2

His tone had a hard edge to it.

I frowned and looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. I looked past him and saw Robert staring at me. I rolled my eyes and shot him a warning glare. I turned back, “It’s fine, Alexander.”

Alexander argued, “It most definitely isn’t. You are not his. If he thinks he can try to take you from my brother, he’s got another think coming.”

Charline commented, “That’s so hot.”

I stared at her. Alexander rolled his eyes, “Sure.”

Charline insisted, “No, it is. You’re willing to fight for your brother and his mate.” Alexander was now offended, “Of course I am. He’s my brother. Elise is his mate and basically my sister. I would fight for either of them any day.” Charline was quiet, “I didn’t mean to offend you.” Alexander shrugged and led us over to a table.

EJ walked back over and saw where Alexander was staring, letting out his own growl. That did things to me. I started to think about unsexy things before the whole gym smelled my arousal. That would be embarrassing.

When he matched my steps, I knew what happened. He’d met Melanie. I was so excited I nearly shouted the question at him when we were done. He led me away. Alexander winked at me as we left. He didn’t look like he was having any fun. In fact, he looked sad.

Honestly, the confirmation EJ had met Melanie was so exciting. For nine years he’d teased me about her existence. I realized the date they met coincided with when I’d talk to Tristan the second time. That’s why she came home excited. She’d met EJ. I was so happy for her. She’d wanted to meet the Conners and Lyons forever. She thought they were so cool.

Our conversation involving her was what I expected. I also loved that EJ never discounted the fact that I had Alpha blood too. When we went back inside, I needed to go to the restroom. After I washed my hands and fixed my hair I stepped into the hallway. The hairs on my neck instantly raised.

I whirled around. Robert smiled, “Hello Elise, you look stunning.”

I crossed my arms, “Thanks.”

I turned to leave. Robert blurted out, “Wait, I want you to understand something. I don’t like Melanie McAlister.” I snorted, “You’ve made that perfectly clear. You bullied her when she was a small pup.”

Robert frowned, “I meant to say I like you.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m not listening to this.”

He reached for me, and I raised an eyebrow. I nailed him in the balls. He reached to grab something, but the only thing was me. I gasped when he ripped the strap on my dress. My eyes widened as did his.

I knew it was bad even before EJ appeared. Uh oh. EJ had him against the wall in seconds. It was so sexy. GOSH! FOCUS ELISE! It was hard. He was so distracting. I calmed him down somewhat stunned he hadn’t noticed my arousal level had jumped through the roof.

It meant I had time to get it under control, but he needed to stop doing the growling, aggressive, defending my honor thing he was doing. Hearing Melanie kept further bullying a secret did it. When EJ led me away, I was lost in my own thoughts. How did I not see what was going on with Mel?

I heard an angry snarl I knew. Only EJ had a chance of calming Alexander down right now. All the Hackura guards faded in. I could see they all respected Alexander for his actions. I linked my dad, “You need to get to the school.”

He asked, “Are you ok?”

I answered, “Yup.” He assured me, “I’m coming.”

I knew Alexander didn’t get any answers he liked in their fight. It seemed generous to call it that though. It was just Alexander kicking Robert’s ass. I spotted Charline in the crowd and didn’t like how she was looking at Alexander.

My dad joined us and linked me, “Someone assaulted you and you didn’t link me right away because?”

I replied, “Assaulted is a strong word. He didn’t even touch me.”

My dad made an annoyed face, and I knew he was pissed.

This was so not how I thought the night was going to go. Ray and Dad were never going to agree to him never being around ever again. We got to the car and Alexander helped Charline in. I sighed knowing Melanie was going to hurt Charline. I didn't know how we’d avoid it at this point. Alexander showed absolutely no interest in her, but it seemed she was stoically avoiding that.

My mom was waiting at the house. We hung back as EJ tried to calm Alexander. He shouted things that set the pack link on fire. I heard growls outside and inside. “Robert still bullies Ladybug?”

“What the hell are those boys thinking?”

“They should leave her alone!” “Why didn’t she tell? No one is supposed to be bullied in our pack.” “Poor Ladybug.” Yeah, I agreed with all that.

The emotion in Alexander’s eyes had me thinking he liked Melanie. He was clearly proud of something when he talked about her toy wolf. I realized he’d heard what it looked like. I wanted to scream, “HE LIKES HER TOO!”

They were practically mated in my head now. I’d have her by my side in Black Mountain and I was too excited about it. I needed to reign myself in.

I reasoned to myself that Jason and Cassie liked each other but they weren’t mates. We’d get answers at Sam and Drake’s anniversary party. When we walked inside, I looked at Tristan. He linked, “What the hell was that?”

I answered, “I don’t know.”

He pressed, “Ladybug didn’t tell you.” I shook my head, “I wouldn’t keep her getting bullied a secret.” He nodded.

Robert’s questioning had me rolling my eyes. I linked Dalton, “He can’t be serious. I wouldn’t be mated to someone like him. We’d kill each other. Well, I’d kill him.”

Dalton ground out, “You wouldn’t be mated to him long because I’d kill him if he tried to touch you.”

I sent him a grateful look.

Dakota linked, “Why didn’t Ladybug say anything?”

I replied, “Honestly, I don’t know.”

I linked Tristan, “I’ve come to the conclusion on the border crossing.” He asked, “What’s that?” I replied, “That they saw someone they thought was Melanie.” He agreed, “That makes more sense than anything else.” We believed her because we knew she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize meeting her Xander. It was the only explanation, but we had no proof. Tristan told me, “I’ll work on it.” I nodded.

Robert’s eyes flashed when he was warned to stay away from Melanie. I linked my mom, “I think Robert is going to do exactly that.”

She asked, “Why?”

I replied, “I think Alexander told him to.” My mom gasped, “Do you think he likes her too?” I answered, “I do now.”

Alexander popped back in. Charline was ready to pounce on him, but I shot her a warning look. She sighed and sat down. When the triplets left it was clear how Alexander felt. I was going to tell Melanie that Charline was full of shit if she said he wanted her.

I linked my brothers ranting, “One night out alone and Robert just had to mess everything up for me.”

Cooper asked sleepily, “What’s going on?”

I winced, “Go back to bed, bud.” He blew out a breath that told me he was already back asleep. Dalton linked, “Robert is the worst, I agree.”

I walked back inside with Ray with a slight smile on my face. The twins winked at me. I walked over to my parents. My dad asked, “Did you know about Melanie still being bullied?”

I shook my head, “No, I didn’t.”

My dad nodded.

He continued, “What didn’t you want to tell EJ about what happened during this encounter where your dress was ripped?”

I sighed, “Robert was going to touch me, but I didn’t let him.”

My dad kissed my forehead, “Good girl. You make me damn proud. Go on upstairs.” I did and fell asleep quickly dreaming about my kiss with EJ.

The next day when Melanie got back from her competition, my dad was waiting with Drake. Melanie walked in with a medal around her neck. I smiled thinking of course she’d won. My dad ordered, “Have a seat Ladybug.”

She hugged Drake then sat down. Sam frowned but sat with Jason and Tristan.

My dad said, “Ladybug, I need to know what’s been going on with those boys. This pack is a nonviolent place and I want you to be safe. I can’t protect you properly if you hide things from us.”

Melanie sat back and frowned, “You won’t believe me.”

My dad sighed.

Drake encouraged, “Ladybug, tell us what they’ve been doing to you. No one here will doubt you, I promise. You are a terrible liar.”

She made a face, and I knew why. She was a bad liar, yet everyone believed she crossed the border when he responses made it obvious she didn’t.

Melanie looked at me and I squeezed her hand. I urged, “You can tell us.”

Melanie asked, “Can I just tell Elise?”

My dad frowned, “No, we need to know.” Melanie tried again, “Can I tell Elise then she can tell you?”

Drake interjected, “Melanie Jane, you have Beta blood in your veins. We do not hide from the truth. We ask questions and we help our Alpha’s and our pack. Is it really that bad?”

Her face flushed red. Jason and Tristan growled.

My mom stood holding out her hand, “Why don’t we just step into the kitchen for a minute, Ladybug?”

Melanie nodded and got up. My mom spoke to her softly, encouraging her to tell us everything. Melanie told her that her dad and brothers would get mad. Oh gosh. My mom eventually convinced her to tell us all. She came back with strawberry lemonade, Melanie’s favorite drink.

Melanie sat back down and stared at her drink. Finally, she said, “They all make fun of my stuffed wolf and try to take him from me.”

Drake stalled asking, “Him?”

She raised her wolf up. My dad’s lips were twitching while Drake looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. I guess he never knew the wolf was a ‘he.’ If only he knew its name, he might not be so upset then.

Sam put a hand on his thigh. She urged, “Go on, Mel.”

Melanie sighed, “A lot of them say I’m theirs but I’m not.”

I heard a snarl from the doorway. I looked over to see Ben McAlister standing there with my grandpa.

Ben shouted, “SOMEONE DARED SAY MY GRANDPUP WAS THEIRS THAT IS NOT A SUPERNATURAL THAT CAN TELL THAT?!”

My grandpa put his hands on him, “Ben, it’s ok.”

He dragged him outside.

Drake growled, “Go on, Melanie.”

Melanie shrugged, “They’ve tried to do stuff but I’m faster and stronger.”

My eyes widened. Dalton linked, “What the shit?!” I replied, “I don’t know.” Dakota linked, “I will rip them to pieces.”

Sam gripped the table so hard I thought it was going to break. My dad growled, “What does ‘stuff’ mean?”

Melanie blushed. Sam stood, “Melanie, come upstairs with me for a minute.”

Melanie took her hand and followed her to my room. No one spoke a word.

After ten minutes Sam came back down alone. Drake frowned, “Sam?”

She took off outside, shifted, then howled in anger. Drake was right behind her. My parents were out the door after them.

I ran upstairs and found Melanie crying on the bed. I frowned, “Mel, what happened?”

She cried, “Mommy’s so mad.”

Tristan said, “Ladybug, she’s not mad at you. Can you tell me what happened?” Melanie shrugged, “They’ve tried to kiss me before. They sneak up on me in groups, and pin me down, but I’m better at fighting than they are. They ripped my shirt off once.”

She whispered, “Mommy kept asking if they touched me, but they didn’t. Not inappropriately … anyway… like she was asking. I swear they didn’t. I didn’t let them. I had to grab one of the shirts around the territory. It was dad’s and mom remembered when I came home that day. She cried and said she should’ve asked. I made mom feel bad.”

Jason was enraged and Tristan wasn’t much better.

My brothers put hands on each McAlister boy. Tristan declared, “We need a code word.”

I asked, “What?”

Tristan continued, “Between our families. We need a code word so that when one of us says it the others believe what we say no questions asked.” Jason nodded.

Dalton agreed, “Sure, but why?”

Tristan continued, “This happened because Ladybug didn’t think we would believe her. I want everyone in this room to know that there’s a word to say that means we will believe you no matter what.”

Jason said, “It can’t be a word anyone could guess though. It needs to stay with us.” Tristan said, “Mshango.”

Melanie laughed and wiped her tears, “That’s not a real word.”

Tristan shrugged, “It’s our word. Ours and the Kyle’s.”

Melanie nodded. My dad and Drake came into the room. Drake was crying. He picked Melanie up and rocked her.

She whispered, “I’m sorry, daddy.”

He held her tightly, “No Ladybug, Daddy is sorry. This shouldn’t have happened here. Not to you or anyone else. You didn’t do anything wrong. They won’t get away with this. I swear that to you.”

She tried to console him, “I always win the fight. They didn’t touch me in any of the places mommy asked about.” Drake let out a sob and held her tighter. Eventually they left while my heart broke for Melanie.

My dad held a pack meeting with all the adults and boys. It was about leaving Melanie alone. The adults were appalled by the boy's actions. Melanie was well loved around the pack. The boys who’d been involved were punished.

Tristan was going to go with Melanie when she went to dance now. She was annoyed about that, but she said it was fine. She and I were training with our grandpa’s. She was good. My grandpa said she’d push me because she was good. I didn’t actually beat her, we had draws. She was just so scrappy.

Every time EJ came to visit me Charline would ask him about Alexander. If he thought she was annoying, he should see her when he wasn’t here. She constantly asked me if he got her texts. She needed to take a hint. Alexander wasn’t interested. He’d actually told her that too. Even Ray was annoyed with Charline. I shouldn’t have said anything to Alexander about the dance in the first place.

When EJ popped away after visiting Ray said, “So the stuffed wolf of Melanie’s, it’s not a coincidence whose wolf it looks like then.”

I shrugged, “I didn’t say that.”

Ray said, “I can’t believe I didn’t see it. She DECKED Charline for talking about Alexander. Decked her pretty good too. That’s so cute. I hope they are mates; they’d match pretty well.” I agreed but gave no indication I did.

He mused, “People would leave her alone too. There’d be yet another guard from the Conners pack here. There’s no way I could guard you both, she’s gone too much.”

I shrugged, “I said nothing.”

Ray snorted, “I see it all so clearly now. Everything’s snapped into focus. I saw Robert’s after the dance looking like he got the beating of his life. Now, I don’t think Melanie’s crush is one sided. No, I don’t.”

He tapped his chin, “Alexander doesn’t care what people say about him. One punch and he’s proved he’s an Alpha. He didn’t have to beat the shit out of him, but he did. He was IRATE that Robert called Melanie his. I couldn’t place what upset him about it so much but now I do.”

That reminded me I had unfinished business. I told Ray to hang back, I had some things I needed to say. I found Robert easily and crossed my arms, “It was you, wasn’t it? You ripped Melanie’s shirt off her.”

Robert rolled his eyes.

His friend answered, “It was him. She used to have a shirt with a black and white wolf on it. None of us liked it so he handled it.”

Robert clenched his jaw, “I wasn’t going to touch her or anything weird! I just hated the shirt!”

I growled, “Leave her alone!” Robert looked away, “I’m never going near her again.”

I questioned, “Because of my dad or because of something else?”

Robert clenched his jaw. One of his friends answered, “Alexander Conners put the fear of the goddess in him. He won’t even tell us what was said. He walks the other way if he sees Melanie now though.”

I smiled, “Good. All of you leave her alone, or the Conners will be the least of your worries. I’ll kill you before they ever get the chance.”

All their eyes shifted to me. I stepped forward, “Got it?”

Robert gulped and nodded. I turned around and walked off.

Ray came out and sighed, “I hate that boy. I used to think he was just a dumb pup. Now, I just plain hate him. I know one should not hate pups, but I hate that one. He ripped her shirt off because it had a wolf on it. Jesus Christ.”

I commiserated, “I hate him too.”

I ran inside and changed to get everything ready for Drake and Sam’s anniversary party. Melanie ran into my room and gave me the bags of stuff to decorate. She called, “Gotta run! Mom has me under a close watch. I barely got all this for you!”

She hugged me, “Thanks for putting this all together.”

I laughed, “Of course. I’ll see you there.” She squealed, “I meet my Xander tonight.” I replied, “You will.”

Ray drove me there early. A few other pack members were helping me set up. The Lyons group popped in first. Luna Emmaline came over asking, “Can I help?”

I nodded, “If you want to.”

She smiled and snapped her fingers.