Flashback Ends

Honestly, at this point Ray was like an Uncle to me. My dad nodded to Ray, then he and Drake started laughing when he saw what Dakota and Dalton had done. Ray was barely keeping it together. My mom chastised, “Don’t you dare laugh, Peter! Look at this mess!”

My dad tried to keep a straight face.

She turned to my brothers, “What do you two have to say for yourselves?”

Dalton defended himself, “I was just fighting fire with fire.”

My mom rolled her eyes, “There’s some logic for you.” My Dad’s Gamma, Garrett, came in with his oldest son, Jared. Garrett started laughing, “Those two. What can you do?” Jared snapped his fingers, and the kitchen was clean again.

My mom sighed, “Thank you Jared.”

She pointed at my brothers, “You two, get to your rooms right this second! We do not throw powdered sugar or flour around the house. Do you understand?”

Both groaned. Dakota whined, “Daaddd!” My dad raised an eyebrow, “You heard your mother. Go to your rooms.” Both of them put their heads down and started to walk away.

I heard a booming laugh I recognized as Ray’s and realized he had gone back outside. I skipped outside to see what happened. When I did my eyes widened in surprise. Melanie was standing over Robert I called, “Uhhh dad, Drake, and Garrett you guys are going to want to come out here.”

They walked outside with my mom.

Drake took off running to his daughter. Melanie had the most unique pale green eyes I’d ever seen. She’d always had a lot of hair, which my mom had laughed at when Melanie was a newborn. She had a full head of black hair. It was already down past her shoulders.

Melanie was crying, holding her new stuffed animal. Robert, one of the Warrior's sons, was on the ground holding his shin and his privates. I flushed and turned around. Tristan came outside and winced, “Mel kicked him in the balls? Dang! What did that jerk do to my sister?”

He ran off the porch to Melanie with Jason right behind him.

Sam came out of their house. She looked at Drake explaining, “We’ve only been back for ten minutes. I just ran inside to change. I only left her alone for a few minutes. What happened?”

Drake knelt down, “Ladybug, what happened here?”

Melanie cried, “He’s mean! He threw…”

Robert interrupted, “I threw her toy in the mud. She kicked me in the shin and balls, then she pushed me into the mud!”

Drake questioned, “Why would you throw her toy into the mud?”

Sam sighed, “Melanie, go to your room.” I shot my mom a look.

Melanie argued, “That’s not fair! He…”

Sam cut her off, “You don’t just hit people.”

Melanie crossed her arms, “I didn’t! He…” Sam ordered, “Melanie Jane McAlister, go inside right now!” Melanie clutched her stuffed animal into her chest.

On a closer look I realized it looked like a wolf. She took off into their house crying. Drake raised an eyebrow at Sam. Sam said, “Well, one of us has to discipline her, and we know it won’t be you. You’re wrapped around her little finger.”

Tristan warned, “Robert, stay down, or I’ll put you back on the ground.”

Robert cowered until he saw me standing on the porch of my house. He straightened out but stayed on the ground. Ray snorted.

Drake growled, “Don’t bully my daughter Robert. Stay away from her.”

My dad asked me, “Did you show Melanie the self-defense moves you’ve been learning?”

I shook my head, “No, but she goes with her mom to the gym. She sees the training that’s going on while she colors.” My dad snorted, “I see a future female Warrior already.” My mom commented, “So do I.”

We all went back inside and I went back to reading. Sam walked into our house twenty minutes later. She sighed, “Elise could you go and talk to Melanie, please? She won’t tell me why she’s so upset. I can’t get her to stop crying about the wolf.”

I closed my book, “Yeah, no problem.”

I heard my mom ask, “Didn’t you just get it?”

Sam answered, “We just got it this morning. She was single mindedly focused on exactly what she wanted. I tried to get her a red wolf, but she refused. She was near hysterics they didn’t have what she wanted. The guy working got this one from the back. She wouldn’t let it go. I have no idea why she’s so attached to this toy. She knew what she wanted though, and she wasn’t going to leave with any other toy in her arms.”

My mom laughed, “She’s such a cutie.”

Sam laughed, “She is, but such a little stink pot.”

I laughed, “I’ll be back.” Sam said, “Thank you. I know you guys have a special bond.” We did. Melanie would always talk to me, and I talked to her. She was wise for her age.

I walked out of the house and spotted Tristan and Jason playing outside. I walked inside their house and up to the second floor and knocked on Melanie’s door. She didn’t say anything. I called, “Mel, it’s me.”

She opened the door quickly.

I noted she was still crying, and she was covered in mud. I frowned, “Mel, what’s going on?”

She walked away and went back to the bathroom in her room, so I followed her. She had the stuffed wolf in the sink. She was obviously trying to wash all the mud off.

I wordlessly helped her. I raised an eyebrow realizing it was a black wolf with white paws. I washed its chest off next testing a theory. I bit my lip seeing the chest was white. Melanie had asked about the Conners’ wolves the other day and I’d described them all to her. This wolf looked just like Alexander’s wolf, Oden.

When we got all the mud off, I went and got Sam’s hair dryer and we dried it off. She clutched it to her chest. I gently asked, “What’s his name?”

She smiled announcing, “This is my Xander wolf.”

I bit my lip, “Oh yeah?” She nodded.

I asked, “Did you get this wolf because he looks like Alexander Conners wolf?”

She nodded. I prodded, “Why?”

She answered, “Cause he’s my Xander. Robert is a meanie head! He just took him from me, threw him in the mud, and stomped on him! He said that Alpha’s were all black and humans were dumb. He said I should get a real wolf.”

I surmised, “So you kicked him because he threw your Xander in the mud?”

She nodded, “And stomped on him. Then said he wasn’t an Alpha wolf, but he is. Xander IS an Alpha wolf.”

I agreed, “He is.” Melanie smiled, “Jase said his wolf is pwetty.”

I asked, “Have you met him?”

She shook her head confirming what I knew. EJ often teased me that Melanie was imaginary. I asked, “Have you seen Alexander?”

She nodded, “Pictures.” I chuckled, “Do you have a crush on him?” She blushed, “He’s my Xander.” I nodded slowly, “Why do you call him that?” She shrugged, “Cause he’s mine.” I smiled, “Did a Fairy tell you so?” She shook her head, “No, I just know.” This was the cutest thing ever.

I nudged her, “You’ve seen EJ, right? I’ve seen your curtains move when he’s around.”

Melanie nodded, “Your EJ.”

I confirmed, “He is my EJ. We’ll just have to wait and see if Alexander is yours. I’m sure you’ll meet them soon.” She insisted, “He is my Xander.” I laughed.

She looked at me insisting, “Don’t tell! T and Jase would tease me.”

I assured her, “I won’t tell them.”

She held up her pinky, “Swear? You won’t tell.” I took her pinky in mine, “I won’t tell anyone, I promise.” She sighed, “Gwonded.”

I laughed, “You got grounded?”

She nodded. I admitted, “Hey, we’d all have done the same thing.”

A knock came on the door. I could smell it was Drake. I opened the door, and he smiled at me. “Hi, Elise. Hi, Ladybug.” Melanie squealed, “Daddy!” He laughed as she went to him and he picked her up.

I told her, “I’ll see you later Mel.”

She pointed, “Member, you sweared.”

I laughed, “I remember. I won’t tell.” Drake winked at me then I walked outside. Jason and Tristan were waiting for me. Jason angrily asked, “What did the Warrior’s sack of shit son say to our sister?”

Sam yelled from my house, “LANGUAGE!”

Jason sighed. My mom and Sam walked over. Ray had moved close enough to hear. He liked Melanie a lot. He said she reminded him of the daughter he lost. I held up my hands, “I pinky swore I wouldn’t tell. She had every right to kick him though.”

Everyone groaned because they knew I wouldn’t tell them what happened.

I saw Robert standing off in the distance with his friends. I marched up to him with Tristan on my heels. I crossed my arms, “Robert, I know what you did. Unless you want to get your butt kicked, I wouldn’t say it ever again.”

Robert paled because he knew what I meant.

Everyone knew Alexander had white markings and that some of his sibling’s wolves were other colors, not just black. If what Robert said about Alpha’s got back to the Conners family Alexander and EJ would beat him up. Cassie would be sneakier, but she’d get him too.

Robert frowned, “It’s just a stupid stuffed animal!”

I shot back, “Then why did you toss it in the mud after you took it from a three year old?”

Robert snorted, “She was in our way.” I growled, “She was playing outside her house. Stay away from her.” He scoffed, “Oh come on, it was harmless.” He stepped towards me, and I stepped back. I declared, “You’re a bully.” He looked as if I’d punched him. I turned and walked away.

Tristan told me, “You just punched him in the heart.”

I rolled my eyes, “He doesn’t like me.”

Tristan laughed, “Yes, he does. He needs to do a better job at hiding it, or your mate will make his head explode.” I smiled. Not because I thought he was right, but because EJ would do that.

I told Tristan, “I can take care of myself. Robert is lucky he didn’t do that to me, or EJ would get what was left of him after I kicked his butt.”

Robert could also consider himself lucky that Melanie’s Xander didn’t know about it. If Alexander was her mate, then Robert would be very dead for what he just did.

All the Conners were already good fighters, but Alexander held a different type of intensity. I just had a gut feeling he’d be a strong fighter. I knew EJ would be amazing too. He was a strategist, which was good because EJ would be the head of the packs.

Alexander would be an Alpha too, but most likely the enforcer. He’d be EJ’s right hand like Jackson is to Eric. Cassie was the one that would covertly get you. She was just as deadly as her brothers with an innocent face. EJ and Alexander would get in your face, but Cassie you’d never see her coming.

I went back inside, looked at the clock then went outside right off our back deck and sat down under a tree. Ray came and sat down. He casually asked, “So, what happened with Mel?”

I laughed, “I can’t tell you.”

Ray sighed, “If not for your troublemaker brothers, I’d know. I missed the beginning of it by a few minutes.” I reiterated, “He deserved it.” Ray said, “I don’t doubt it. Steer clear of that pup.” I frowned, “Not you too.”

Ray gave me a look, “He likes you far more than he should. He thinks he’s better than the Conners.”

I frowned arguing, “No one thinks that.”

Ray laughed, “Plenty of people think that. It doesn't make them right. Keep your eyes open around him.” I shrugged, “Why? Do you?” Ray nodded, “I do and I’ll be doing so for the foreseeable future. I just want your eyes open too.”

I shrugged, “EJ would never throw a pup’s toy into the mud. Even if I wasn’t EJ’s I would hope the Moon Goddess wouldn’t give me a mate like that.”

Ray snorted, “He’s a dumb pup.”

I boasted, “But EJ isn’t.” Ray smiled, “You guys are very cute.”

He tapped my nose, “I’ll just have to watch out for our little spitfire known as Ladybug.”

I teased, “That would be a full time job.”

Ray chuckled, “It’s so peaceful around here lately that I’m sure I have time.” I agreed, “That’s true.” We hadn’t had a single rogue attack in three years.

Ray got up and moved back a few feet. I read my book until I heard a pop. I threw my book down and ran to EJ. I could tell something was wrong, he was clearly upset. He held his arms open, and I ran into them. He was growling possessively.

I linked Dalton, “Did someone tell EJ about Robert?”

He replied, “Not that I know of, but I can hear that possessive growling and Robert has fled like he’s on fire.”

Good. Once I felt EJ settle, I pulled back and got part of an answer. I linked Dalton, “Cassandra’s causing problems again.” He sarcastically replied, “Shocker.” I wished it was actually surprising.

Cassandra Conners was not someone I cared for. She hurt EJ’s feelings. Hell, she hurt the feelings of all my mate’s siblings. She seemed to disapprove every time EJ and I did something. I didn’t understand her. My mom said she was a traditionalist, whatever that meant. I’d heard Sam call Cassandra a bitch several times and agreed more with her on that topic.

My heart hurt hearing Cassie was upset. We were really good friends. I knew that Cassie had overheard Cassandra say some pretty mean things about her mom, which made NO sense. Haley was nice. She always told me I could call her whatever I was comfortable with. She even said mom was fine because one day I’d marry EJ. She was always supportive and available if anyone wanted to talk, even me. Ever since I was little, she would always listen if I wanted to talk. She was amazing.

We discussed my day and got back to normal. He teased me about Melanie. It was just a weird series of coincidences that he hadn’t met her. Drake was super protective of her, so she’d never left the territory. My dad said he’d lighten up one day.

There was something the adults, specifically the McAlister’s, were worried about, but they said I wasn’t old enough yet to hear the story. Tristan and Jason had been training to fight since they could walk. Yet they didn’t even know what their dad was so worried about. My mom said it was probably nothing. There was just an incident with Drake’s sister that Drake handled. They were just being cautious. Paranoid seemed like a better word.

EJ understood why I couldn’t break my pinky promise. I knew that I especially couldn’t tell EJ because he could tell Alexander and then Melanie wouldn’t talk to me anymore. I really did see her, Melinda, and MaryBeth as the little sisters I didn’t have.

Ray gave me a knowing look when EJ talked about Robert. I don’t know why everyone thought that pup liked me. Robert wasn’t even overly nice to me. Now, he was just all the way on my bad side for picking on Melanie.

I knew Melanie would die of embarrassment if EJ talked to her about the incident. She was the worst liar of all time. She evaded fairly well, but with EJ having Fairy blood that wouldn’t work. Part of me really wanted to confide in my mate because I knew Alexander really wanted to meet his mate. The two of them made sense to me. Alexander was reserved, whereas Melanie was more outgoing. They would match each other fairly well, as much as you could know at this point in our lives.

I couldn’t tell him though. I’d promised and I was going to be a Luna. I needed to keep the secrets people trusted me with like mom did. Plus, Melanie was like my little sister. She’d cry if she was wrong about Alexander. It was just a crush that she’d probably grow out of it.

It was funny everyone thought she had no attachment to her toy. She definitely loved her Xander wolf. EJ asked good questions that made me want to groan. That was the other thing about the Conners. All Eric and Haley’s pups were skilled at asking questions in unique ways. They spent a lot of time around other Hackura and learned their habits. Plus, evaded with Fairies was dang near impossible unless they let you get away with it.

I could tell EJ was impressed Melanie was able to imitate the moves without ever having physically performed them. Melanie was really smart. She just thought about things in a way that other people didn’t. Plus, she only got mad if someone picked on her.

Now, we’d added bad mouthing her Xander to the list. Either the stuffed toy or Alexander himself, either of which were clearly unacceptable as far as she was concerned. EJ popped me inside. I heard someone in the pack link laugh, “Gosh, I’d never get used to that if I was little Elise.”

I didn’t agree.

It was just normal for us. He’d been popping me around for as long as I could remember. He had popped us around to annoy Ray before a few times. My brothers came to the table with their heads down. I’m sure they were hoping if they were good, they’d get to go play.

I had to smile thinking of the young mates surrounded us all. MaryBeth wanted to play with my Uncle Dane, and I was sure Uncle Christopher was with Brooke somewhere. My Uncle Dane was younger than me by a few months. He was MaryBeth’s mate. It was so fun spending time with Emmaline Lyons. She knew who people’s mates were. She was SO cool.

My mom heard a rumor that turned out to be true. I was stunned that someone tried to fight Haley when she was only a few weeks from her due date. EJ’s dad was very intense about his mom. All Alpha’s were with their mates, but EJ’s dad was next level. He’d probably rip out someone’s heart right out of their chest for trying to fight her.

My mom teased my dad. Mom was pregnant, but even if she wasn’t dad was protective. I clued into the Cassandra problem and felt my heart drop. Dakota linked, “What?”

I replied, “I’d better be wrong, and this isn’t about Cassandra. If I’m right I’ll have Cassie help me find some Fairy prank to play on that she wolf.”

Dakota sighed, “You’re not going to be wrong. She’s hateful.”

I asked, “Why can’t she just stop hurting my mate and my friends?”

Dakota answered, “Because she’s bitter and mean.” He wasn’t wrong. My parents were gob smacked by the explanation EJ gave us.

Even my grandpa Nick and Ben stop walking when they came back in. They must have overheard him because they were both looking at each other. Cassandra made lots of people give that look. It was a look of pity for Eric and the Conners pups combined with sympathy for Haley.

Most people thought EJ’s mom was a saint for dealing with Cassandra the way she did. I’d heard Sam say on more than one occasion she’d rip her eyes out if she was her daughter in law. EJ walked us through the whole situation.

My dad was gripping the arms on his chair tightly. I knew he felt bad for Eric. He looked up to him as an Alpha. To have his mom behaving this way about his Luna was so disrespectful. I looked at my mom and couldn’t help but be really glad she got along with my grandma.

Cassandra just wasn’t smart to challenge a pregnant pack member, let alone the Luna. Factor in she was a Princess of two races, and it was literally insane. I cast a look at Ray. I’d known he was going to protect Haley before he was sent to protect me. I also knew he liked and respected her. He’d been getting to know her at her insistence. He thought she was one of the most impressive Luna’s he’d ever met.

She even conjured him a house there because he wasn’t comfortable in the pack house. He was on the list for a cottage, but once she’d heard about it she’d stepped in. She’d told him she knew that you didn’t feel at home somewhere until you were comfortable. She’d conjured his house here too after I was almost kidnapped. I think she was upset no one told her that he didn’t have one before then.

After dinner I had to admit I was jealous the McAlister boys were spending the night at the Conners house. They were going to get to spend time with my mate. I hated when EJ left, but my mate fixed it all because that’s what he did.

I looked up and saw Melanie peeking around her curtain. I gave her a quick wave and ran inside. I found my mom easily. I started talking, “Cassie…”

She held up her hand, “I heard. You can go, but you have to stay the night in Cassie’s room. Don’t sneak into EJ’s room.”

I nodded my agreement because I was fine with that. My mom kissed my head.

I took off upstairs to pack my bag then ran back downstairs. My dad called, “Whoa, slow down there Elise. Don’t I get a kiss?”

I laughed and went over to hug my dad and kissed his cheek. I cheerfully said, “See you tomorrow, dad.”

He squeezed my shoulders, “See you later, sweetie.” I hurried outside with a smile on my face.

EJ smiled the bright smile he always had for me. I knew he hated telling me goodbye too. I noticed EJ’s guard, Youngers, come join us. Which meant he let me see him. He was crazy stealthy, but all the Hackura’s were. Youngers threw me a wink then tilted his head up. He smiled at Melanie who was peeking around her curtains. She jumped up and down waving at him, which clearly amused him.

Youngers was really observant. I guess he had to be as a guard. He could help me out and admit to the triplets he’d seen Melanie. The McAlister boys came outside to join us. Melanie gave me a small wave then ducked back behind her curtain. I wish EJ would’ve just seen her but naturally by the time he looked up she’d left the window.

EJ popped us to his house. His dad was waiting in the living room. He sent us upstairs but had EJ stay back.

We walked upstairs and found Alexander, Cassie, Wesley, and Max in the playroom they had. Alexander smiled greeting, “Hello, Elise.”

I teased, “Xander.”

He frowned, “Umm no one calls me that.” I laughed, “Yes they do.”

Alexander pursed his lips, “Well, let’s just go with Alexander instead. Feel free to spread that around. I don’t go by Xander.”

I smiled knowing if Melanie was his mate she’d get away with calling him Xander. Cassie gave me a look and I winked at her.

Jason added, “I don’t know anyone who calls him that.”

I barely held in my laugh. Tristan said nothing which I found interesting. I raised an eyebrow at him. Melanie was more likely to tell Tristan about her wolf because Jason would tell Alexander. Tristan grinned at me telling me he knew too. I wondered how he’d got it out of her.

Alexander said, “T this is where you say neither do I.”

Tristan laughed, “Sorry Alexander, I’ve heard people call you that before.”

Alexander frowned. Cassie was looking between us. I looked at Tristan surprised because I’d just heard of the one person.

Alexander asked, “How many people?”

Tristan answered, “A few.”

I wondered who else it was. I mouthed, “Who?” Tristan looked at Alexander who was now off playing a Gameboy with Jason. He linked, “Melinda and Melanie.” That was interesting. I’d have to ask Melinda why she called Alexander that.

Alexander announced, “Be right back.”

He popped away. Jason plopped down asking, “Who in our pack calls him Xander?”

Tristan teased him, “Be more observant, little brother. Then you’d know.” Jason laughed, “Hey, I'm just going for Lead Male Warrior status. You’ll be the Beta.”

I pointed out, “The Lead Warrior has to be observant too.”

Tristan snorted, “You’ll be a Beta too, Jase. If all the Kyle brothers stick together one of them will have you as a Beta.”

Jason shrugged, “Yeah, but the Conners have a main Beta. The others focus on training.” Tristan said, “You’d be a good Lead Male Warrior.” I agreed, “You would.”

Cassie commented, “For what it’s worth, I agree.”

Jason blushed. He had a crush on Cassie, and she liked him too. Wesley sighed, “I didn’t get to invite Buttercup for a sleepover.”

Cassie laughed, “I would have to invite her over, and you didn’t ask me.” Wesley stuck his tongue out at Cassie, who stuck hers out right back.

She told him, “EJ asked me to invite Elise. You know I’ll always ask for you if you want, Wes.”

He popped over and kissed her cheek then popped away. Max popped out after him, leaving our group. EJ and Alexander popped in a little bit later.

Alexander was too quiet even for him. Something had clearly happened. I frowned and looked at EJ. I knew he didn’t want to talk about it, so I didn’t push him. Alexander and Jason went to his room to play his new video game after a while. Cassie and I yawned.

EJ insisted on walking us to her room. Cassie rolled her eyes because her room was two doors down. I loved it though. I knew there were already girls who wanted him even though it was well known I was his mate. He was already mouth-wateringly handsome. I was going to have to fight others for what was mine. I already knew it. What they didn’t know is I was already ready. I was an Alpha blood too.

After kissing him on the cheek I ran into Cassie’s room shutting the door. I took a deep breath because I’d never kissed him. Cassie giggled, “Did you kiss him or something?”