Page 69 of The Alpha's Heir

*** Melanie ***

Sitting here with Eva and Salma, I almost feel like we have been friends for years. I am one of the girls, and they accept and value me. I can't remember a time when I felt so normal. They listen to me and confide in me too and I could get used to being friends with them. I hope that is a possibility.

I sincerely thought Max was joking last night when he told me he needed to talk to me about something serious. “Melanie, I need to tell you something about me, and then hopefully the rest will make sense to you. I’m a werewolf. And that means I can feel a bond between us that tells me that we are fated to be together.”

Bursting into laughter, I truly think this is a funny story to make me laugh. “You’re crazy, Max, with your stories and funny sayings. You’ve really kept my spirits up.”

I didn’t take a bit of notice of what he said, but when I relay the story to Eva and Sal and see their reactions, I know there is some truth in it. The realisation that Max means everything he’s told me overwhelms me, causing joy to burst in my chest. We are meant to be together, the mates bond is a real thing, everything he told me is true.

I can’t wait to talk to him about it later. For now, I wipe my tears away and share my happiness with my friends. This has been bittersweet. I am heartbroken that I lost my baby and I don’t think I will ever get over that. But the promise of someone destined for me, someone as lovely, kind, and sexy as Max, well, that makes moving forward and looking to the future a little easier.

Eva tells me why she is in the cell and it sounds really scary. I ask her about Summer and they believe she is a werewolf too. It's a surprise that Ryan never knew, but it makes sense when she explains that she didn’t know either until recently.

“So, Melanie, has Max told you what he wants in the future?” My face fills with heat now that I know he won't change his mind and that he is being deadly serious about wanting me to move here with him and us being a family. He even said there would be room for my boys whenever they want to visit or stay too.

“He asked me to move in with him, he said he would ask for a bigger accommodation for us so my boys can come and stay too. But I told him I would have to talk to you about it first. I don’t want to infringe and if me being here causes you pain then I will tell him no.” I look at them both to gauge their reaction. It was one thing to invite me to sit with them. It is a whole other thing to live in close proximity to me and be involved in everyday life with each other.

“Are you kidding me, Mel? I’ve been setting up an appropriate place for you both to live. The past is the past, no one is perfect. I am so happy to be welcoming you as a member of my pack, as my Gamma’s mate and as my friend. You deserve to find some bliss now too. Be happy, Mel.” My eyes fill up with tears again as I take it all in. I have a mate, a pack and friends as well as two healthy sons and a promising future. Yes, times have been hard, but everything led me on the path to Max.

“What are the next steps in your therapy, Eva?” Salma inquires. Salma is able to relax now that she knows her husband should be safe. The next steps of Eva’s therapy are also of interest to me. Now that Eva knows I'm not part of her therapy, what is the next step for her and her recovery?

“I am going to phone Luke in a little while. Aiden and I are working through my issues with Ryan and tomorrow my mother is coming so I can confront her too. Hopefully, I will be out of the cell soon and then Aiden and I can have our Mating Ceremony.” I have no idea what that means but this is something I can talk to Max about now.

The thought of having someone as considerate and loving as Max to share my life with fills me with warm love and longing. When he walks back into the cell, my tummy somersaults. His hair is wet, but his clothes are dry. “Is it raining?” I ask him, but he shakes his head at me.

“Did you let Ray out for a run?” Eva asks him and he looks at me quickly before grinning and nodding. “Don’t worry, we’ve explained everything to Melanie. She believes you now. Don’t you, Mel?” I nod my head at him, shyly.

“Come on then, Honey, you should get back to the hospital and get some rest. Mrs Morales, I can take you over to see your husband now too, if you want. He’s in recovery.”

I hug Eva goodnight and whisper my thanks to her that she has been able to forgive me and welcome me into her pack. She wishes me goodnight.

“Max, you and Melanie should come and have a look at the available apartments once she has recovered.”

Max smiles at her and then at me. “Yes, Luna, thank you,” he says as he takes me by the hand.

“Who’s Ray?” I ask, I think I know but I want him to tell me and introduce me.

“He’s my wolf, or the wolf side of me. I’ll introduce you sometime, he is very eager to meet you.” Butterflies swirl about my tummy when he looks at me. He mesmerises me. How can someone as decent as Max like someone like me?

Salma surprises me by hugging me farewell too. “Thanks for keeping me company tonight, Melanie. I won't forget this.”

Max and I wait outside the clinic. It's cold because it is the dead of night, but the fresh air feels fantastic after being cooped up inside since my accident.

“You believe me now, then?” he asks. Looking into his eyes, I nod. “And about the mate bond and how I feel about you.”

He steps closer to me. “Max…” He pushes my hair back behind my ear and cups my cheeks with his warm, calloused hands. I could just melt into his embrace, leave my past behind and start afresh with Max, but the thought is so enticing, it scares me. “I just need time. I think I do want this, but everything is happening all so fast and unexpectedly. I’m scared of messing it up.”

He gives me a short, soft nod of the head to show he understands. “That’s okay, we have all the time… but I want to kiss you, Honey. Can you spare me one kiss for now?”

My breath catches in my throat as I slowly nod. Max smiles at my response before he pulls me closer to him. His body is hot and hard against mine, and when he runs his hands up my neck to my face, my body reacts almost instantly. He leans down and kisses me, but it’s not the soft and sweet kiss that I expect. This is a hot and demanding kiss, a carnal kiss. This is the sexiest kiss I have ever experienced. A little moan escapes from me, a sound I didn’t even know I was capable of.

He pulls away from me all too soon and I want to sulk like a child. “Does that make you want more, Honey?” In the past I would have been coy, I would have pretended to not want anything, but I want to be completely honest with Max.

I nod to him and to my delight, he kisses me again. This time I match him, stroking his tongue back with my own and holding him closer to me by wrapping my arms around his neck. He nibbles and tugs on my bottom lips before pulling away once again.

“I’m just asking for a chance to show you how good we could be together. For an opportunity to show you how I could treat you like a goddess. So I can give you a snapshot of how a life with me would be. What the prospect of us becoming one and of how hot and fulfilling it would be for both of us. I want it all with you Melanie. Don’t forget it, because I won’t. Not after that kiss.”

I continue to stare at him wide-eyed.

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