Page 109 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
I urge you to act, please. I’ve attached the paperwork for a false mate claim. Fill it out. You should not have to deal with it alone. I am worried about you. Obviously, the choice is yours but know this: If I hear you’ve been marked, I’m getting in my car and DRIVING down to Nashville.
I will find you, and have you look me in the eye and tell me if it was your mate and your choice. If either of those answers is no, I’ll tear the guy limb from limb, rip Alpha Davis apart, then carry you out of Nashville myself.
Stay Safe Ashley, their continued existence depends on it.
Sincerely,
Alexander
Micah linked me, “Holy goddamn shit! Alexander isn’t playing around.” I snorted, “No he’s not.” I grabbed a blanket, put it over Ashley, and walked out. I told Mason, “She’s passed out in the back.” He nodded.
Micah and I went back to his apartment. Micah said, “That wasn’t exactly the productive meeting you wanted.” I snorted, “No, but it was something.” Something indeed. I knew Cassie would call bullshit the second I showed her this letter from the King’s. I told Micah, “Let’s go home to our mates.” He opened a portal to Black Mountain, and I opened a portal to My Duchess. I knew eventually we’d sort this all out.
The signs were there
Cassie is Twenty-Five Years Old
Cassie couldn’t help but smile. I’d just come off my concupiscence, and I could sense two lights within me. It wasn’t exactly planned or anything. I was on the Depo shot, but it must have run out early. I was a little scared, but mostly I was really excited. I knew Cayden would be thrilled, as would our parents. Hell, everyone would be. Cayden’s mom had been begging for grandkids, but none of us had any yet.
My phone rang and I smiled, noting it was my little sister Angela. I chuckled knowing the best little spy with her sight probably already knew. I answered the phone, “Hello, Angela.” Angela squealed, “I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY BUT I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!”
I laughed, “You can’t say anything yet because Cayden doesn’t know yet.” Angela giggled, “He freaks.” I nervously asked, “In a good way?” Angela answered, “It’s definitely good, since he’s excited and incredibly overprotective. He’s just taken by surprise since you weren’t trying.”
I admitted, “I could’ve guessed that.” Angela giggled, “You guys have lots of kids anyway. I think he’s overprotective every time.” It wasn’t surprising, given who our mates were, that we never said pups unless we were referring to the ones in the pack.
I confided, “Well, I did always want a big family like we have.” Angela giggled, “That’s good since you have one. Anyway, I need you to promise me something.” Of course. I replied, “What would that be?” Angela sighed, “No matter what, leave Alexander alone.”
I argued, “I can’t do that. He could need me.” Angela confidently said, “He won’t. It’s blurry but he’s fine, I promise. I figured it out.” I questioned, “You figured out what?” Angela sighed, “Promise and I’ll give you a hint.”
I rolled my eyes agreeing conditionally, “I promise not to pop to Alexander unless he pulls me to him.” Angela sighed, “Alright. I guess that’s good enough. I figured it out though. Well, not exactly but I might just be getting him to a place where he’ll be VERY happy.”
I point blank told her, “Angela, I don't know what that means.” Angela laughed, “Just leave him alone. He’s more than fine.” I sighed, “You’ve said that already and I believe you. Can you tell me how I tell Cayden? I can’t decide.” Angela said, “Well…” Cayden cleared his throat.
I shrieked and turned to see him in the doorway. He smirked asking, “Tell me what?” Angela told me, “FYI this isn’t how you tell him.” I laughed, “Got it. Thanks, little sis. You could’ve mentioned he was coming.” She replied, “That wouldn’t be any fun.” I hung up the phone while both of us laughed.
I coyly answered, “You’re home early, husband.” Cayden walked over and kissed me. When he pulled back, he said, “You know after your concupiscence I try to be around as much as I can. That includes getting home early. What did you want to tell me?” I winked, “When I decide how to tell you, I’ll let you know.” Cayden smirked, “My Duchess is feeling mischievous.” I laughed, “I guess. Want to take a run?” Cayden answered, “Sure.” I snapped us into our running clothes, and we left.
We’d just passed the castle when Alexander’s annoyance hit me. I laughed. Cayden slowed, “Cass?” I explained, “Angela called to tell me to leave Alexander alone. She’s been pranking the whole family with Klaus. I can’t believe I didn’t catch on that she was pranking Alexander. He’s VERY annoyed. She’d said she figured something out. This has to be a prank though.” We kept running.
I waved to my uncles and aunts as we passed them, and they waved back. Alexander’s excitement was so acute I could taste it on my tongue. What the heck was up with him? I’d taken several more strides when his panic, concern, and fear hit me so hard I went down to my knees. It took me back to his feelings prior to us all going down and I began to hyperventilate. Rain howled in my head.
Cayden yelled, “CASS!” My uncles sprinted to us. I gasped for air as I conjured my phone and called Alexander but he didn’t answer. I called Angela. She answered, “He’s fine.” I rubbed my chest, “Are you sure? He’s…” Angela cut me off, “I am sure. Now I have to assure Wes and EJ he’s fine. YOU ALL ARE SUCH WORRIERS! It’s like I don’t know what I’m talking about or something. UGH!” She hung up.
Cayden picked me up. I saw the concern in his eyes and felt it in the bond. He asked, “What’s going on?” I frowned, “Alexander is really upset but Angela said not to bother him. He’s panicked and he doesn’t panic. He’s always so cool and calm, on occasion pissed, but he’s not any of those things right now. I thought it was just a prank, but he shouldn’t feel like this over a prank. It just felt…” I cut myself off.
Cayden asked, “It felt like what? Come on, talk it through?” I whispered, “Like his emotions before we went down.” I cried, “I can’t do that again. I can’t lose the connection I have with Rain or feel that pain from my big brother then the rest of my family again.” He threw his love at me in the bond. He whispered, “It’s not like that or Angela would say.” That was true.
My phone rang. I sighed in relief and answered. It was EJ instead of Alexander, like I’d thought. The conversation didn’t settle me. If Alexander was fighting dolls, he’d know and be excited, not worried. Maybe the prank was him trying to rescue us. EJ said he’d monitor Alexander as if we had a choice.
Extreme feelings like this were a hard pull to me and EJ. We were both on the lookout for Alexander tugging us. I’d have to take Cayden, or Ghiza since I was pregnant. I’d have to tell Ghiza to stick by me. He’d wonder, but he wouldn’t ask. I needed to protect my children above all.
This whole thing was giving me anxiety I didn’t need right now. Alexander was always so steady. Rarely was he ever worried. Last year, he’d been worried about Theo because of the whole Jane fiasco. If that situation wasn’t proof Ashley was the sniper, I just didn’t know what was.
Ashley had been hurt pretty badly before Jane had been taken. Addison told Cayden it was a car accident, but Cayden called bullshit. They’d begged him to hide and protect Ashley while she recovered. It took a couple weeks before she was healthy enough to go home.
Rain snorted, “She has a remarkable healing rate considering her lack of wolf.” That was true. Then a few hours after she goes home, BOOM. EJ got information on where Jane and Madeline were. Cayden had tried to talk to Ashley, but she said that wasn’t proof. I disagreed.
I turned to my Uncle Bjourn when I hung up. I looked at him and Cayden. I asked, “Alexander isn’t on a mission, right? Angela didn’t prank him mid-mission, did she?” Cayden answered, “Alexander is going out for us before EJ comes home, but he’s not out right now.”
