Mates: Melanie's Warrior

Chapter 21

~Geoff~

She….my mate is kissing me! No, no, no…..my mate is kissing me…..f**k it! I lean into the kiss, wrapping my arms around her waist tightly. This may be a horrible idea, but I can’t pull myself away.

She wraps her hands around the back of my neck, and I walk her backward into a tree trunk. I lean into Melanie, smashing her against the trunk. I grind my arousal into her, causing her to moan out. Her arousal is in the air, and it’s turning me on even more.

Melanie’s tongue dances in my mouth, wrestling with mine, and painting the sides of my mouth. I reluctantly pull my mouth away and place kisses along her jaw, and down her neck. I nip at her marking spot, using my tongue to explore the area completely. Melanie moans and wraps her legs around my body.

Her hands travel down my chest, and mine start to need her breasts. I draw a hand up her thigh, lightly trailing the soft skin. I stop at her hip and momentarily consider going for more. I really should stop right now. We have so much to talk about between us that if we go this far, it could ruin everything.

A snapping sound precedes her hand running down my bare chest. I look down and realize that the popping sound had to have been the buttons from my shirt. I look up and capture Melanie’s gaze. Her hand slowly inches down to my pants button. That’s a sobering moment, and I grab her hand to stop her.

Melanie looks confused as I gently put her legs back down. I kiss her cheek gently and take a step back. We are both breathing hard, our chests visibly rising and falling. “I….I’m sorry. We can’t do this ri-” Melanie’s face contorts, and I can see the exact moment when anger sets in. S**t, this wasn’t my intention. I planned to talk to her about everything before we went this far. I don’t ever want her to feel deceived.

Melanie pushes me back, and I try to grab her arm. She twists out of my reach and steps to the side. “So, is this some game to you? You have wanted me since we met, and now, now that I’m ready for you, you don’t want me?”

“That isn’t true, Melanie. It’s just that-” Melanie throws her hand up, cutting me off mid-sentence.

“I don’t want to hear it. I knew this was a bad idea, and I should have gone with my first thought.” Melanie takes another step back. “SCREW YOU!”

“Melanie.” I step forward. “MELANIE!” She doesn’t stop to look back or answer. She continues on her path, and I watch her figure get smaller and smaller.

Well, that went well.

Oh, would you have done that better?

I could have tried. I roll my eyes and hang my head. This isn’t how I wanted this night to go, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I just know I refuse to let it stop me. She’s mine, and I will get her to realize it too.

~Melanie~

Goddess, I was such a fool! I should have stayed away like I planned to do originally. I knew I shouldn’t have gone to the party with him, and I don’t know what i***t idea I had about kissing him. I should have kept my distance like I’ve been doing.

We need to go back.

Oh no, don’t start that s**t with me. That was humiliating, and I don’t want to deal with him.

You didn’t even let him explain.

Why, so he can give me some c**k and bull story? I don’t have time for that sh*t. I went against my gut, and I paid for it. Winnie blocks me, and I just don’t care. I know I’m doing the most, but the rejection I felt damn near killed me. I can’t imagine what a proper rejection would feel like.

I grumble all the way back to the hotel, not wanting to risk a walk or run in the woods. After how I left Brady, I’d be a fool to let my guard down. I don’t regret doing what I did; I just know I should expect some sort of retaliation.

I make it inside and up to my room with no issues. I just hope that everyone is still out because I don’t want to deal. I walk up to my room door, practically running into Shanice. “Why are you out here? Are you and Jax fighting?”

“No, not me and my babe.” She gets hearts in her eyes as she talks about her mate. I really want to wipe that look off her face, but I know that’s only because of the mess I’m dealing with. “I wanted to see how the date went, but by the look on your face….” I look at Shanice, not really wanting to continue this conversation at all. She swallows and nods. “Right. So anyway, uh, Brooklyn is sleeping in our room tonight.”

“Won’t that put a….well won’t it mess up plans or something?” Shanice smiles.

“We have ou-” She clears her throat. “We’ll be okay. She’s still feeling a bit vulnerable, and I think you can use the space as well.” I nod and watch Shanice walk into their room. I open my door and slip inside. A crunch under my foot makes me look down. There’s a sheet of paper with my name on it. I unfold it and crumple it up. I swear some people just can’t take no for an answer. It doesn’t matter. Right now, I need rest because the last day of competition is tomorrow, and I’m on deck.

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My first competition was brutal, to say the least, but I was able to secure a win. During the downtime, I tried to speak to Brooklyn, but she wouldn’t be moved. On the other hand, my supposed mate tried to speak to me, and I couldn’t be bothered.

I’ve made it to the finals and am awaiting my opponent. We will meet in a minute, and then we will have the final match of the weekend. I told Jax I wanted to leave as soon as I was done, so we already have the bags in the car, and checkout is complete. This has been a draining weekend, and I just want to go home.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend, whether you competed or were able to secure alliances. This is our final battle, and the winner will get the trophy and bragging rights.” There’s a murmur in the crowd, and it dies down when the announcer places his hand up. “In this corner,” everyone laughs. “Seriously, we have Melanie Richmond representing the Summit Mountain Pack.” Cheers erupt as I walk into the ring. “From the Phoenix Pack, Brady Lasiter.” Well, ain’t this some s**t?!

He's walking into the ring looking c**ky as s**t. He has a smug look on his face that I just want to wipe off. He walks close to me, staring at me. “I guess your note was right; that wasn’t the end of things.”

“Damn girl, I’m so glad it’s you. I’m going to show you how a real man does things and then you will submit. After this, you will be mine.”

“I’d rather die first.” We stare at each other, waiting for the announcer.

“Well, let’s get this started, shall we?”