I disagreed, “No, you shouldn’t. He’s a fellow Warrior who was put in his place, but he is still your pack member. We help each other even when you think that someone got what they deserved. We help each other because we are a pack.”
“We defend this pack because we are Warriors. Part of being a Warrior is helping those in need. Bradford can’t walk and it would hurt him more to have his dad pick him up alone and carry him. So, get that stretcher over there… pick him up and get him to Ethan… I mean… the pack doctor… whose name I don’t know… for reasons….like lack of introduction.” Gage snorted and several people laughed.
Freya said, “You are not pulling off not knowing people.” Ok… so I should’ve just stuck with Ethan’s name. Eric grinned atme. Haley was beaming and clapping her hands. The Warriors nodded at me and got a stretcher to put Bradford on.
No one even batted an eye that Haley didn’t offer to heal him. Eric broke the silence, “You do give one hell of a speech, Melanie McAlister.” I snorted, “I guess.” I faced the crowd, “Alright. Let's get back to work. If you want to spar with me... well, I’m already in here.”
Zane countered, “She’ll be there in a minute.” He grabbed me and took me into an office. I picked at my sleeve as he closed the door. I whispered, “Umm… Hi, Zane.” The former Male Lead Warrior stared at me for a second before engulfing me in a hug. Freya said, “He missed us.”
A cry bubbled up and I held him too tightly. I admitted, “I missed you…. so much… you never answered my letters… or emails… and now I know you didn’t get them…. but I…” Zane interrupted, “I emailed the fake you. I understand the hurt you feel because her brush offs and brisk replies hurt me.”
Zane continued, “I was so worried about you because we had to fight tooth and nail to get her to attend training, that she faked going to. I wrote you asking what happened and why you didn’t want to train. I offered to come up there and put them in their place if they were being rude about you beating them.”
I asked, “You did?” Freya said, “His wolf says they did.” Zane nodded, “I did, and I was worried you were lying about being bullied. Gods, we missed you in our pack. My mate cried wondering about it with me.” I cried while he held me.
I apologized, “I’m sorry I thought you ignored me… I just…” Zane cut me off, “No, you were a pup. I should’ve just gone up there to talk to them.” I whispered, “Were you compelled too?” The former Male Lead Warrior growled, “Yes.” I hugged him tighter. Zane had been like family, a cousin… kind of.
I stepped back and wiped my tears. I asked, “Do you come here a lot?” Zane answered, “Yes, the former Luna’s trainingprogram has us all rotating. You’ll see Tank here too. He’s…” I cut him off, “Alpha Sebastian’s Male Lead Warrior… I know. I mean… no I don’t.”
I tugged at my sleeve saying, “That would be weird… for me to know….because… I actually thought you were still the lead Warrior because Jason… had another job…that he didn’t have.” Zane laughed, “Your brother technically pulls double duty. He does what other Beta’s in this pack do without the title.”
I bobbed my head, “That’s good… I umm… how are Ziggy and Adeline?” Zane answered, “Furious. Adeline really missed you.” I’d protected them both. I hummed, “I saw Tank… he linked me… at the whole Alpha Theo’s fight.”
Zane said, “That was a rather impressive attack you mounted on Alpha Ezra’s packs and the rouges fighting. I won’t take up more of your time, but I want you to know something.” I asked, “What?” Zane answered, “It’s not blood, but you are family to me.” I teared up.
Zane continued, “If you ever want to tell me who hurt you, they die. If you ever need to talk, I’m here. T gave me your number, and I know you know mine still. It didn’t change. I love you, Ladybug. I’m so glad you’re home. I’ll work out with you anytime whether I’m here or not. It would be an honor to do so, as it always was.” I hugged him again and we walked back out together.
I got into the ring and Fowler came in first. He was really good. I gave him a few pointers. Chason was next. They were both skilled. KJ was next and he definitely had skills. It wasn’t any wonder they were constantly around me. Xander must have assigned them to shadow me.
I coached several others through techniques. I could tell who the newer Warriors were versus the seasoned ones. When Xander stepped into the ring I could practically taste everyone’santicipation. Freya purred, “Mate wants to spar.” Just like I’d always wanted and dreamed.
Zane linked, “Give him all you’ve got.” I smiled over at my former Male Lead Warrior. Xander almost got me a few times, but I managed to avoid being pinned at the last minute. Eric eventually called the fight. One day… I’d pin Xander… maybe… probably not, but it could be my goal.
Freya snickered, “We could pin him in bed anytime.” I told her, “That’s not what I meant.” Freya teased, “It’s what you should mean.” Horny wolf. Xander popped us to our room to shower together. Ummm that sounded dangerous… or cold... definitely both. My mate insisted it would be fine.
I eventually gave in. He was right we didn’t fall, and because of the shower… no one was cold. Steam showers for the win. Once we finished, my mate washed me off and Freya was all about reciprocating. Then she was encouraging other things.
My wolf urged, “Come on, bite his ass. It’s right there and very juicy looking. Just a little nibble.” Freya was so fun... and she was right. I was immediately embarrassed afterwards, but Xander was here for it. Freya was practically gloating, “See? Listen to me Melanie. I’ll never steer you wrong.”
Xander snapped me dry, which was handy. I ran off to the closet. Freya linked, “We could wear the cherry dress now.” I didn’t think I was mentally ready for that. I ended up grabbing some jeans and a sweater. I’d be brave about outfit choices later.
Xander popped us away for lunch. The second I took in my surroundings I realized that he’d popped us back to Switzerland. I couldn’t believe this was my life. We ended up at the place we’d first eaten together. This really did feel like a dream.
Xander had even rented out the place. Good gosh, this man. Freya purred, “He loves us.” No joke. The Conners boys really just didn’t do halfway. My mate ordered for us. While we waited, we talked and sipped on our drinks.
We talked about dating. I mean, Xander was my first everything. I didn’t have dating experience. Only Lux mentioned dating. A lot of people mentioned having sex with me…. but that wasn’t the same. Most guys said I talked too much and was too opinionated. Which was fine by me. I didn’t like them anyway.
Xander was upset about that. We briefly talked about school dances. I really didn’t want to think about that because I was having a nice time. Freya snarled, “I will eviscerate that pup for ruining moments like that for you.” She could. Trevor was in big trouble once we caught him.
Xander must have sensed that I didn’t want to talk about that topic because he dropped it. We talked about shopping tomorrow. I was excited he remembered that was happening because little things like that were what I remembered Red Run mate’s doing. Mason and Hendrick did, but they didn’t get to do fun stuff because people were meant to them.
I pushed those thoughts away because I was excited. I just didn’t know if anything could touch the idea of my dress in my head. My mom and I had talked about it once up on a time that felt like a lifetime ago. I doubt she even remembered that conversation. It’s not like the dress would be anywhere to find anyway. It was just an idea that lived in my head.
I knew some of my family would be upset that they weren’t invited, but I wasn’t ready to sit in a room with them and ask for their opinion on something I was wearing. We were a long way off from that. Xander thought it was fine not to invite them.
Freya offered, “Because it is. They would come and we know that, but you deserve to be comfortable. The people you want are going to be there. It’s not like everyone else won’t see the dress.” That was true. Xander echoed my wolf’s thoughts on the matter.
My mate’s words somehow warmed my heart. Xander pointed out a lot of what I did was for other people. Well, thatwas true… but I felt a need to help. He made note that I wasn’t ready to go to Jason’s and Addison’s mating ceremony.
