Page 106 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

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 dothat 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.

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