I stopped listening when Cheyenne saw me. Her eyes flashed in recognition and annoyance with a touch of glee. Freya snarled and snapped her jaws in my head. I gently said to my wolf, “I don’t want to block you out, Freya. We both need to do this… but I need to keep my emotions in check here.”
Freya sighed, “Fine. I’ll keep it together but do SOMETHING to her lips.” It was going to be one of my opening moves. Cheyenne and I traded verbal jabs. She didn’t like my insinuation that their fight wasn’t even kind of good.
Xander seemed surprised at my comments in the bond too. Freya snarled, “Because he is.” What? Really? How could he think that was good? Just… How? He’s an Alpha Enforcer… and a Squadron Leader… my mate knows when someone isn’t giving it their all, that includes himself. Especially himself.
I offered to fight Cheyenne if she wanted to know what a good fight was. I also called her Chey like my mate did. I felt Xander’s panic and saw Cheyenne’s eyes narrow. Oh… yeah. I did know that only Xander can call her Chey… I just didn’t care.
The obnoxious woman tried to deflect, but I didn’t let her. I should be way more tired than Cheyenne was after that disasterof a fight. I got in a dig about her outfit. She tried to mount an argument against which I batted down.
If Cheyenne always fought in outfits like this, I wouldn’t say anything….but she didn’t. It wasn’t about her comfort; it was about my mate and husband. Who she kept kissing! Freya snarled again in my head.
Cheyenne tried to play it off like she didn’t know me. Wow. Mistake after mistake, Cheyenne. Freya snarked, “What in the world is she thinking?” I don’t know but… I was disappointed in the game she was bringing.
I felt Xander’s shock when I informed Cheyenne I knew when people ran a background check on me. Paige yelled, “Yes, she does! You tell her, Mel!” Cheyenne and I were locking into a staring contest, but I wasn’t about to blink first.
Freya snorted, “No, you won't, I'll take over if I have to. Her wolf is much weaker than I am.” Of course she was. Freya was a goddess and a legend…. that apparently wasn’t a legend. We had special abilities. That wasn’t really a fair comparison.
I warned Cheyenne about kissing my mate. Mom linked me, “The honest to god nerve. Every she wolf should know not to do that to a mated wolf.” Exactly! I mean seriously… the audacity of everyone about this situation was just next level.
If Charles had kissed my cheek Xander would’ve exploded his brain. Cheyenne even tried the whole ‘it’s the custom of my people.’ I rebutted that hard, again. Xander tried to tell me she was from Europe. Sierra screamed down the link, “NOOOOOOOO! HE DID NOT SAY THAT!”
Yeah… no. Just no. Cheyenne was not from Europe. Just… no. For the love of god. NO. This woman didn’t kiss anyone else… and I’d checked. One might say extensively. Cheyenne tried to say she was only friends with Xander.
Customs weren’t reserved for friends. If you want to claim something as a customary greeting, then you have to do it witheveryone. I easily goaded Cheyenne into agreeing to fight me. I mean she really shouldn’t be tired after that sad excuse of a fight.
Cheyenne taunted me saying she was good. I rolled my eyes. I linked Sierra, “Chhhheyyythinks she’s good at fighting?! SHE’S GOOD?! I trained future Alpha’s and Beta’s… who run PACKS… and lead charges against rogues… and bad packs.”
“I was good wolf less and alone. Now I had a wolf… a freaking legendary wolf.Cheyis good? GOOD?! For real? I put on workshops… I trained packs… I RAN BLACK PATH WITH BUCK! I led attacks and defenses… and all she’s got is she’s good?!” Sierra said, “Yeah, she said that. On the plus side, you didn’t say any of that out loud.” Ok, that did make me happy.
Tristan linked me, “Take her to the cleaners, Ladybug.” I replied, “I intend to.” I jumped into Xander’s arms and possessively claimed his lips. This man was mine and Cheyenne needed to see it to believe it, apparently.
My husband and I were going to talk after this. I was going to follow Grandma Esther’s advice for several reasons. One… she’d been married a long time… so she knew things. Two… the past told me that Grandma Esther knew what she was talking about.
I turned and stared down Cheyenne who was nearly in tears over a kiss. I raised an eyebrow at her and walked into the ring. I asked, “Problem there,Chey? Or are your legs too tired from dancing on my mate.”
Cheyenne shot back, “I wasn’t dancing and only my friends call me that.” I tilted my head, “Odd. Since … as a dancer… I’m very aware that was a dancing move you were doing. Maybe you forgot you were grinding yourself on my husband.”
“As far as your nickname… I heard the only people who call you that are here. In this area actually and gym. In fact, I believe you insist on Cheyenne back home because you hate nicknames… Right? Don’t worry, I know the answer.”
I felt shock in my connection with Xander. Cheyenne’s eyes narrowed as she asked, “Why do you know so much about me?” I evaded shooting back, “Why did you run a background check on both my names?” Cheyenne flushed saying, “I didn’t.”
I snorted, “Liar. Though… you do have more skills at me in that area. That was convincing. Unfortunately for you, I know that you even hired a private investigator. I’m guessing you were upset at the lack of information he got on Ashley.” Hatred was practically oozing out of Cheyenne’s pores, and I hadn’t touched her yet.
Freya cheered, “Yes, it is. You go, Melanie!” I smirked at Cheyenne. My mate’s friend finally said, “I was just curious.” I tilted my head conceding, “That’s kind of true.” Cheyenne snarked, “You don’t know me.”
I laughed, “I know plenty about you,Chey.” She growled, “Don’t call me that.” I asked, “Why not? My mate does. Customs in your pack and mine dictate I can in fact, call you the same name he does… would you like to know the exact bylaw? I know it so… I can easily tell you.”
Several people laughed while Cheyenne bristled. I smiled at her then looked up into the stands where Xander was. I was letting her see my mark. Cheyenne growled in anger. I linked Sierra, “People are so predictable.” Sierra snorted, “Yeah, I know.”
Xander’s face paled when his friend charged me. I didn’t even look at her as I decked her straight in in the mouth. I smelled in blood instantly. I kept my eyes on my mate as I used her momentum to flip her over my shoulder.
Cheyenne landed on the mat with a thud. I bent down as she tried to catch her breath. Cheyenne screamed, “My wips!” She deserved the lisp she now had because of how I split her lip. I said, “Yeah… guess you can’t kiss my mate anymore. It was onlymy goal. My wolf wanted to rip your lips right off your face. So… this was our compromise.” I heard more laughter.
I added, “Oh… and uhh, in case it wasn’t clear from this move… I’m not going to take it easy on you like everyone else does. I can promise you I’m a better fighter than you ever dreamed of being.” Cheyenne growled and tried to swipe my feet.
I simply grabbed her leg and squeezed it. I contemplated options out loud, “I could break your leg, you know?” Freya urged, “Do it.” I squeezed harder but didn’t break Cheyenne’s leg. She still yelped. I let go and let her get up.
I urged, “Ok, come on. Show me what you got. Because I gotta say… this is sad, even for you. I don’t have a high bar for your abilities… given you only practice when you’re going to come see my mate… but… this is subpar.”
