If I Were Allowed To Love You

Twenty-One

Arms wrapped around her waist. A pair of lips kissing her ticklish neck. Melissa's father truly loved her mother, and staring at the picture in one of the many boxes prompted tears to prick at her eyes. She missed her mom. It had been a while since she last thought of her, but she hadn't cried over her in years. Melissa assumed being in her old trailer made her emotional, as she hadn't seen her own father in two years. She missed her family. At least she knew she'd see him at the wedding, whenever they chose a date.

"She's a very beautiful woman," Lucas commented as he took the picture from her hand. "Do you think she knew about the gift?"

"I mean, all the women in the family knew about the gift, but I don't think she knew about that. And remember, my father can never know about it. You know how he'd react."

Letting out a loud chuckle, he said, "Oh, I know. I still remember when he came to see the show. 'Mythical's are dangerous and have no place being here.' What a prick." His eyes widened and he shot his head to Melissa. "That's not what-"

"How dare you speak of my father that way!" she shouted with laughter ringing out of her voice. "He helped create me, so show him some damn respect."

"I'm so sorry." He pouted his lower lips and placed his hands on her hips. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, "How can I make it up to you?"

Smiling, she tilted her head back, and he leaned in for a soft kiss. "All if forgiven."

Lucas pulled away as Ryan and Theo knocked on the door. Melissa answered and giggled when she saw them on the porch. "Hey! Thank you both so much for helping us."

A loud clank interrupted the trio, and they looked towards the fridge to see the door had fallen off and laid by Lucas's feet. He had his hands in the air, wincing as he looked up at Melissa. She sighed as she walked further into the trailer. "Again, thank you both for helping."

"Yeah, you clearly need it," Ryan commented as he scanned the trailer.

Dust flew through the air with cobwebs in each crevice. Theo could have sworn he saw a mouse, but it could have been a rat. Boxes were scattered everywhere on the floors filled with various objects. "The AC even went out last night, so it's been a sweat lounge in here," Melissa claimed. "We've been taking washcloths and drenching them in cold water to cool off."

Ryan huffed as he fanned his face. "Do you care if I take my shirt off?"

Theo gaped at his brother. Werewolves were more likely to want to mate with their mate if they saw them naked. Half-naked would drive them insane as they waited for them to take the rest of their clothes off. Theo had never met a human mate before, so he didn't know if it was the same for human mates, but he had a feeling Ryan was wanting to give it a try. But then again, it was incredibly hot in the trailer.

"Only if you don't care if I take mine off," Lucas laughed, and Theo suppressed a whimper.

"No one wants to see that," Melissa deadpanned. Both Ryan and Theo glanced at one another.

"True," he said. "I remember last night."

"I'm sorry. You two have sex with clothes still on?" Theo pressed.

They giggled at one another before shaking their heads. "The bedroom is disgusting. We had to have sex in the car, and you never know what can happen in a car-"

"I don't think we need to hear the details," Ryan stated, wanting to save his brother from feeling more heartbroken than before.

Melissa chuckled. "Do whatever you'd like to make yourself feel more comfortable. Make yourselves at home."