The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

My Stand Pt. 1

Melanie/Ashley is Nineteen

            Melanie and her friends were sitting in Mason and Hendrick’s diner. The ring was planning something big. I’d tapped into the computers of the hunters we’d been sent to work with from day one when we were fourteen. I had a little wand device I’d built. It helped that Nate, the guy who ran our hunting ring….he was actually working with us. He was actually a partial fairy. He’d met other fairies who were trying to bring him into Princess Conners world, but he’d used them to learn magic. He learned how to magic the hunter tattoo on his wrist. He wanted revenge. He’d been abandoned as a child, and a pack took him in. When he went away to college….he’d returned from a break to find the pack was in ruins. The family who’d raised him was dead. He’s been working up to Slade Carter ever since. I figured out pretty quickly that Nate wasn’t a real hunter. One reason was because I’d been around partial fairies….The second was because I’d hacked into his computer. With all of us, we’d managed to save a lot of people. We sent them to Conners and their allies. I’d invented a spray and a patch that concealed our scents. I’d actually watched Julian, Jason, and my grandpa look for me the first time out. They couldn't smell me. I climbed up a tree to watch them because like an i***t….I missed them. I internally cringed thinking of my old pack. A man I considered family banished me when I didn’t shift. I couldn't think about that though. I just couldn't. 

            Blair gasping pulled me out of those thoughts. Paige, a witch who I’d saved from the ring whispered, “Oh no.” I frowned, “What?” Then I heard a man growl, “MINE!” Blair stood and ran to the man. He wasn’t from our pack. That was good. Blair could get out. That was my hope for everyone here. Addison looked at me worriedly. She whispered, “You’re fighting tonight.” I shrugged, “I’ll be fine.” I would be. I’d have to fight Blair’s father first before my underground fight. In the wonderfulness that was Black Path…..females had to fight to be with their mates if they weren’t in the pack. Non pack mated members…..were typically sold off as chosen mates. I say that loosely because the female had no choice. I'd fought countless times since I came here. Especially after I became the female lead warrior. Any warrior under me….I didn’t have to argue they deserved me to fight in their place. Sierra sighed, “Blair is panicking.” I frowned, “Someone text Odette….I’m not going to make it today.” Addison immediately took out her phone. 

            Odette. She was another girl I’d saved from being taken by the rings. She’d actually gotten thrown into the van before I’d gotten to her. I had been at my secret place with all my programs running. I was monitoring everything I could. I’d made my place our headquarters for the resistance.  Of course with Nate’s insights...we’d been able to expand what we knew. Plus, we’d stolen all the hunters' things, and acted as if we were the cells we’d killed. The ring for how smart they were….were somehow very dumb at the same time.

        I guess they had to be though. The Conners and their allies had driven them into the dark. Which made things easier for my group, the ring resistance. It was somewhat of a joke with our group that Cayden and Micah wanted a meeting with the ring resistance leader. It was me, and I met with them ALL the dang time. Odette was picking up fighting really well. I was in a tough spot with her though. She believes she’s human….she’s definitely and decidedly not. She lived on her own because her mother was off with some guy. Her mom didn’t even come back when she’d learned her daughter had been kidnapped, however briefly it was. I brought Odette to my self-defense classes. She was really good now. A natural. She sang with us sometimes too in our band. We were The Rebels. It pissed off Sierra and Addison’s dad’s that we had the band…..which they both loved. 

            I stood and walked over to Blair. Her mate was confused. I said, “It’s fine Blair. Introduce us to your mate.” Blair looked at me with wide eyes. She linked me, “You have a fight tonight.” I linked back, “Now I have two. I won’t have you being unhappy. You belong with your mate.” Blair’s eyes filled with tears, “So do you Mel.” I wanted to wince. Pain filled my heart. My Xander. We emailed now. I shouldn’t. He was going to hate me when he found out it’s really me…. That Ashley and Melanie were the same person. I’d memorized the letter Jason sent me after I didn’t shift. He’d told my Xander that I thought he was my mate. I didn't think he was I knew. My Xander is best friends with Jase….He didn’t want me. I linked back, “He doesn't want me.” Blair frowned, “He likes you Ashley….it comes across in his emails. He’s willing to kill for you. He never has to know your real name.” I snorted, “Until he introduces me to Red Run.” Blair frowned, “You could find a way around that. Always be gone….it worked when you were a child.” I couldn’t do that to my Xander. I linked back, “He’s an Alpha Enforcer. Of course he’d kill for someone.” Blair shot me a look. 

            Her mate cleared his throat, “I didn’t actually get to introduce myself yet….I’m Walker. I’m a warrior in Ceader’s Run.” That was good. Walker asked, “Do you have a position in your pack Blair?” Blair nodded, “I’m a warrior in Black Path….” Walker made a face. Blair said, “I’ll move to your pack.” Walker nodded, “You must be a warrior under Ashley Griffen then. I heard Buck still doesn’t allow females to train under him. Not even his sister.” I snorted, “His sister doesn’t speak to him anymore.” Blair rushed, “This is Ashley...I do train with her.” I smiled at Walker who’s eyes widened. He gaped, “Well….I’ll be damned. I was just sent on an errand and saw this place….I had to stop then I smelled….my Blair and now….I’ve met my mate and Ashley Griffen….My lead warrior will not believe me. He’s DYING to meet you. Even our female lead warrior wants to meet you.”

             I smiled, “Well Ceader’s Run is one of the few packs around here that isn’t complete crap. I couldn’t part with Blair for anything less. Have you always wanted your mate?” Walker wrapped an arm around Blair. He kissed her head, “I have. My parents and my older brother, who happens to be my lead warrior, all have their mates. I’ve been looking….My Blair has been hiding.” Not exactly. Black Path Females were allowed to go looking for their mate. At least not until Caine and Dax took over. It would shake the ring when that happened. It’s why The Alpha and Beta weren’t training them. They knew how their sons felt about their complicity with hunters and the ring. 

            Alpha Edward Davis was a pathetic sad excuse of an Alpha. He made a deal to keep his family safe. Not his pack. His family. He gave information….hell he’d almost sold an omega to a hunter as a chosen mate. His Luna was completely disgusted with him. They were fated mates. She couldn’t believe he wasn’t giving the girls a chance. The Beta Female felt the same way. They lived separately from their husbands. They were just as much prisoners here as the rest of the women...even some men. We all knew that omega would be tortured to death if I hadn’t fought for her. I’d taken a hell of a punishment afterwards, but I didn’t care. I could stop them from punishing me if I wanted to. They could only do it because I let them. My friends, Mason and Hendrick told me to stand up for myself, but they didn’t understand. I deserved it. My family had died. I should’ve died with them. Most days….I wished I had. I missed what my life had been before that horrible night. I saw my family die, and the moon goddess…..the cunt that she was….didn’t just let me die. My family was gone. Jason HATED me. Peter and Chelsea Kyle abandoned me. All the Kyle’s did. Elise….I didn’t think she knew. I talked to her...she always told me I reminded her of someone. Sometimes I pretend that my name that I’d chosen...that Ashley Griffen had got her attention. That she knew I was me, and she wanted me to come home. 

            It was a silly notion really, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted her to know that it was me. She didn’t though or she’d ask why I was here. She’d be upset with her parents if she knew. Hell….EJ probably knew I was banished from Red Run. He DEFINITELY didn’t know I was Ashley though. He wouldn’t talk to me, nor would Xander. My heart filled with pain. My Xander. I loved him with everything in me. I still helped him how I could. I had to send Mason out as his sniper though. If I saw him through the scope…..I’d run to him. I knew I should go let him reject me so he could be happy, but…..I knew his rejection would kill me. I needed to stay away so I could do this. I needed to protect him and his allies. I needed to protect the innocents of the ring. Once everything could run without me….I’d go to him, and let him do what he needed to. Then I’d disappear. That was the plan. I felt bad enough that I’d made my Xander wait this long. I knew he was probably looking for his mate. He didn’t truly believe it was me. 

            Addison pulled me out of my thoughts, “Well, bring him over here. We want to meet him too.” Walker frowned, “We could get out of here. We could….” Blair sighed, “I’ll have to meet you back here tonight. Then we can go to your pack.” Walker frowned, “I could come with you, and meet your family.” I spoke, “Non members of Black Path are not allowed inside unless they are our allies. Or members of the werewolf council.” Walker snorted, “You don’t have that many of those. Allies that is.” I rolled my eyes, “I’m aware. Who would want to be our ally?” Walker laughed, “Aren’t you just...interesting?” I shrugged. Walker said, “You don’t like the pack….You can’t, but you are their female lead warrior.” I nodded, “Yes, well someone has to do their job in that pack. Lord knows it’s not the Alpha or the Beta. They wouldn’t know how to do their jobs if it smacked them in the face with a manual...I supposed I could b***h slap them in the face with said manual. It wouldn’t help though, but it WOULD make me feel better. That’s for sure…” Blair cut me off, “Let’s sit down.” Walker was torn. He clearly wanted me to talk more. I went back to the kitchen. Mason linked me, “Blair found her mate.” I nodded. He linked, “You have a fight tonight already. I wish you’d let Hendrick or I come with you.” I couldn’t. They’d hate my strategy. I don’t really know what they thought when I came back hurt, but I knew if they saw…..they’d be hurt. I didn’t want that. They just didn’t understand. I deserved this.

            The undergrounds. The real ones. That’s where I fought. My Aunt…..who belonged in one of the seven circles of hell….Sold me for several million dollars. I’d made that back for them after the first few fights. I went to the leaders. I simply told them the truth. I knew the Conners and their allies wanted to know about the undergrounds. They could either pay me….or lose all together when I slipped the information to Black Mountain and their allies. Hell….I could give it to so many people. They agreed, and I’d cracked the first layer into their computer. The undergrounds were bigger than I’d originally thought. We got people out as we could. Most times….by letting people believe a fighter had died. It was not an uncomplicated process, but the more we pulled back at the layers…..the more appeared. For all intents and purposes…..the rings were hiding, but they weren’t exactly dumb. In some ways….yes. In others they were quite sophisticated. Hendrick told me, “You know Alpha Ezra is coming tonight to see his great nephew.” I rolled my eyes. Alpha Ezra was Trevor McCann’s great uncle. His dad...the current sad sack excuse of a Gamma, Booker McCann….was Alpha Ezra’s nephew. Probably yet another reason I couldn’t believe Jase let me come here. Dad hated Alpha Ezra.

            I clutched my chest. Dad….no matter what they said….Even if he wasn’t my biological father….Drake McAlister was my dad. DNA didn’t make you a dad. Everything my dad had done for me did. Tears burned in my eyes. It couldn’t be true….but I didn’t have a wolf. I swore I did….I swore the night of my sixteenth birthday my wolf told me to fight. That she was going to get us help…..then all I could feel was pain. That’s all I remembered. Even if I was just my mom’s daughter….I should have a wolf. The moon goddess….was such a b***h.

             Mason sighed pulling me out of my thoughts, “You know Alpha Ezra is going to lecture Trevor about you not being marked.” He growled out that last part. I snorted, “Trevor McCann is not my mate.” Everyone knew that. The sad sack pathetic piece of s**t Alpha….knew that. He said there was nothing he could do about it because….they couldn’t prove it because I didn’t have a wolf. It was complete crap. I knew who my mate was. Trevor McCann….was so far from my mate it was crazy. I had no idea why he even pretended. He hated me. He wasn’t alone though. I hated him. I told him if he was my mate…I’d reject him so fast his head would spin. He actually had the audacity to look upset about that. His dad kept telling him he needed to get me under control. He told me that I’d have to quit being the female lead warrior and give him pups. I’d gouge his eyes out and slit his throat then run to my Xander before that happened. I’d let Xander reject me. I’d also tell him why I ran to him. Whether he wants me or not...an Alpha hearing their mate was almost marked against their will…..That someone else wanted to forcibly mark what was theirs….Xander would decimate the McCann family and probably Black Path. Caine and Dax could take over. If Trevor tried to push this….that’s exactly what I would do. If I could see Xander without running into EJ….I had a chance.  

            Hell, even if I did see EJ….Xander wouldn’t be able to help it. His wolf would demand that they be punished for that. Xander himself would agree. I knew he would. Maybe even Jase would. My brother might hate me, but I hadn’t told him in our letters what was happening. I knew there was no way in hell that Jase would be ok with some guy trying to marking and rape me. He definitely wouldn’t be ok with me being marked by someone that wasn’t my mate. He may never want to see me, but he is still my brother. Maybe half brother, but mom and dad would never forgive him in the afterlife if he let that happen. 

            I shrugged at Mason, “Alpha Ezra coming here doesn’t matter to me. He’s an enemy of my family. I will never be marked by anyone related to him. Let alone someone who isn’t my mate.” I walked back out to the group. I was quiet while they talked. Walker was enamored with Blair just how he should be. Another reason we all knew Trevor was full of s**t. He banged anyone who looked in his direction. I didn’t care, but I knew that he couldn’t do that if I was his mate. My dad would’ve walked over glass before hurting my mother. So would Peter….EJ would make someone's head explode if they’d hurt Elise’s feelings. He would never hurt her himself, and he’d never be with anyone who wasn’t her. 

            I stood, “We need to go pack your stuff Blair.” Blair looked at me nervously. Walker frowned, “I really can come with you back to your pack. I’m certain if Ashley tells her warriors to stand down….I’d do just fine with Buck’s warriors.” I snorted, “I bet you would too. Addison will bring Blair back here in forty minutes tops.” Walker laughed, “Are you already packed?” Blair quietly said, “No.” The females in Black Path didn’t have much. I was lucky I had Mason and Hendrick. They spoiled me. Most parents didn’t buy the females anything. Female warriors were paid well under what they should be. They didn’t want to encourage it so they made three dollars a day. It was pathetic. I said, “She’ll be back.” Walker smiled, “You take even forty one minutes Blair….and I’ll come after you.” Blair almost panicked. I laughed, “Challenge accepted. Let’s go girls.” We all walked out. 

            Sierra said, “I could do the challenge.” I snorted, “You’d be punished after you won. Your dad would use that to give you to that pathetic sack of s**t we are allies with that wants you. Same for you Addison. I can take it.” Addison frowned, “We won’t let Trevor mark you.” I snorted, “They already tried to use wolfsbane on me. I’m a freak of nature. It doesn’t weaken me like it does you guys.” Normal werewolves. I wasn't normal. Silver and Wolfsbane didn’t affect me. Not even drugs did. I was a freak. A wolf less freak. No wonder Jason wasn’t proud of me. I’d tried, but nothing made him proud of me. He didn’t catch on that I was Ashley Griffen. He said I should train under her. He said she was a good example of a wolf less pack member. So I guess technically in a way….he was proud of me. We walked back into Black Path. Several wolves growled at the smell on us. An unknown male wolf. I rolled my eyes at them. They must have told the Alpha. He was waiting outside in the yard between the pack house and the main house.

            He growled, “What is the meaning of that smell?” Blair looked down. I answered, “Blair met her mate.” Growls filled. Her dad pushed forward and yelled, “NO! She won’t be with him!” Her mom started crying. Her mother was her father’s fated mate. Blair cried, “Daddy! Please….” He growled, “I said no, and my word is law.” I snorted, “Bullshit. I challenge you for the right to decide Blair’s fate, McCoy.” McCoy growled at me, “You have no say! She’s my daughter!” I laughed, “I’m surprised you remember that fact. You haven’t been a father to her since I got here. She’s also over the age of sixteen and no longer under your roof. She’s my warrior. I absolutely have a say here. Ask the twenty men behind you whose ass I’ve kicked so their daughters could be happy. I have every right. You either accept my challenge or you don’t. Either way….I decide what happens with Blair.” Alpha Edwards sighed, “Melanie….” I whirled, “Oh the sad sack excuse of an Alpha is speaking…..Can I help you with something?” My aunt growled, “Show some respect.” I raised an eyebrow, “When someone worth respecting speaks...I’ll do that.” Stephanie spat, “You are in ENOUGH trouble you brat!” I laughed, “For what?” 

            She threw papers on the ground. I picked them up. Another acceptance letter into Juilliard. I raised an eyebrow, “They renewed my application?” I couldn’t help but be excited. I’d gotten in twice. My Aunt stepped forward and went to smack me. I put her flat on her back and popped her arm out of the socket. I told her, “You think you’d learn.” Her husband ran over and glared at me. I glared back, “Look at her like that Ajax. She’s the moron who can’t learn….not me.” Ajax hissed, “It’s uncle Ajax.” I rolled my eyes, “No thanks. That’s going to be a pass on my end, Ajax. No Uncle of mine would flirt and leer like you do.” Alpha Edward said, “You applied again. That’s why you are in trouble.” I snorted, “That’s news to me. Why would I do that? If I did….why the actual hell would I send it to her house? I’m smarter than that and you know it. When I applied the first time…..I didn’t send the acceptance letter to her house. I still don’t know how she found out. Still….don’t really give a s**t. I have things to do.” 

            Stephanie lunged at me and I punched her, knocking her out. I sighed, “Christ Almighty she’s annoying. Seriously...when will she learn? I can and will kick her pathetic ass. Seriously Ajax….teach your wife some basic fighting moves. It’s honestly pathetic, or tell her to keep herself in check. My patience with her s**t is on thin ice.” My warriors chuckled. I turned back around, “McCoy….are you accepting my challenge or declining?” McCoy growled, “Accepting little girl.” I shrugged, “Big mistake...someone get the worthless pack doctor ready.” Blair’s brother was suspiciously quiet. He’d met his fated mate. She was in this pack. She was training with me privately. I didn’t think Blair’s brother knew….know….I wondered if he told her to train with me. McCoy snarled, “You ruined everything coming here.” I rolled my eyes, “No you dumb piece of s**t. Your crap ass leadership ruined everything here. I’m trying to fix it. I just need to know as a father…..how do you justify trying to sell your daughter to the highest bidder instead of letting her be with her fated mate? Did you forget how strong the pull is? You’re standing next to your fated mate. You hypocritical piece of...no actually that’s mean to s**t. s**t is better than you.” 

            McCoy snarled and lunged at me. I could make it fast. One punch. That would be too easy for him. I flipped him onto his back. I checked my nails. McCoy tried to shift, but his wolf didn’t come forward. I laughed, “At least your wolf remembers he’s supposed to protect his pup. You’ve become so ingrained and indoctrinated and brain washed with this backwoods no class leadership that you forgot….At least your wolf didn’t.” McCoy growled, “Blair! This will hold your mother back here. If you went with who the Alpha chooses for you then we’d be set.” I laughed, “To continue living your life of s**t? What a prize. Blair, gosh...I just don’t know how you choose. I mean your fated mate, or the family who treated you like dirt because you have a female parts ...GOD...Hard choice. Hard choice.”

             McCoy turned and came at me again. I roundhouse kicked him in the face and jumped on him when he went down and cut off his air supply. I told him, “Unless your pride is worth dying for….tap out. I’d personally want to go if I was you since I’d be trying to sell my daughter like some prized cow. That’s me though and I have integrity. Something the VAST majority of this pack has forgotten about.” McCoy glared at me. His eyes flicked black. I eased off his windpipe. The wolves were usually nice to me. His wolf said, “You’re right. I submit to you.” I smiled, “Always nice to hear.” His eyes changed and the fight died out of McCoy’s eyes. He tapped his arm out to the side. I turned and got off him. I ordered, “Get Blair home and get her things. Addison choose five warriors to go with you to drop her off.” The Alpha looked pissed. I stuck my tongue out at him. The Luna and Beta Female laughed and clapped. Both their mates looked torn. They missed them, but they wouldn’t change. 

            Trevor glared at me. I flipped him off. His dad growled. Booker growled, “You dare disrespect your mate.” I snorted, “I really don’t. We all know he’s not my mate.” Trevor growled, “You’re mine.” I laughed, “Not a chance. I’ve already told you. I feel nothing for you. You touch me and I feel revulsion. Not tingles.” Trevor yelled, “I TOLD YOU THAT…” I cut him off, “Yes, we all know your excuse is my lack of a wolf. My real mate….would never throw that in my face like you do, and everyone here with a fated mate knows that. If our Alpha had a spine...you’d be punished for claiming to be my mate….when we ALL know you’re lying. Literally….all of us. Even your own siblings and your mother.” Trevor growled and came at me. I smirked. He was so easy to goad into a fight. I put him on his back in a second. I told him, “I’d never be able to put my mate down so easily. I’m holding out for someone who can take me. Or at least make it a fight. We ALL know that’s not you.” 

            Blair ran over to me and hugged me. She whispered, “Thank you.” I told her, “You’re welcome. Get out of here, and don’t look back. Be Happy.” Blair pulled back crying. She walked away. Alpha Edward cleared his throat, “You know you have to be punished.” I rolled my eyes, “I know this backwoods messed up pack believes that people deserved to be punished for stupid crap. I also know that you know that I know….you couldn’t punish me if I didn’t let you.” I stormed off walking to the punishment clearing. Pieces of crap. It was my penance though. Tristan died protecting me. My mom never saw it coming...My dad….he died for me too. I’d give it all back...I’d give my life if it was me and not them. The moon goddess turned her back on me. She could go fly a kite too. I wanted nothing to do with her ridiculous ass. She should be fixing packs like this. These girls and boys should not be subjected to s**t like this. 

            I took off my shirt. Luna Elena ran up. She grabbed Alpha Edward’s arm when he grabbed the whip. She looked into his eyes, “Be the man I loved….that I had pups with for five seconds again. Melanie did nothing wrong. She did YOUR job. STOP hurting her! My wolf is VERY protective of her and so am I. She’s our daughter’s best friend.” Alpha Edward snorted, “She turned my daughter against me.” Luna Elena laughed, “Do you actually believe that Edward?” He nodded. Luna Elena said, “You have no one but yourself to blame for losing your children and me. Melanie had nothing to do with it. You’ve never shown your daughter one ounce of love since she was two years old. Do you know how many nights Addison cried about making you proud enough you’d love her before Melanie got here. It was a lot Edward. You disgust me.” She walked away.