Page 112 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

I kissed her lips lightly then pulled back, “I love you too, Elise Conners.” I ate my own food and snapped the plates clean and back to their place in the cabinet. I took a quick shower since I wasn’t actually tired. I didn’t actually need much sleep.

I conjured my laptop and kept an eye on Elise while she slept. I answered a few emails. I saw an email from Ashley and smiled. I’d asked if she would come up for Elise’s birthday.

Alpha Duke EJ,

I have to say my heart stopped for a full second seeing you’d emailed me… and well… I just… well… I thought you were mad Elise and I were talking… because… I could… well… it’s just… I like talking to her… so I didn’t want to stop… so I avoided your email… which is why I haven’t answered… yet… well... I am now..

Unfortunately, I have to decline your invitation for Elise’s birthday. You have no idea how much I wish I could come, but I can’t. I will send her a gift though. I mean I had one already… not knowing I was invited… so obviously… I’ll get that to her.

You are a good mate, Alpha Duke EJ. Please always take care of her. I mean… oh my gosh… I didn’t mean… just… I mean… not that you don’t now, but like... gosh... you know what I mean. I wasn’t saying that you don’t take care of her now. Ofcourse you do. I should’ve typed keep taking care of her. Yes, that’s a better way to say it. GOD ASHLEY STOP TYPING! UGH!

Ashley

I laughed because I couldn't help it. Brutus asked, “Why didn’t she just delete last part?” I admitted, “I don’t know but it was amusing.” I wished she’d just come to the party. I answered.

Ashley,

Please call me EJ. Talking to you makes Elise happy, and I would never take that from her. Or go behind her back and contact you to get your communication to stop.

I am sorry you feel that you can’t come. A gift is not necessary though. All Elise wants is your presence, but I won’t push you.

I understood what you meant about taking care of her. I assure you I was not offended. I’m actually not easily offended.

One day I hope you understand that what happened to your family was not your fault. Your family would not want you to give up your life after they gave up theirs so that you could live.

Just think about that and please start living YOUR life for yourself. I can tell by the tone of your emails that you give Elise permission to share with me that you want to see her.

My advice to you is this: Don’t hide from life forever. Those who are gone, we cannot bring back. We are here though, and we can honor their lives that way. That’s how we live.You honor them by being happy. Can you honestly say that you’re happy?

EJ

I hit send before I could second guess myself. A reply came a few minutes later. Brutus linked, “She types with the speed of a Hood member.” No joke.

EJ,

Some people don’t deserve to be happy. Well… I actually know a lot. I meant me… but… like that’s true… some people shouldn’t be happy. It annoys me that they are… Don’t be sad for me or anything. I have more happiness in my life than I deserve. Talking to Elise is a lifeline I shouldn’t have, but I can’t bring myself to give it up. I tried… but she keeps emailing… and …I mean I just realized that talking to her is something I can’t let go of.

I’m sure that doesn’t make sense, but she brings a little bit of home and normality back to me… gosh, that just…. I’m sure that makes even less sense. Her emails are what I hold onto a lot of days. Her words reach me when nothing else can… I’m pretty sure my friends want to email her sometimes… and thank her… then get mad I listen to her and not them… I probably give them a complex which isn’t nice….

It's just that they don’t fully understand. You know? I mean… no you don’t know because I didn’t explain it. Her emails make me believe that things could be different, but for now they cannot. Maybe one day, but I’m just not sure… but I think maybe… I mean I have plans…

On a totally separate note, sometimes Elise and I talk about your siblings… which everyone knows about…. so it’s totallynot weird that I know about them… prior to her mentioning them… because everyone knows you guys… you’re famous.

Everyone also knows you have a brother who is an excellent fighter… other adjectives have been used…. best… strongest… lots of adjectives… I’ve actually met people who have seen him fight…. and he shares videos in the community of fighting techniques, which you know… because… you live together… Why am I telling you things you know? I don’t know… please stop typing Ashley.

The point was that…. well… we… no I… it was me… I implemented his training plan here. If you could… if you want… you’re not obligated but… please thank him for me. It’s made a huge difference in our Warriors.

Seriously, it has… it’s crazy. They think I’m crazy with how much cardio they do. You partial Hackura’s don’t mess around with your cardio. Even I was out of breath the first week. OH MY GOSH! Don’t tell him that... oh my god... just... ok bye...

Ashley

So, Ashley had implemented Alexander’s techniques. It wasn’t surprising since many had. Alexander had an eye for it. He put plans and techniques out to Werewolves at large. Partly because he knows that despite our best efforts, some she wolves still weren’t trained to fight. Omegas weren’t treated fairly everywhere else. Alexander thought if every Werewolf had access to his tutorials and basic defense moves, then maybe they could teach themselves some basic self-defense.

I called my brother. He answered out of breath, “EJ?” I sighed, “Do you ever leave the gym, little brother?” Alexanderlaughed, “For your information, Dad, William, and I were letting these pieces of shit know how we felt about their lack of control.”

I snarled, “I don’t want to see them EVER again!” Alexander’s smugness wafted through his tone and the bond. “I thought you might say that. Theo said he would take them into his pack. Lux needs to work out some anger.”

I snorted, “Over his first rejection ever?” Alexander laughed, “Nah, his birth mom and his half-sister.” I frowned, “He still can’t find them?” Alexander sighed, “Nope. The mom used magic to hide from Theo and they aren't asking us for help yet.”

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