3

My mom frowned and I could literally feel her trying to figure it all out in the bond.

Alexander asked, “So does Ashley sing?”

Micah frowned, “Not exactly.”

Aunt Lexi clapped, “No! I have that. There’s some girl who sings with them sometimes, but she’s not a permanent fixture in the band. She has the voice of Angel, but no one knows her name. That detail should’ve told me it was a band. This tells you how flustered I was. Do they have clips of this girl singing? No, the band doesn’t allow recording devices at their gigs.”

Micah laughed, “I haven’t heard the girl you mean sing in person, but I know her name. I just can’t say it to you. I can say that Ashley and this girl met a little while ago. Said girl LOVES Ashley and looks up to her like a sister from what I’ve heard.”

Max asked, “What does the person we can’t get the name of look like?”

Micah shrugged, “I don’t know since I haven’t met her. She’s never singing at the concerts I’m at.”

I questioned, “Who does sing normally?”

Micah smirked answering, “Sierra and Addison. Ashley does backup vocals with Paige.”

Elise’s gasped, “Son of a bitch! I know what Ashley does! She plays the guitar in the band!”

Micah laughed, “Acoustic and electric. She’s good.” I only knew one other person who did that, and it was Tristan McAlister. A thought was at the edge of my mind, but I couldn’t grasp it. Brutus snarled in frustration.

Aunt Lexi pointed between the two of them, “One of you give me her contact information.”

Micah warned, “It won’t help you. Cayden and I asked them to come here for the oldest set of triplet’s birthday. I think we nearly killed her on that ask. I also asked for Max and Wesley’s. I knew he would LOVE them, but they won’t come here.”

Elise screamed into a pillow.

I voiced the question we all had, “Why?”

Micah shrugged, “I dunno.”

Aunt Lexi announced, “Have no fear everyone, TeleTed and Lexi are on the case. They WILL come here. It WILL happen. I WILL know who this band is.” I reasoned, “It’s got to be made up of the Black Path Pack members.”

Micah nodded, “With a Witch and a Demon or two, depending on the night, thrown in.”

My mom groaned, “Lexi, please don’t make an extra Witch Bitch show up here.”

Micah laughed, “She is a cool Witch, Momma Haley. Don’t worry.” My mom smiled at him, “Well, if you say so then I agree.” Micah blushed while Max beamed. He slammed his lips on Micah’s.

Max growled, “I love when you call her Momma Haley.”

Micah blushed slightly. I rubbed Elise’s thigh as they took off. Aunt Lexi groaned, “Come back here! I needed more details!”

Elise snorted, “I’ll get you details. Ashley and I will have words. I can’t believe she didn’t tell me she was in a band.”

I laughed, “She’s quiet about certain things. A bit self-deprecating too. It appears she’s good at anything she sets her mind too.”

Elise rubbed her head. My mom sat up, “Elise, what’s wrong?”

Elise answered, “It’s nothing, just a headache.”

My mom studied her, “My healing light doesn’t sense anything to heal.”

I looked over at Alexander who seemed to be getting a headache of his own. He agreed though. I asked her, “What does that mean, mom?”

My mom shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it. It’s fucking weird though.”

I admitted “Dad gets headaches too. We all do, but I don’t get them as bad as everyone else.”

My mom startled, “Are you all fucking serious right now?!”

Everyone nodded. She glared at us, “This is a thing we tell the super healer in the family. Who else gets them? Who is all?”

Alexander raised his hand. I sighed, “Like I said mine aren’t as bad as theirs but I do get them.”

My mom sat back frowning, “Hmm, I’ll have to talk to Aiden about that. Physically there is nothing is wrong with any of you.”

Elise sighed.

I linked her, “What is it?”

She answered, “Parallels.”

I pressed, “About?” She told me, “Melanie and Ashley. Melanie can play the guitar too.” I snorted, “I’m not surprised. T probably taught her. We have got to meet Ashley so we can set her and Ladybug up to be the best friends of literally all time.” Elise teased, “They’d take over the world.” I was beginning to think that was an accurate description.

Phil ran into the room shouting, “Phone. NOW!”

I grabbed Elise and popped into my office and Alexander was behind me. I linked my dad, “Office.”

He answered, “Coming.” I added, “FYI mom just found out about the headache thing and she’s not happy.”

My dad groaned, “Great. It’s just a headache.”

I warned, “Mom doesn’t think so.”

My dad said, “Let’s talk about happier things. Are you and Elise still taking that vacation with her family for your twenty-fifth birthday in a few weeks?” I answered, “That’s the plan.” Everyone walked in.

Toby looked relieved and took the phone off mute. He announced, “Everyone is here. Now you can explain what happened. We are ready to pop to you.”

I frowned. Brutus asked, “Why wouldn’t they just tell us where to go?”

The only reason I could think of is panic, which wasn’t good.

Alpha Nathan McDermont’s Beta sobbed, “We might need you to pop to us. These rogues came from everywhere. We have people missing and the Luna is dead. The Alpha…”

I grabbed Elise before her could finish, popping right to them.

Rogues were still attacking. I shifted with Elise. I told Brutus, “Tear them to pieces.”

He snarled, “Gladly.”

Pops sounded as we drove the rogues back. I heard a howl of anguish with answering howls. Alpha Nathan McDermont’s older brother was coming. This was why my dad had always insisted he and my uncles stick together. So situations like this couldn’t happen when he was too far away to get to them.

Alpha Nathan had taken over a smaller pack before I was born, but he was too far away from his brother. I saw their Luna’s body and knew she was definitely gone. They’d torn her throat out. I ripped apart the remaining rogues with Elise and Alexander when he popped in.

I shifted back and they followed my lead. My mom was lightly touching Alpha Nathan granting him peace. He was holding onto his mate crying. Theo, my brother, popped in. He frowned asking, “Why haven’t we met them before?”

I shrugged, “Timing probably. I’ve met them.”

I looked around and saw the Beta was sobbing. He was injured but trying to crawl towards the forest.

I asked, “Beta Gary, where are you going?”

He was crying, “They took them! I saw it! He took my pup and Jane!”

Alpha Nathan roared, “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!” Alpha Nathan’s son, Mike, held him back. Alpha Nathan’s older brother Nick shifted back and helped hold him still.

The Beta cried, “They took Jane and Madeline. Nathan, they took our girls.”

I tried to pop to Jane and was thrown back. I looked down noting I wasn’t injured. I said what everyone knew because they saw it. “I can’t get to them.”

Alexander and my mom tried next but were also thrown back. My mom moved to heal Beta Gary.

I yelled, “Warriors, ON ME! We will track them down and bring the girls back! Someone, bring me their scents.”

I looked over at my brother when I felt complete distress in the bond. I frowned, “Theo?”

He distractedly answered, “Huh? What? Do you guys smell that?”

A Warrior walked out of the house with two hoodies. Theo popped to one and yanked it out of his hand. He growled, “MINE!”

Alexander and I winced. I asked the Warrior, “Which girl’s is that?”

The warrior looked stunned but answered, “Jane McDermont.”

Theo snarled and tried to pop to her multiple times. He got thrown back each time. Angela popped in crying. She whispered, “Theo stop, please.”

She held him as they both cried. She whispered, “I’m so sorry, big brother. I didn’t see it and now she’s blurry. They took her through a holoport. I’m so sorry.”

I gritted my teeth. I linked her, “This is NOT on you. Do you hear me?” She shrugged. TJ popped in behind her.

I told the men, “We are searching for them, but as my sister said they went through a holoport. Maybe there’s someone left behind for us to question. Let’s go!”

I led the Warriors, tracking until we found where their scent ended. FUCK!

I called Corbin, “I need you to get to me now.”

He portaled in seconds later. He glanced at me saying, “I can’t get through this, but you knew that when you called.”

I explained, “They took Theo’s mate through it.” Corbin winced, “We will get her back.” He knew Theo was attracted to women so his mate would be female.

I told him, “We need to alert you dad and our uncles that Jane McDermont is missing. Along with the Beta’s daughter, Madeline. I know our family will care about Jane because she’s Theo’s. Any help will be appreciated.”

Corbin nodded.

He closed his eyes then cursed, “The shadows won’t take me through. They respect the magic that was cast here. Tell Theo I’m sorry. We WILL get her back though, and they WILL pay.”

I agreed, “Yes they will.”

He portaled away.

I popped back with our group that had searched. I saw Maverick was trying to calm Theo down. I was surprised Theo was still here. He looked at me and I felt his anxiety in the bond. He asked, “Where is she?”

Angela was still crying.

I answered, “Corbin tried to get through the holoport and even asked the Shadows.”

Theo’s rage hit me hard. He screamed, “WHERE IS SHE?!”

I admitted, “We don’t know, but I swear to you, we are GOING to find her.” Alexander put his hand on Theo’s shoulder.

He ordered, “Come with me, little brother.”

Theo shook his head saying no. Alexander reasoned, “You need to get your head on straight. Then we will find her. You need to be level headed for Jane right now.”

My mom was already on the phone with Uncle Aiden. We would find her, I knew it.

We went home all feeling that was true. Brutus agreed, “We won’t let our brother down. Barker will not lose his mate.”

That was Theo’s wolf. I asked, “How is he?”

Brutus huffed, “He’s not doing good. He feels he should’ve scented her sooner and then she’d be safe.” I reasoned, “We aren’t close enough to them for him to scent her even with our sense of smell.” Brutus agreed, “I know. He will see reason, just not today.”

After three miserable weeks passed, I was worried I’d be letting my brother down. We’d followed lead after lead. I knew we were on their tails, but we just couldn’t get a lock. Theo was in the gym as much as Alexander these days. Jane’s blood had been on the floor at several locations we’d found. I held my brother as he broke down time after time. Alpha Nathan McDermont was drinking himself into oblivion.

Madeline’s was there too mixed with other’s blood. I was beginning to get a bad feeling that we’d stumbled onto the real undergrounds. This was not how I wanted this to play out. Not with Theo’s mate’s life on the line. Brutus linked, “We will save her. I believe that.”

We just needed some help. I needed the Resistance to come through for me because I couldn’t let Theo go through losing his mate.

Toby linked me, “GET EVERYONE TO THE OFFICE NOW!”

I linked my siblings, Elise, Gamma, and my parents, “Get everyone important to the office.”

I linked Toby, “Do we need allies?” Toby answered victoriously, “Fuck yes we do!” He had good news. Brutus said, “Maybe the Resistance gave us a lead.” Or they had Jane and were sending her home.

I linked Alexander, “Get Phil to get our allies on skype right now!”

I popped into the office. Toby said, “Everyone’s coming but Alpha EJ is here now.”

Elise ran in next. Alexander popped in as Phil was getting the allies up with Tory’s assistance. Micah rushed in and started to assist him.

The distorted voice said, “Alpha EJ.”

Relief hit me so hard. I said, “If it isn’t our sniper. I was beginning to think something had happened to you.”

The sniper didn’t reply to that. Instead, she said, “I told you should you ever be able to do anything we could not, I’d call. So…her I am…calling. Which you knew….because you’re on the phone.” Someone on her side cut her off.

I questioned, “Do you know where Jane McDermont or Madeline are?”

The sniper seemed defensive, “I did not know who they were until today. I get people out as I can, but they are not going to make it if they don’t get out soon. If the Resistance gets them out it would blow us all. You have been looking for them specifically though…so you finding them would not raise any suspicions.”

Brutus linked, “She’s worried we won’t like her now because she hasn’t reached out about it.”

More worried but I got his point. Alexander jumped in, “Weren’t you looking for them?”

The sniper sighed, “I’ve been… well… I haven't been available. That’s not the point. I’m back… so that’s the point… no… the point is I’m asking if you want to go save them. It kind of needs to be you…. Or should I call Alpha Nathan McDermont? He doesn’t have the skills to do what’s needed… or the numbers… that’s a problem… not considering… well not if you do it… Do you want my information?”

Jason snorted, “Of course we do. You know we want to save them. We’ve only been searching for them for three damn weeks! Why can’t you save them?”

If ice could come through a distortion, it did. “I can’t do everything… which I said… I mostly do though… not that you’re grateful…. and I already said that we’d blow all our covers if we do this… and YOU said you wanted to help… and work together… So, I called.”

I went to say something, but she continued, “Obviously, if you won’t save them then that’s what happens. I just don’t want my people hurt… I won’t let innocent wolves die because I’m not a JERK… like some people…. that’s a thing…. someone could be accused of… who is NOT ME!”

My dad’s jaw dropped while I raised my eyebrows. Brutus said, “She really is mad. Mom was right them not figuring out her note. Plus his snark definitely made her mad.”

I replied, “Mom is rarely wrong.

Jason growled, “What is your problem with Red Run?”

The voice growled, “Currently? You. You are my problem… you and…. you whole lot of JERKS! Ungrateful… rude…. and … just RUDE!”

Alexander cut Jason off with a look. Where the hell was Tristan? He could’ve calmed Jason down.

Alexander jumped in, “Ok, we can chat about your feelings about Red Run another time. Jane and Madeline are what are important.”

After several seconds, the voice said, “You’re right, it’s not important that they are RUDE… so rude and inconsiderate… that’s…yeah... You will find six of the seven fighters tonight.”

My eyes widened.

Theo growled, “Fighters? As in underground fighters? You’re giving us the real underground?”

The voice answered, “Well, not all of them… just that group… for now… I mean I’ve sent others to your packs… the… well… the answer is yes.”

My mom was quiet but frowning.

Theo growled, “Why didn’t you tell us about them from the beginning?”

He wasn’t really mad at the sniper, but she didn’t know that. The bond told me he felt like a failure and desperately wanted to get to Jane. She just didn’t have a bond with him to know that, but I couldn’t be upset with him. I’d be worse than he was in his situation.

What surprised me was, unlike the anger she clearly held when Jason spoke, her voice was soft when she answered Theo. “As I told you, we get people out as we can… and…”

Theo snarled, “We could end them all together!”

The sniper sighed, “You are going to break up one sect of the undergrounds… but it’s not the only one… I mean… there are hundreds. They pushed Jane to fight more, because they were missing someone… and well…. because she is a really, I mean a really, good fighter. Her dad trained her well…. Madeline too. They are fighting for their lives. Which… you’ve figured out… that was not on my typed note to say… I just got back and… now I’m calling to have you get them.”

She types notes to talk to us? That got my attention. Brutus linked, “We sadly cannot focus on that right now.”

I knew my wolf was right. I asked the sniper, “Where are they?”

She answered, “Kentucky. In an underground facility in the Daniel Boone National Forest… that…. I texted you the coordinates, because… I have your number for reasons… but I did give you the code to get in… so we could let whole having your number thing go. Anyway…. Go at seven tonight. That should give you plenty of time to get your allies together and to get them out.”

Jason snorted, “Why should we believe you?”

The sniper shouted, “You CANNOT be serious! Is he serious? Don’t you wave your hands at me back there! He’s being UNREASONABLE!”

That confirmed my thought she was not alone.

She ranted, “I have saved several of their lives… MULTIPLE times. HIS actually… I have saved HIS life! What possible reason do I have to lie? I’m being SO NICE right now… and he…”