Melanie blushed admitting, “I just never thought… this would…I mean… I thought once you knew my name… we’d have to talk... and you’d have to reject me because you promised. I mean my hope was that Jase would take it back because I had a wolf. I just… this is all so surreal. Sometimes I think I’m going to wake up and it’s all been a dream.”
Oden growled, “People need to stop saying we would have rejected her.” I agreed wholeheartedly. I stood up and pulled my mate into a hug whispering, “I promise you it’s not a dream. You’re here with me and there is no reality where I won’t love you. There is no reality where I won’t want you. I have always wanted you.”
“My biggest regrets involve not trusting Oden about you being ours and insisting we meet. I let the fear of being a possessive asshole keep us apart. Then on your birthday all my instincts screamed at me that you needed help, but I let myself be talked into the fact that you were ok.”
Melanie shrugged, “It’s ok.” I kissed her forehead disagreeing, “I’m glad you think so, but I don’t.” Melanie sighed, “I think there’s enough guilt about me to deal with. I hope once I shift… some of that goes away.” I smiled.
Oden purred, “I can’t wait to run with mate.” I told Melanie, “I’m excited for you to shift. Oden and Freya can run together,and I honestly can’t wait to see your wolf.” Melanie admitted, “Neither can I. Freya doesn’t think it will be very long… then we can mark each other.”
I teased, “If you’re not too exhausted from your shift then….” Melanie interrupted, “I want you to mark me after I shift and I want to mark you in return… it’s all been a very long, drawn out process but I want to be marked by you. I want my mark on you so that when bitches stare, I can claw their eyes out.”
I laughed, “My fierce little Lovebug.” Melanie winked, “You know it. They’d better watch it. At this point, I’d imagine they are all on notice the way Werewolves and Supernatural’s gossip. I can take them if I want.”
I snorted, “I don’t think commenters on my social platforms are aware they should be worried about you coming for them. Since it’s common knowledge you take on Alpha’s and win, they’d better be duly warned about in person fights. Just as all the men after you had better be warned, I am an excellent fighter.”
Melanie pointed out, “Literally everyone knows that.” I smirked, “Yes, and they’d better remember that when they look into your gorgeous eyes because you are mine. Not theirs.” Oden growled possessively and it came out.
My mate laughed and we sat back down because our food came out. Melanie said, “There is a difference in the women that want you and the men that want me. Most men admit they can’t really handle me as a person.”
I snarled, “I don’t like it either way, but if that’s true I’ll rip their hearts out for making you feel that way.” Melanie bit her lip, “You’d be busy then… and in their defense it’s true. I am a difficult person.” I shrugged, “I’m efficient and you are not even kind of difficult. Being different from other people doesn’t make you difficult. It makes you exceptional.” My mate laughed again but I meant it.
Once we finished our meal the waiter handed me a note.
Everything you requested is in place along with the photographer.
Perfect. I took Melanie’s hand saying, “Let’s go for a quick walk.” My mate smiled and nodded. We didn’t have to go very far. I pointed, “Do you see that mountain over there?” I’d paid people to put up lights that spelled out: Marry Me, Lovebug?
Melanie said, “Oh yeah I… oh my gosh!” When she turned back around, I was already down on one knee. I opened the ring box declaring, “You have intrigued me since I heard your name when you were born. Then I smelled your hoodie at fourteen, and my wolf told me you were ours. I wished I’d listened.”
“On the countless number of events we should’ve met at I changed my shirt an embarrassingly high number of times in preparation to meet you. I even bought a shirt the color of your eyes as Jase had described them.”
“I had Micah put a backdoor on Jase’s computer so I could watch you dance. You took my breath away instantly. In fact, you do every time I see you dance. The first time I saw you, I wanted to reach through the screen and bring you home.”
“I was trying not to be selfish with you and let you live your dream. I bought you presents for your birthday every year. Then I spoke to you as Ashley. I’m not ashamed to admit, it was the highlight of my whole day when I would get your emails.”
“I didn’t understand that then, but I do now. I love how you keep typing in those emails while telling yourself to stop. I love how you didn’t just give up and let anyone break you when you thought you didn’t have a wolf.”
“I’m damn glad Angela got us together when she did. I’d been missing you as the other half of my soul for over a decade. I love you, Melanie Jane McAlister. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”
Tears filled Melanie’s eyes, and she nodded, “Ok… this is totally happening. Be cool… don’t scream... you can do this.” Oden snickered, “Mate thinks she’s talking in her head.” It was completely clear Melanie did think that was an internal thought.
Melanie took a deep breath and answered, “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” I slid the ring on her finger and pulled her in for a kiss, then a hug. Everything was falling into a place. My mate was here and now we were engaged.
Shocked to the Core
Melanie completely relaxed in Xander’s arms. He teased me about being a naughty hacker. Well, that was just not true. I was a really nice hacker… to him... and his family… ok... I’d even protected Dalton and Dakota’s businesses… which they would surely find out... crap. I’d protected Dane’s too. Freya reasoned, “You already admitted to yourself it was all the Kyle’s and McAlister’s. Let’s not backtrack now.”
UGH. Maybe they wouldn’t check. Those were internal thought I didn’t voice because no one commented on them downstairs. Freya snickered, “Sure. In other news, Pepper said they are already doing that.”
I might get a few days of time before anyone asked… then again no one asked me things anymore. I was probably in the clear. Those thoughts slid away when Xander’s lips touched my marking spot. It felt like my skin was on fire.
The desperation for him to sink his teeth into that part of my skin felt like it was clawing at my neck. Freya sighed exasperatedly, “Soon, I promise.” I really wanted my wolf to be right. It was a need that consumed me in moments like this.
Freya sighed, “I mean honestly mate could mark us, and it would be fine. We could just mark him later. This rule should be in reverse.” I asked, “Why?” Freya snickered, “As to not cause mass panic. We need a moment to ourselves first.”
I warned her, “Several people will probably be there when we shift.” Freya spoke in a tone that said she knew something, “Will they? Or will no one be there?” Xander’s fingers felt so good I couldn't think about that comment right now, but I hoped it was wrong.
Once we fell apart though… Freya’s comment came back to me. Even though Paige was knocking on the door upset. I couldn’t help but wonder why anyone wouldn’t be at my shift. Xander should be there… that also meant my family was going to miss that moment for me again?
