Mel’s POV“Jaxon!” Ava cries, running full speed into her big brother’s arms. He scoops her up and spins her around as they both grin and laugh. I ignore the warm feeling watching them spreads through my chest. I can’t deny that even though he’s an asshole, he’s an amazing big brother.I wait for Moon to come out of the building, but she doesn’t. Panic immediately surges through me. “Ava, where is my sister?” I ask, concealing my worry.Ava blinks up at me with wide, green eyes—the same beautiful shade as Jaxon’s. “She was crying when the bell rang, and Mrs. Jones told her to stay behind.”My heart sinks. What if her teacher calls our parents? That’s the last thing we need. I take off towards the building, shouting, “I’ll be right back!”The hallway seems longer than usual as I follow Moon’s scent into the classroom. Mrs. Jones sits at her desk, while Moon sits across from her sobbing into her hands. As soon as she sees me, Mom runs over and throws her arms around me. My heart twists a

Mel's POVWho is he to tell me what I need? I huff as I storm into the guest room and take a long, relaxing shower. He doesn’t know shit about me or our situation! But a small part of me knows that he is right, even though I will never admit that to his face. I’m fucking exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I just spent the last year in the Alpha Academy getting my ass demolished every day to gain nothing from it. Then, I’m on edge all the time now worrying about mine and Moon’s future. And if for whatever reason Jaxon decides to change his mind about me being his Beta, we would most definitely have to become rogues, or I would have to beg him to let us go to another pack.I step out of the shower and lay on the bed naked. Closing my eyes, I think about what Jaxon said earlier: Every time I’m near you, I feel your heart race. I smell how wet your pussy gets for me.He’s a cocky asshole that I hate so damn much, but my body responds to him as if I am a puppet and he is the m

Jaxon’s POVI wake up the next morning, unable to contain the smile on my face. Last night was…different. Amazing even. I can’t believe I actually grew enough balls to touch her. She tasted so sweet on my tongue, and when she finally begged me to fuck her…Just the memory of it makes me hard all over again.After a quick masturbation session in the shower, I do my morning run with Ameer. “How are you doing…you know, since the breakup with Kaylee?” he asks as he jogs beside me.“I’m good. I’m actually enjoying the company of someone else.” Flashes of last night replay in my mind and I have to fight to hide my grin.He comes to a halt, putting his hand in front of my chest to make me stop. “Who? I know it’s not Melanie.” My silence confirms it. “I know you liked her when you were kids, but she acts like she hates your guts. Plus, she’s so stubborn and hot-headed. What is there to like now?” “There’s nothing wrong with her, Ameer. Remember, she’s got Alpha blood in her. She’s not meant t

Mel's POVThe rest of the week, I manage to avoid Jaxon. I pick up Moon from school early and only drop her off at the house after Elinda gets home from work. It sucks seeing my sister less, but I know she’s in good hands and I don’t have to see him.Staying with Bliss isn’t too bad. Sure, she probably has sex with Patrick every night, but at least all the rooms in her apartment are soundproof. I only have to see the aftermath of her disheveled hair and the constant trips to the kitchen for water.This morning, I wake up early and park across the street from Moon’s school, just to make sure Elinda drops her off. Once Moon skips into the school, I head to the diner to meet Bliss and Patrick."Hey Mel, what are you going to do now that you've graduated the Academy and you're not going to be Alpha?" Patrick asks, shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth.Bliss glares at him. "Pat, I told you not to ask her that!" She mouths "sorry" to me.I shrug. "That's okay. I'm just going to be another

Mel's POVAs I chop up the vegetables for the soup, Elinda makes the roux for the soup. “So, what is going on between you and Jaxon?” she pries shamelessly.“Between us?” Absolutely nothing!She glances at me as she stirs our dinner. “Well, something must have happened since you’re actively avoiding him, and he’s been moping around the house ever since you left.”The thought of Jaxon, a fully grown Alpha-to-be, sulking makes me laugh internally. What does he have to be upset about? Tomorrow, this entire territory will be his to rule. I would call that a massive win in my book.“I think Jaxon likes me, but I have a boyfriend.” This is less embarrassing than the truth. It’s not like I can tell her that the earthshattering oral sex that her son gave me made me develop confusing feelings that I’m trying to run away from.Elinda goes silent for a long moment, probably weighing her words. “Well, that shouldn’t be a problem soon, right? The Mating Ball is only a few weeks away. I’m sure both