be so hard? My family… how are they alive? I just want that one answer tonight.”
Xander sighed, “We think you were put into an illusion. Drake, Sam, and T didn’t leave here early. You were gone when they called to bring you over.” I gasped, “They called to bring me here?” Xander nodded, “Elise and Chelsea both said you were on the phone when the Warriors claimed you crossed the border. Your dad was going to tell the Warriors EJ was popping to get you for a sleepover with Elise.”
I cried, “I should’ve called you when I saw the Hunters. I memorized your number… I should’ve gone out the window… I should’ve just….” Xander grabbed me, “The blame game will be played by all of us for many things. You do not get to take blame for that.”
He whispered, “You were fourteen and at home alone. People were breaking into your home. You had no reason to believe the pack wouldn’t protect you.” I laid down on his bed then groaned, “Oh my gosh your bed is so comfy.”
Xander chuckled, “Our bed. As for marking you, Oden and I are pissed. We don’t want you and Freya never to have a chance at shifting though. My family is going to look into it.” I whispered, “Ok.” Xander kissed me then said, “I’ll mark you eventually, Melanie Jane McAlister. No one but me will ever mark you here.” He trailed his fingers along my marking spot.
I smiled saying, “I can still mark you though. They just said you couldn’t mark me.” Xander smirked, “That’s true. I always thought we’d do it together.” I groaned, “So did I. FREAKING FUDGERTON FUDGE NUTS!” Xander laughed, “What now?” I shrugged.
Xander asked, “If I ask Jean and Edward how they hurt you….” I cringed interjecting, “I don’t know what all they will say. Honestly… it’s not a small list of offenses.” Xander questioned, “How mad will I be?” I winced, “You... probably shouldn’t ask until you have every other answer you want.” Xander’s jaw clenched.
He nodded, “Ok then.” Xander snuggled up to me urging, “Close those beautiful eyes. You’re safe, you’re home, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.” I listened to him and fell asleep wrapped up safely in my Xander’s arms.
Eventful Times
Alexander popped Melanie home. Cassie linked me, “So, this situation is not going well here. The McAlister’s are pretty upset, and dad’s just listening. Mom is mad. Like blowing stuff up mad.” I knew that because I could feel my mom in the bond as well.
I assured my sister, “I’ve got this.” I yelled at everyone. She linked, “I could’ve done that.” I teased, “But Melanie isn’t with you so it probably wouldn’t have had the same result.” She nodded her head in agreement. Everyone turned as one to face us.
My dad linked, “That was much faster than I was anticipating. I don’t care how that happened, but I appreciate it from the depths of being, son.” I explained, “I snapped her stuff packed.” My dad smirked replying, “Handy. Where is her other place?”
I answered, “Outside the pack. Uncle Gunner is running down the address for me. It’s owned by a shell company. He’s hitting walls on the person behind the shell corporation.” My dad surmised, “You think it’s the Resistance.”
I answered, “I’m one hundred percent sure it is. I’m also pretty sure that I've been inside two buildings they own.” My dad raised an eyebrow asking, “Two?” I confirmed, “Yes. We have a LOT to talk about once Melanie is asleep. Or tomorrow. We have so much stuff to do.” My dad nodded.
EJ linked me, “Why is Melanie staring at the window?” I looked over but didn’t see anyone there. I answered, “No idea, big brother.” EJ asked, “Can we talk?” I pushed him off by saying, “Later. I know what you want to talk about, but right now I need to focus on Melanie.” EJ nodded.
