The Final Chapter

EJ ran out of his office leaving Micah behind. I tried to pop to Elise and was thrown back. I snarled and kept trying. My mom’s voice stopped me, “What the FUCK is going on here?!”

I screamed, “THEY HAVE ELISE! SOMEONE HURT HER AND I CAN’T GET TO HER! HOW THE FUCK IS THAT POSSIBLE?! We are twice light bound.”

No one answered.

I shouted, “TOBY GET WARRIORS FOLLOWING HER SCENT! RIGHT FUCKING NOW! CALL EVERY GODDAMN ALLY WE HAVE! I WANT HER BACK HOME RIGHT FUCKING NOW!”

Peter growled, “What are you talking about EJ? Elise just went for a run.”

My mom asked, “Why wasn’t she here with everyone else?”

Drake answered, “Oh ya know, just because MY DAUGHTER ISN’T IN NEW YORK! GOD KNOWS WHERE SHE'S BEEN FOR THE LAST SIX PLUS YEARS!”

A Warrior, Doug, ran in, “Alpha, we couldn’t get there in time.”

I snarled, “WHAT HAPPENED?! WHERE IS YOUR LUNA?!”

Doug winced, “Hunters took her. She took several of them down. There were Witches with them. We couldn’t get to her.” Two pops sounded.

Alexander ran to my side, “EJ, what happened?”

I grabbed him, “They took her! Hunters took Elise, and I can’t fucking get to her!”

Cassie gasped while Alexander snarled. I noticed Cayden was with him. He must have been who went to get him.

Cayden immediately went to Cassie’s side. Micah said, “Uhh Cayden, we need to talk.”

Drake screamed, “GOD, MY HEAD!”

He fell to the ground screaming, “SHE’S LIVING HER DREAM! SHE’S LIVING HER DREAM!” He threw up while Alexander gaped at him.

Sir Arthur flashed in front of Drake. He looked into his eyes, “I release you from all compulsions.”

Drake stopped screaming. My Uncle Aiden groaned, “Azoney above!”

Robert and Breanna gathered the other Werewolves including my dad. Sir Arthur and Robert started releasing them.

Breanna flashed in front of me. I frowned, “I can’t be compelled by a Vampire. I have Fairy blood.”

Breanna sighed, “We thought maybe it’s possible. If it was, we thought I could try to release you since we both have Fairy blood.”

She tried to release me, Cassie, Alexander and my other brothers but nothing happened.

Cassie spoke, “I didn’t think Vampires could compel other supernatural’s.”

Arthur sighed, “Normally, we cannot. I knew of one who had a talent for it, though he is supposed to be finally dead. He had a steep price too.”

Alexander asked, “Who did you know with the power?” Sir Arthur answered, “Former King Damon’s lieutenant. It is possible he passed the talent onto a child. Or he is not actually dead.”

Drake snarled, “Why can’t I remember his face?! I remember the words being spoken to me, but I can’t picture him. WHERE IS MELANIE?!”

My dad frowned, “I can’t remember either. How the FUCK did a Vampire get that close to us!”

Peter sighed, “It happened in our territory. We clearly have a traitor. EJ should be able to get to Elise. Only this pack and ours know they are twice light bound. Someone warned the Hunters.”

I snarled, “We need to focus on the Vampire issue later. I want Elise back NOW!”

I whirled to my Beta, “Toby, give me EVERYTHING we have on Hunters. I will attack them with everything we have.”

Toby rushed off to our office to get the information I asked for. I looked at Emmett and Jayden.

I cleared my throat, “I know Red Run is with us. Are you two?”

Jayden said, “You don’t even have to ask, cousin. I’ll stand with you always. We will bring Elise home.”

Emmett said, “Nor do you need to ask me. We are with you. You attack one of us, you attack us all.” Sam and Chelsea were clutching each other crying.

Sam was distraught. She cried, “Where are our girls, Chelsea? Where are they? Oh my god! My baby, my little girl. Where is she?”

Alexander whispered, “EJ, we need to talk.”

I nodded, “Later.” Alexander frowned but dipped his head in acknowledgment.

Cayden stepped back into the room with Micah, horror showing in his eyes. He said, “EJ, we have something….”

I interrupted, “About Elise?”

Cayden shook his head, “No but...” His eyes slid to Alexander.

I cut him off again, “Then I don’t care. That sounds like something we discuss when I get my mate back. Until she is back, I could LITERALLY care less about any other damn thing that pops up.”

Everyone stared at me.

I declared, “To me there is nothing but saving Elise’s life. She is in the hands of Hunters. Is EVERYONE clear on that?”

Cayden frowned, “Yup.”

He glanced at Cassie then sighed before going over to her. Cassie touched my arm.

TJ popped in and the entire room calmed down except me. I couldn’t calm down. Elise was hurting and I couldn’t get to her. I was trying to send her in the bond to hang on, but she seemed to be asleep. Brutus snarled, “They hurt mate!”

I replied, “And we will obliterate them for it.”

Toby came in, “We have suspicions about a coven that COULD be working with Hunters nearby us.”

I grabbed the paper from him and popped to the middle of the coven. I heard several pops following me, but I didn’t care.

I didn’t even turn around. I didn’t need Alexander, or anyone, at this moment. Brutus snarled in my head ready to go for the kill. My dad linked, “You did NOT just leave without me.”

I replied, “I will leave anyone behind to get her back and I know you know they feeling.”

The bond told me he did.

Several people gasped. The leader spoke in a timid voice, “Alpha EJ?”

I didn’t bother with pleasantries. I spoke in a deadly tone, “My mate and Luna was taken. I will wage war until I have her back. I will take it out on ANYONE suspected to be working with Hunters. Unfortunately for you all, we think you are.”

I used my pushing power on them.

I heard snips of their conversations. “Oh god.”

“They actually took Luna Elise.”

“We didn’t sign up for this.” “It was just supposed to be letting them know a place she visits. I didn’t know they were going to take her!” I snarled and exploded the heads of all but the person whose voice I heard last.

I heard someone say, “Oh shit.”

I grabbed the warlock, “YOU TOLD HUNTERS WHERE MY WIFE RUNS?! YOU WERE WATCHING MY WIFE!”

Snarls echoed behind me. The Warlock pleaded, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know they would take her!”

I grabbed him by the throat, “So, you just thought the nice kind Hunters were merely curious about my wife and her schedule?! How fucking dense are you?!”

Cassie spoke, “Brother, the Hunters that took Elise are on the phone back at the house.”

I popped back in a second.

I threw the Warlock at Dalton and Dakota’s feet, “This piece of shit gave Hunters Elise’s schedule.”

Dakota ripped his arm out of its socket. I glared at the screen and my eyes went to my mate. Brutus snarled in my mind. Elise’s lip was bleeding.

I snarled, “WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!”

A man came into view, “Don’t worry, she’ll come around soon enough. Now that I have your attention….”

I cut him off, “You have more than my attention. You have my FULL AND UNDIVIDED attention. You have just made the WORST possible mistake of your WORTHLESS existence.”

I warned, “I do not look for things, I HUNT them. I will RIP YOUR ORGANIZATION APART. I WILL DISMANTLE IT PIECE BY PIECE. My brother is the most feared Enforcer IN ALL THE REALMS! I will send him to slaughter and dismantle anyone I have to. Give her back to me NOW!”

The man was actually shaking until someone hit him. Brutus scoffed, “He’s a welp.”

Yes, he was. But he had Elise. He handed him a piece of paper. He read, “Alpha EJ, now that I have your…”

He trailed off then spat, “I already said that!”

Elise’s eyes opened and I could care less about anything he had to say after that. I addressed her, “Elise, talk to me!”

Elise rolled her head from side to side. A man slapped her and I roared in anger. Brutus was banging on our connection.

Elise snorted, “Bad move. Now my mate’s angry. People’s heads tend to explode when that happens. WOW. What did you give me? I feel drunk.”

I growled. Elise giggled, “Isn’t he hot? That growl does things to me.”

Dalton gagged, “Elise, come on! No talking about your sex life when your ENTIRE family is present.”

Elise frowned, “Dalton? Why are you with EJ?”

Dalton said, “You got kidnapped and I was here before you left!” Dakota growled, “You drugged my sister!” Elise laughed, “They so did.” Brutus purred, “She adorable.” He went right back to growling after that comment.

A different man came onto the screen holding a silver knife. He told us, “Next we will cut her.”

My dad linked, “EJ, it’s going to be ok.”

I stared at the screen begging Aesir not to let this happen to her. I pleaded, “I will give anything to switch places with her. Don’t let them hurt her, Aesir. Please. Not her.”

Elise lifted her legs in the air and nailed him in the chest. He flew backwards and she started cackling. I smirked, “That’s my girl.”

More people appeared in a group around her. She raised her brows, “I’ll take you all on, handcuffed or not. I’m fighting my way back to my man. Why does no one ever remember I’m and Alpha wolf TOO Goddamn it!”

My mom muttered, “Afuckingmen.” They advanced on her, and I growled.

My heart stopped when shots rang out. The first one went straight into the head of the person closest to Elise. The next to the chain holding Elise’s hands. Brutus howled in victor, “Our sniper!”

Or Ashley, as I had come to think of her.

Elise laughed, “Right on sniper friend! You and me, girlfriend! Let’s take them all! I’m coming home EJ! Keep that sexy growl thing going!”

I couldn’t stop my laugh as Elise quickly killed some of the others coming for her while shots continued to be fired.

My dad pushed strength at me when SUV’s came roaring up. The sniper was shooting rapid fire rounds. Elise was going to be overwhelmed, she needed help. I yelled, “TELL US WHERE YOU ARE! ONE OF YOU! WE CAN GET THERE!”

People wearing masks and strapped down with weapons were shimmered in. I shouted, “THEY ARE GETTING AROUND WITH A DEMON?!”

Toby said, “I mean that makes a lot of things make sense.”

I glared at him. He shrugged, “It does.”

They started to fight by Elise’s side. The sniper had stopped shooting. Brutus snarled, “We need to get there.”

I tried to pop to her again but was thrown back. My dad gripped me when I landed. My mom linked, “I understand the inclination, but please stop.”

She tried to go and that made me stop. I don’t think it was her goal though. I linked, “Thank you for trying, mom.” She replied, “You never have to thank me for doing something to try and help you.” She was wrong, I did.

It was an all-out war on the other side of the screen, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Elise. She was still fighting her way home to me. Even drugged she was a damn good fighter. Shots started again. I saw our sniper was at the edge of the screen. She’d switched to hand guns.

She was sprinting to Elise’s side as if her life depending on it. She was fast. My gaze narrowed on her shirt. She was not in any of the gear that the others were in. She donned a mask that covered her face, but she had on a white t-shirt that had blood seeping through it.

Alexander went stiff as a board and growled. I looked around to see Micah and Cayden looking at each other. They were worried. I asked them, “Do you know who the sniper is?”

They didn’t answer. I said, “I’m talking to Alexander, Cayden, and Micah.”

Alexander growled, “No. Maybe. I don’t…”

He trailed off, “I just don’t like it.”

Dylan shrieked and hit Lucas repeatedly on the arm. Cayden sighed, “We do not know who it is.” I raised an eyebrow, “You know better than to evade with me. You have a suspect.”

Cayden admitted, “We do but we have no proof.”

Brutus grumbled, “I would take a suspect.”

So would I. I replied, “We have one too and they know her.” It was getting more likely that was Ashley on the screen.

I looked back at the screen. Horror filled me when I realized Elise and the sniper fought together as if it was muscle memory. I linked Brutus, “Oh my god. Is the sniper Melanie?! How could Melanie be in the undergrounds?!”

Brutus linked, “We speculated Ashley could be Melanie. They are more alike than the imposter in New York.”

God, what was happening?

I looked over at Red Run. Drake was pale and Sam was still crying. Peter and I locked eyes. He was the factor that didn’t make sense. If that was Melanie, why was she so mad at Peter? We watched helplessly as the Ring Resistance fought the Hunters.

The sniper screamed, “NO!”

and shoved Elise to the ground. She was hit with a tranquilizing dart. Three of them. She returned fire with real bullets. She pulled the darts out of her thigh, shoulder and stomach as if it was nothing.

Elise giggled, “That’s cool. Are you like, a superhero? Those did not feel good when I got hit with one. We should get drinks. I’m fun, ask anyone. Hey, how did you know those weren’t bullets? Is that one of your superpowers? Knowing the difference between a bullet and a tranquilizer being shot?”

The last Hunter was taken down. I sighed in relief. The Resistance had won the fight with Elise.

One Resistance group member answered Elise’s question angrily, “She didn’t. What the fuck Bravo One?”

Our sniper had a name. Bravo One. Elise gasped, “You took what you thought could be a bullet for me? Why? You’re always so nice to us. Now we HAVE to have to get that drink. My wolf will revolt when she comes back. She’s coming back, right? I miss her.”

Brutus howled in agony. I reasoned, “Rhea will be back.”

The sniper turned and checked Elise over. She gently told her, “Your wolf will come back.”

Elise asked, “What are you? I feel like you’re a Werewolf. Are you a Werewolf? You think we won’t like you, but we will. EJ wants to buy you a bakery. I swear he said he would. He so would because he can’t lie. Why are you mad at my dad? You seem familiar. Like no, it can’t be. That’s crazy talk in Elise’s head is what that is. I can’t even blame Rhea. She’s not here right now to be the crazy voice.”

We all sat forward wanting to hear the answer.

Another guy walked up, “Because your dad is a fucking asshole.”

Our sniper hissed, “Bravo six!”

The guy snorted, “Bravo One, you might want to spare her feelings, but I don’t give a shit. Her dad’s a tool. Go run on home, little Duchess. Ask your daddy what he’s hiding from his precious daughter.” Alexander covered my mouth to quiet my growl.

Brutus growled, “How dare he speak to mate that way.”

I reasoned, “We need more intel. They don’t realize we are on the computer for some reason.”

Bravo One punched him in the shoulder, “Shut up!” Another Resistance member spoke, “Why? Tell her!” My dad muted our computer. I looked at Peter. He said, “I have literally no idea what they are talking about.”

Elise argued, “My dad is a good man! He didn’t do whatever you think he did.”

Another girl stepped up, “Your dad may be a good guy to you, but he’s one of the villains in other people’s stories.”

Elise stood and wobbled, but our sniper grabbed her, so she didn’t fall. It just couldn’t be Melanie, but it was looking like it was. How? Why?

Elise looked at her, “They mean my dad is the villain in your story. They are upset with him because of you. Why?”

Someone drove up in an unmarked vehicle with two more cars behind them. Our sniper held out her hands for a key. She announced, “I’m taking her home.”

I snorted “Thank fucking god. We need to chat.”

A chorus of, “WHAT?!”

“NO!” Were shouted at her. I groaned, “I swear to god if they talk her out of this, I will punch them all ON PRINCIPLE!” Bravo Six grabbed her shoulders, “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! You can’t do that!”

Alexander roared in anger. I stared at him as horror filled me. That had to be Melanie. Brutus said, “Oden thinks it is.”

Great. Awesome. Love today so much. Brutus replied, “Such sarcasm.”

The sniper pushed him off her, “I don’t recall asking for your permission. I WON’T leave her here!”

One guy yelled, “WHY do you keep fighting for these people?! They abandoned you! Yet you send out an emergency text to us to come save her ass. Then you show up bleeding. We need to get you treatment. You’re hurt. They don’t DESERVE YOU!”

I was looking around the room in confusion. We didn’t abandon Melanie. Did we? Brutus answered, “Not knowingly.”

Cayden and Micah seemed to be having some silent conversation. The sniper said, “I won’t leave her here.”

One threw up their hands and said, “They will come for her. We can leave and they will come. We can even give them the coordinates. She’s going to pass out in a few minutes anyway. We can just get her outside their little dark Witch spelled area.”

Elise frowned, “I am not going to pass out. Why do people keep forgetting I am an Alpha wolf?”

One member snored, “Yes, you are. Trust us. We deal with this kind of thing all the time. All of us are FULLY aware of your Alpha status. ‘Elise this’ ‘Elise that.’ We know everything about you.”

I locked eyes with my dad, and we knew but didn’t want to know.

Someone gently said, “Bravo One, you need treatment.”

The sniper crossed her arms, “Then I’d better get going. Bravo Four are you coming with me? It will make it faster.”

Bravo Four answered, “Of course. I’m with you always. You know that.” Our sniper turned to Elise.

One yelled at her, “Stop doing this for them! If they catch you, it’s all over.”

The sniper turned, “I won’t leave her unprotected out here and you know that. I won’t leave and text EJ her location and leave. She could get hurt. Anyone would try and get her because she’s his mate and she’s defenseless… that’s… no… Plus, I won’t get caught.”

I raised an eyebrow.

I linked my dad, “That was very clear familiarity specifically with me to not refer to me as Alpha EJ.”

My dad replied, “They also don’t appear to realize we were on a skype call and we can hear them. I think we both know or fear why she’s familiar with you.”

I asked, “How is it possible?” He answered, “I can only think of one answer: Magic.”

A different Resistance member shouted, “For the love of god, I wish you could just quit them.”

Alexander growled again. Someone else waved at them, “Stop it guys.”

She turned to Bravo One, “Do what you need to Bravo One. We will monitor everything, and let you know if anything else happens.”

Bravo One asked somewhat angrily, “How the HELL did you not know THIS was happening? How did they even get to her? The amount of alerts I have on her… specifically her… are high. Everything should’ve gone off… I don’t understand… that’s… did…. you…. UGH! This wasn’t supposed to happen to any of them but NOT ever HER!”

Elise bent over and pursed her lips in confusion.

Someone sighed, “It was spur of the moment apparently.”

Bravo One nodded, “Get all their things.”

One stepped up, “We know the drill. You go take her and get back safely.” Elise frowned, “Hey, I’m fine on my own. I’ll get back to EJ by my bad ass self. Thank you very much.”

Our sniper said, “You’re not on your own… I’m here… well... no. I mean obviously I’m here just get in the car Elise.”

Elise backed up, “No. I want to talk about your issues with my dad. We could figure them out.”

The sniper sighed, “Elise, just get in the car and I’ll get you back to EJ. You want to get back to EJ, right?” Elise snorted, “Of course I do. Your friends don’t like me though. Why should I get in the car?”

I growled, “Get in the car, Elise!”

Wesley said, “She can’t hear you, big brother. We are still muted.”

I sent my feelings to Elise to get in the damn car. She flipped me off back. My gaze narrowed at the scene. The sniper sighed, “Just… let me get you closer to your territory… I’ve been nice to and your dad… honestly… he owes me. I saved his life… for you…. maybe me… maybe other people… I still saved his life!”

She rubbed her temples, “You’re going to pass out and it will be MUCH simpler if you get in the car before that happens.”

Elise frowned, “I don’t wanna get in the car. I wanna know why you don’t like my dad.”

Several people groaned.

One snorted, “Leave her pampered ass here Bravo One.”

I snarled. The sniper yelled, “ENOUGH! Don’t talk about her like that! Ow… god that hurts. Don’t make me move my arms… everything already hurt so much… just… be nice.”

Jaws locked and a few people looked away.

The sniper turned back to Elise and said, “The deal with your dad… that’s… well… it’s a long story that you do not have time to hear right now… maybe ever. I prefer ever… honestly... You’re going to pass out in a few minutes so to the car... like right now... let’s go.”

Elise stomped her foot, “NO! I want to know the story. They seem to think I’m some spoiled little girl. He called me a Duchess!”

I snorted, “You are a Duchess, Elise.”

Wesley said, “She still can’t hear you.” I growled, “I know that!” He grinned at me. I knew in the bond he was trying to distract me from the pain I still felt from Elise being gone. My heart felt like it was sputtering.

The sniper said, “You are a Duchess of the Hackura and Faerie… you know… since you are married to the Duke of both realms.”

Elise sighed, “That’s another thing. You know so much about so much! How? Why? Because it can’t be why I think it is. It just can’t be.”

One person snorted, “They really don’t get it do they?”

Elise growled, “What is THAT supposed to mean?”

Someone laughed, “It’s FAR too late to get a clue Duchess Luna Elise Conners. You’ve been blind for so damn long that I think you LIKE it that way. You buried your head in the sand while Bravo One just kept saving your asses over and over.”

“Your dad knows the answer. Red Run is apparently keeping many secrets. I wonder if they lied about things to keep everything the way it was. I think they lied specifically about people in your pack. Don’t you just KNOW they did? Because I do.”

Elise snarled and the sniper held her back.

The next words out of the sniper's mouth had Jason passing out and Tristan hitting his knees in shock. Dalton, Dakota, and Cooper were frozen with their jaws on the ground. The rest of us looked at each other in complete confusion when the sniper said. “Elise.”

She waited until my mate looked at her, then said, “Mshango.”