Page 115 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

Peter sighed, “I understand the inclination T, but we need to know why she’s so mad. I will deal with whatever it is after that. This note concerns me along with Haley’s analysis of it. Someone is hurting deeply and thinks I’m ignoring them.” People didn’t tend to like it when they were ignored.

Peter groaned, “Your mom said this should make it obvious who the sniper is. She’s trying to tell us who she is, and I have nothing. Not one clue, but this” he held up the print out of the text, “tells me who she is. I just can’t find it.” I told him, “We don’t see it either.” He rubbed his temples.

Elise came back inside and hugged her dad. Drake walked in and hugged Petter too. Sam went to Chelsea. Sam cried, “We got back as fast as we could.” I asked, “Where were you guys?” Drake explained, “We’d gotten in the car to drive to New York to surprise Mel. I had to pull over a few times since we weren’t feeling well, but when we got this call, we started back. She got into Julliard, and we wanted to celebrate with her.” Of course she got in.

Brutus groaned, “Let’s just buy tickets for Broadway and happen to walk by the school.” It was a solid plan. Drake told Peter, “I’m so glad you’re ok, man.” Peter laughed, “You and me both.” I linked Elise, “I’ll be right back.”

I popped to the Kyle’s cabin. It was a mess. So, I snapped it back to normal. I sighed asking aloud, “Why did the sniper save him if she hates him?” My phone dinged. I looked down. I had a new text from an unknown number. I flipped it open.

Unknown:For her

I yelled, “For who?” I waited but no response came, and I smelled nothing nearby. I conjured listening devices and found one. I spoke to the device and whoever was listening. “I don’t know what you think Peter Kyle did, but he is a good man. If you’d just come talk to us, I know we could sort this out.” I waited for a text.

It didn’t come so I continued, “He’s a mess because he can’t figure out who you are. We all think that text should tell us, but we don’t know. For that, I’m sorry because my mom thinks you’re hurting, and we should know you. You want me to know who you are, so tell me. I’m right here and I’m listening.” Nothing.

I made one last ditch effort, “You said it was for her. For who?” Nothing came. Brutus groaned, “It was a good try.” I said, “I can keep trying.” The device’s little red light turned off. They’d remotely disabled it. Dang it!

I sent Micah a text to try and trace the number. I held my hands out and hid the cabin. Only the Kyle’s, McAlister’s, or Conners blood could get in here now. I popped back. I told Peter, “I fixed the Cabin. Only my family, yours, and the McAlister’s can get in now.” Peter hugged me, “Thank you.” I replied, “We are family.” I showed him my phone and he frowned. I shrugged thinking maybe it was for Chelsea.

We went home after Elise had settled. When she went to sleep, I found my brothers. I told them what happened. Alexander frowned, “I think you’re forgetting someone. You asked the question. Who is YOUR mate?” I frowned, “You think this was for Elise?” Alexander answered, “Yes, I think that’s what the sniper tells herself. Obviously, there are other reasons.” I asked, “Such as?”

He answered, “The Resistance stops this kind of thing. Obviously, there’s anger, but this is a person who also cares about Peter himself.” I raised an eyebrow, “That’s awfullyinsightful, brother.” Alexander laughed, “I can only take credit for pointing out that the ‘for her’ text is for Elise. The other part is all mom.” I knew that.

I nodded and went to bed. If only the sniper would meet with us. We could solve this thing and work together to bring the rings and the Hunters down. I’d just bet the Resistance had information about the real undergrounds too. I sighed getting annoyed. One day we’d get this figured out. I just hoped it was one day soon.

It Doesn’t make Sense

Elise is Twenty-Three Years old

Elise played with her pencil. Rhea purred, “I feel mate’s eyes on us.” I knew that. We were all waiting for word from Alpha Theo. Ashley hadn’t answered any of my emails in the last few days. I was worried she was hurt since their neighboring pack had attacked them.

Logically, I knew she was busy as the Lead Female Warrior. We just didn’t have any numbers on wolves who were injured or dead from either side. We were neither their friends nor allies, so the details were scarce. So, we didn’t know who was hurt.

Rhea reasoned, “We haven’t got word that a Lead Warrior was down. Eric and Thor should at least get that type of news if it had happened.” I agreed, “Yes, but Black Path’s Pack leadership is worthless except for Ashley. All we know was that Black Path had won the fight and has taken over their neighbor’s pack.”

Rhea said, “Yes and we both know the only way they could win was under Ashley’s leadership.” Her logic was sound, and I knew it. Ashley just had to be fine. She had to. Alexander linked me, “If you chew harder on that pencil, you’ll crack it and eat wood. Then I’ll have to heal you. I’m sure Ashley is fine.” He was worried too. I replied, “I just wish she’d answer my email.” He nodded in agreement.

When Alpha Theo walked into EJ’s office I was relieved knowing he had answers. I linked Eric, “Thank you for asking him so quickly what happened.” He replied, “I know you’re worried and you are a daughter to me. I know Ashley is fine though. Nashville would be in an uproar if she wasn’t.” I smiled at him.

Honestly, both my in laws were amazing. I was lucky. Rhea told me, “Titan is excited about whatever he’s learned.” Titan was Alpha Theo’s wolf. She didn’t need to tell me that because Alpha Theo’s eyes told me he was.

I linked Rhea, “He said versions of the story. That means one is Ashley’s. That means she’s ok and can talk. She’s not unconscious recovering from injuries.” Rhea agreed, “Definitely. She will answer our emails soon.”

I’d even bugged Phil about this. He’d gotten in contact with his Warrior friend in Nashville. His friend believed she was ok, but Alpha Theo had confirmed with eyes on her. Rhea snorted, “You really just want to hear it from Ashley herself. That would be the best way to make us relax. I know how you feel because I want to see a ranting email from her too.” Rhea was right.

I did want to hear it from Ashley. Rhea sighed when our invitation to meet her was turned down again. I hid my disappointment, but I couldn’t hide it from the bond. EJ send me his understanding. Alpha Theo started telling us what had happened in Black Path.

Rhea snorted, “Both the Alpha and Beta’s version of the event were pathetic. Beta my ass. Did they just pick a random guy and decide he would be the Beta?” I replied, “You know he has Beta blood.” Rhea snorted, “It sounds like his wolf is having a similar experience to one I had in a past life. I hated my last human before you. She was useless. The Moon Goddess did give me you afterwards though. I had to wait, but this life is much better than that one. God that woman was a witch.”

I snorted, “You still won’t tell me who it was. Or will you?” Rhea laughed, “It’s not necessary information. Just know that I adore you. You could be full of yourself, but you’ve always been humble. I love you and you accepted our mate. My past human did not.” That was abhorrent to me. How could she not accept a mate? Poor Rhea in that life. That would be so hard on the wolf.

Phil and Alexander’s exchange had me glancing over at my brother in law surprised. What about Melanie? As I thought her name my heart clenched. I knew she was going to get into Juilliard and never come home.

At this point, Cassie was going to have to go with her plan to hunt Melanie down and bring her home. I wanted her to live her dream, I did. I just wanted to see her in person too. On a computer screen wasn’t the same. She’d only have a few minutes here and there. It was depressing and I hated everything about it.

When I found out what Ashley’s versions of events where I had to smile despite my fury. She had a way with words. I even saw Eric’s lips twitching as he tried not to smile about the shit she gave people. Rhea growled, “I can’t believe the pack leadership hid from the fight. They left their pack to defend themselves, and they hid?!”

I agreed, “I will kill them.” Rhea added, “That is pathetic on so many levels. How could they hide while their people were fighting for their lives?! Did they think that the office door would protect them if the other pack had won the damn fight?! They’d have broken down the damn door and killed their weak, pathetic asses. What kind of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma could live with themselves after that?”

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