The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Strawberries Pt. 1

Alexander is Twenty-Five Years old

            EJ and Elise popped out of Black Mountain to go on their vacation with the Kyle family in Fiji. I looked over at Wesley. He smiled at me, “I give EJ an hour before he makes his first call to ask how things are going.” I laughed, “I think you’re high balling him little brother. I’ll give him twenty minutes. He’s not actually worried though. We both know you and Max have got this.” Wesley smiled, “You could take off too.” I shrugged, “Where would I go?” Wesley shrugged, “ii don’t know…..maybe Nashville…. For fun….and stuff.” I laughed, “I’ll think about it, Wes.” Wesley nodded, “I’m just saying….You’ve got some spare time. I know you’ve wanted to convince Ashley to have a training session up here with the warriors. Who could say no to you in person? You’d have the advantage. I’ve yet to meet a girl who said no to you in person. Plenty you’ve said no to…..but none say no to anything you ask. Even when they are disappointed in the ask.” I laughed, “Plenty of people could say no to me. Ashley does all the time.” Wesley shrugged, “Makes me like her. I don’t know though…..I think she’d say yes to you in person, big brother.” I shrugged, “Maybe we will find out. I’m going to the gym if you need me.” Wesley laughed, “Of course that’s where you will be.” I lightly punched his arm and popped to the gym. 

            I lost myself in the movements of hitting the heavy bag. Maybe Wes was right. Maybe I should go to Nashville. Someone cleared their throat. I turned around, “Phil?” Phil sighed, “A certain little sister of yours requests that I get you showered and dressed. Seems she has plans for the both of us. I myself am freshly showered, and just can’t help but comment on how all of us are owned by your sisters. They say jump, we all ask: How high? And for how long? I’m worse off because I have my own sisters that I jump through hoops for. It’s not fair for a group of people who CONSTANTLY talk about what’s fair.” I laughed and popped us to my room. I popped into the shower. I came out and a pale green shirt was sitting out with jeans. I raised an eyebrow. I’d forgotten I even had this shirt. Phil laughed, “I know what you’re thinking….I have lost my marbles and decided that you are my personal barbie doll and I get to dress you; however, I had nothing to do with this.” I rolled my eyes. Phil nodded, “Go on...put it on. We are all the dancing monkeys of Angela.” I laughed because he was right. My little sister wanted me to get dressed up so I would be. 

            My phone rang. I frowned and asked, “Why would she call me?” I showed Phil my phone. Angela was calling. Phil shrugged, “Who knows….? Dramatic effect. Fairies. What can you do? You should be used to it. You are one.” I answered, “Hello Angela…” I trailed off because there was loud music in the background. I growled, “Where are you?” Angela laughed, “I’m in Louisiana. You should come get me.” I gaped, “What the HELL are you doing in Louisiana?!” I grabbed Phil. Angela said, “Enjoying some music. The band is actually really good! That was the rumor...and it’s true. Are you coming to get me? I’m not leaving until you do.” I growled, “Do not move. I’ll be right there.” Angela laughed, “Just get here fast.” She hung up.

         I threw my phone. Phil frowned, “I feel led astray. This was not the type of fun I thought she had in mind.” I growled, “Klaus BETTER be with her or….I’ll have someone ground her.” Phil laughed, “You’d have to ground her your parents are on vacation.” I sighed, “You know I can’t. Technically Wesley is in charge...he’d have to ground her.” I popped us to Angela. I heard her pop out as we arrived. I growled, “What the HELL is she playing at?” Phil sighed, “You left your phone at home.” I frowned, “Where’s yours?” Phil sighed, “Also at home. Specifically in your room. I didn’t this was a long stop….we are being pranked. Obviously.” 

            I inhaled deeply. The music I’d heard had stopped playing. Strawberries. My heart stopped for several seconds. I grabbed Phil. He frowned, “Do you smell that too?” I frowned, “You do too? It’s strawberries, Phil. Do you know who smells like Strawberries?” Phil laughed, “Strawberries? I do know because you’ve told me; however, you need to get your super nose checked out….that smell is CLEARLY peaches.” I sighed in relief that he wasn’t smelling Melanie strongly like I was. I wasn’t some possessive werewolf...well...I was...but Melanie was mine.

         Oden growled at me, “If you don’t go get mate….RIGHT NOW….I will…..growl at you until we have her. It WILL annoy you.” The smell was getting stronger. Phil was bouncing back and forth on his feet. I could hear them talking now. One girl hissed, “Where are you going? We need to get the HELL out of here!” A voice that stopped everything in my world answered her, “Uhh do you not smell the most amazing sugar cookie that is literally wafting its scent. Wafting….I NEED it. It’s practically taunting me. Daring me to come get it. I want to lick it….I want to bite it….It will be mine. You know I LOVE sugar cookies. We can spare a few minutes to track down the delicious sugar cookie then get the heck out of dodge.” Phil linked me, “Is that….really who I think it is? You smelled strawberries because Melanie freaking McAlister is here?!” I smiled and linked back, “It is...and I assure you...she can do all those things to me. I even strongly encourage both.” The girls snorted, “I do not smell a sugar cookie...I do smell chocolate pie….It does smell good….I guess we can go this way, but then we HAVE to get out of here.” Melanie answered, “When I have my delicious cookie…..we can absolutely leave. I don’t know anything about a chocolate pie smell though….you might be losing it. Don’t care….I want my sugar cookie. No, no….I NEED my cookie.” 

            Oden purred, “I want my strawberry smelling mate….go get her!” They rounded the corner before I could move. I was captivated. Phil growled, “Mine!” Both girls gasped and jumped apart. Then her beautiful green pale eyes landed on mine. I growled, “Mine!” Melanie’s jaw dropped. For a split second everything was perfect. Her eyes were on mine. I was lost in hers. Then she started to fall to the ground screaming in pain. She was clutching her head. I rushed forward and caught her from falling. Her friend screamed, “ASHLEY! Ashley what’s wrong?” I asked, “Umm what? Ashley?” Phil linked me, “What the actual hell? That’s Melanie McAlister….I know because you’ve made me watch those videos of her dancing a bajillion times.” I linked back, “I am aware of who she is, Phil. I’d know that scent anywhere..” I knew what Melanie smelled like, and I knew what she looked like because of the videos I’d been watching of her dancing. Melanie was better when I was touching her, but she was still screaming in pain. Her friend looked around, “God, we’ve got to get out of here.” I nodded to Phil. I didn’t care why. I wanted to get somewhere safe to help my mate. Phil grabbed his mate and I popped us away.

            His mate sat down, “Whoa….popping…experience….weird…” She sat down for several moments then jumped up, “HOLY s**t!” She clapped her hands over her mouth. She whispered, “She was right. Oh my god. She was right!” Phil said, “About what? And who might you be?” I linked, “You know who she is. She’s a beta’s daughter. That’s Sierra.” Phil linked, “I am aware.” Sierra answered, “Umm...I’m Samantha McLean.” I frowned. Phil linked me, “Umm….” Melanie was still screaming. Sierra said, “Ashley...what’s wrong?” Both names clicked for me. Samantha and Ashley. I asked, “Ashley Griffen?” Sierra nodded. I snorted, “Where’s Cindy Blake?” That was the character they were missing. Sierra frowned, “She left the show with everyone else.” Phil linked, “They use the names for the band from the book series I read with you because I saw you reading them so many times.” I linked, “Thanks, I already figured that out.” I asked out loud, “What’s wrong with her?” Sierra frowned, “I don’t know….she...might have hurt her head earlier...she said it was nothing.” Melanie thrashed in my arms. I set her down and she started trying to crawl. I felt something wet on my face. I wiped my face to realize I was crying. Sierra was crying. She said, “She was better when you were touching her.”

         I grabbed Melanie and took her into my arms. I’d never felt more useless in my entire life. I whispered, “I’ve got you. You’re ok. I’m here. Please….it’s ok… Just tell me what’s hurting. I’ll fix it, I swear.” She sobbed into my chest. I whispered the words to grant her peace, but it didn’t work. I looked at Phil, panicked. I asked him,  “What do I do?” Phil closed his eyes then said, “I’ll be back.” He left the house, and came back with the pack doctor from around here. The pack doctor looked at us all and sighed, “I’ve been told this is all in the utmost confidence and I’m not to tell even your father about this.” I growled, “Help her!” He studied her. He said, “She doesn’t have anything physically wrong with her that I can see…..she’s clutching her head though….” He took out a needle. I grabbed his arm, “You are NOT giving her something when I don’t know what that something is.” Phil said, “Easy there killer. You’re going to crush the bones in his arm. He’s helping her.” The doctor winced and told me, “It’s morphine….it should help her.” I slowly released his hand and gave the drug to Melanie. I cradled her and played with her hair as her screams died into whimpers. I held her close, “I’m here. I won’t leave you. You’re ok.” 

        Phil said, “There’s no way….the others in our family didn’t feel that. I could practically feel your concern from that. I’m surprised no one has popped in. I sense Angela afoot people.” I held Melanie. Her eyes eventually fluttered back open. I smiled. She subconsciously smelled me. After a moment, she bolted up without ever looking at me. Her eyes instantly found Sierra. She frowned, “Where are we?” Sierra frowned, “I do not actually know the answer to that question.” Melanie frowned, “Who said that?” Sierra said, “Umm I did? You asked...I answered.” Melanie frowned, “Not that….THAT! Who said that?” Phil said, “Umm you did.” Melanie whirled around to face phil. Recognition, fear, and confusion flickered on her face. She turned and found me. Our eyes locked again and her jaw dropped then she jumped back onto the couch and screamed. She covered her mouth with her hands. Oden growled, “Say something! Why is she upset?” I frowned, “Oden can you reach her wolf?” Oden answered, “Barely….I just made contact.” I linked back, “Ashley Griffen is wolf less. That’s not possible. She’s Melanie.” Oden snorted, “Mate is both. She’s not wolf less anymore.” 

            I looked into her eyes. I told her, “It’s ok. You’re safe. You’re in my family home in Switzerland. I know this is probably confusing. My wolf says he can barely sense yours. I’m guessing that’s who’s talking to you. That’s the voice you’re hearing. It scared you when your wolf said mate….didn’t it?” Sierra screeched, “WHAT?! HER WOLF?! Ashley….” Melanie didn’t seem able to look away from me. Sierra got her in her face, “My wolf said she senses your wolf too, Ash. What is going on?” Melanie burst into tears. I couldn't stop myself. I took her back into my arms. I whispered, “I don’t like your tears. Not one bit.” Phil said, “He’s so rude. He didn’t introduce himself. He’s Alpha Alexander Conners. I’m Beta Phil Kruthers. My mate is your friends….Samantha.” Sierra let loose a growl. Phil raised an eyebrow. Sierra closed her eyes then said, “Don’t call me that.” Phil raised an eyebrow then grinned at me, “I can’t call my mate by her name?” Sierra looked away then said, “No…..you cannot. Just don’t call me that.” Phil said, “Am I allowed to call you sugar lips? Babe?” Sierra laughed, “Babe will do.” Phil shrugged, “I reserve the right to call you sugar lips.” 

            Melanie looked up into my eyes. Tears streamed down her face. She whispered, “Hi Xander.” Phil linked me, “Ummm hello giant neon sign….I do recall the only person I’ve EVER heard call you that….and not get punched in the face….was Melanie. Ask her what the HELL is going on? How is Melanie McAlister….Ashley Griffen?” I linked back, “I don’t know the answer to that question. Stop ruining my moment.” I answered Melanie out loud, “Hi...Ashley.” She growled. I bit my lip, “I can’t call you that, Can I?” She frowned then shook her head. I smiled, “I could call you my Lovebug.” Her eyes met mine again. Tears swam back into her eyes. She whispered, “I’d like that.” Phil said, “Fun….I want to….uhh Take Sierra to my room.” Sierra frowned, “I can’t leave her right now…..this is huge. She’s got a wolf…. She’s been without one for four years. It’s a big deal.” Oden linked, “Freya. Her wolf's name is Freya. I can’t wait until we can run together.” I linked him, “Why the HELL hasn’t she had a wolf this whole time? Why hasn't she shifted?” Oden frowned, “Freya is working through Melanie’s memories. She’s being tight lipped about it. I….I think I recognize her voice.” I had no idea how that was possible. 

            Melanie touched my face. Sierra sighed, “Our bags are in my car….in Louisiana.” I conjured their stuff here. I told her, “Samantha, your car is in the garage, and your bag is in Phil’s room.” Melanie frowned, “Where’s my stuff?” I kissed her forehead then pulled back, “My room.” Melanie smiled. I tapped her nose, “There’s that beautiful smile. Are you ok?” She sighed, “I’m….both wonderful and extremely confused.” I nodded. That was fair enough. I took her hand and said, “Let’s take you two out onto the deck.” We walked outside. Melanie squealed, “Oh my god! We are ACTUALLY in Switzerland…..Holy crap on a cracker...Sierra...can you even...Switzerland?!” Sierra snorted, “Ash, calm down.” Melanie squealed, “I WILL NEVER CALM DOWN! LOOK AT THE VIEW! There’s a lake! I can see mountains….this is beautiful...I mean really Samantha? Calm down...how could you even remotely be calm right now?! LOOK AT THIS VIEW!” I wrapped my arms around and whispered, “The view pales in comparison to you.” Melanie snuggled into me and stopped talking. Sierra snorted, “You’re hired Alpha Alexander. You made Ashley speechless.” 

            I kissed the side of Melanie’s head then told Sierra, “You can call me Alexander. You’re the beta female of my pack, and my mate’s friend.” Phil said, “Uhh Alexander, you need to put in the alarm code before….” The alarm sounded. Phil sighed, “That happens.” I popped Melanie and myself to the keypad and entered my code. I whispered, “Would you like a tour?” Melanie shyly said, “Yes….I mean...if you want to...you don’t have to...or feel like you have to or anything…” I laughed, “I offered my little lovebug.” She flushed and I grabbed her hand. 

        Oden linked me, “If you don’t kiss her…..I’ll growl in your head for all of eternity! Also...I TOLD YOU SO YOU BIG DOUBTING MEANIE!” I linked him back, “I’m not going to rush this. I’ll kiss her. Just hang on.” Oden grumbled in my head. I took her to the kitchen then just a sitting room with a bunch of windows. Melanie gasped, “This is beautiful.” She sat down on one of the seats by the window. I sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her. I took her to the other side where there were couches. She whispered, “I can’t believe we are here. I can’t believe you’re….You’re really here.” I squeezed her hand, “I’m here. I have a mission to take for my Uncle next week, but you’ll never be alone again my Lovebug. I’m here.” Tears spilled out of her eyes again. I wiped them away.

            I took her into the library. She ran over to the bookshelf. I smiled, “Do you like reading?” Melanie nodded. I smiled, “So do I. I must say I’m an avid reader of the Thoroughbred series. Since your name and your friends are derived from...I’d say we both like the series.” Melanie flushed, “Umm….well...yes...I do like that series….let’s not talk about that.” I raised an eyebrow and walked over and caged her between my arms. Her eyes didn’t leave mine. I told her, “I’ve been waiting for you, for so long.” I leaned in and waited for her to close the gap. I didn’t wait long. Her lips were on mine. My hands instantly went to my side and pulled me against her. I cupped her face with my hands. Her lips tasted like Strawberries. Everything about her pulled me in. I was so hard it was embarrassing. I forced myself to pull back. We were both breathing hard. She stared into my eyes. There was so much love and trust in them. Something I despised was I could see her fear. 

            I looked into her eyes, “Please don’t be scared. You have nothing to fear from me.” Melanie looked away and whispered, “You could break me.” I turned her head back to me. I told her, “I will never break you; I promise. I will not ever physically hurt you. I will do my best to never emotionally hurt you. I know we will have fights, but I will never intentionally do something to hurt you. Ever. Please don’t be afraid of me. I may be an Alpha Enforcer, but to you….I’m….like a giant teddy bear. I’ll never hurt you.” Melanie wiped tears out of her eyes. She put her head on my chest. I inhaled deeply. I asked, “What’s going on in your head?” Melanie cried, “I don’t know. I don’t understand. If I have a wolf….then everything is different. We could be different. We could be like this. Everything could be ok. I just want to freeze this moment and never leave it.” I frowned, “Honestly, I don’t care if you have a wolf or not. You’re mine. I’ve told you many times I’m impressed by you in our email exchanges. My feelings about you make a lot of sense to me now. Plus, you think I’m hot.” 

            The tips of her ears turned red. She pushed back, “I mean….you know you’re hot. I mean look at you. You like stepped out of a magazine or something. You’re perfect and I’m….” I kissed her again. I pulled back and told her, “Sorry…..I couldn’t help it. You’re beautiful. I’m a very lucky man.” Oden purred, “Mark mate.” I linked, “This is so not the time for that conversation, Oden. She’s reeling.” Oden begrudgingly admitted I was right, “Fine. She’s so beautiful, Alexander.” I answered him, “I know.” I asked her, “What’s going on?” Melanie looked up in my eyes. She frowned, “I really don’t know. All I know is….I’m really happy to be here with you right now. Can we just….embrace this moment? No matter how long or short it is. I just want to be with you. Let’s just have it be you and me and forget everything else.” I sighed. I wouldn’t push her. This was her story to tell, and I’d grown up in a house where....we didn’t push people to tell their stories. I nodded, “If that’s what you want.” She eyed my lips then moved forward again. She kissed me tentatively. We lost ourselves in the kiss. I heard Phil coming before he even came into the room. He cleared his throat. I linked him, “What?” Phil sighed, “My mate wants to see yours.” I linked back, “You’re losing your touch, cousin.” I pulled back from Melanie. 

            She looked confused then stiffened, and looked past me. Sierra asked her, “Are you ok, Ash?” Melanie blushed, “I’m….I don’t know….about...a lot...but I know I’m perfectly fine with Xander.” Sierra nodded. She added, “We aren’t really packed for….chillier weather.” I smiled, “Easy enough. Let’s go to town. We’ll take you shopping on us.” Melanie said, “Oh no….you don’t have to do that. It’s fine. We will be fine.” I kissed her, “I’ll either snap all the things you could possibly want, or we can go shopping. My family owns the place. It’s free either way.” Melanie looked at me. I could see she felt guilty. I told her, “You’re my mate. Let me do this. Please.” Sierra said, “He wants to Ash.” Melanie looked at her. Clearly frustrated. She said to me, “I can pay you back.” I laughed, “I don’t need money, and what’s mine is yours.” She frowned, “I don’t want you to be upset later.” I kissed her, “I won’t be. Come on. It really would make me happy.” She sighed, “Ok.” I grabbed her and popped to the shop. She laughed, “You left them.” I smiled, “Phil can open a portal, or they can walk. He interrupted us. I wasn’t done kissing you.” I pulled her back into me. She instantly melted into my embrace. I really didn’t know how my mated siblings got anything done. Which told me I was in big trouble since I’d only kissed Melanie so far. The night was young. 

            I smelled Phil coming again. I pulled back, “Your friend will steal you to shop now. Phil and I will sit right here.” Sierra grabbed her the second I stepped away from her. The desperation in her eyes not wanting to leave my side almost had me pulling her back. The second before I was going to she turned and went with Sierra to shop. Phil hit me in the arm and hissed, “SPACE UNHEARD!” I quickly whispered the chant. He said, “Thank you. WHAT THE FLYING s**t IS HAPPENING?! My mate isn’t telling me her real name. NEITHER is yours. What the actual f**k is Melanie McAlister doing in Black Path?! Why was she wolf less and now...she locks eyes with you and BAM wolf. She LOOKS into your eyes and just…..wolf….that’s weird. I’m not the only one who sees this as weird, right? THEN my mate says I can’t mark her. Can’t. I assure you….I could absolutely marker her. Two different ways. She can’t explain why I can’t mark her, but says after we go home….she’ll pack up her stuff at her pack, and explain when she gets to Black Mountain. I HAVE TO LEAVE HER IN BLACK PATH! You want to know what I can do about that? JACK s**t because they HATE us! HATE! We can’t go to Nashville without them pissing their pants and crying to the supernatural council about what the big meanie is doing in their territory. OHHHH! I am SO pissed right now! Can you just pop us to Nashville... and do your explode all their heads thing? My way solves a lot of problems for me and you. Like LEAVING OUR MATES WITH THOSE CRAZY ASS MOTHER f*****g PEOPLE! I don’t like it. My wolf likes it less than I do….My Hackura side is about to go all golden eyed .... You how many of them I could kill going golden eyed? My hatred for that pack has grown SUBSTANTIALLY since we met them. What the hell did they do to my Luna? To my mate?!”

            I sighed, “I don’t know what going on…..Could Melanie have been recruited by the supernatural council to…..I don’t know….go undercover? Maybe that’s why she won’t come home.” Phil blinked several times. Eventually he said, “And then they did something to her wolf?! Without her knowledge?” I shrugged, “I’ve got literally nothing on that one. We will have to talk to Corbin…..quietly….later. On whether or not that’s even possible.” Phil sighed, “I mean…..they could’ve approached her. She would’ve been PISSED if they told her everything. They could’ve told her all the stuff we...I say we loosely...Red Run… mostly is hiding from her. How can the lead female warrior of a pack in Nashville be in New York….but also in Nashville? I mean…..obviously….magic. She’s got a demon, fairy, or witch friend. She does like to be busy.” I frowned, “I was suspecting that Ashley might be in the resistance.” Phil gaped, “Holy s**t. I thought the same thing. It jives man. The resistance wants to help YOU. Specifically and it’s ALWAYS you. Of COURSE Melanie McAlister wants to help you. Elise told you she had a crush on you. I thought Ashley and Melanie were just friends or some s**t. NOOOOO they are somehow the same person. Dude, your dad will eat those jerks for lunch if the supernatural council recruited a fourteen year old…..to do this stuff. What even is this stuff? Oh god….we’re going to kill people….aren’t we? Like… A LOT of people. Is this war? With….everyone?” I nodded, “It’s looking that way. If the supernatural council kept her from me…..I think they lied to her about something. She’s afraid of something to do with us. If they told her we’d get hurt….or that we’d hurt her if we knew who she was….they die. Horrific deaths.”