Page 105 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

I did know if anyone could figure out the components it would absolutely be Mel. It was shot down because she was living her dream. I hated those words, but I swear to God they tumbled out of our mouth like verbal diarrhea when we talked about her. Haley rolled her eyes, and I wanted to join her. I didn’t even blame her at this point. It sounded ridiculous because it was.

Time passed. I looked over the newest report of our scientist being stumped by Laxenread. I knew Melanie would figure it out, but she was living her dream. My brain practically whispered it. I growled and shut my laptop in annoyance.

Micah snorted, “What did the computer do?” I looked up startled, “Nothing. I’m just frustrated.” I also hadn’t noticed him come in. Micah handed me a slip of paper. It was a typed email address for Ashley Griffen, and not her Lead Warrior one. I might have peaked at it.

I looked up at him and smiled, “She agreed.” Micah chuckled, “After saying no several times. She contacted me and said if I gave it to you, she’d read your email.” I was relieved. “Thank you, Micah.” He winked, “Prepare for the most rambling, jumping from thought to thought email you’ve ever received if she answers.” He left my office. I muttered, “It would be a throwback and remind me of Mel.” I quickly pulled my laptop back open. I typed out an email.

Female Lead Warrior Ashley,

Thank you for agreeing to giving me your private email. I looked up your Lead Warrior one, but my instincts told me not reach out to you there. First, I want to say when I heardwhat you’d accomplished, I was so very proud of you. I hope that’s not weird to say. You remind me of someone I care for very deeply. She would probably want to be your best friend.

Second, I want you to know you have a place here in my pack if you ever want it. I know you have a position of leadership but try to remember you are sixteen years old. You should get to be a pup, and it doesn’t sound like you got to be one before you became the Female Lead Warrior. Life here isn’t the same as Nashville. We are very different.

Third, I just felt this need to connect with you. I don’t know your whole story, but if you want to talk about it, I am here. I know it is unlikely our paths will cross due to who our packs are to each other; just know I will always answer your emails.

I’d even be willing to meet halfway for coffee. Continue to shine bright like the star you have emerged as. Or come here and shine. I truly believe you could thrive in our pack. We’d love you as you deserve. Please think about it.

Luna Duchess Elise Conners

It still felt weird I was a double Duchess, but it was on my signature line, nonetheless. I read my email several times before I hit send. I got up and started to file something before I felt EJ’s presence behind me. He took me to a dance club to dance the night away.

When we got back, we again got lost in each other. I loved the feel of him. Everything about him drew me in more and more. I loved him so damn much.

The next day our busy life reared its head. EJ was making progress with the Hunters. I was itching to get to my office and see if Ashley had emailed me back. When I was about to excusemyself, Toby came in with a request for EJ and me to meet. It was clearly a trap.

Rhea linked, “If you even think about letting mate go alone, I’ll take over.” I scoffed, “We are going.” That made her happy. EJ was having Alexander stay back. I linked Alexander, “It’s about your strength and you know it. If they are drawing us away to attack here, the best person to have here is you.”

Alexander argued, “And if they are only attacking you two, I am the best person to have there. I will tear anyone apart who hurts you guys.” I assured him, “I know but we will be careful.” He snorted, “You’d better be.” He conjured something and handed it to me. I looked down and smiled. He’d given me Laxenread. I nodded to Alexander and put the serum in my purse.

When we got to the meeting location, our suspicions were confirmed. It was definitely a trap. We moved inside and the smell of rogues was overwhelming. EJ put his shield around us as the shots rang out. I linked Wesley, “What was that? Who got hit?”

Wesley answered, “The other side's snipers. The original sniper is back and firing at the opposition.” I smiled. Rhea snarled, “Good. Now, let’s kick some ass.” She purred when EJ exploded the Rogue’s head. EJ said I was the target. That explained why he’d exploded the rogue's head, but I was his Luna. These were my pack members too. I was going to fight to defend them by his side.

We ran outside together, and we shifted. Anyone who came near was gunned down with six shots. EJ’s words rang in my head “You stay on my six.” Six shots, always six. That was distinctly Hackura. Were Julianna, Everly, and I wrong about our sniper being a Werewolf? Was the sniper Hackura?

That couldn’t be, because Bjourn would surely know if that was the case. A partial Hackura wouldn’t know what they wereunless they were told. So, who knew enough about the Hackura that they knew they said that without being one themselves? Rhea linked “We do.” Our mate was one though.

Who knew about Fairies and anagrams? Rhea again said, “We do.” I argued, “Again, that’s because of who are mate is.” My head was starting to hurt again. I pounced on a rogue forgetting my thoughts before the sniper could kill this one. I needed to kill.

Once we shifted back EJ popped us to Emmett. I was lost in my thoughts. Someone was having our six. Quite literally. They’d been telling us this whole time we just hadn’t been listening. They thought we had several snipers, but I knew it was just one.

This was the woman who rescued Everly and Julianna. The woman I wanted to bawl over at the thought of her not making it. There was a thought I was trying to gasp but it was driven away. I wanted to curse in frustration.

EJ and I drove back in silence to our home. I knew he was worried about me. I could see it. His guilt over me being the target hit him hard because they were targeting me to get to him. Rhea scoffed, “Absurd. We are an Alpha’s pup. We’ll always be a target.” That was true.

Besides, I would not go down easily. I would fight my way back to him if the worst happened. I would never roll over and admit defeat. I was Luna Elise Kyle Conners dammit and that meant something. I told Rhea, “If anything ever hurt EJ then the world will know and fear the name Luna Elise Conners.” She agreed, “And they will know I am Rhea, the wolf to be feared.” Good, we were on the same page.

Alexander was unhappy to say the least. He linked me, “Nothing happened here for your information.” I replied, “Or they didn’t make it here because the sniper sent people. Search no man’s land discreetly.” He admitted, “I have people there already.” Of course he did, he was smart.

Everyone needed a subject change and that was Jason’s mission with the Hunters. I linked Dalton, “What’s this about a watch from Melanie for Jase?” He snorted, “Well, it had no return address.” I nearly asked him how it showed up then realized of course it showed up by mail. That would be a silly question. It had no return address though. Why? We all knew her address.

He continued, “She called him Jason.” I winced. I replied, “So, she’s mad at him. Why would she be mad and say congratulations at the same time? What is she saying congratulations for?” He replied, “We don’t know, and she acted like we were the crazy ones for asking.” That tracked. Everything we asked was crazy to her since she left.

Angela popped in and was upset. I linked her, “We all want you to get to be a pup. You can’t take the responsibility of everyone on your shoulders.” She shrugged, clearly not agreeing. She was very much like her mother in that regard. Maybe even her dad. They both took on the weight of the world.

Alexander’s reports were that his men found where a fight went down in no man’s land with no bodies. We had no proof it was related to this, but I thought it was. Someone didn’t let them reach Black Mountain, and that someone was our sniper. I just needed her to let me thank her properly because she was everywhere, all the time, protecting the people that I loved.

I didn’t get to check my email until the next day. My actually heart jumped when I saw Ashley had answered. Rhea practically yelled at me, “Hello, what are you doing? Click the email and read!” I admitted, “I’m nervous. What if it’s short like all Mel’s emails? Or a brush off?” She retorted, “Mel’s emails are all a brush off.” It hurt because it was true. I took a deep breath and opened Ashley’s email.

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