3

The next day went to shit so fast. Cassie’s bond with one of her brothers sent her to her knees. What shocked me was that it was EJ. Why would he be angry on vacation? We’d kept him out of this. Maybe he found out about Theo, but that didn’t really track.

Cassie popped us to the castle. Everyone was immediately worried. Uncle Bjourn called Haley, but she was with Vampires. That sounded like a bad idea. Hopefully, Blade was there too. Uncle Bjourn took a call from Eric then looked directly at me.

Uh oh. He was going to ask what I knew. Uncle Bjourn linked me, “He’s saying Melanie McAlister had never been to New York.”

Well nail meet coffin. Fuck me. He said it out loud and I made a weak argument about it.

He then told us things that Alexander told him. Ok, I should’ve told my uncle what was going on because then he would’ve stopped Alexander, and we’d have Melanie here. FUCK! I knew exactly why Melanie wouldn’t let Alexander mark her too. She thought he wanted to reject her. I told them my theory.

Harper backed me up and I was ordered to get Alexander. I linked my Uncle, “You’ve got Cass? I can’t leave her like this right now if someone isn’t on her.”

He assured me, “I’ve got her.”

I nodded and opened a portal to my brother in law.

I knew exactly where he was since I’d designed the mission for him. We’d sent him to one of the Drug Rings. I walked into the meeting I knew he’d be in. Alexander raised an eyebrow when he spotted me. Someone asked, “Who are you?”

I turned, “Leave. Or I will kill EACH and EVERY fucking one of you.”

No one moved. Rude.

I let my eyes blaze and yelled, “NOW!”

They all ran like the damn cowards they are. I would’ve liked a fight. Alexander asked, “Cayden?”

I sighed, “The shit we have all stepped in knows no bounds. We have to go.”

Alexander went down. He hissed, “Get me to EJ!”

I texted my uncle.

Me: I have Alexander.

I told my brother in law, “Pop us there, Alexander.”

He did in the next second.I walked straight over to Cassie. Drake McAlister was on the floor screaming about Melanie. I watched as Vampires started releasing the Werewolves from compulsions. Motherfucker! I walked into EJ’s office following Micah.

I asked Micah, “What?”

Micah flipped the computer around. I nodded, “Ok I don’t know or care how you found footage of Ashley dancing. Did you know she could dance? Because the evidence just keeps mounting that Ashley/Melanie are in fact the same person.”

Micah replied, “It’s not mounting. It's here. This is Alexander’s computer. This IS Melanie McAlister.”

I closed my eyes, “GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!”

Micah agreed, “That about sums it up.”

I called Silas.

He answered, “Hey, Cayden.”

I questioned harshly, “Where is Ashley?”

Silas answered, “I don’t know. The larger group has gathered but she’s not with them. They are nervous and worried.”

I closed my eyes and made the call I should’ve yesterday. “Go get them. I want fucking answers.”

Silas agreed, “Will do.” I hung up and we walked back out to the larger group.

Cassie saw it on my face without words. We comforted each other. I would never let anything happen to our family. I nearly had a coronary when she popped away from me and popped away with EJ. Luckly for her, Alexander was right behind her.

Micah linked, “Find chill.”

I glared at him. Eric said, “They will be fine. They are together.”

That was not what he’d say when he found out Cassie was pregnant. Cassie was arguing with me about coming back over link when the phone rang.

Eric answered, “This is Alpha Eric Conners.”

Someone said, “I was looking for Alpha EJ.”

Eric growled, “If you have my daughter in law….”

Before he could finish that threat a skype tone went off. Micah projected it to the wall.

We saw Elise tied up and clearly unconscious. That got Cassie back while Micah was working with Gunner to track the IP address. I answered my call without looking knowing who it was. “Silas, where are they?”

Silas answered, “They are gone. They didn’t come out of any of the exits. I don’t know how the hell they got out.”

I instructed, “Get to me. By the way, they have Demons and a Witch that’s how they got out.”

I watched as shots rang out to have Elise’s six. Then The Resistance shimmered onto the scene and shots rang out. I fought tears when Ashley/Melanie entered the camera’s view. She wasn’t in any gear so there was no doubt in my mind that was Ashley/Melanie. She was wearing a white t-shirt that was soaked through with her blood.

I knew at that moment she’d saved Kai as herself and they’d punished her. Those Black Path FUCKERS were going to die! I locked eyes with Micah seeing his own eyes were blazing. Ashley/ Melanie fought beside Elise when she reached her. It didn’t take a genius to figure out they’d fought together before.

My Uncle Bjourn caught my eyes, his were blazing too. He linked, “So, that’s Ashley?”

I replied, “It’s Ashley/Melanie and that’s going to be an adjustment to get right.”

He rubbed his head. I asked, “Were you compelled too?”

He answered, “No.”

I said, “Something was up with us. Corbin’s on it, but I told him about the headaches.” He snorted, “I feel like the one I have now is very real.” I think we all felt that way at this exact moment.

Alexander was far too pale and looked close to passing out. EJ wanted answers. I watched Alexander, who was clearly fighting himself. It was like he knew but he wanted to be wrong. I couldn’t really blame him for that. His eyes were glued to the screen as were EJ’s.

Eric was looking between his children and eventually he caught my eye. His jaw tightened and I knew at that moment that he knew too. I don’t think I was alone in my heart stopping as Ashley/Melanie dove in front of Elise as a gun went off. She took several tranquilizers.

I linked Micah, “Well, she’ll be easier to find now. She is going to pass out and if I’m not wrong that is Paige on her left.”

He agreed, “It definitely is.”

I reasoned, “Then they will take her to the human hospital.”

I was about to get people there when to my shock Ashley/Melanie pulled the tranquilizers out of her body as if they were nothing. Corbin texted me.

Corbin: Suppressing a wolf is possible. It HAS to be done on their sixteenth birthday, or it cannot be done. Dylan Frost's parents had a dark Witch looking into it. Said Witch is from, well just guess where?

Me: Fucking Nashville

Corbin: Yup. I’m coming to you.

Me: Is it reversible? Is the wolf gone forever?

Corbin: No. If the Werewolf meets their fated mate the second they lock eyes, the wolf is then unlocked. The wolf is with the human even when suppressed they just can’t communicate with their human. If someone else besides the fated mate marks the person whose wolf is suppressed, then the wolf is lost forever.

Me: Can that person ever shift into their wolf if it’s been suppressed and is unlocked after they meet their fated mate? Or is the wolf just talking to them in their head?

Corbin: Unknown. It’s never been done before.

Me: I think it was.

Corbin: Where are you?

Me: The Conners. Shit is so sideways right now

Corbin: I am aware. Alexander’s bond is the most concerning.

Corbin portaled in behind me. The only thought I really had was fucking fuck fuck. The Resistance members argued with each other. Eric linked me, “Peter has done nothing wrong.”

I replied, “But to Ashley he has.”

He snorted, “Are you going with that being her name?”

I admitted, “It’s what I call her but lately that’s been Ashley/Melanie.”

He nearly jolted back but nodded.

Alexander let loose a roar when they said we didn’t deserve her. God. This was SO going to hell in a handbasket. Ashley refused to leave Elise, because of course she did. They grew up together. BECAUSE SHE WAS MELANIE FUCKING MCALISTER.

Micah linked, “They all knew who she was and never told us.”

I replied, “Paige wanted us to figure it out. I don’t think she believes all the lies they’ve been fed.”

I’d let her down too because we didn’t figure it out. She practically gift wrapped it for us too.

Eventually the one I was certain was Valentina agreed to go with her and return Elise to Black Mountain. GREAT. This was so great. Ashley/Melanie was going to be here but then she’d get shimmered out. Now I really did have a real headache. Not whatever the fuck was happening before.

When Ashley/Melanie said ‘Mshango.’ Jason just straight up passed out while Tristan went to his knees. The Kyle’s were all frozen. Elise passed out on the screen. Micah linked, “What the fuck?”

I answered, “To break it down: The drugs caught up with Elise, and Ashley/Melanie has NO idea we are on skype and used some code word between the McAlister’s and Kyle’s.”

He asked, “They picked a non-word as their code word?”

I answered, “It’s smart. No one would use it.”

Since it wasn’t a damn word.

EJ, Emmett, and Jayden were making moves. I didn’t have the heart to tell them it wouldn’t work. The Kyles’ were still staring at the computer in stunned silence. Tristan took off howling and shifting. So, this was a whole can of worms. It didn’t feel like we’d opened it either, it had exploded. This room may never recover. I explained what we thought.

I linked Alexander, “Is the woman on this computer screen the one you were on vacation with?”

Alexander answered, “Yes.”

I questioned, “But that’s not the name she gave you, is it?”

Alexander frowned admitting, “No, but she didn’t tell me her name. Her friend did.” Fuck me.

Because that was true for me too. Technically Melanie/Ashley never told me her name either. Drake immediately went into denial when I announced this was also Ashley Griffen. I linked Eric, “I think we should probably tell him his daughter isn’t wolf less anymore. Corbin looked into it and meeting Alexander would unlock her wolf.”

Before he could answer Emmaline lost it and turned to water much to my own shock and most of the room. My gaze narrowed on those older than me around Emmaline’s age. They all seemed to know when I had no idea what that was about.

Drake demanded answers from my brother in law that Alexander didn’t have. He’d left her in Louisiana. Of course he had, because that’s where The Rebels show was. I linked Micah, “So Sierra is Phil’s mate.”

He nodded. Christ almighty.

Haley was confused. I locked eyes with Micah. They were all in deep shit. Ok, we all probably were at this point. Alexander explained about Ashley/Melanie being his. I looked at Corbin as Haley lost it. Corbin texted me.

Corbin: Then Ashley/Melanie/Bravo One/Swiffer because it’s her, right? Has a wolf now. She met Alexander and he’s her mate.

Me: I do believe that about covers the names we have. As for the wolf question, I’ll ask.

It was mostly true. I knew another one she had, but that’s because she was my source for the Hunters. Drake lost it asking good questions. He was beyond one thousand percent not going to like the answers he got either. Alexander’s evasive answers had me locking eyes with Corbin. Micah linked me, “What does he mean? All of Drake’s questions were accurate.”

I answered, “Corbin just told me that if someone’s wolf is suppressed then the only way to get said wolf is to look into the eyes of your fated mate. If one was marked, forcibly by another person, the wolf would be gone forever.”

Micah shouted “THOSE MOTHER FUCKING DEAD ASSHOLES! That’s why Trevor was on her about marking her!”

I knew that. Why would he do that though? He didn’t like her. She was clearly right about that and I’d seen it myself. Why would he tie himself to someone he hated?

I answered him, “They are defiantly dead. So, I’m guessing when Cassie felt Alexander’s anxiety, it’s because Ashley/Melanie went down in pain because her wolf broke through the damn spell.”

Micah sighed, “Well, aren’t we all in a pile of shit.”

I snorted, “Understatement.”

Jason sat up and took off with Alexander right behind him. Emmett announced Elise and Ashley/Melanie were in his territory. I linked Micah, “Of course they are because Alexander left the room. Why should anything about this swing in our favor?”

I didn’t need anyone to tell me it didn’t work because a few minutes later they came back. I should’ve gone to stop her. My presence might have given her pause. Cassie went to comfort Jason, and I convinced myself not to kill him.

He was muttering about his dreams. Micah linked, “SHIITTT! He’s right. He wasn’t crazy about that whole thing. Ashley/Melanie had saved him.”

I replied, “I know.”

Haley had to calm Sam down while Alexander healed Elise.

Her first question was where Melanie was. Drake told Alexander to pop to her, but he told him he couldn’t. I turned to Corbin, and he nodded to me. He was going to look into why. I needed to get to Paige because I had a gut feeling she’d be the biggest help there.

I went over to Cayden and Micah then sent Silas back to Nashville, but he’d reported Ashley wasn’t with them along with one other person. I didn’t need to ask but he told me anyway. Valentina was missing too. Great. Where did they go now? We couldn’t find them.

Peter Kyle’s phone rang. Micah linked, “That’s not going to be good.”

It wasn’t. Alexander and Haley left to go heal Ben McAlister and Nick Kyle. Melanie/Ashley had been a second late. To be fair, she’d been saving Elise and she was fucking hurt. Goddamn it! Blue Moon popped in with Kai. Cassie used her truth seeking ability. We should’ve done that immediately! Why was I always a day late and a dollar short here?

Micah linked, “I agree with Kai. She kind of is a superhero.”

Yeah, I agreed with that too. Eric wanted me to say something because I knew Ashley better than any of them. They may email her, but I actually knew her.

I broke it down, but didn't get too far into the story before Elise started crying about cleaning products and airing out their house the night Melanie had “left.”

EJ was murderously angry. I actually think he was past that. He was rivaling Alexander, but at this point no one was going to match Alexander.

Before anyone could ask, Haley screamed, Eric staggered, and TJ went down. I linked Micah, “FUCK NO! You find Angela right fucking now!”

Micah stopped what he was doing and began to frantically type as Haley kept trying to pop.

Everyone was screaming at Haley to stop, but she didn’t. For the first time, I understood her. I couldn’t help but think of my unborn children at this moment. I wouldn’t tell her to stop, and I noted Eric couldn’t bring himself to either.

Cassie was sobbing so I wrapped my arms around her. Micah told me, “Her tracker says she’s in Faerie.”

Aiden popped in with Klaus. Both were enraged. Klaus told us in clipped tones, “Angela got a call. They said they had Elise, and she popped to them.”

His voice cracked, “I tried to follow her, but…”

He didn’t need to say more because he’d been seriously burned. Alexander quickly healed him. Haley healed herself and sobbed. A letter floated out of nowhere at her feet.

I went to shield Cassie from that, but she was in shock not processing anything. Haley screamed and ripped the letter open. She hissed, “I WILL GO TO THE BEYOND AND RIP THAT BITCH LIMB FROM LIMB! SHE FUCKING TOLD THEM HOW TO GET MY BABY!”

Eric roared in anger and grabbed the letter.

Haley hissed, “Katie, find me a goddamn way to bring her back to life so I can KILL HER BITCH ASS AGAIN!”

Katie apologized, “I’m sorry Haley, but that’s not actually possible.”

Haley screamed in anger. Micah linked, “What do we do?”

I answered, “Keep looking.”

He said, “That’s not going to help.”

I replied, “Then try to hack Ashley again because we both know beyond a shadow of doubt, who will find Angela first.”

I just prayed to Aesir she found her as Bravo One, because if she saved her as Ashley/Melanie Black Path would kill her.

I wasn’t going to let that happen, so Paige would be helping me convince Addison, Sierra, Dax, Caine, and Avery to tell me where Ashley/Melanie was. The pack might not kill her, but the Ring would if they finally got a Conners and she ruined their plan.

I lost track of time, but I noted when Phil ran in announcing a friend of his had Angela in Nashville. I linked Micah, “You find Sierra right now. Get her to tell us where they take Ashley to punish her. They might kill her for this. They had a Conners, a POWERFUL one. That was why they wanted Elise for the last several years. To bait Angela. We need to find Ashley, I mean Melanie, NOW!”

Micah nodded. He opened and went through a portal with Max hot on his heels. Gunner and Harper ran through after them.

Uncle Bjourn looked at me and I nodded. He stated, “You think they’ll kill her.”

I replied, “I think the pack would punish her, but the Ring will absolutely kill her for this. They won’t care about whatever their plan was with her. She just fucked them royally.”

He said, “She could’ve gone in with a mask.”

I replied, “In which case, she’d show back up in the pack. Then I want to talk to her.”

Ben McAlister was wrecked. I couldn’t imagine his position and I didn’t want to. Cassie insisted on going to bring her sister home. I locked eyes with her guard and let them see my wrath in them they’d face if they let anyone touch her.

Eric linked, “What’s going on? Is there a threat against my Princess I don’t know about?”

I replied, “No, but now isn’t the time to discuss what’s going on.”

He clarified, “But she’s ok. There’s no reason for me to Alpha Command her to stay?”

I sighed, “No.”

Even though I REALLY wanted to say yes.

After I kissed Cassie My uncle said, “You are right, we are at war. Prepare the army. This will not stand. They took my niece and kept my nephew’s mate from him. Plus, they did something to her wolf. I’m sure we can add more to that list.”

I said, “I think she has one now, doesn't she Alexander?”

I turned, but Alexander was already gone with his group. Drake McAlister whispered, “You think my pup has a wolf now?”

Corbin answered, “I looked into it discreetly. If a suppressed wolf meets their fated mate, their wolf emerges.”

Sam cried, “But there was a boy claiming to be Ashley’s mate. I heard Eric talking to Peter about it.”

I nodded, “Yes, and he definitely tried to mark her. She wouldn’t tell me though. She was hurt very badly last year but we were called in. Brody took care of her.”

It also explained her healing ability to a degree. She DID have a wolf, but it was hidden inside her. Sam couldn’t stop crying. Cassie assured her, “We’ll get Melanie back. We will get my sister and your daughter back. Let’s go.”

She popped us into a strange scene. Angela was sobbing while holding onto Alexander. All of us were alert when she said, “You have to save her. She saved me but they didn’t care. They were mad at her. My visions are blurry, but I think they might kill her.”

They hell they would.

Alexander growled, “It WON’T happen, little one. I’ll save her.”

Sierra, Micah, Max, Gunner, and Harper burst through the door. Phil ran to Sierra and wrapped her up in a hug. She announced, “We have to go. Addison went to try and stop them, but they want to kill her. I know you all don’t like her, but she’s always helped you! You have to help us save her.”

Alexander asked in a deadly voice that promised his enemies would pay. “Where is she?”

Sierra dropped her phone when she caught sight of Drake, Tristan, and then Sam. She screamed, “YOU GODDAMN ASSHOLES! YOU LOOK REALLY FUCKING GOOD FOR DEAD PEOPLE! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO HER?! SHE’S YOUR DAUGHTER!”

Phil caught her around the waist and trapped her from attacking them.

He gently told her, “Babe, we’ll get into that later. We need to save Melanie. Tell us where she is.”

Sierra glared at them saying, “This is FAR from over.”

She muttered, “I’ll have Paige curse the shit out of all of you.”

So now I needed to stop that. Great.

Sierra brought up a picture of an open field. I could see on Alexander’s face he was going to pop. I grabbed onto him along with the McAlister’s, Cassie, EJ, Elise, Eric, and Uncle Bjourn. When I looked around, I was confused, because we weren’t at the place in the picture.

Sierra pointed, “It’s fifty yards that way.”

A scream I knew belonged to Ashley/Melanie pierced the air. Alexander snarled in anger along with the McAlister’s. The Kyle’s and the rest of our group were popped in. Those that could, shifted.

Alexander’s roar shook the trees when Ashley/Melanie’s scream of pain hit the air again. Addison screamed, “LEAVE HER ALONE!”

Ashley/Melanie screamed, “ADDISON, NO!”

Avery yelled, “Yeah you jerks, why don’t you try to take us all.”

Paige laughed, “Yeah, bring it!”

At least they brought her this time.Ashley/Melanie yelled, “NO! LEAVE THEM ALONE! DON’T YOU GO NEAR THEM!”

We all took off running. Several wolves snarled with renewed purpose, which told me the scents in the air enticed them. This was SO BAD! All I could do was pray we weren’t going to be too late. The sounds of fighting were music to my ears. Hang on Ashley/Melanie. We are coming for you.

The End.