3

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.