Oden said, “It’s not about her wolf. Mate was smart in picking her name though. She wanted Red Run to know.” Except they didn’t. I knew she was a genius though. She was even someone who naturally earned people’s respect and loyalty.
Those thoughts brought me back to Sierra and Melanie’s relationship. Even if you don’t like your dad, to stand with the girl who outwardly challenged him was big. I popped back to our room and took a shower before getting back into bed and falling asleep.
When I woke up the bed was cold. I sighed saying, “I really need to tell her I like waking up with her.” Oden urged, “Go get whatever she cooked. It smells amazing and I want it.” He was right. This time I’d get her a plate and snap the whole kitchen clean.
I walked downstairs and found that Melanie was still in my hoodie. She was just putting everything onto a serving dish. She smiled at me, and I swore my heart skipped a beat. I asked, “What’s this?” Melanie answered, “Crepes. I made egg muffins too. A little dessert for breakfast never hurt anyone.”
Phil walked in next. Melanie handed him a thermos and she had a coffee cup ready for Sierra too. Phil smiled, “Ohhh, I like you so much future Luna of mine.” Sierra screeched, “YOU MADE YOUR DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS WITH A FUDGE CENTER?!” Oden linked, “That hurt my ears.” Mine too. Hell, even Phil winced.
Sierra ran to the muffins and grabbed them all. Melanie smiled and pulled two more pans from the oven. Sierra turned to look at me emphatically saying, “Never leave us. She only makes these when she’s REALLY happy. We’ve only had them TWICE since I met her. TWICE!”
She waved the muffins around saying, “She meets you and BAM they are back. I’m telling EVERYONE I had these. Oh my god. I’m so excited. Literally nothing could ruin this moment for me. Seriously, someone try.”
Phil snorted, “No one will try to ruin my Sugar Lips’ day.” Sierra smiled replying, “I’ll even let you get away with the whole ‘Sugar Lips’ thing. These muffins are that good.” She surveyed the food then squealed, “AND YOUR CREPES, ASH! OH MY GOD! Build the man a shrine. A big one.”
She whirled to me saying, “Alexander, you’re getting a whole ass shrine. Good lord, is your whole pack just that good in bed?” Melanie slapped her arm shouting, “SAMANTHA!” Sierra laughed, “What? Phil is. His Alpha CLEARLY is. You’re making all your happy foods. ALL of them.”
She bit into her muffin and moaned, “All of these happy foods you taunted us with then never make because we live in a perpetual place of suck. Oh god. Black Mountain is not ready. We will have to run all the time. If you’re making your I’m happy foods, we’ll all have to run more.”
Melanie rolled her eyes replying, “I just felt inspired to make them... you know they take time and….” Sierra waved interrupting, “And you’re up, Alpha Duke Enforcer Squadron Leader man.” Phil’s and my head jolted to her. She winked at me.
Phil linked, “Uhhh no one in Nashville should know that Squadron Leader title you hold.” I knew that. I shook myself and popped over to Melanie who was still talking when I kissed her. I snapped everything clean while she was distracted by my lips.
Sierra snorted, “He’s a fast learner.” Phil agreed, “Yes, my Alpha cousin is a quick study.” I pulled back saying, “Let’s eat and hit the slopes.” Sierra squealed, “YES!” I loaded two plates again and handed Melanie one.
We sat down and Phil bit into the muffin. He moaned, “Oh my god.” Sierra cooed, “Right?” Phil looked at me warning, “Never repeat this, ever. These are better than Mrs. Blanch’s muffins. So much better. There is no better muffin than this one.”
I linked, “Like the muffins those girls that stopped in Nashville had a few years ago?” His eyes shot to mine. I raised an eyebrow and bit into my own muffin. In a simple taste I understood why Sierra snagged an entire dozen.
Oden purred, “Mate is perfect.” I knew with every fiber of my being this was the damn muffin they were talking about that day. I could feel it. I should’ve driven down there and found my mate. Oden reasoned, “But she’s with us now.”
Phil said, “For this alone Shley, I’ll never let Alexander mess up things between you. He will not stand in my way of these muffins. You, my favorite cousin and Alpha, keep making her happy because I need these muffins once a week. I could budge to bi-weekly. That’s as much as I’m willing to compromise on them. I must have them, Alexander. MUST!”
He winked at me adding, “I have already linked our pack that when we return, we will let them feast upon the best muffins around. You can’t let the pack down. You’re the Alpha. It’s not allowed.” Melanie snorted.
Phil linked, “By the way, Kaia and Hannah were paying attention to the pack link and think we found the muffins they had. I informed them we easily had. Mrs. Blanch is not paying attention to the pack link, but Leo locked all muffin talk down.” Of course he had.
Sierra gaped, “Gosh, we come from are VERY different places if the Alpha can’t disappoint the pack.” Melanie muttered, “I’ll say.” Except Melanie came from a nearby pack. Phil raised an eyebrow then added, “By the way, two pack members linked me ever so excited. They believe they have had these muffins before.”
Melanie laughed, “Uhh… no. There’s no way.” Sierra didn’t look as confident. I said, “We had two pack members stop in Nashville and bought them at place that claimed to have stolen them from the person who made them.” Melanie’s jaw dropped and she pursed her lips. Oden said, “Mate doesn’t like that someone stole her food and sold it.” That was more than fair.
Sierra urged, “Try the crepe mate of mine.” Phil kissed her then shoved the rest of his muffin in his mouth. He moaned while linking me, “Oh my god. It’s like an explosion of the perfect amount of chocolate. Also, that confirmed they was her muffins. Now, we move on.” I asked, “Why?” He answered, “We fished, and we got what we wanted.” I didn’t.
He continued his questions, “What other happy foods does she make? Because I believe this food is happy. Happy to give so much joy to my taste buds. Keep making her happy so that I may unlock all the happy foods my Luna can make.” I rolled my eyes. Sierra snorted, “You’ll see then I guess.”
Phil used a fork and took a bite of his crepe. His eyes widened, “What are you, some type of culinary genius?!” Melanie blushed, “I mean... no... I just... I don’t really like to follow the recipes. I throw in a little of this... little of that and then sometimes it turns out really well… it’s just following my instincts...”
Phil snorted, “I’m sorry. Did you say it turns out WELL? It’s amazing. My taste buds won’t go back to pre-Shley days. They are spoiled. My breakfast tastes can only be met by you. It’s a heavy burden, but I believe in you.” Sierra was snickering. I told him, “She’s your Luna not your personal chef.”
Phil shrugged, “What he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him, Shley. We have our secrets between the Beta and the Luna. The Alpha is clueless. You, me, and Sierra that’s where it is at.” I was screwed. Oden snorted, “You just realized that?” Sierra started outright howling with laughter.
I shook my head then linked Gage, “My Beta Female and Luna have Beta blood. I’m fucked.” He replied, “I’ve known that when it was just your Luna. Because you’ve been gone over on Melanie McAlister forever and she’s a Beta blood. Welcome to the club. You’re late but we accept you here.” I asked, “Have you found anything?” He replied, “No, and I find that odd.” So did I.
Melanie told Phil, “You’re funny.” Phil smiled nudging her, “I’ve long said you and me, Shley. We were meant to be besties. I just knew that was the way it was meant to be. You even brought me my mate. Bestest Besties of all time.” Melanie smiled, “Well….”
Sierra snorted, “You can’t steal my best friend, P.” I linked him, “P?” Phil shot back, “Yes Xander boy. P.” I sighed, “Touché.” He smirked. Phil said out loud, “She needs a guy best friend, Sugar Lips.” Sierra laughed, “You’ll have competition there too.” I growled.
Phil smirked, “I’ll win by default. I’m her Beta boy bestie.” Sierra laughed, “My brother does see her as more of a little sister. So, you could get away with that title.” Phil wiggled his eyebrows saying, “I get away with so many things.” I agreed, “He does and always has. He’s stealthy.”
