Mates: Melanie's Warrior

Chapter 26

~Melanie~

As much as I loved seeing everyone, it was a little overwhelming. I really just wanted to see about my mate. It seemed like he was about to tell me something when Brooklyn ran in and I wanted to know what that was. Everyone was checking on me to make sure I was okay. Brooklyn started to retell what happened that landed me here in the first place. She doesn’t know everything and I’m grateful for that.

I watched Kehlani leave my room and she didn’t come back. The time passed slowly, but she didn’t walk back into the room. I’m not sure where she went, but she left the kids with Jayden. I’m almost certain that she didn’t leave on a pack matter, since no one else moved to leave. My curiosity got the best of me and I threw the covers back. They tried to get me to stay in bed, but I refused. Jax kept fussing at me to stay put and Jayden considered using force. I gave him the sternest look I could muster and that must have been enough to deter him. I was able to leave the room and I started down the hallway, letting his scent guide me.

As I came to the waiting room, I noticed Kehlani and my mate sitting across from each other. I watched as Kehlani spoke to my mate. From this distance, I have no idea what he’s saying. I want to know what they are talking about. This may be a Jax situation all over again.

I moved as close as possible, without giving myself away. “She may be stubborn initially, but she will come around. You need to tell her though, you really need to let her know the truth.” I have no idea what Kehlani is talking about, but it’s something that pertains to me.

“Let who know what truth?” Goeff looks at me like he was caught stealing. I have no idea what this truth is, but I’m feeling a bit nervous about it. Kehlani stands up and adjusts her clothes. Her eyes cloud then clear up.

“I’m going to leave you two.” She reaches out a hand to Goeff and he accepts. He’s very casual about it all, which I find interesting. He doesn’t get up or respond to her in a way I’d expect. He acts as if he’s known her forever or they are of equal status. I mean, he is addressing a sitting Alpha. Kehlani walks toward me once she releases his hand.

I like him. He’s a good guy. Please, just hear him out. Kehlani walks past me and I’m stumped. I have no idea what she means, but she’s my Alpha and I’ll follow her.

“Should you be out of bed?” I turn to Goeff. He looks tired and a bit nervous.

“I was wondering what happened to you.”

“I wanted to give you time with your people. I didn’t want to intrude.”

“You have something to tell me?” Geoff sighs and runs a hand through his hair. I hate that I wish that hand was mine instead. I sit across from him like Kehlani was and wait.

“I don’t know how to say this, I don’t even know where to start.” I sit back in the seat and stare at Goeff. I’m not sure how I should be feeling right now.

“Just tell me. Pretend like you’re ripping off a band-aid.” Geoff closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He slowly lets it out.

“My name is……well it isn’t Geoff.”

Told you!

Shhh! I want to hear what he has to say. I internally roll my eyes at Winnie and focus back on Geoff. Well, not Geoff.

“My name is….I’m Andrew Knight. I’m the….well I’m the Alpha of the Onyx Pack.” I swear there’s a ringing in my ears. I close my eyes and try to focus on where I am, just trying to digest what he just said.

~Andrew~

Melanie’s eyes close, but she says nothing. I swear I can hear a clock ticking and each tick is causing more anxiety. I wish I knew what was going on in her head, but there’s no way of knowing. I know I’m scared s**tless, that’s for sure.

Melanie opens her eyes and she focuses on me. I hold my breath, anticipating what she’s going to say. There’s no way to prepare myself, though. She could reject me on the spot and she’d be well within her rights. “Why Goeff?” I let out the breath I was holding. If that’s the extent of her questioning, I made it out easy. Something tells me that more will come and I may need to stay as wound up as I’ve been.

“I just became Alpha a few months ago. I was feeling restless and I needed something exciting. I wanted to participate in the competitions, just to take the edge off. I tapered down my aura and I gave a fake name so I could compete.” Melanie’s eyes don’t leave mine and she doesn’t speak. The time continues to tick by and I’m starting to shake.

“You lied to me.”

“I mean, I didn’t tell a lie…..I just didn’t come out with everything.” Melanie stands up and walks over to me.

“You LIED to me. You can try to justify it all you want, but you lied to me. I’m your fated mate, yet you didn’t think to tell me the truth. I can’t even trust you.” Melanie turns and walks away.

Stop her!

And how would you like me to do that?

She didn’t reject us, so there’s something. Go after her! I stand up and quickly follow Melanie. I grab her arm before she makes it to the hallway. She spins around and I step back, holding my face. That slap was loud and it hurt a lot. Everyone has eyes on me since the sound traveled throughout the room.

“Stay away from me you lying bastard!” I’m too stunned to speak or reach for her again. She walks down the hallway and I watch until she disappears from my sight.