Mates: Melanie's Warrior

Chapter 20

~Melanie~

My mate gets really quiet all of a sudden. He was armed with many questions, and now, nothing. It’s Geoff.

Doesn’t it seem like that can’t be his name? It really doesn’t suit him.

Maybe, but it would be nice if you referred to him by his name. I internally roll my eyes. Winnie has been all for this bond from the start, but I’m not so sure. The mate bond can be a treacherous thing, and my sentiments on that haven’t changed just because I’ve found my fated mate.

“Why so quiet?” He looks up, startled. I guess he was truly lost in thought. His eyes are darting all around, and he looks truly nervous.

“I was just thinking is all. I don’t want to talk about it now, though.” He paints a smile on his face, but it doesn’t erase his previous emotions. “Let’s talk more about you. What else should I know? Do you want a family?” I tip my head to the side and place a finger on my chin. That’s an interesting question that I don’t get much.

“I guess so. I mean, kids are a lot of work. I realized just how much when I met Brooklyn and now with Kamila here. I look at the love between the kids and their parents, though, and I find it to be worth the work. I think I could stand a few kids running around.” The smile I get is genuine, and I can feel butterflies in my stomach.

“I think you’d be a good mother.”

“How do you come to that conclusion?” He leans forward on the table and folds his hands together.

“It didn’t take much for you to become attached to Brooklyn when she came to the pack. I take it that you have a close relationship with Kamila too?” I smile.

“Yes, but not as close as Jax has. He and Kamila are almost inseparable. It is a blessing that she has taken to his mate as well. They spend a lot of time together. I have a closer bond with Brooklyn.” His expression turns serious.

“Did the closeness come about because of….well…..what you went through?” I shake my head.

“Our bond developed before then, thankfully. I hate that she had to go through that. I wish I could change it.” He reaches out and grabs my hand.

“You know it wasn’t your fault, right?” I sigh. I’ve heard this so many times over the last couple of years. In the back of my mind, somewhere, yes, it makes sense. In the forefront, it makes no sense whatsoever. I was supposed to protect Brooklyn; no matter how you say it, I failed.

I shake my head a bit and smile. “Let’s talk about something else. What’s your position in your pack? Are you a head warrior?” A strange look comes over his face, but I have no time to explore it.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!” I turn and see that asshat standing in the middle of the floor. His body is rigid, and his hands are fisted at his sides. He looks like he’s ready to attack. Geoff is staring at him, and I can see the anger build behind his eyes.

I’ve absolutely had enough, and if things have to come to a head now, then so be it. I stand up, throwing my napkin on the table. I take a few steps forward and face this pathetic excuse of a man. “What the f**k is your problem?! I swear you must have a death wish because you keep coming at me.”

“My problem is him. He shouldn’t be near you.”

“Oh really? Why is that?”

“Because you’re mine!” The audacity this man has. I throw my head back and laugh. That seems to anger him more, so I continue to laugh. He starts taking calculated steps toward me, but I don’t move. I can feel Goeff’s heat at my back, and I just know he’s going to call himself pushing me aside to handle this i***t. That will completely piss me off, and then I will be fighting another man in front of all these people.

I feel his hand on my back, knowing the push is about to happen. I wait for it, but it doesn’t come. I can’t take time to dwell on it because that i***t hasn’t stopped coming toward me. “I would stop walking if I were you. You don’t want to do this with an audience.”

“You don’t think I can take him? He’s nothing.” I step forward with a smirk on my face.

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about him. I was referring to me.” Now, he takes the time to throw his head back and laugh. I can’t wait to knock that smile off his ugly ass face. Everything that happened next is a complete and total blur. It all happened so fast.

He reaches for me, and his hand wraps around my ankle. He starts to pull me toward him, so I switch it up. Instead, I pull him to me, and my knee quickly goes into his gut. He bends over, taking deep breaths. I never let go of his arm, so I twist it as I turn around so I’m behind him. I have his arm behind his back, pulling it up higher. He screams out and holds his shoulder. If I move it up any higher, it will probably break. I think it would be a good experience for him, but my mate had other ideas.

He quietly comes up to me and runs his hand down my face. The sparks soften me, and the anger I felt starts to dissipate. I sigh and push him forward, letting go of his arm and watching him fall on his face. I look around at the different faces, watching the scene. Some look happy, but some look pissed, guys and girls. I don’t really care what they think. Sparks erupt on my upper arm, and Geoff gently guides me away from the scene and away from the tables altogether.

He pulls me in close as we walk, neither of us speaking. I can’t take the silence anymore and open my mouth to speak.

“Why didn’t you-”

“That was so-” We look at each other and laugh. He nods to me, and I smile.

“Why didn’t you stop me?”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re mates. Why didn’t you pull me back and go after him yourself? You know, that mate jealousy and all that.”

“Did you want me to do that?” I stop walking and look at him. His eyes seem to glow in the moonlight, taking my breath away.

“No, it was just something I expected you to do.” Geoff places my hands on both arms and rubs them up and down.

“You are more than capable, Melanie. I would never want to take anything away from you. What kind of mate would I be if I diminished your light?” Goddess! This man has all the right words, and I can’t take it. I close the gap between us and pull his head down to mine. I smash my lips against his, letting the sparks carry me away.