Reaching Out

Elise is Twenty-One Years Old

Elise was beyond excited. FINALLY! I was going to see Mel in person and not just for a few minutes on skype. I swear that girl had only gotten busier these past two years. Rhea replied, “Seriously. I feel like we should investigate how she isn’t set to graduate this year.”

I joked, “We should. With all her extra classes and extracurriculars she could be graduating. Right?”

Rhea scoffed, “Easily.”

Honestly, I was ready to give her teachers a piece of my mind. I’d tried to talk to Mel, but she just kept saying it wasn’t forever. I knew that. The problem was they were manipulating her, and she was letting them. That part I didn’t understand. Melanie didn’t take crap from people.

Sadly, it all came back to her living her dream. It was like with that set of words we all just accepted everything. It annoyed me. I wanted her to be happy and live her dreams. Something about this bothered us all though, and we just all backed off once those words were spoken.

Sometimes it was like there was an itch on my brain trying to figure out what was so weird about all of this, and I just couldn’t scratch it. The more I thought about it the more it itched, or my head pounded with pain. Eventually I’d just give up.

I didn’t understand what was going on. The more I didn’t understand the more I would get confused. The whole thing made me want to throw my hands in the air. Then as if my mind knew I needed the reminder, the thought that this was her dream would flood into me. It was like cold water.

I was trying to stop her from living her dream for my own selfish reasons. I missed her and wanted her home. Of course she wanted to go to Julliard. It was an incredible honor to be accepted. I should be happy for her, and I was. Wasn’t I? Of course I was. I shook the thought off.

Today wasn’t about that though. Today I was going to see her. I could get more of a sense for her feelings today. I was finally going to see her in person. Technically, I should wait until our dinner tonight because it was very early in the morning.

Screw that though, I wanted to see her now. I missed seeing her face to face. It was hard with how busy I was, combined with how busy she was to even talk at all. Rhea chuckled, “But she’s coming for dinner tonight.” She was.

I was so excited about it. I told her Alexander would be there too and she seemed excited. Not like I thought she would be, but still excited. Honestly, everyone was ready for this dang dinner. This was finally going to be resolved. They were mates. Alexander still worried they might not be, but EJ and I knew.

Rhea chimed in, “Plus, Melanie has always been adamant about the fact that he is hers.”

True. I told my dad I was going to pick her up my damn self. I was not taking no for an answer. Not this time. EJ was even going to send William, Wesley, and Buttercup with me. It basically came down to the fact that I was not leaving Red Run without Ladybug.

I had warned the pack not to bog me down today. My morning was fine, but I wanted to be in Red Run by dinner time. Did anyone listen to me? No. Did they regret that? I was positive they did. By the time I’d wrapped for the day it was well past dinner. I needed to eat myself.

One of the girls that had been sent to our pack walked into the kitchen timidly. I smiled at her, and she sat down by me. I couldn’t leave to see Mel now and I knew that. These pack members needed some tender loving care. That was my job as their Luna, and their needs came before my own.

I smiled at her, “Hi, Paisley.”

She smiled, “Hi, Luna Elise.”

I asked, “How are things going?” Paisley smiled softly, “It’s so nice here. It’s very different. Everyone is so kind. Haley is like a lifeline. The letter said you both would be.” I nodded.

The people that came to us usually had a letter. This was the first time I’d gotten any inkling as to what was in them. Rhea snorted, “It’s more than a letter with this one.”

Rhea thought Paisley knew someone that talked about us.

There were moments when recognition would flare in her eyes. I’d swear she ran away from Alexander for some reason though. I’d sworn I saw disappointment in her eyes once, but that didn’t make any sense. I must have been wrong.

Most just said they were told to come here. Paisley had been given a bus ticket. She woke up in a hospital and a doctor put her on the bus. We’d tracked him down, and he told us he’d gotten a note too. That he was helping his patient.

There was more there to his story and hers. Haley believed she was getting over a rejected bond, but we didn’t have proof of that. The doctor that sent her here was renowned in the Werewolf world as a surgeon. He was the very best. Why would he have a patient that didn’t require surgery? We thought he could be part of the circle group, but there was nothing to confirm it.

Haley suspected that the blue circle group helped him, and now he helps them. He has four pups, two daughters and two sons. One daughter had basically withdrawn from her life for six months. She was slowly coming back to herself and we were monitoring her.

Haley even spoke with the doctor. She’d given him her card. She knew what was going on with his daughter. They had skype sessions, but of course she couldn’t say much. She took her oaths very seriously.

I casually asked, “Your letter mentioned me specifically?”

Paisley nodded, “Yes, it said you would help me, and that your mother in law would too. I was also told that you would always keep my secrets.”

Rhea linked, “Mmhmm, I knew it. She said told.” I reasoned, “That could’ve been in the letter.” She sang, “I’m riiiggghhhtt.” I was thinking she was.

Paisley continued, “And that you are what a Luna was supposed to be. That you are a true protector. Just like Haley.”

I agreed, “All that is true. You can always come and talk to me. Whatever is said will stay between us if that’s your wish.”

Paisley smiled, “You might think that Luna’s are always like that, but they aren’t. Some lie and make you think you can trust them only to let their mates use it against you.”

I frowned, “What do you mean?”

Paisley looked around then whispered, “This stays between us?” I nodded, “Of course.”

She sighed and contemplated for several minutes before whispering, “I questioned things happening in my old pack. Things that shouldn’t have been happening. I went to my Luna in confidence. She always seemed like such a nice, caring woman.”

“I was called into my Alpha’s office the next day and punished. She sat there smirking as if she’d won something. After my punishment, I was declared a rogue. The second I crossed the border I was ambushed and taken.”

I gasped, “That shouldn’t have happened. Whenever you’re ready, if you tell me the name of that pack, EJ and I will take over with our allies. I won’t push you to tell me though.”

Paisley sighed, “I wish I was braver, but that punishment is something I still remember.”

Rhea told me, “Something about that story is off. I think it happened but not all those details were right. Her heartbeat tells me the part of the Luna story is a lie. Her wolf even whimpered.”

I asked, “Why would she lie about that part?”

She replied, “I don’t know, but she did.”

I took Paisley’s hands, “I’m so sorry that happened to you. How long after that did you get out?”

Paisley smiled, “I was lucky I was only there for three months after that. Some of those girls on my bus were there for years. Even one guy. There were more guys, but I guess they just took off. I worry about them sometimes. All of us had different stops, you know?”

I nodded because I did know that.

They rotated between our territories, but anyone like Paisley was here. Someone knew us well. Eric was worried about that. I asked, “Is it common knowledge that Haley Conners escaped the Ring?”

Paisley laughed, “She is a famous double Princess. Everyone talks about her. There are rumors but most outside this area think anyone would be crazy to have done that to King Titus’ daughter.”

She paused, “I used to be one of those people. I doubted those rumors and stories. I looked up to her though. Now, I do even more than before. If she can rise up from the ashes and stand as she does, I can too. I don’t even know how she juggles it all. She’s a double Princess, has twenty pups, is a therapist, a mom, and a mate.” I nodded.

Paisley snorted, “Not to mention highly desired. I always believed the rumors about people wanting to take her and her pups. I bet Alpha Eric is quite busy, as she is, about those threats.”

I gulped but nodded. Those threats always scared me, and I knew I didn’t know them all.

EJ didn’t even know because if it wasn’t a credible threat he didn’t want to be informed. There were enemies of the Fae that desperately wanted to get their hands on EJ and his siblings, along with Haley herself. We had fought against several, but I knew that Haley and Eric thwarted many more attempts ever since EJ, Cassie, and Alexander had been born.

Rhea snorted, “Yeah, but we know those attempts have dwindled since we took over.”

Which didn’t make sense. Rhea snickered, “Unless someone like the circle group is stopping them.”

Then I liked them even more than I already did.

Paisley left the kitchen. I sat back in my chair. My phone started to ring. I smiled and answered, “Hi, Cass.”

Cassie replied, “So, did my big brother manage to stay out of Red Run today?”

I snorted, “As far as I know Alexander hasn’t left the pack. I haven’t even made it there myself yet. No one listened to my directive.”

Cassie tisked, “How much do they regret that?”

I admitted, “I think it’s safe to say they realized they’d monumentally messed up. I think your brother has a personal countdown until tomorrow.”

Cassie chuckled, “I, for one, can’t wait.” I squealed, “You’re coming?” Cassie sounded surprised, “Uh hell yes. Dad is having to turn people away from dinner, so we don’t overwhelm the imaginary Melanie. We can’t have her not like Black Mountain, now, can we?”

I snorted, “She will love it. She’s wanted to come here for sixteen years.”

Cassie grumbled, “If only it was common knowledge why EJ and I are so excited for this to happen.”

I laughed, “I still can’t believe people haven’t picked up on it.”

Cassie snorted, “I’m not. Alexander is good at hiding his emotions from others. It’s harder to do that with EJ and me. The younger siblings have an idea I’m pretty sure.”

She added, “Well, not Angela of course. Honestly, I’ve been tempted to tell her more than once. She would just pop to our house in New York and happen to run into Melanie.”

I snorted, “Someone should put a pin in that plan.”

Cassie sighed, “The only reason I haven’t done it myself is because Alexander wants Melanie to live out her dream. Damn my parents and their respect for other people’s choice mantra that I’ve adopted.”

I laughed, “In this one situation only I agree. Damn that mantra.”

Cassie confided, “I’ve decided, that if she gets into Julliard and they haven’t met by her senior year I’m at my limit. I’ll take a mission in New York and wander around until I find her.”

I laughed, “I like it.”

Cassie sighed, “This whole ‘it’s her dream’ just gets me. I’d never want to take someone’s dream from them. Thank god for Karina’s cookies.”

I ate one as she said it. I told her, “I feel the same way. She’s like my little sister. I want her to be happy. I just know she’d be happy here too. If not happier if she’d just meet Alexander. He could pop back and forth to see her once they’d met.”

Cassie snorted, “Right? Stupid ass rule.”

I saw EJ in the living room. I told Cassie, “I’ve got to go. I’m going to go see Mel. I just want to see her wolf before tonight. Hell, I might spend the night there just so there’s no way she can’t not make dinner tomorrow.”

Cassie laughed, “Sit on her if necessary. I’m a call away if you need a charm or twenty to ensure dinner happens. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hung up and ran into the living room.

The bond told me how amused EJ was over my feelings. Rhea grumbled, “I want to leave right now. The only reason we weren’t already there was because of pack disputes.”

I agreed, “They will listen to us next time.”

She agreed, “They’d better.” I knew she was excited to see Melanie too. She’d grown so attached to her.

I had a quick chat with Alexander, who was smiling as we discussed dinner. This was absolutely happening. I’d literally put it on her calendar and mine. Ok it was ok EJ’s and Alexander’s too. I had no chill. I even put it on my dad and Drake’s calendars.

EJ grabbed me and popped us to my parents’ house. My heart dropped the second we got there. Drake was crying. I noted Sam was outside with my mom. I could see them on the porch. The only person I didn't see was Melanie. Had they fought after her shift? No, that was unlikely. She might still be out running around enjoying her first run.

Rhea asked, “Then why are they crying?”

She sounded dejected but it just wasn’t possible that Melanie wasn’t here. It just wasn’t. I was firmly in denial. When Drake told us she was still in New York tears sprang into my eyes. Rhea growled in my head. I wanted to scream at them and demand to know how did happened.

Dalton linked, “Sis.”

I shouted, “Melanie and I had plans! We’ve been talking about them for months!”

He replied, “The plane…” I cut him off, “I heard dad explain! Why didn’t she call me? Huh? I could’ve had EJ go get her. This was obviously an emergency that no one would or could have argued over. EJ can pop TO THE DAMN AIRPORT!”

He winced and I knew he agreed. It was weird Melanie didn’t call me or the Gamma’s in this pack. My head began to pound, and I rubbed my temples discreetly. Rhea scoffed, “Are they really telling us her wolf’s color? Of course it’s brown. Beta children’s wolves have brown in their coat, always.”

She was right.

I’m sure her wolf was beautiful. I just wanted to see her. My heart felt like it was broken. EJ was pissed and the bond told me his eyes were a second away from blazing gold. The McAlister’s were all blaming themselves.

I even saw Ben McAlister sitting on his porch with my grandpa. Both were drinking while Ben was crying. Rhea linked, “Why is mate confused about the mandate of no visitors from the school?”

I admitted, “I’m not sure. Surely I told him, right?”

Rhea sighed, “We must not have. It was all very upsetting.”

I frowned because EJ always knows when I’m upset, and that mandate pissed me off. I was in the gym for hours. Had I forgotten to tell him other stuff? My headache was getting stronger. The whole situation was maddening.

My mind drifted back to that aftermath. Drake had called Melanie and told her to come home after that letter, but she begged him to let her stay. I wanted to know what type of paper that school used. All of us had a sneezing fit after we read it. Damn New York. Damn dancing arts school. Damn teachers and their damn dusty paper.

Drake was losing it, and I couldn’t blame him. Rhea groaned, “Here with go with everyone calming him down by saying ‘Melanie is fine.’ I may force a shift if I hear those words again.”

I started thinking she was right. We said that a lot. Something pricked at my head, but the headache was pushing those thoughts away.

Without warning, EJ dropped to the ground screaming. Rhea growled in my head. I screamed. I grabbed onto him, looking around frantically. I asked, “DAD! What happened?!”

Everyone looked stunned.

I begged my mate, “EJ?”

He didn’t indicate he heard me. I pleaded, “EJ talk to me! Tell me what’s wrong?”

Nothing had happened to me. Why was he down? Coldness filled me. Oh god. I ordered Tristan, “Call Black Mountain! It’s a Conners. One of the Conners is down!”

Before Tristan could dial, pain hit me like lightning. I shot back from EJ and went down myself. I thought it was through my bond with EJ, but he’d tamped that down tight. I screamed in pain while Rhea was howling in my head.

I heard other howls and managed to look around. To my shock, everyone was down. What the hell? EJ crawled over to me and held me. The pain went away in the next second. I linked Rhea, “Are you ok?”

Rhea answered, “I don’t know. I do know that something very bad just happened.”

I knew that. I just didn’t know what it was.

We had all managed to stand up when Alexander popped in. I was not expecting his anger or the next words out of his mouth. Rhea gasped, “Melanie? We MUST protect her, Elise! I knew that school was evil.”

I reasoned, “We don’t know why he thinks that yet.”

Worry and fear crept into me though.

I talked to Rhea while everyone discussed it. I reasoned, “A wolf contacted him, and hers was the only birthday around this area.”

She agreed, “That’s true but she can’t contact him.”

Rhea reasoned, “Maybe because her memories tell her wolf she thinks he’s theirs she could.” I argued, “That doesn’t make sense. You have to meet someone and their wolf for your wolves to talk.” She sighed.

I got a link from Tessa, our Female Lead Warrior, “Is Alexander with you?”

I answered, “Yes.”

She sighed, “Haley actually looks panicked. I can only imagine what the bond feels like.” I told her, “I’m sure we will be back soon.” She acknowledged, “Alright.” Man, Haley was probably a wreck if you could see it. She was always on locked down.

We tried to figure out what this was. I linked Rhea, “Any ideas?”

Rhea admitted, “I really do not know.”

My brothers ran in the room, all wide eyed and moderately terrified. I linked Dalton, “I thought you were in here. We were linking.” He replied, “We were in the backyard. I could hear the conversation.” Oh, that made sense.

Everyone knew this was weird. Melanie even called. I wasn’t as relieved as I thought I would be about it. Maybe I wanted the Conners to declare this an emergency since Alexander felt so strongly she was hurt. Yes, that had to be it. The headache was back in full force.

Theories went around and everyone decided that Alexander was seen as a protector by those who met him. I mean, he was. There was something there though. I rubbed my temples. What was it? Damn it! I knew the answer was right there.

I couldn’t focus on the conversation. The harder I thought the harder my head pounded. Eventually, my mom dragged me outside while EJ was on the phone. She frowned, “You have a headache again.”

Sam joined us frowning too.

I lied, “It’s nothing.”

Sam whispered, “We get them too. Did you tell EJ?”

I shrugged, “I really don’t know. Maybe? He was confused about the letter from Mel’s school. He can’t lie but I could swear we’ve talked about it.” My mom wiped tears away, “The pack doctor said there’s nothing wrong with us.”

Sam admitted, “I’ve considered going to the Bishop brothers. They are just so busy I feel guilty asking them. Plus, it’s a headache. What can Warlocks do?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know. Are you ok, Sam?”

Sam started crying again.

She sniffled, “Drake thinks this is his fault, but it’s mine. He coddled Melanie so I had to be the disciplinarian. She doesn't blame him, she blames me. I was the mom monster. It’s me.”

My mom consoled her, “It’s not our rule about crossing the border. It’s the Werewolf Council’s. We’ve lost too many pups to rogues. You had to follow the rules.”

Sam sighed, “I was the one who pushed Drake to let her compete in this competition. I just swore the closer we got that she didn’t want to do it. I really thought she wouldn’t go. If we’d just let her come to the Luna Ceremony she’d probably still be here.”

She stammered, “It’s just that honestly that night I don’t even know what came over me. Sometimes I still ask if I really refused to let her go. We could’ve just punished her the next day. I can’t believe we didn't.”

Rhea scoffed, “Neither can I.”

I had nothing but bitterness to add here so I didn’t say anything.

Sam continued, “It was Elise’s Luna Ceremony. What was I even thinking? I mean it had to be the thought of Ladybug dying. That’s all I can come up with.”

I hugged her while my head pounding. Rhea sighed, “She’s right. Denying Melanie the right to come to our ceremony isn’t like the McAlister’s.”

My headache came roaring back. We walked back inside, and I just rested my head on EJ’s shoulder until we went home.

After that, the rumors were rampant that the Moon Goddess had been hurt and that’s why everyone went down. We found out that all Werewolves worldwide had gone down for a few moments. It was unheard of. EJ was worried about it, but there was nothing to find about it. Eric had the council researching, but nothing even in legends gave them a clue.

They focused on that while I focused on the drug ring. We’d managed to push the drugs out of our area, but not Blue Moon or Red Run. All our allies still had a slight problem. My grandpa and Alpha Cameron were going this time to the meet.

I stepped outside an hour before the meet was going down for some fresh air. Haley popped to me. She greeted, “Hi Elise, how are you doing?”

I smiled, “Good. How’s everything with you?”

Haley waved her hand answering, “Well, I have partial Fairies to find and train, and twenty kids running around. I know something is bothering some of them, but they aren’t ready to talk.”

She admitted, “It’s fucking hard. I just want to make everything better for my kids. They are the only ones that I find it hardest to respect boundaries for. I’d give the world twenty fucking times over to make everything easy for them. Something is going on with them, but they don’t want me to know. That’s their choice, but I just want to fucking fix it for them.”

I patted her hand, “I know you do. I think it’s great that you give them space.”

She nudged, “More with the adults than the younger ones. It’s still fucking hard though.”

I conceded, “I bet it is. Thank you by the way.” She tilted her head, “For what?”

I answered, “Not pressuring me for grandpups. My friend's mothers-in-law ask about pups all the time.”

Haley laughed, “It’s your body not mine. I don’t tell people when they should be ready to do things. That’s between you and my son. It’s your body though so if he pressures you, you’d better fucking tell me, and I’ll put his ass back to sorts.”

I assured her, “He’s very respectful of my decision to wait. You raised an amazing man. All of them are very respectful.”

Haley smiled, “They’d better be, or they get to deal with their momma.”

I nudged her with my shoulder smiling.

Her phone rang ending our moment. She sighed, “A partial Fairy calls.”

She kissed my cheek, “Keep carving your own path Elise Conners. No one can tell you how to do that. Everyone’s journey is different. If you aren’t ready to have a baby for your first century with EJ, then you aren’t. If you’re ready tomorrow, then you are. Whichever you choose, I’ll always be in your corner.”

I squeezed her hand, “Thank you.”

It was so weird to talk about being alive for centuries. I didn’t think I was going to take that long to have a pup, but Haley was right. I could. It was so nice talking to her and getting her perspective. She was right. This was EJ and my decision. I was lucky to have in law’s that saw it that way.

The next person to come sit by me was my father in law. I smiled greeting him, “Hi, Eric.”

He nodded in reply saying, “You are nervous.”

I sighed, “I’m nervous about a lot of things. I know there are people who want my husband, his mother, and my husband’s siblings that I consider my own.”

“I know you spend a lot of time thwarting those efforts. I’m worried about my grandpa today. I’m worried that I’m just sitting on the sidelines while Mel is being taken advantage of.”

Eric frowned, “Would it help to know I’ve been paying someone to watch her?”

I stared at him for several moments.

Rhea said, “I mean, I told you he would.”

She knew him in a past life so she knew him pretty well. I asked, “You have?”

He nodded, “Yes. He followed both Tiffany and Melanie for a while because he didn’t know which one was Melanie. From what I’ve gotten, they have the same schedule.”

He admitted, “I had no pictures of her to give him. He got their routine down easily. One morning he was waiting in a coffee shop they frequented. Tiffany thought he was cute, so Melanie walked over and introduced herself and her roommate.”

I asked, “Does he send you pictures? I’d love to see her life there.”

Eric snorted, “The man is not a photographer. He can’t seem to catch her from the front. I still haven’t seen her face. I may not officially know if she’s my future daughter in law, but the love you and my son have for her mean I’m keeping tabs. She’s not from my pack so what I’m already doing is sticky. My man stays back in the shadows. It’s just occasionally checking in.”

I touched his hand, “Thank you. That’s more than I could ask for.”

Eric smiled, “It’s more than I should do. The whole damn thing gives me a headache.”

I snorted, “Me too.” He nodded and stared off into space before rubbing his temples like I did.

He got up, “Everything will be ok today.”

I sighed, “I wish we knew that for certain. He replied, “We have healing Fairies on our side. We have a better chance than we’d have otherwise, with my Angel and pups here.”

He was right. I nodded to him, and he walked away.

When it was time for everything to go down, I walked inside. We were all waiting. Rhea grumbled, “I hate waiting. I thought we had a plan for this to be a part of the action.”

We had but things changed. The time for them to come back or call had passed.

I locked eyes with my mom on the video call. We were both worried. EJ signaled to Alexander, who left. When he popped back, I nearly threw up. My grandpa had been shot. I ran to him while Alexander healed him.

I held him as they explained what happened. He linked me, “I’m alright, Elise.”

I couldn’t reply or let him go. Honestly, their voices faded into the background while my mind replayed that my grandpa had been shot.

The other side was now using snipers, and our sure shot sniper hadn’t been there. Fear gripped me. Was the original sniper ok? Rhea reasoned, “Surely, ours is fine.”

She had to be correct. I didn’t want to think of something happening to our sniper. They’d done so much for me and this family.

EJ was pissed. I knew he’d been trying for years to get a name about the circle group. Honestly, I was pretty certain it was a ring. It seemed obvious since they were an anti-ring group. What I couldn’t work out was why they didn’t want to join forces.

Haley shared her thoughts. Something about it felt wrong, but right to me about it. I still kept circling around to someone who knew what the Ring was. Someone who was Ring adjacent in a way. That probably didn’t make sense, but it clicked for me. Someone who was playing the Ring on the outside but destroying them from the inside. Rhea agreed, “It makes sense.”

Rhea added, “Haley pointed out with more snipers coming into play they might be able to pop to them.”

I argued, “Not if they were technically involved in the Ring. They’ve clearly found a way to conceal themselves from Fairies. If these people are involved, but not, they might have some sort of protection on them so the Fairies couldn’t pop to them.”

I stopped thinking about it because my headache was coming back.

Alexander and EJ exchanged theories and made plans. Alexander was going to reach out to his contacts this time. He wanted answers. I was marginally surprised he hadn’t tried that before.

When we finally left, I knew what I had to do. I could feel EJ’s tension in our bond, and I could see it in his body. I hated that he felt inadequate because he couldn’t figure this all out. I know we all felt there was something obvious we were missing but it alluded us. Someone should’ve been able to pinpoint it, but so far we were all confused.

We needed a distraction and gave each other one for hours. The next several weeks were crazy. We had meetings going on all over the area. The regular sniper was still missing. A fear I didn't understand was plaguing me about it. My mom and Sam felt the same thing.

It didn’t make any sense. I’d never met this person, but I’d lock myself in the bathroom and cry after every report that it wasn’t the regular sniper who had been on scene. I wiped my tears and walked back downstairs to EJ’s office.

I worked in there too sometimes, but I also had a separate office for private meetings. The pack needed to know they could come to me without EJ knowing we were talking. I had followed Haley’s lead and found it worked best. I split my time between the two offices.

Toby came in right after I’d gotten back from my own office. Rhea snicked, “Phil will have something fun for us to think about.”

Hopefully he did, because my thoughts were depressing and going to land me in my mother in law’s therapy building soon.

I held out hope Phil could turn my thoughts around because it was clear his excitement had rubbed off on Toby. Everyone started filing into the room. Rhea perked up, “Now I am intrigued. Phil must be next level about his news, to be corralling everyone together.”

She was right.

Phil entered the room actually hopping, like a rabbit. I was surprised he was excited about something involving not only a Nashville pack, but Black Path. There was bad blood with them around here. Rhea whisper squealed, “I know! It must be juicy since our father in law always has to send Alpha Theo down to them as a council representative.” True.

I still couldn’t believe Lucas and Alpha Theo could manage to be on the council together. Stranger things had happened, but it felt like a step with them. The point was Alpha Theo always had to go to Nashville. The packs were overly aggressive if Eric or Lucas went because they thought they needed to prepare for war.

Rhea scoffed, “They are never happy if Alpha Theo goes either.”

She was right, but that amused him. He and his son Lux enjoyed needling them. Lux was his oldest son, a partial Werewolf. We didn’t know anything about his mother. They were oddly quiet about her, but I knew Eric didn’t like her.

I liked Lux though. He was fun, but in a different way from the partial Fairies. Or really any partial Werewolf I knew. He had a beautiful singing voice and could play the guitar too. He was quite popular in his pack. Rhea chuckled, “All packs really. Even the girls here fawn over him.”

She was right, they did.

Phil pulled my attention back with his news. Rhea gasped, “A new Female Lead Warrior that’s sixteen and wolf less?!”

I looked around the room in shock. That meant she’d had to beat all the females and the pack leadership to get the title. That was unheard of. It would be great to give other wolf less pack members confidence. But sixteen? My heart broke for this girl.

Rhea told me, “I’ve been around the block, and I’ve never heard of this. I know Female Lead Warrior’s are new, but I’ve never heard of a Lead Warrior that age let alone wolf less.”

A deep ache inside of me formed. I wanted to reach out to this girl more than anything. I was lost in my own thoughts until Phil said her name. I grabbed the paper and read it. Her name was spelled differently, but I knew that name.

Rhea gasped, “Did he say Ashley Griffen?!”

He had and now my headache came roaring back. Alexander was stunned just like me. I asked Rhea, “The name is obviously a coincidence, right?”

She whimpered in reply as a literal pang shot through my head. It felt like someone hit me with a bat.

I shoved my thoughts aside knowing Melanie would be so excited to hear this news. She would probably reach out and offer to be the girl's best friend. I was shocked Micah knew Ashley. He was bummed out to hear she was wolf less. My heart ached for this girl yet again.

I wondered why she was so sure she’d get a wolf. Sometimes with partials they didn’t expect it, though they usually knew there was a chance they would be wolf less. She could just need to be marked by her mate. Then her wolf could come.

I didn’t think there was a single chance Black Path would make an appearance at the Summit. The Nashville packs knew they weren’t respected by anyone. They wouldn’t dare show their faces around strong Alpha’s rubbing their nose in the fact that they were shit at their jobs.

EJ was a hundred times the man and Alpha they would ever be. Rhea chuckled tell me, “Rocket is already acting like this girl is his best friend.”

Rocket was Phil’s wolf. I could see the respect in his eyes when he talked about her.

I made a mental note that I needed to talk to him. I wanted Ashley’s email address at least. Maybe with his contacts he could get it for me. I felt bereft when he mentioned she was an orphan. Something about this was wrong.

Rhea encouraged me, “We just need to talk to this girl.”

She was right. Maybe because she reminded me of Melanie that I felt this urge. Maybe it was because I couldn’t get Melanie to listen to me. I just needed to help this girl and let her know she wasn’t alone.

Micah told us more about Ashley. Rhea sighed, “She has a GED and is crazy smart. This is because she reminds of us Ladybug.”

My heart broke even more. I locked eyes with Alexander, and we shared a moment knowing this girl sounded so much like Melanie.

Except of course, Ladybug wasn't an orphan. Rhea said, “Well, Micah just gave you another thing to write to her about. She saved Micah which directly affects our brother in law.”

She was right, I owed Ashley. Micah had become a brother to me because he was Max’s mate.

My eyes went back to Micah when he said Ashley was staying in Nashville because she was doing penance. What the hell? She was sixteen. Max linked me, “Micah obviously has her information.”

I asked, “Huh?”

He replied, “I see your mind going. I’ve got this.” He suggested he meet up with her. That was perfect! He could get me her email address and I wouldn’t need to ask Phil. I linked him, “Thank you.” He winked at me, “I’ve got your back sister in law.” I loved the Conners family so much.

EJ and Alexander started talking, but I slipped out to talk to Micah. I turned a corner and ran smack into him. He grabbed me and kept me from falling. Micah laughed, “I knew you were following me. I just don’t know why.”

I explained, “You’re friends with this Ashley girl.”

Micah nodded, “I say we are friends. I’m not sure what she would say. She seems terrified to acknowledge we are and somehow feels guilty about it.”

That was weird.

I blurted out, “Can you ask her if you can give me her contact information? Even an email address. I just want to reach out to her.”

Micah studied me, “I can ask her. I just don’t know if she’ll say yes. Something about this area seems to bring bad memories or mental pain.”

Alarm bells felt like they went off in my head.

I pressed, “What do you mean?”

Micah shrugged, “It was quick, but pain crossed her face when I mentioned where I lived part time with my mate. Which is odd since she clearly knew that already because she knew who I was.”

My head felt like a spike was being driven through it.

I studied him asking, “Who are her parents?”

Micah apologetically told me, “I’m sorry but I can’t really talk about her.”

I frowned, “Why?” Micah sighed, “I just can’t tell you much more about her.” I nodded, “Ok.” That was weird.

Rhea said, “Ashley must be a source for him.”

She was right again. That meant Ashley was a source that the Hackura were keeping close. What did she have that they wanted? I went over what I knew mentally. She’d met Micah when he was on a mission.

That pulled me up and had my fury firing. What was Nashville up to? Sending a girl that age out. Sure, now she was a Lead Warrior. Before then she should've just been a pup being protected. Those thoughts had me conflicted. If she hadn’t been out somewhere Micah could’ve gotten hurt. She saved him, but we would’ve gotten to him. What had Nashville done to this girl?

I’d tried to research her myself. There was nothing on google searches, and I couldn’t ask Max for help. It wasn’t overly surprising that I couldn’t find her. She had two common names, but I was still frustrated. The book series kept coming up though and google was trying to tell me I spelled her name wrong. Which had me growling at a search engine more than once.

EJ had picked up on my frustrations and took me on a date. Rhea purred, “He’s perfect.”

He was and I loved him for it. I explained my thoughts to him. I just kept relating everything about Ashley to Melanie in my head.

Her reaction about it puzzled me too. Melanie had been excited about Ashley, but not as excited as I would’ve thought. She’d just said it was cool because of the book series she liked. That was it. No mention of being her friend. No shouting excitedly, and definitely no rambling. All in all, it wasn’t a Melanie reaction.

Maybe I just didn’t know her anymore, but people rarely changed that much. I shoved those thoughts away because it hurt that she was off, changing without me. Honestly, I was worried Melanie was running herself into the ground. Rhea agreed, “None of this is healthy.”

I agreed, but then she’d tell me it was her dream. I had to back off then. Melanie was stubborn and determined to see if this could work out.

Ashley felt like someone I could help when I couldn’t reach Ladybug. Maybe we could get her to our pack. She needs love and Nashville couldn't give it to her. We could though. I didn't even know if Micah had told her I wanted her contact information. I could get her Lead Warrior email, but something warned me off that. I trusted that instinct.

EJ agreed to talk to Micah. Rhea purred, “I love mate so much. We should’ve told him earlier.”

She was right. Why hadn’t I? What was wrong with me? That thought hurt my head. Just like knowing there was something I should be doing about the Melanie situation. Her living her dream held me back.

Sometimes I felt like it was as mistake to back off. Before I could voice that Angela popped in. Rhea growled, “Someone is messing with her visions.”

I reasoned, “No, that’s not it. Melanie’s blurry to her too.”

So, it just couldn’t be.

We popped back and soon my heartbeat froze for several seconds. Julianna and Everly were missing. Several strong Alpha’s around me were worried and that was unsettling. Then there was Beta Finn Frost. He always had a joke, but there was fear in his eyes.

Haley tried to pop, but it didn’t work. I linked Eric, “You know she felt she needed to try.”

He replied, “I do but I don’t like her getting hurt.”

I agreed, “Me either.” I just didn’t know what else could’ve happened in this situation. Haley was undeniably always a good person.

I tried to lighten the situation. Rhea told me, “It was a good attempt.”

It didn’t really work though. I needed the Beta bloods to do that, but everyone was worried. When EJ and Alexander popped back in with two boys I’d grown up, with whose heartbeats were so slow they were nearly dead, I paled.

Haley and Alexander jumped into action to save their lives by healing them. I sat down feeling faint. What was happening? Before I could process that a guy came on screen with a Hunter tattoo. I screamed to my wolf, “NO!”

She whimpered in my head.

It pissed me off that Hunters didn’t care that we didn’t hurt people. They just hated us. If they had Julianna and Everly then this was a very dire situation. Rhea reasoned, “They won’t just kill them.”

I scoffed, “No, they’d just torture us with the knowledge that they’d put them into the Ring.”

Rhea didn’t reply because there was nothing to say. I was right.

Jayden was trying to get answers. I didn’t know why he was even trying. You couldn’t reason with a Hunter. They just wanted us dead. He showed us Everly and Julianna. Both looked frightened but Everly looked far more pissed off than scared.

Everything in me tensed when he left, and another figure came in. My heart felt like it seized in my chest and my head exploded with pain. I barely kept it off my face. My heart clenched as I noticed Tristan looking like he was in physical pain.

I reasoned my feeling away because Everly had become a good friend. Then the person coming to save them started rambling. I looked over at the Red Run group and knew they felt the same way. I discreetly used my nail on my thumb to distract from the pain in my head.

Melanie was living her dream and she never ramble anymore. I’m just running on adrenaline because Everly and Julianna are in danger. It felt hard to breathe. This woman knew their names and faces. Then I wanted to laugh watching the girl work. Tears pricked my eyes. What was my problem? Rhea growled when my headache got worse. I was going to have to see Ethan, the pack doctor, about these headaches.

The woman gave Julianna two doses of something then all hell broke loose. Pride I could not explain filled me as I watched the woman fight back. She seemed a little bitter towards Everly for some reason, while being protective of her.

Rhea agreed, “She did give Everly her the bullet proof vest.”

I couldn’t relax even when I heard the pop signifying Julianna and Everly were back. Hell, I couldn’t even tear my eyes away from the screen. I saw Tristan show up out of the corner of my eye, but I was solely rapt on the screen.

This woman was amazing. Her fighting style screamed at me. It was familiar. I couldn’t help but think I’d seen this before. I just couldn't remember where. It was right there in my mind, but the pounding I now felt in my ears stopped it from coming to me.

My heart screamed when the Hunters demanded she surrender. Rhea and I both screamed, “NO!”

when she jumped out the window. It was too high to fall from. She was going to get hurt. I couldn’t speak as we waited for her to surface. Tears slid down my cheeks when she didn’t.

I was nearly hyperventilating knowing she didn’t make it. I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out. God, if I didn’t know better I’d think I was pregnant right now. I knew I wasn't though so what was with these emotions? Rhea linked, “LOOK!”

I did and saw the woman surfacing on the other side of the lake. I relaxed a little, but I knew she wasn’t out of danger. Then a motorcycle came roaring over the ridge. I tensed until she ran for it. Limping the whole way. Concern filled me knowing she was hurt.

Rhea snorted, “With a jump like that of course she’s hurt. She’s not human though. She’d be dead if she was.”

We saw them leave and I had to believe it was to safety. Her shots were so accurate I knew she was our sniper.

That relief bubbled up and nearly made me laugh out loud. Our sniper was back which meant she was ok. Alexander was upset, but I understood that. Like me, he had drawn parallels. I had never been so glad Melanie was far removed from this and safe in New York.

Rhea linked, “Uhh, look at Everly.”

I followed my wolf’s advice and noted she was now visibly pregnant. Haley must have given her an extra boost of healing. She looked like she might have a month before she delivered and that seemed generous.

Everly and Julianna were confused about the shooter’s supernatural DNA. They’d thought she was a wolf and that felt right to me. The confusing part was they said she didn’t have a wolf. They also said she was wearing colored contacts too, so her eyes weren’t really blue.

Rhea asked, “Could it be Ashley?”

I replied, “Why would she care about us?”

Rhea didn’t have an answer for me. My heart broke when they said our sniper was hurt. We’d been right about that, but I didn’t want to be. It made sense that’s why the sniper hadn’t been around. Haley thought it was possible she’d been whipped. Had she been found out? Alexander popped out.

Rhea growled, “We have a name now for who gets our wrath.”

We did and it was Dante. I hoped to take a crack at him myself one day. My dad linked, “We will guard Everly just like they are Julianna.”

Both women seemed annoyed they got guards, but I’d sleep better knowing they were safe.

Dakota linked, “Don’t worry, sis. I’ve already got a guard shift ready for Everly and T’s new place.”

He’d been building them a house with his own crew. His degree was in construction management. Rhea grumbled, “I want more vials of whatever gave Julianna her powers back. I want one for mate and our family.”

I did too.

Maybe I would put out word myself wanting information about the circle group instead of EJ and Alexander. Maybe the sniper would meet with me. We knew from experience the girls from the Ring were more comfortable with women.

Maybe that’s where this is coming from. She didn’t want to meet with them, but I needed that type of serum to protect my family. That had to make sense to the sniper. I needed to protect EJ just as much as he felt the need to protect me. Maybe woman to woman we could reach an understanding.

EJ grabbed me and we popped to Alexander. I stalled when he rubbed his face. Did he get headaches too? How had we never discussed our headaches? Mine began to pound and I shoved all that away to comfort him and offer suggestions for his anger.

We headed off with our allies once Miach got the location for the coordinates from the card Everly gave us. It took EJ, Alexander, and their mom to bring down some magic around the area. I linked Eric, “Isn’t it odd the sniper knew they could get this down?”

He replied, “Yes, it is. They’d have to know a lot about their powers.”

I questioned, “Is it possible they just knew Aiden could do it?”

He replied, “It could be, but that doesn’t feel right.”

He was right, it didn’t. As soon as they finished the smell of death reached us. Rhea linked me, “I’m barely holding in a snort of derision. Does mate really think we’d run off? He actually told us to stick by him. I love him, but that’s crazy talk thinking we’d leave his side.” I agreed with that.

We found twenty men dead in the building. All head shots. There were differences though. I knew exactly which ones were the original sniper. They were all dead center. Our sniper was good. I had to smile, feeling an unexplainable pride again.

I read the letter for EJ and Alexander over my mate’s shoulder. It answered a lot of questions about the group. Rhea linked, “What are they talking about? We are on the same side! Of course we’d want to be friends.”

She was right.

The end of the letter surprised me. There was a lot of sass about how we wouldn't find them unless they crawled into our laps and said hi. That was confidence on another level. It took balls to say to an Alpha.

Honestly, it sounded just like Melanie. I had to smile knowing she would absolutely say something like that to someone. Not to EJ, but she would say it. Rhea linked, “Wait, Alexander asked all the questions they answered with this letter?”

That prickled something in my brain again. God that was getting annoying. I offered options that had potential, but I knew they weren’t accurate.

We searched the building until Haley lost it wanting the package opened. Rhea linked, “Thank god she said something. The Beta and Gamma wolves were going to drive me batty.”

More wolves had shown up to held with the search.

Honestly, I was about to open it myself. The gift was Laxenread. Relief slammed into me like a thousand bricks when they explained what it was. The sniper had given us the serum! Rhea linked, “Wait, this is a serum named Alexander?”

I replied, “An anagram for his name. Mel will HATE that there’s a Fairy this obsessed with Alexander.”

Rhea reasoned, “But she’d be happy he had this.”

I scoffed, “She’d probably make it herself.” Something about this was making my head pound.

I left those thoughts alone and circled to the Resistance. So, they had a Witch, because of the ward. A Fairy because of the anagram and a Werewolf that didn't have a wolf. Was I wrong? Did they escape the Ring together? Or were they born into a family that worked for the Ring and were rebelling? Or was it something else altogether?

My thoughts circled back to Melanie because I knew she was smart enough to come up with this. I didn’t know anyone who cared more about Alexander smart enough to pull this off besides her. I shrugged that off as my headache came back. I was being silly. Melanie didn’t know anything about this.

Rhea linked, “We asked about her experiments. She said she was done with them and solely focused on dancing.”

I blew out my breath knowing she was right. Besides, Melanie would’ve told me if she was working on this.

I did know if anyone could figure out the components it would absolutely be Mel. It was shot down because she was living her dream. I hated those words, but I swear to God they tumbled out of our mouth like verbal diarrhea when we talked about her. Haley rolled her eyes, and I wanted to join her. I didn’t even blame her at this point. It sounded ridiculous because it was.

Time passed. I looked over the newest report of our scientist being stumped by Laxenread. I knew Melanie would figure it out, but she was living her dream. My brain practically whispered it. I growled and shut my laptop in annoyance.

Micah snorted, “What did the computer do?”

I looked up startled, “Nothing. I’m just frustrated.”

I also hadn’t noticed him come in. Micah handed me a slip of paper. It was a typed email address for Ashley Griffen, and not her Lead Warrior one. I might have peaked at it.

I looked up at him and smiled, “She agreed.”

Micah chuckled, “After saying no several times. She contacted me and said if I gave it to you, she’d read your email.”

I was relieved. “Thank you, Micah.” He winked, “Prepare for the most rambling, jumping from thought to thought email you’ve ever received if she answers.” He left my office. I muttered, “It would be a throwback and remind me of Mel.” I quickly pulled my laptop back open. I typed out an email.

Female Lead Warrior Ashley,

Thank you for agreeing to giving me your private email. I looked up your Lead Warrior one, but my instincts told me not reach out to you there. First, I want to say when I heard what you’d accomplished, I was so very proud of you. I hope that’s not weird to say. You remind me of someone I care for very deeply. She would probably want to be your best friend.

Second, I want you to know you have a place here in my pack if you ever want it. I know you have a position of leadership but try to remember you are sixteen years old. You should get to be a pup, and it doesn’t sound like you got to be one before you became the Female Lead Warrior. Life here isn’t the same as Nashville. We are very different.

Third, I just felt this need to connect with you. I don’t know your whole story, but if you want to talk about it, I am here. I know it is unlikely our paths will cross due to who our packs are to each other; just know I will always answer your emails.

I’d even be willing to meet halfway for coffee. Continue to shine bright like the star you have emerged as. Or come here and shine. I truly believe you could thrive in our pack. We’d love you as you deserve. Please think about it.

Luna Duchess Elise Conners

It still felt weird I was a double Duchess, but it was on my signature line, nonetheless. I read my email several times before I hit send. I got up and started to file something before I felt EJ’s presence behind me. He took me to a dance club to dance the night away.

When we got back, we again got lost in each other. I loved the feel of him. Everything about him drew me in more and more. I loved him so damn much.

The next day our busy life reared its head. EJ was making progress with the Hunters. I was itching to get to my office and see if Ashley had emailed me back. When I was about to excuse myself, Toby came in with a request for EJ and me to meet. It was clearly a trap.

Rhea linked, “If you even think about letting mate go alone, I’ll take over.”

I scoffed, “We are going.”

That made her happy. EJ was having Alexander stay back. I linked Alexander, “It’s about your strength and you know it. If they are drawing us away to attack here, the best person to have here is you.”

Alexander argued, “And if they are only attacking you two, I am the best person to have there. I will tear anyone apart who hurts you guys.”

I assured him, “I know but we will be careful.”

He snorted, “You’d better be.” He conjured something and handed it to me. I looked down and smiled. He’d given me Laxenread. I nodded to Alexander and put the serum in my purse.

When we got to the meeting location, our suspicions were confirmed. It was definitely a trap. We moved inside and the smell of rogues was overwhelming. EJ put his shield around us as the shots rang out. I linked Wesley, “What was that? Who got hit?”

Wesley answered, “The other side's snipers. The original sniper is back and firing at the opposition.”

I smiled. Rhea snarled, “Good. Now, let’s kick some ass.”

She purred when EJ exploded the Rogue’s head. EJ said I was the target. That explained why he’d exploded the rogue's head, but I was his Luna. These were my pack members too. I was going to fight to defend them by his side.

We ran outside together, and we shifted. Anyone who came near was gunned down with six shots. EJ’s words rang in my head “You stay on my six.”

Six shots, always six. That was distinctly Hackura. Were Julianna, Everly, and I wrong about our sniper being a Werewolf? Was the sniper Hackura?

That couldn’t be, because Bjourn would surely know if that was the case. A partial Hackura wouldn’t know what they were unless they were told. So, who knew enough about the Hackura that they knew they said that without being one themselves? Rhea linked “We do.”

Our mate was one though.

Who knew about Fairies and anagrams? Rhea again said, “We do.”

I argued, “Again, that’s because of who are mate is.”

My head was starting to hurt again. I pounced on a rogue forgetting my thoughts before the sniper could kill this one. I needed to kill.

Once we shifted back EJ popped us to Emmett. I was lost in my thoughts. Someone was having our six. Quite literally. They’d been telling us this whole time we just hadn’t been listening. They thought we had several snipers, but I knew it was just one.

This was the woman who rescued Everly and Julianna. The woman I wanted to bawl over at the thought of her not making it. There was a thought I was trying to gasp but it was driven away. I wanted to curse in frustration.

EJ and I drove back in silence to our home. I knew he was worried about me. I could see it. His guilt over me being the target hit him hard because they were targeting me to get to him. Rhea scoffed, “Absurd. We are an Alpha’s pup. We’ll always be a target.”

That was true.

Besides, I would not go down easily. I would fight my way back to him if the worst happened. I would never roll over and admit defeat. I was Luna Elise Kyle Conners dammit and that meant something. I told Rhea, “If anything ever hurt EJ then the world will know and fear the name Luna Elise Conners.”

She agreed, “And they will know I am Rhea, the wolf to be feared.”

Good, we were on the same page.

Alexander was unhappy to say the least. He linked me, “Nothing happened here for your information.”

I replied, “Or they didn’t make it here because the sniper sent people. Search no man’s land discreetly.”

He admitted, “I have people there already.” Of course he did, he was smart.

Everyone needed a subject change and that was Jason’s mission with the Hunters. I linked Dalton, “What’s this about a watch from Melanie for Jase?”

He snorted, “Well, it had no return address.”

I nearly asked him how it showed up then realized of course it showed up by mail. That would be a silly question. It had no return address though. Why? We all knew her address.

He continued, “She called him Jason.”

I winced. I replied, “So, she’s mad at him. Why would she be mad and say congratulations at the same time? What is she saying congratulations for?”

He replied, “We don’t know, and she acted like we were the crazy ones for asking.” That tracked. Everything we asked was crazy to her since she left.

Angela popped in and was upset. I linked her, “We all want you to get to be a pup. You can’t take the responsibility of everyone on your shoulders.”

She shrugged, clearly not agreeing. She was very much like her mother in that regard. Maybe even her dad. They both took on the weight of the world.

Alexander’s reports were that his men found where a fight went down in no man’s land with no bodies. We had no proof it was related to this, but I thought it was. Someone didn’t let them reach Black Mountain, and that someone was our sniper. I just needed her to let me thank her properly because she was everywhere, all the time, protecting the people that I loved.

I didn’t get to check my email until the next day. My actually heart jumped when I saw Ashley had answered. Rhea practically yelled at me, “Hello, what are you doing? Click the email and read!”

I admitted, “I’m nervous. What if it’s short like all Mel’s emails? Or a brush off?”

She retorted, “Mel’s emails are all a brush off.” It hurt because it was true. I took a deep breath and opened Ashley’s email.

Luna Duchess Elise,

It’s not right… no… not well, yes… it is wrong for you to address me with my title. By that I mean it feels wrong. I don’t think it’s weird… because it’s my title… and that’s… how you address people… and stuff… with their titles.

I’m honored you would be proud of me. It means more to me than you will ever know… like literally… so much more… anyway... I appreciate the offer, but there are reasons I could never be in your pack. There are things you don’t know about me… most people don’t… actually, I’d say the days of people truly knowing me are long since passed. I’m not who I used to be…well I am… but not.

As for being a pup… that ended the night my parents and oldest brother were killed. It was my fault… and everyone thinks so… even me. The truth is they weren’t supposed to be there, but they came back because of me…. Because I was upset and said hurtful things to them. I wish with everything in me I could take it back…You have no idea how much I want to take it all back. They died because of me.

My other brother that I have hates me for it… really… I can’t say I blame him. He wants nothing to do with me… now that I have no wolf… I had plans both ways… if I got to come home or if I stayed… Now, I’m Female Lead Warrior… it was honestly my back up plan. My family just doesn’t want anything to do with me…

So here I am. I am making the best of my situation by helping others with my talents. I miss my home… Oh my gosh… I haven’t typed or said that to someone before. My friends around here hate my brother….I mean… the one that’s alive. Sometimes I think if I was stronger… I would too.

I can’t though. Despite my sibling’s hatred for me, I still love him. He is what I have left… I even love the pack and those that I considered family…. it’s stupid, I know. My friends hate it… I want to hate everyone from my old life, but I don’t have it in me apparently. That’s probably the most disappointing part. I let them hurt me over and over with their apathy and hatred… all for the hopes of a scrap of their old love.

As for you offer to meet for coffee… I do like coffee… a lot… I drink so much but… meeting you for coffee couldn't happen but talking to you… it helps. I miss my home. I miss those I used to call family that turned their backs on me.

I wish I could do the same some days, but I can’t. There are reasons of course, but I can’t share those. I am sorry… but if you want to keep in touch, I could do that… that’s a thing… I could do.

So…. if you want to reply, we can talk via email I guess... only if you want to. No pressure or anything... GOSH I have a problem where I can't stop talking or typing... I’m going to stop now… Yeah... Bye….

Ashley

Tears were falling from my eyes. Her story was heartbreaking. I immediately answered her.

Ashley,

Please call me Elise and drop the title. I do not know your family personally, but I looked up your file on the system. While incredibly sparse I know you are from Missouri. I didn’t know your parents, but they wouldn’t blame you. I have siblings too and would give my life for theirs. I would do that for my husband's family too. I wouldn’t for one second want them to feel guilty about that.

I’m not a parent yet, but I would feel that way for my pup too. So, I am confident that they don’t want you to blame yourself. Your living sibling is just dealing with his own feelings of grief, but know he is doing it wrong. For that, I am very sorry. He should hold you close and not push you away. I am sorry he doesn't see that.

I am also sorry you think we can’t meet in person. I’m always open and available if you change your mind. I won’t push you though. Feel free to email me any time. I’m taking you up on the offer to keep in touch this way. You really do remind me of someone I care for dearly.

What happened wasn’t your fault. Every pup has said something to their family in anger. I have and I never meant it. I’m sure it hurts you that those were your last words with them, but they loved you. They came back for you, and you think that’s bad; it just proves my point. They loved you and wouldn’t want you to suffer. Just think about that.

Elise

I wiped away my tears. Ashley reminded me of Melanie even over email. Melanie didn’t ramble like this anymore though. She used to as a pup, and even a teenager. Her notes were just like that. Hell, it was when you talked to her. She’d ramble until you stopped her.

God, I missed my little sister. Damn her stuck up polishing coach that school got for her. Melanie’s rambling was endearing. What if they told her we didn’t like it and that’s why she stopped? Rhea agreed, “The school does seem evil.”

I’d try to talk to Melanie about it sometimes, but I didn’t get anywhere.

The rest of the week flew by. We waited for Jason to check in, but he missed his deadline. Rhea linked, “We have to go.”

She was right. I needed to be in Red Run. I had to be there and lay eyes on Jason the second he got home.

EJ popped us there. Everyone was nervous. I linked Rhea so I didn’t scream out loud, “DID MY brOTHER SAY HE IS TWO HOURS LATE?!”

She answered, “He did.”

I linked Dalton, “Oh god. What happened to him? How will we tell Mel? She’s going to be so pissed we’d kept this from her! When she finds out she’ll never come home.”

He replied, “Deep breaths, Sis.”

I replied, “I can’t! Our friend, who is like a brother, is out there and we don’t know anything.”

He grimly said, “I know.” Suddenly, a Warrior ran into the house yelling for help. We were all outside in a second.

I dropped to my knees at the sight of Jason. He was almost unrecognizable. I linked my brothers, “THOSE BASTARD HUNTERS! I am going to pursue them to the ends of the earth. Dante doesn’t know it, but he is enemy number one. I will take him out myself!”

Dakota linked, “With us.”

Cooper added, “Yeah, you have to take us too. Jase is in our pack.”

Dalton agreed, “It has to be us. Anyone hurts a McAlister and the Kyle’s get to take them down.” I agreed, “Fine. All of us.” We nodded to each other, something my dad noticed and narrowed his eyes at.

Everyone around me was demanding answers but I just watched Jason being healed. It took a long time and that told me it was bad. He couldn’t have gotten back here on his own. Someone brought him. Rhea linked, “You know, as I do, it had to be our sniper. She still has our six. All of us.”

I asked, “Or me?”

She asked, “Huh?” I said, “Everyone whose back she has is someone important to me.” That felt conceited and I let it go. It was just about Alexander. Jason was his best friend.

Alexander pulled out a note from the sniper that was a rebuke to my brothers. There was an anger to this note that was not in the one to EJ and Alexander. I wondered why. I linked Cooper, “Do we have a jilted pack member? Did they discipline someone harshly?”

He replied, “No, I’ve been reading their dispute decisions and studying. No one’s upset with them.”

He was wrong, someone was it just wasn’t a pack member. Cooper linked, “It doesn’t make sense. Jase is going to challenge for the Male Lead Warrior position soon.”

He was right.

I responded, “Yes, but he will be in a bit of a hybrid position because he does do Beta duties.”

Something was trying to form in my head again. I was so tired of this damn headache. Jason woke up and said he thought Melanie saved him.

I linked Dalton, “What in the what?”

He told me, “It’s not possible. She had a recital tonight.”

I wanted to be settled when Jason talked to her, but I wasn’t. He looked confused. Rhea said, “Ajax is adamant and Pepper is battling a headache himself.” Since Drake’s face was pinched in pain it made sense his wolf also felt that.

Plus, his son had almost died. I reasoned with myself that Melanie wouldn’t be with Hunters from Nashville. She’d better not be with them at all, but down here? No way. She wouldn’t come to the area and not say hi to me. If she brought Jason back, she’d yell at us all while getting him help. I rubbed my face trying to disguise my headache again. EJ popped us home.

The next morning, I woke up and went to see Ethan. He frowned when I told him I’d been getting these headaches. When he asked how long I winced answering, “Two years on and off.”

Ethan was astonished, “Luna Elise, you should’ve come to me much sooner.”

I muttered, “I thought it was nothing.”

He took scans and ran bloodwork. He announced, “Well, I am glad I can’t find anything wrong with you, but I’m sorry to say I don’t know why you are getting these headaches. Please come and see me if this happens again. Some people just get migraines. A dark room or even caffeine can help.”

He handed me a bottle of pills specifically for migraines.

I sighed knowing EJ was going to see these. I nodded, “Thanks, Ethan.”

I tucked them into my pocket and left. Alexander did a double take when he saw me walk out of the hospital. Did he have to be here at this exact moment?

EJ popped to me a second later frowning. He grabbed my arm and popped again. The three of us were in one of the triplets’ treehouses in the area. EJ immediately questioned me, “Elise, are you ok?”

I explained, “I’ve just been getting these headaches. Ethan said there was nothing wrong with me though.”

Alexander admitted, “Same. I didn’t see Ethan though.”

EJ sighed, “I don’t get them too badly, but I get them too. This situation has us all stressed.”

That was probably it. Alexander’s phone rang. He frowned and showed us the read out. It was blocked.

EJ nodded to him before Max and Micah popped in. EJ must have linked them. Micah nodded to Alexander, “I’m ready to go. You can answer whenever.”

Alexander accepted the call. “Hello, this is Alpha Alexander Conners.”

A distorted sob came over the phone that had me clutching my own chest. Alexander looked baffled. He said, “Hello?”

Sobs were all he got back. He begged, “Can you please say something? Are you ok?”

Nothing but sobs came through. He softened his tone, “Tell me where you are, and I’ll come help you. You called me for a reason.”

The voice sobbed, “I can’t stand it… anymore… it hurts…. You hate me. YOU. I can’t… not you. Why does it have to be you too?”

Alexander tried again, “Who is this? I don’t even know who you are. I can’t hate you.”

The voice cried, “You do and it kills me.”

Alexander pressed, “Are you our sniper?”

Silence greeted that question which told us all the answer. Alexander rushed, “I don’t hate you at all. You’ve helped us and fight on our side.”

The voice was still crying as the answer came. “Because you don’t know my name. You would hate me if you knew.” Alexander shouted, “No! NO! I wouldn’t. Let me help you please!”

Someone gasped, “What are you doing with a phone? Oh no, you didn’t.”

I heard a hiccup before the phone clicked. Was our sniper drinking? I asked, “Did anyone recognize that voice?”

Max scoffed, “It was a distorted voice and another distorted person whispering. We don’t know who it is and that’s what they wanted.”

We all sat in shock. Micah cursed, “Goddamn this chick is good! I got nothing.”

He kept typing though. He fist pumped after a few more minutes. He announced, “The phone that called was bought….”

He trailed off. I asked, “Where?”

He answered, “In the area outside where we found the building full of bodies and special Fairy juice.”

So, they liked being near us but not with us. That didn’t make sense at all. He pulled up the feed from the store so we could watch it.

Eight people entered the store without looking at the camera. They all kept their heads down. Alexander growled. I asked, “What?”

He pointed, “That’s the guy driving the motorcycle, and that’s our sniper next to him.”

EJ snorted, “I know how you recognize the sniper because I do too. How do you recognize the guy that saved her on the motorcycle?”

Alexander growled, “I just do.”

There was tone of possessiveness in his comment. We all stared at him for a second. Could it be Mel? My head pounded and the answer was clear, no. Maybe Melanie and Alexander weren’t fated after all. That felt completely and utter wrong though.

No, they were fated. I knew it. This was all some weird situation, and we were frustrated. That’s all this was. We watched as the group of eight walked out in pairs. They were a team. I sighed, “Well, we know there are at least eight of them.”

Alexander threw his phone.

EJ conjured it back to normal. Alexander growled, “This is about me? Someone thinks that I hate them? That’s why we can't have an alliance! ME?! They did FOR ME, and they think I hate them?! What kind of logic is that?”

I reasoned, “I don’t think it’s just you they think will hate them, it’s all of us. The caller said she specifically couldn’t stand that you hated her. That implies more than just you hate her.”

EJ groaned, “We don’t hate the sniper. I actually can't think of anyone I hate who would help us. I’ve been wracking my brain over it too.”

I acknowledged, “Neither can I.”

Alexander popped out to go work out his anger. EJ held me in his arms and kissed my forehead. He told me, “We will figure it out.”

I nodded, “I hope so.”

I really did. A headache started to form yet again. I sighed and stopped thinking. It was what really made my headaches stop