Chapter Two

“Mellie? Are you okay? Where did you go? You seemed to be lost in space just now,” inquired Allison as she unlocked her car.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about … never mind. It’s not important. Sorry, I’ll get back in the right headspace,” I softly stated as I got into her car and put the seatbelt on.

“Girl, it must’ve been something heavy because of the look on your face. Were you thinking about the last time we were at Jerry’s because I can assure you that nothing like that will ever happen again,” stammered Allison as she put the car in reverse to pull out of her spot.

“No, I wasn’t thinking about that. To be honest, I was thinking about something my grandfather said to me recently. Something about how females aren’t cut out to be in positions of leadership. He told me I wasn’t cut out to be a leader,” I explained to her.

“That’s bullshit! You are a great leader. What does he know? That old fogy doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” fumed Allison as she drove down the street to the bar.

“Allie, my grandfather was a great leader. He does know what he’s talking about. But he was a leader during a different time period. Things have changed and he doesn’t recognize how much things have changed. That’s the issue between us,” I explained with a frown.

“Don’t you worry about anything? You have all of us behind you. You’re the best boss we have at the company,” Allison exclaimed as her eyes lit up as Jerry’s sign came into view. “Here we are, Jerry’s. Just what the doctor ordered. Now, let’s unwind and forget about today. Shall we?”

I just chuckled at her playfulness. “Yes, we shall.” We got out of the car and walked into the bar. The bar wasn’t too crowded yet. We found a corner booth to sit at. Perfect.

I noticed that Dad had a few pack members there to help keep an eye out for me and those who were there. They nodded to me as I looked around the bar. I nodded back at them. Our waitress came over and we ordered our first round of drinks.

Soon, a few more friends joined our little group. The music playing was a mix of Rock n’ Roll and Country; it wasn’t too horrible but it was too loud. People had to yell just to be heard over the music. I was getting a headache just from the music. Finally, someone got the bright idea to adjust the volume. Thank goodness.

Gillian and Monica joined our table. We were talking when this drop-dead gorgeous guy came over and asked Monica to dance with him. Monica told him ‘no.’ He didn’t like that answer and he called her a ‘bitch.’

Anderson, one of my pack members was nearby when he heard this particular male call Monica a bitch came to her rescue.

“Dude, she doesn’t want to dance with you. So, just walk away. There’s no need to call her names because she said no,” he demanded.

“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? Huh? I don’t recall this place having a bouncer!” shouted the male.

“No, but I’m friends with the ladies at this table. I will not have them treated or talked to in that manner. Now leave,” Anderson stated in a low, deep voice while maintaining eye contact with the male.

“You gonna make me? You and what army?” bellowed the male belligerently.

At that moment, more of our pack members came to stand behind Anderson to show he had the support of others. “You were saying?” Anderson stated in his low, deep voice.

The male just walked away from the table without saying another word. I had a look of pride on my face.

‘Thank you all for your assistance,’ I linked to my pack members.

‘No thanks are necessary Melanie. We would do anything to help a female in need of assistance, especially our Delta Heir and her friends,’ Noah one of the pack members responded in our link.

“Thank you very much for your assistance. What’s your name? Can I buy you a drink for helping me?” Monica asked Anderson, who was flustered by his actions.

“My name is Anderson, ma’am. I would like that very much,” Anderson answered her.

“My name is Monica,” Monica replied as she waved over our waitress to order another round of drinks.

“Monica, that dude was drop-dead gorgeous. Why didn’t you want to dance with him?” demanded Allison after everything settled down.

“He’s Elle’s ex. A real douche. I don’t want to get involved with him or any of his friends,” Monica explained to all of us.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to steer clear of him,” Allison announced as our drinks were being delivered to the table.

Our night continued with our group expanding with my pack members being included with my girlfriends. I told them not to get too comfortable around the human girls.

It was starting to get late, so I told Allison I needed to leave.

“How are you going to get home? I drove you here,” Allison demanded.

“Well, believe it or not, Anderson lives down the street from me. He said he would take me home. Isn’t that right Anderson?” I inquired with a look that dared him to contradict me.

“Yes, it’s true. I have lived down the street from her all my life. We even went to the same schools together. I even tried to get her to date me when we were in school, but she wouldn’t,” chuckled Anderson as he saw the incredulous look on my girlfriend's face.

“Why do you look so surprised? He does live literally down the street from where I live,” I asked Allison with an amused smirk on my face.

“How come I am just now meeting him? I’ve known you for two years. I’m supposed to be your best friend,” scolded Allison. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know you.”

“Don’t feel bad Allie, remember where we work. Even though we are best friends, you don’t know everything about me. I still have secrets that I can’t even tell you. Please don’t feel bad. Do you forgive me?” I asked Allison with a hint of fear on my face.

“Of course, I forgive you silly. We all have secrets we can’t tell anyone,” Allison explained as she hugged me goodbye. “I’ll see you on Monday, Okay?”

“Okay, good night everyone,” I cried out as we started to walk out the door.

When we reached the outside, our pack members joined us. We all walked toward our vehicle. The male from earlier appeared from the alley.

“Where do you think you’re going? You made me look like a fool in front of the ladies. Now it’s my turn to make you look like a fool in front of this lady,” he laughed as he and his boys stepped in front of us.

“You do not want to do this. Trust me, you want to walk away,” explained Anderson as he sized up the four males in front of him.

“Why, are you afraid you’re going to get your ass kicked in front of your lady friend? I know my boys and me can take you,” taunted the male.

“Believe me, you don’t want to do this. Just walk away and you won’t get hurt,” Anderson tried to reason with him but it didn’t work. The male and his boys launched themselves at Anderson and our two other pack members.

Anderson had two on him while the other two had one each. I couldn’t just stand by while my pack members were fighting, could I? I mind-linked my Dad to let him know what was going on. I also told him what I was about to do. He told me not to get involved unless I absolutely had to because Anderson could take care of himself.

What is with men thinking that a female can’t help out in a fight? I wasn’t going to do anything until someone grabbed me from behind and tried to drag me away. Oh, hell no! They did not just try to do that!

I am a trained fighter and a werewolf; you will not drag me anywhere! Not only did I stomp on his foot, but they got an elbow to the nose. Then, I turned around and gave them a right hook in the jaw. They went down like a ton of bricks.

“Mellie, are you okay?” Anderson inquired as he came over to me looking at the person I had just put on the ground.

“Yes, how about you?” I stated as I looked him over for injuries.

“I’m good. Just a few bruises and scratches. Same with the boys. Let’s get out of here. Come on,” demanded Anderson as he grabbed my arm to escort me to the car.

I couldn’t help but admire Anderson as he walked me to the car. He is ruggedly handsome at 6’ 2” with ash blonde shoulder-length hair and light blue eyes. He has a well-defined jaw that adds to his impressive facial features. I’ve only seen him as a friend and never as someone to become romantically involved with. I knew he had a crush on me in high school, why I don’t know. I’m only 5’6” with medium brown hair and jade green eyes. I’ve been told I have Cupid’s bow lips that were made to kiss. Really, I’m nothing special compared to most of the girls in my pack who look like supermodels.

We jumped into the SUV and headed home to the pack. Why do I keep going back to Jerry’s bar? Every time I go there with Allison there seems to be some sort of altercation toward the end of the evening.

Note to self, don’t go to Jerry’s with Allison ever again. When we neared home, I could finally take normal breaths. I don’t know why I was so on edge tonight. Those males, why were they waiting for us? Was it a setup?

That’s exactly what my father wanted to know when we got home. He had a long talk with Anderson, Noah, and Walsh. He wanted to know what was said and how they acted. This was too much of a coincidence. Why did someone try to grab me at the end of the skirmish?

In the end, Anderson was told to keep a closer eye on me. Anderson and Noah are my guards.