BK 3 - Chapter 2 - Not a Rejection
Saxton felt his heart race when Melanie took his hand. The electricity from her touch was so intense he thought he might pass out. When they got to the front porch, she led him over to the porch swing and sat down. He sat beside her, waiting for her to say she accepted him. However, when he looked into her eyes, he felt his heart shatter.
"You're rejecting me, aren't you?" Saxon couldn't help the tear that escaped. He'd been waiting for this day for eighteen years. He didn't understand how she could do this. Melanie took his hand again.
"I'm not rejecting you, but I'm not ready to mate with you either. I know that's not the answer you want right now, but that's the best I can do. I'm not saying I won't change my mind, but right now, I don't want to be tied to anyone. I'll understand if you want to reject me so you can find someone that wants to be with you. I won't ask you to wait for me." Saxon looked into her eyes, hoping to find some wiggle room to make her change her mind, but there was nothing but determination.
"I'm not going to reject you, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you as long as I have to until you're ready to accept me. Can I ask you something?" Saxon hid his expression when he saw the relief on her face when he said he'd wait for her. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she would be his one day.
"You can ask me anything." She answered softly, tilting her head to the side just like her mother tended to do.
"Do you feel anything for me at all? When I touch you, do you feel the sparks running through your body?" Saxon saw her shiver when he ran his fingers lightly over her arm.
"Yes, I feel it, but I can't do anything about it right now. I won't lie to you, Saxon. There's a part of me that would be happy to wrap my arms around you and never look back. However, there's a bigger part of me that saying right now isn't the time. I want to live my life before I'm handcuffed to another. You're a really special man who deserves the world; I just can't be part of that world right now." Melanie was fighting the tears that were threatening. Watching his heart break in front of her wasn't something that brought her pleasure.
"I'll wait for you, Melanie. I don't care how long it takes. You've been mine since the day you were conceived. I felt it while you were still in your mom's womb. Loving you, even from a distance, will keep me going until we're finally together." Saxon lifted her hand to kiss the back while watching her face. As soon as his lips touched her skin, he could feel her pulse race as her eyes fluttered. It pleased him that she wasn't as immune to him as she would like him to think.
Melanie stayed with him holding his hand on the porch swing for a few minutes. She couldn't give him everything he wanted but wanted to give him what she could. She didn't know why it made her feel happy that he said he would wait for her. Depending on what her future holds, he may be waiting for a long time. Although it was taking everything in her power not to crawl onto his lap and kiss him.
When he left, Saxon hugged her and kissed her forehead. She couldn't hold it in any longer as he drove away. She fell back onto the swing letting the tears fall. Her mom walked out and wrapped her arms around her after sitting down.
"Are you okay?" Cat asked her daughter as she cried on her shoulder.
"He's just so perfect. Why can't I accept him? He said he'd wait for me no matter how long it takes." Melanie started crying even harder.
"Honey, what do you want to do?" Cat asked, smoothing Melanie's long blonde hair out of her face.
"I have to get out of here. Not just out of the house. I need to get out of California. I want to go somewhere I can breathe for a while." She looked into her mom's eyes and saw the sadness, but there was also understanding.
"Where do you want to go?" Cat asked, already feeling an emptiness inside. She liked keeping her children close. However, she also understood their desire to visit other places.
"I know there are some shifters doing what you and dad are doing only with shifter kids. They're helping little pups and cubs to have normal active lives. I think I may want to join forces with them for a while. It would give me a chance to travel." Melanie looked up as her dad walked onto the porch.
"I just saw Saxon leaving. Is everything okay?" Trey asked as he kissed Cat on the forehead. They've been together for over twenty-five years, yet his heart races every time he sees her.
"I told him I wasn't rejecting him, but I'm not ready to be mated right now. I just told Mom I want to help the group that rescues abused shifters. I think it will be a good opportunity to help others and see something besides home." Trey understood his daughter's reluctance to accept her mate and even admired her for having the strength to do it. Saxon was one of the best young men he knew, and he couldn't have chosen a better mate for his daughter, but she was still his little girl, and he would support her no matter what.
"I think that's an excellent idea. I'm glad you didn't reject him altogether. That would have broken both of you. I never had a problem with your mom accepting me. Look at me; who wouldn't want me?" Cat shoved him while she giggled, and Melanie rolled her eyes.
"Dad, I really don't need to hear this." Cat and Trey shared a quick kiss before turning back to their daughter.
"You know our story and how your mother was ready for me to mark her the day she found out what I was, but did you know Kitty was hesitant to accept your uncle Aiden? She wasn't sure she wanted the life of being a mate either. So take your time and make the decision that is best for you. I only ask that you think before you do anything permanent because there are some choices you can't take back." Melanie looked up at her dad and nodded. She appreciated that they always supported her without lecturing.
"I won't. I told him that not accepting him right now wasn't me not accepting him ever. He said he would wait for me, but I know it's not fair to make him wait forever, and I wouldn't do that to him anyway. I'm going to go get everything ready. I had already contacted the head of the Shifter Rescue, and he told me where I could meet up with them. I want to leave tonight." Cat felt her heart break a little at the thought of Melanie leaving, but she knew she needed this. She walked over and put her arms around her daughter.
"Just promise me you'll be safe out there. If you need us, call any time, and we'll be there." Melanie tried to hold back the tears, but it didn't work. She was going to miss her family, but doing this felt like her calling.
"I will, Mom. I love you." They shared a group hug before she went to break the news to her siblings. They were all thrilled for her, but Theo gave her his big speech about protecting herself from rogues. She would have rolled her eyes if she didn't love him so much.
As she packed her bags, the excitement in her began to build. It was enough to cover up the longing she felt inside her chest. Melanie couldn't bring herself to think of Saxon. It hurt too much.
*"It's hurting because you're supposed to accept him and not run away from your feelings. Why don't you have him come with us? You know he would drop everything in an instant to be with you."* Sometimes she hated having a lioness who knew everything she was thinking and feeling.
*"I know that, Chika, but I need distance from him right now. I know this is affecting you too. Think of all the cubs and pups we'll be saving with this work. This is important for our community."* Chika gave a slight growl like she always did when she wanted to argue but knew Melanie was right.
*"Fine, but don't expect me to be happy about it."* Melanie tried not to giggle at her lioness, acting like an angry kitten. She knew this was what they needed to do right now. Helping others was something that was ingrained in her from her parents. Being away from Saxon for a while would help the ache in her heart; she was sure of it. Besides, she was a werelion. What could go wrong?
