I snorted, “I should probably go see what that’s about.” Dad laughed, “I don’t know if you want to do that, son.” I frowned,“Why not?” Dad explained, “Your mate is a bit like your mother in ways and Melanie does NOT understand your issue with Charles. The girls are explaining it, and she disagrees.”
I sighed, “I told my Beta and Gamma to have T and Drake talk to her.” Dad hummed, “Yes, I would’ve added Esther to that group. I can’t believe she wasn’t here. Though if I know her, she’ll come later in her own time to talk to Melanie about it.”
I reasoned, “Yes, well my wife and I should probably talk about it together.” Dad smirked, “You could wait until after Christmas. Your mate would probably be less upset about it than she is right now.” I shrugged, “I might as well get it over with and out there.” Dad drank the rest of his whiskey.
Then told me, “Let me know if you come up with an argument she understands. I might have to use it on your mom. She’ll be on Melanie’s side in this by the way.” I asked, “Whose side are you on?” Dad answered, “I’ve learned that you can agree to disagree in life, son.”
I urged, “Please expand on that.” Oden replied, “I’m talking to Thor.” Good. Dad chuckled, “Your mother doesn’t have an animalistic side, so she doesn’t understand the wolf in us. Melanie just got hers. I don’t know if that’s a factor, but to a degree your mate and mother are right.”
“How we feel is sexist, but we are Alpha’s and that’s how we are. Something your mate is definitely aware of because she reads studies. There is something to be said about experiencing something in person compared to reading about it.”
“It’s glaringly obvious that your mom handles women who want me differently than I handle men who want her. We handle things differently. That is perfectly natural as we are not the same. I’d just watch that with your mate if I was you.”
I asked, “Why?” My dad laughed, “Because from what I’ve observed, Charles was not wrong. Melanie doesn’t see much gray. She may just decide to handle a situation she sees the sameas Charles the way you did. Or take it a step further from the explanation she’s getting.”
I frowned reasoning, “There’s no one for her to do that with.” Dad disagreed, “There are plenty of women and men who want you, son. I won’t be a hypocrite and say I’ve seen all the ones interested in me that others do. I haven’t. I’m just saying, watch out with your mate.” I nodded.
I was pretty sure I could get Melanie to see my side. Dad just chuckled, “I wish you best of the luck with clear look on your face you’ll get your mate to your side. I will again reiterate that taking a beat might be best. Since from what I’m hearing your mate’s back is against the wall.” He walked out.
I went to find Melanie because her back shouldn’t be against the wall. It was just a discussion, and I didn’t want anyone to make her feel that way. I scented my wife outside then spotted her easily. My mate did in fact look VERY annoyed.
Chason linked me, “Word of advice, walk away man. Walk away.” I snorted, “It will be fine.” Chason said, “As a man who has been mated longer than you, it will not be fine. This is defcon three and could escalate quickly.”
Fowler linked, “Alpha, the Muffin Luna needs a second. To dance, run, beat someone up, make all the food in the world or something. She doesn’t get it, and their explanations just make her more upset.” I replied, “Then I’ll explain it differently.” Fowler made a face and clearly told Chason because he just laughed back.
KJ warned, “Alpha, it’s not a good time. Just like you need to work off steam, your mate does.” I reasoned, “I’m not going to put her back against the wall like I heard they did.” KJ whistled, “The young just have to learn in their own way.” Huh?
I walked up announcing, “I’ll be stealing my mate now.” Ray snorted, “It’s your funeral, Alexander.” Oden offered, “Freya isalso agitated.” Jesus Christ, what did they say? I raised an eyebrow at Ray. Elise gave me a sympathetic look.
Melanie’s friends, on the other hand, looked like this was exactly how they expected things to go. Buttercup was trying not to laugh. I held my hand out to Melanie, and she took it. I walked a little ways with her into the forest to one of my treehouses. We climbed up silently together.
Once we were inside, I stated the obvious, “You are annoyed.” Melanie practically exploded with words, “Yes, I am. People seem to be under the impression that having an animal side means people can behave like jerks.”
I countered that, “It doesn’t but it does mean we are possessive.” Melanie snorted, “There’s a difference in being possessive and being rude… which you know… based on how you phrased what you said… and you were rude to Charles.”
“I’ll speak to him as well because Sierra said he was goading you on purpose; however, that doesn’t mean you should’ve let him. Or that he should’ve done it. He’s far too old for that crap… but it’s always been you for me… and you know that.”
I growled, “He wants you.” Melanie retorted, “So?” I explained, “You didn’t care when it was Vance I was pissed off at.” Melanie frowned, “That was different! He insulted you, me, and our relationship. That is a completely different set of circumstances.”
“I will always be on your side about people disrespecting our bond… or you. I don’t let people do that… I’m actually quite rude about it….but I’m allowed to hug my friends. Or be excited to see them when they come visit.”
I closed my eyes admitting, “I’d prefer you NOT jump into the arms of another man who wants to fuck you. Or one who wants you as his Vampire child.” Melanie argued, “I don’t think he wants to have... umm relations…. with me anymore. Charlesand Angelique had a thing for…. a while…. and I set them up so… that’s not really a thing.”
My eyes widened, “You think because a man has sex with your friends, he doesn’t want to have sex with you?” Melanie replied, “I mean… yes.” I told her, “Your logic is VERY wrong.” Melanie crossed her arms disagreeing, “A man as smart as Charles knows I wasn’t ever going to have sex with him; however, if he wanted the chance… being intimate with my friends wasn’t the way to get me into bed. He knew when he slept with Angelique there was no chance… not that there was a chance before, but it dropped the percentage into the negative.” I gaped at her.
Eventually I said, “You cannot be serious.” Melanie emphatically said, “I am one hundred percent serious. Nothing between Charles and I has ever been sexual.” I snorted, “You kept him alive by feeding your blood to him.”
Melanie frowned and I felt her confusion in the bond. My wife told me, “That wasn’t sexual…. at all… in any way.” I snorted, “Do you really not know how sexual feedings are for Vampires?” Melanie shrugged, “I mean… yes… but not all are.”
I snorted, “For them it is.” Melanie replied, “No… it’s not. Sometimes it’s about continuing their life. Besides… there were no type of intimate things happening when I saved his life. It was about keeping him alive and healing him.”
“Charles was in really bad shape when I got to him. I’ve never given my blood to a Vampire who wasn’t injured… so from what I’ve seen… it has never been sexual in nature. Angelique did talk about that side of it, but they were being intimate when Charles drank her blood.”
“So of course, that’s different… because… it would be more intimate in that type of encounter. You know you’re the ONLY person I’ve been with… in any sort of way. You were my firsteverything. The point remains, you shouldn’t have been so rude to Charles. You are fine with Dax and Caine.”
I countered, “Dax and Caine don’t want to sleep with you. They view you as a little sister.” Melanie snorted, “Would you like me to take a poll in the surrounding packs about the women who want to sleep with you? I wouldn’t even have to make it anonymous… and the number saying they do would be INSANELY high.”
I snorted, “I don’t run and jump into their arms.” Melanie tilted her head, and I felt in the bond her mood was quite dangerous to someone, but I didn’t know who. Oden said, “Freya locked down. I don’t have any insight here.”
