Mates: Melanie's Warrior

Chapter 13

~Jax~

We spoke well into the evening, and the outside had gotten dark. We say our goodbyes, and I sit around after Melanie’s mate leaves. I don’t know what made me decide to interfere, but I think it was the right one.

I get up and walk around a bit, trying to collect my thoughts. I know this will be a trying conversation with Melanie, and I need to be ready. I need to talk to Melanie, and I know it isn’t going to be an easy conversation.

I trudge through the field, my destination, the hotel we occupy. It was a great talk with Melanie’s mate, but I can’t help but be apprehensive. I stand by my decision to interfere, but I have no idea what Melanie is going to say about what I did. I don’t want to make her upset; I just want to help her. She deserves everything that the Goddess has to offer her and then some.

*Flashback*

“So you mean to tell me that this guy used the mate bond to get to Melanie?”

“Yeah, he used a witch to create a false bond. She almost lost her wolf because of it.”

“And he kidnapped her and the Alpa’s daughter with the intention of killing her?” I nod my head, watching Melanie’s mate grow more and more angry. “Basically, I have my work cut out for me then.”

“Yeah, she has no faith in the mate bond at this moment. I keep trying to talk to her, but so far, I’ve gotten nowhere.” He stands up and starts to pace back and forth. I have no idea what’s going on in his head, and I really feel for him.”

*End of Flashback*

Thinking about our conversation had me unaware of my surroundings. I don’t remember making it to the hotel, walking inside, or going upstairs to the room. The door opens in front of me, making me jolt in surprise.

Shanice stands with the door open, looking me up and down. “Are you just going to stand there, or do you plan on coming in.” I give her a weak smile and walk into the room. I start to disrobe, walking around the room on autopilot. “What gives?” I look up to find Shanice directly in front of me with her hands on her hips. I wonder if she was trying to talk to me. “What did you do?” Damn, she can see right through me.

“What do you mean? What makes you think I did something?” Shanice steps closer to me, and I can feel the heat rush to my face.

“Spill it…..what did you do?” I sigh and sit on the bed.

“I might have had a conversation with Melanie’s mate.” My voice is low, and I said it fast. Shanice’s eyes get big.

“You did….what?”

“I spoke to Melanie’s mate.”

“About……?”

“Melanie, of course. I just told him some things that he needed to know about Melanie.” I look up at Shanice, and the look on her face makes me gulp. She has a look of irritation and frustration on her face. I know there’s a chance that this was the wrong move, but I still stand by what I did.

The weight of Shanice’s gaze is beginning to be too much for me. I start to fidget on the bed, shaking my leg. I look around the room, trying to avoid Shanice, but it’s all in vain. I sigh and close my eyes. “I know, okay? I know that I run the risk of Melanie never speaking to me again, but I want to make her happy. She deserves so much more than she’s letting herself have. I want her to give her mate a chance. I gave him a heads up so he could figure out how to best approach her. If he continues just trying to talk to her, he’ll never get very far.” I lean back on the bed until I’m flat on my back. “I will gladly risk Melanie’s wrath, if that means that she ends up with her fated mate.”

Sparks erupt on my chin and neck. Shanice has rested her head on me, and her hand is stroking my stomach. “I get it, babe. I completely understand where you are coming from. Melanie could be seriously pissed with you, but she would also be indebted to you. I think it’s worth it if she gets her happiness.” I rub Shanice’s shoulder, falling even more in love with her. “Now, I should tell you about Brooklyn.”

I shift my body and look down at her. What could have happened to Brooklyn? I hope this trip hasn’t brought back any of her unpleasant memories of before. I really want her to enjoy her time away from the family, doing something she hasn’t done before. “Go for it.”

“When we got back to the rooms, Brooklyn ended up locking herself in the bathroom. That was after she stomped up to our floor and completely ignored all of Melanie’s attempts to speak to her. Neither one of us have been able to get through to her. I was close to calling the Alphas, but i wasn’t sure if I should.” I sigh. I wonder what’s gotten into Brooklyn. She’s not one to really be that way, especially with Melanie.

“I assume she’s asleep, right?” Shanice nods. “I’ll try talking to her tomorrow. If that doesn’t work, then we can contact her parents. Hopefully this isn’t the symptom of a larger issue. I still worry about her.” Shanice turns her head to look at me.

“You guys didn’t want to put her in therapy? I can’t imagine what all she experienced during that dark period in the pack.

“Brooklyn did have therapy. She went pretty often to start and then a bit less over time. To be honest, it stopped helping her. I’m not sure if she just wasn’t putting in the work or if she needed something different.” I hold Shanice as close to me as I can. I hope that Melanie and her mate can see eye to eye and accept each other. I hope speaking to Brooklyn will fix whatever stuff she has right now.