3

Micah: Ashley just walked in. Based on the smell, she just took a shower. Was our sniper out and about?

Me: Yes. Are Virgil and Valentina with her?

Micah: Valentina is, and so is Addison. Addison looks pretty ticked off about something.

Great. Just more circumstantial evidence to throw on the pile. Eric asked, “Is your text anything important?”

I snorted, “You have no idea.”

Eric raised an eyebrow. I sighed, “I honestly wish I could tell you.”

Alexander called, “Uh guys, you’re going to want to get in here.”

We walked into the bedroom. There was a printed note.

Dear Red Run,

GET IT THE HECK TOGETHER!! I don’t know who your mole is, but you OBVIOUSLY have one. Do something about that, would you? It’s tiring doing everything for you all the time. For once... just help me… help you.

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD… JUST DO SOMETHING!

The Resistance.

That sounded exactly like something Ashley would say and write. Eric said, “Well, our sniper has a point. There is obviously a mole.”

Alexander questioned, “Who hates Red Run this much though?”

I snorted, “Is it hate? Why go save Jason from Hunters if it is? Why save Peter and Chelsea? Anger, sure. I’m not sure if this is hate, though.”

My phone beeped again.

Micah: So, Alexander reached out to Ashley. She is somehow having a panic attack that she is talking through. Is he TRYING to kill her? She might pass out. She’s like arguing with herself about replying. She’s not even waiting for replies to the things she asks or says. She’s just like yes, no, yes, no, maybe… it would be rude not to answer… it would be crazy to answer... but I... yes... no... AHHH. That’s a direct quote by the way. Then she repeats it all.

Me: And you are SURE she’s never been in this area? She doesn’t know Alexander, correct?

Micah: There’s no way she can know him. She’s only ever been to Missouri and Nashville. He can’t be the guy she thinks is her mate, but she’s obviously crushing on him. I asked about the guy back home before she found out Alexander emailed her. Still the same wistfulness about him. I just don’t know man.

I wanted to groan. This was not what we needed. I put my phone away. I wanted to ask Alexander what he said, but I couldn’t. They didn’t know we were talking to Ashley. Eric announced, “The cabin is clear. Put the note in your pocket, Alexander. We will give it to Dalton, Dakota, and Peter later.”

My brother in law nodded, grabbed us both, then popped us back to the group.

When we explained our finds, Cassie seemed just as confused as I was. She didn’t understand how Alexander found everything so quickly. She began to feel urgency in the bond I didn’t understand. She felt like she was onto something big.

I wanted to get out of here and hear all about it, but everything took some time. Peter showed us the text he’d received. This person was REALLY pissed at him. Addison didn’t know Peter Kyle, but she was the one Micah noted was pissed off.

Valentina could but it didn’t feel right. Everything I had said Ashley didn’t know the man either. This was personal though, Haley even said that it was. That type of message was a cry to be seen. A cry to an Alpha that one has to view as their Alpha.

I studied Peter, noting he was genuinely confused. He had no idea. I linked Haley, “How can no one stick out in their files?”

She answered, “I don’t know. It should be glaringly obvious. The dangerous part here is the person who sent this message believes it is that obvious.”

I agreed, “I’m worried they will lash out.”

She sighed, “I don’t think we should be worried about the sender lashing out. They are in a group of people that stand for injustices. If they believe nothing is done about this message they could lash out at the sniper. There is loyalty in their group, but this has to piss them off.”

Was that why Addison was mad? Did Micah see her pissed off for her friend and not herself? I just needed to know which friend it was.

Cassie stunned the hell out of all of us asking where Robert was. I could tell you exactly where he was. With the Omega he was constantly following around in Black Mountain. I was surprised they hadn’t marked each other as chosen mates yet. I’d heard the girl say they’d talked about it. I also knew EJ HATED Robert with a passion.

It didn’t track for me that he did this. Or was a sniper. He might be the least disciplined supernatural I knew. Plus, we knew the sniper was a female. Robert knew full well exactly what would happen if he was found out betraying his pack. It was not pretty.

Robert struck me as a selfish asshole. There’s no way he wasn’t selfish with his own life. The only way he’d be involved is if he was positive he’d get out with his life, and I didn’t see how a traitor could believe that. The Kyle family was linked to the Conners through Elise. EJ would never let anything happen to Elise’s brothers, or her family, and let it stand.

It was fairly well known that EJ was creative with torture techniques too. He took after Uncle Bjourn in that way. Robert knew that. Plus, Alexander might hate Robert more than EJ. Which was no small feat, but after that dance they went to when they were fourteen Robert was Alexander’s top enemy.

They were going through candidates of who the sniper could be. None really sounded likely. Cassie had me turning to her when she asked about Melanie. Melanie McAlister had no reason to be pissed off at Peter Kyle. I took out my phone and texted Hendrix to get an update anyway.

Me: Sync with Eric’s guy and confirm Melanie’s location and movements tonight.

Hendrix: Ok, I’m on it. Why am I on it?

Me: Cassie made some good points. They are extreme, but a supernatural who was held too tightly growing up could revolt in a way everyone would agree was good by joining The Resistance. Plus, she kind of has overreactions down pat. She ran off after not being allowed at Elise’s Luna ceremony and hasn’t been home since. Research shows those that are creative are extra sensitive.

Hendrix: Ok, but the sniper being her doesn’t make sense as a whole. Cassie has a point for sure, but Melanie knows Tristan is the Beta.

Me: I agree. You know who might not know that? Nashville. They don’t have strong ties here. Ashley could think Jason is the Beta since she keeps calling him that. Cassie makes a strong point though that they could be friends.

Hendrix: Then it’s the end of the world for the rest of us. They run it. I’ll check.

Me: Thanks.

That got me thinking if Melanie was here, if she and Ashley were friends, and Melanie was the one mad at Red Run she’d missed Alexander by minutes. Now my back was up. Alexander’s wolf had been acting weird. Alexander could just tell where the sniper was because it was his mate.

I shook myself. No way. The sniper had to be Ashley, not Melanie. Ashley just had no reason to be mad at Peter. Neither did Melanie. Right? GOD this was frustrating. Cassie started to feel distraught in our bond. She wanted information about Melanie.

I was worried because she was focusing intently on something. I wasn’t alone in noticing she suddenly felt a serious determination. Whatever she wanted to do or say she’d decided to do it. We were about to leave when Jason thanked Cassie for having his back.

I threw my arm around Cassie and briefly let my eyes blaze in Jason’s direction. He put his hands up and walked away. I opened a portal and walked her back into her parents living room. The nerve of that guy. I was right there, and Cassie was MINE!

She was my mate, my wife, and he could fuck all the way off. Where was his mate for crying out loud? And why, Aesir above, was she torturing me by taking her sweet time showing up? Cassie shot me a ‘was that necessary’ look. Yes. Yes, it was. She was mine. Jason McAlister needed to know that.

Gia, Cassie’s Gamma, linked, “He doesn’t want her.”

I replied, “He did.”

She laughed, “You do understand you used the past tense.”

I retorted, “Well, she’s mine.”

Gia reasoned, “And he knows that. She had his back, and he said thank you.” I grumbled, “He can say it when his mate shows up.”

She snorted, “Jed feels similar.”

I noticed he’d shown up. They’d marked each other and were very happy together. I snorted, “Jed and I are right. Just go have your claiming sex.”

She winked, “Will do. Thanks!”

Cassie saw some cookies set out. I bit my lip trying not to laugh since I knew it wasn’t the right moment. The kitchen staff here knew the Conners siblings well. None of them could resist a peanut butter cookie. Cassie scarfed then down.

All of a sudden, her determination seemed to disappear. I picked up a cookie and sniffed it. There was nothing off that I could smell on it. Cassie’s sense of smell was better than mine anyway. Was she just hangry? Haley literally turned up her nose at the cookie. She hated peanut butter for some reason. Eric and all Cassie’s siblings loved everything peanut butter though. My phone beeped.

Hendrix: All is well in New York. Melanie has been her busy little self. The girl is going to run herself into the ground one of these days.

Me: That’s confirmed? You have eyes on her ?

Hendrix: As much as eyes can be on her, yes. She’s a moving blur of motion that I hate trying to pin down. She gives me a complex about my skills.

Cassie shrugged off the report as if she could care less now. What the hell? She was really concerned about it until five minutes ago. Now she didn’t care at all? Alexander popped in and snarfed down about fifteen cookies. He was excited from the fight.

Wasn’t he still curious why Oden was agitated? Shouldn’t he care about that? Alexander linked, “Calm down man.”

Ok, what was WRONG with the two of them? I linked, “You just said the words Calm down. YOU. I’m going to need that to sink in for you.”

He shrugged.

Preston linked, “It’s weird.”

I agreed, “It is, very weird.”

I wanted to know how Alexander knew where the snipers hide was. Was it because one of the snipers was his mate? Was Melanie being shimmered in and out of New York by Valentina or Virgil? A cookie was practically shoved in my mouth. Sure, because a cookie was going to calm me down. I’d eat it and then get answers afterwards.

They were really good. I ate a few more then thought about it. It was a good thing Alexander had whatever weird thing he did going on with the hides. He found them. We didn’t spend hours looking. Who cared how he found them? Not me.

Preston linked, “You too?”

I said, “Have a cookie, little man.”

He grumbled, “I’m not little.”

He stalked away. My mind wandered about Ashley as the sniper. Maybe she didn’t go out with Alexanderbecause she knew he’d picked up on her pattern.

Hell, maybe it was Alexander’s pattern. Ashley seemed to have practically crawled inside Alexander's brain with his training videos. My thoughts turned away from her and back to my mate. My lust began to spike, and I knew I needed a hunt. No, what I needed was to hunt My Duchess and fuck her into oblivion.

Cassie and Alexander talked while the need to claim Cassie was almost ringing in my ears. Cassie popped us back to our house. She wanted to talk, but the mood had shifted so far past talking it was ridiculous. I told her to run.

I chased her all over our realm. I’d known where she was, but I wanted the chase. She eventually started making it harder, but I knew My Duchess. I was getting more excited the more she evaded me. I was close to her, but she’d mischievously get away at the last second.

Eventually I caught up to her. She’d changed and I wanted to worship this outfit, so I did. I had her follow my commands. I watched her struggle, but she did. We had sex all over the house. I declared her as mine. She declared I was her husband. DAMN RIGHT I was. Only me. She was only mine. EVER!

I could satisfy her like no one could. MINE! My naughty Duchess popped away from me at one point. It might not have been my best call ever to fuck her on the stairs. I had rug burns on my knees and there was no way she didn’t have them on her back, but god if it wasn’t hot as hell. Everything with Cassie was that way.

I even proved it by satisfying her so well she released magic. We lost track of time in each other, and I knew the realm was enjoying it. My connections definitely were, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about anything but Cassie.

When we fell asleep, I saw Micah had set up a time to meet Ashley at the diner the next day. Good. I had questions and I didn’t miss it because our time passed differently than theirs. I woke up to Cassie touching my face.

Damn if her smile and calling me her Commander didn’t have me sliding right back inside her. Did this ever stop? This constant ache to be with her? God, I hoped it didn’t. When we finished, it was time to talk.

I made a plan that she pouted about which did things to me. My dick bounced and I trapped her between my body and the wall. I stared at my mark on her neck. I’d say that’s why I had no control anymore, but it was from the second I saw her. It was just all gone. I slid back into her, unable to resist.

When we finished, she showered while I fixed breakfast. I walked away muttering, “My woman needs to stop teasing me so damn much. My dick is going to explode around her, and she enjoys my dick.”

When it came to her, my control was a thin little strand she seemed determined to snap. I busied myself making us eggs, bacon, and pancakes. I heard the shower, and my first thought was Cassie was naked in the shower. I was hard again. DAMN IT!

I quickly put the eggs onto plates for us. When Cassie came out, I knew she was taunting me. There was no other explanation. Her ass was begging me to bite it, I just knew it. I fled the kitchen before I did. I quickly showered and stepped back out.

We ate and talked through everything. We both had apologies to make and did. I really wanted us to be more communicative. I didn’t want us to start shutting little doors between ourselves, only to wake up one day and realize we knew nothing about each other.

There would never be a day I wouldn’t fight for us. I was worried about her, and I didn’t handle it well. At all. I panicked and that’s something I can do. I need to be rational, calm, and focused. I can’t do that with her though. So, I needed to know where she was. Or if she went out on a mission.

That led to my feelings about men who wanted my mate. People want what is mine, but people CANNOT have it. Jason McAlister cannot have her. Cassie rolled her eyes, and I felt her amusement. She was wrong to a degree.

Jason loved her curves. He just respected the mate bond because of the way he was raised. He wasn’t going to make a move on Cassie, but he sure as hell appreciated the view he got when she was around. He just needed to meet his mate and all would be well.

I picked her up, needing to be touching her. This subject was making me want to run back to the bedroom. She belonged fighting by my side as I belonged fighting by hers. I’d missed two fights with her in one goddamn day, and that was unacceptable.

I’d move literal mountains to make sure that never happened again. She pointed out I’d gotten there. I’d only gotten to the first one because Ashley, it was Ashley, called me. Uncle Bjourn would have reached them first. So would Alexander, because he just popped to her.

We talked about the charm she had and her going out again. She seemed to think I was kidding about her having burners with my number first. I definitely was not. My phone beeped. It was Uncle Bjourn.

Uncle Bjourn: There were no prints on the gun besides mine and Cassie’s.

Me: Naturally.

I wanted to scream. Couldn't I go into a meeting with Ashley with just one tiny little thing? Just one. All I could throw at her was conjecture and theories. Cassie and I both felt that Ashley was key. I knew it was right there. The answer was right in front of me. Something about it always escaped me. I just could not for the life of me figure out Ashley’s damn problem with Peter Kyle.

We discussed it and Cassie had some good ideas we could look into. At this point, I didn’t buy for a second the people we’d found on her birth certificate were her parents. After my dad’s comments about his research and how hard an Omega blood would have to fight to submit to an Alpha, it didn’t seem possible.

Plus, she looked absolutely nothing like them. Honestly, she looked more like she could be related to Jason and Tristan. But that was crazy. Jason and Tristan only had the one sister, who we’d established was in New York.

I knew we would figure this all out some day. I just wanted it to be soon. I was sure if I could get an inch from Ashley, I’d have all the damn pieces. I just didn’t get it. She trusted me. I could see it in her eyes, but there was just always something that held her back. Some fear she had, and for the life of me I had no idea what it was.

I was hoping since she was panicked about Alexander’s email, I could get something from her this time. She loved everything about Alexander. The Warriors were always mockingly saying ‘Alexander said this. Alexander said that.’ They were sick of his videos. Or at least Buck’s were, because Ashley’s Warriors were better than them. You’d think they would just pick up a tip or two, but no.

Cassie brought up Trevor and that situation. Alexander was going to tell her to file against him. Aesir above, she’d be in a discombobulated state when I saw her. She’d want to do it, but she wouldn’t. Good lord, she was going to ramble for hours.

Honestly, if she were from around Black Mountain or anywhere near it, I’d say Alexander was the guy. She wasn’t though. Plus, Alexander would never reject his mate. He couldn’t give a shit less about her past. He absolutely would not blame a teenager for the death of her parents and oldest brother. He might just kill anyone who dared to blame anyone for that in the first place.

Cassie called and got verbal confirmation from Alexander he’d train with a source of mine. I linked Micah, “Ashley is going to be paralyzed with indecision. I can already picture it.”

He asked, “Why?”

I answered, “Alexander agreed to train with a source of mine.”

He snorted, “We might not be able to tell her that any time soon.”

I wondered why.

Ashley did get nervous whenever you said Alexander’s name. Plus, he’d emailed her. Cassie compared Melanie and Ashley again. They did have obvious similarities. I was going with the theory they were friends. Maybe The Resistance fostered some anger in Melanie about how she was sheltered as a child. Why would they though? It was something to consider.

I needed to get going to my meeting. I ran to my office at the gym to grab the custom made gun for I’d had made for Ashley. I knew she’d like it. I opened a portal and stepped out in front of the forest and walked into the diner.

I spotted Micah and sat down. I asked, “Where’s Ashley?”

Micah snorted, “In the back, muttering about doing something or not.”

I laughed, “Is this still about Alexander’s emails?”

Micah nodded, “He told her to report Trevor. She’s been debating it since I left her last night. I don’t actually think she’s gone to bed yet.”

I snorted, “Maybe that can work in our favor.”

Micah linked me, “Max filled me in on the Red Run attack. You think that’s why Ashley couldn’t meet me sooner.”

I reasoned, “You know, and I know, that’s exactly why she couldn’t. She was there.”

Ten minutes later Ashley walked out to the booth we were sitting in. I raised an eyebrow at Micah. He was right. Ashley literally hadn’t been to bed. She sat down, “Sorry, I lost track of time, and the...”

I held up my hands before she could continue, “It’s ok. Maybe you shouldn’t have any more coffee.”

Ashley frowned, “No… that’s… why would you… say that? I need more coffee. Coffee is good. Coffee keeps you going. Hendrick, I need more coffee please!”

Hendrick and Mason yelled, “NO!”

at the same time. Ashley frowned and got up and walked behind the counter. She poured herself more coffee and sat back down.

She took several sips then said, “So Cayden, what did you want? Micah said you wanted to talk… then you weren’t here when I thought you would be… you’re much later… then there was a lot of coffee… I mean you obviously got busy and….”

I interrupted, “My mate released her magic, so I was later than planned, but I’m on time for this meeting. Why did I want to talk to you? The Resistance somehow knew who Cassie was even though she had a Fairy charm on her and didn’t look like herself. I find that very concerning.”

She frowned.

I noted Addison and Valentine shot each other looks that said to me, that they were there. Ashley said, “Well, that’s not possible. I mean… even with a weak Fairy charm, but Cassie would go out with one charmed by her family so…”

I jumped back in, “Said Resistance member also knew my number. Not to mention said member knew a Demon and a Witch. What else? Oh yes, they knew how to ride a motorcycle. I said to myself, those are rather weird coincidences as I know someone who knows a Witch and Demon and can do all those things. Then let’s talk about the experimental gel pack side of it all. Sounds like you.”

Ashley sat back and looked away, “It does in fact sound like coincidences and not at all like actual, factual proof in any way, shape or form. Did you portal all the way here for that? That seems like a waste of time for you. I know you like spending time with Cassie. I’m sure you’d rather be there plus... well not that opening a portal is super hard or anything but...”

I snorted, “Dear god, switch to decaf Ashley.”

She shook her head, “I’ve... I’m... I can’t... I need to make a decision and then I can. I can’t decide though. I mean I decide and then I change my mind. It’s too complicated! I don’t know what to do anymore.”

I said, “Not to stop this rant, but I’m going to. I got you something.”

I slid the gun across the table. She gasped, “That’s… that’s… a custom… you… I… that…”

I nodded, “Yes, it’s one of the custom guns everyone in our army gets. I told you anytime you want, you’re in.”

Ashley picked it up and studied it. Tears formed in her eyes.

She whispered, “Thank you, Cayden.”

She put it in her backpack. I saw the stuffed toy this time. It was a white and black wolf. There was a grey hoodie under it too. Something about the hoodie was familiar. I wondered a moment, then shook it off. It was just a worn out hoodie.

I said, “You know, I would've bought you a new hoodie if I knew you needed one. That one looks worn out.”

Max asked, “What hoodie?”

Ashley zipped up her bag, “What? Hoodie? I don’t see a hoodie. I mean... Hoodies, there are so many of them in the world. Let’s not focus on just one. I have so many.”

My jaw dropped, “Ok, we really need to cool it on the coffee.”

Ashley said, “Beta’s live on coffee. Always coffee, coffee, coffee. Gotta keep up with memos and Alpha’s. Always having their Alpha’s back.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Right but your parents were Warriors, and your mom had Omega blood.”

Ashley flushed scarlet. She sipped on her coffee again, but now was oddly silent. Ok then.

Micah said, “So, what’s with the worn out hoodie if you have oh so many hoodies?”

Ashley said, “It’s a special hoodie… because it is. The point is, I don’t need another one. Mason could attest to that. Hey Mase! How many hoodies do I have?”

Mason stuck his head out of the kitchen, “It’s an explosion. Her room is full of hoodies.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Why do you have an old letter sticking out of your backpack?”

Ashley paled and looked down at her backpack. The back of an old letter was sticking out.

If only it was flipped around so I could see a return address. She slammed it into the backpack and clutched it to her chest. I frowned, “Ashley, what’s wrong?”

Ashley said, “I was trying to make a decision. I was just reading an old letter to help… with that… decision?”

That was a question?

I said, “I doubt the letter can help you. I’m guessing this is about Alexander.”

Ashley flushed, “Why would it be about him? It doesn’t have to be about him. It could be about anything under the sun. Literally the sky's the limit.”

Micah said, “Oh my god. Just tell us what he said, and we can help you. We both know him.”

Ashley started to say something then stopped. I surmised, “He told you to report Trevor for trying to claim you as his mate. You can’t decide if you should or not. Right?”

Ashley gaped, “How could you possibly know that? Did you bug my computer?”

Micah snorted, “If I could bug your computer, I’d give it a shot. You’re locked down tighter than Fort Knox.”

Ashley smiled, “Really? Thanks. I can’t believe you said that. You’re so smart and tech savvy at coding and…”

I interrupted, “So, what’s the problem? Report Trevor.”

Ashley frowned, “I can handle him. I have been handling him and…”

I cut her off, “You shouldn’t have to handle him. That’s the council's job.”

She whispered, “Then they will all come here.”

I nodded, “And?” She frowned and put her head down and groaned.

I questioned, “Would it help you if I said Alexander has agreed to meet a particular source of mine? He even agreed to give a training session with your Warriors.”

Ashley jumped up and hit her knee on the booth.

She shouted, “WHAT? OW! SERIOUSLY!? But... he can’t know I’m a source! You said… I’m… that’s… SECRET SOURCE!”

I laughed, “He doesn’t know it’s you that he agreed to meet with. Cassie asked him if he’d do it for a source of mine. He agreed.”

Ashley started pacing. I now knew what Micah meant by hyperventilating and talking. She said, “He could come here…. No, he can’t come here... but he could… what if he did? Oh gosh... what if he hated me? What if he liked me? What if…?”

Mason shouted, “ASHLEY!”

She shrieked and ran back to the office. Mason came out and sat down. Eventually he asked me, “Are you trying to kill my girl?”

He saw her as his own daughter. I snorted, “No, I would like your girl to answer my questions. For some reason, I believe Alexander is the best chance I have of that.”

I watched him carefully and saw the truth on his face. I was right.

I admitted, “I don’t know why, and I don’t care. I won’t hurt Ashley, but I’m done playing fair. The ironic thing is we already know that we both know the answers. See, I know you taught her how to ride a motorcycle. I know she’s in The Resistance, and I think you are too. What I can’t figure out is why the heck she can’t tell me that. Or why everything Alexander makes her twitchy and nervous. She likes someone from back home, but if I didn’t know better, I’d say she likes Alexander. But he’s not from her home.”

Mason shrugged, “A girl can like more than one guy at a time.”

I nodded, “I know that.”

I truly did, but everyone bone in my body told me Ashley just wasn’t the type. I said, “Melanie McAlister.”

A few forks dropped onto plates around us.

I looked over and saw Valentina, Blair, Addison, and Sierra sitting at a different booth. Interesting. Especially considering it was their forks had dropped. Micah linked, “Holy shit! Do they know her?”

I replied, “It appears like they do.”

Mason questioned too casually, “Is that name supposed to mean something to me?”

It did mean something to him. I could see it in his eyes. I just didn’t know what. I shrugged while Mason studied me then got up.

I grabbed his arm gently then asked, “Are you ok? I heard you were hurt.”

Mason turned, “I’m almost one hundred percent. I’ll be back in the gym tomorrow.”

Ashley and Hendrick yelled, “NO YOU WON’T!”

Mason snorted, “If you don’t stop drinking coffee little girl…”

Ashley shouted, “I NEED COFFEE!”

Mason rolled his eyes, “She’s going to worry herself right into an early grave. You want her to say yes about Alexander.”

I nodded, “Of course I do. I want answers and she CLEARLY wants to meet him.”

Mason winked saying, “Yes and no.”

I shot back, “Care to explain that?”

Mason laughed, “I really don’t. You make her happy. Talking with you two and helping you out makes her happy. It brings the Ashley out I know is there. The one she’s always meant to be, but she has an edge. She’s seen too much darkness in the world. I find myself hoping she can agree to go to your realm and be truly happy.”

He slid me a piece of paper and walked off. I waited until he was back in the kitchen, then I opened the note.

Cayden,

I think this is horseshit all the way, but I’ve noticed your pal Micah sitting in town in the coffee shop. I assume he’s trying to get some answers about Ash. I know he’s heard the rumors about her dad not truly being her dad.

Here is that story: When she didn’t shift, she was told the man who came and killed her parents, and her older brother, was her biological father. She’s hurting and has been ever since then. It clicked for her why her remaining brother turned on her and why she was sent away from their pack.

Her grandparents on her dad's side shunned her as if she didn’t adore her grandfather, and he adored her. At least that what’s she says. From the stories, and the fact we all know she’s a terrible liar, I do think he truly adored her.

On her mom’s side, they couldn’t stand to see her and be reminded of her mother. That’s where the long lost sister of her mom’s came into the picture. If I was her mother’s family, I’d have turned my back on that shrew too. Stephanie McCann is god awful. She wasn’t even sad when her mate was killed attacking another pack. Bitter old hag. Ash’s family should be ashamed they sent her to that woman.

I’m sure you’ve put it together that Ashley now thinks Slade Carter is her biological father. I don’t see it. She shares no features with him, and the whole story reeks of a tall tale. She’s gunning for Slade, hard. I’m afraid for her and I don’t know what to do.

In truth, I’m hoping between you, Micah, me, and Hendrick we can help her. She’s determined to get to him, which we all know means she will. I just hope you can convince her to go to your realm. I know you’d protect her. I know you don’t blame her for what happened to her family and never would. Just keep trying. Please. I do not want to see her get hurt any more than she has been.