Page 116 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
Uncle Bjourn called my mom, but she wasn’t at home. She was waiting for Sir Arthur. I wondered why. Uncle Bjourn hung up the phone and my dad called. My Uncle Bjourn answered, “Eric.” He looked at Cayden. He said, “Uh huh. I’ll send someone.” Uncle Bjourn looked at Cayden, “I think you need to fill me in. Melanie McAlister has never been to New York.”
I sat down on the couch unable to stand. Cayden argued, “Hendrix and Eric’s man saw her.” Uncle Bjourn said, “No, they saw someone they THOUGHT was Melanie McAlister. See, I know she was withAlexander but he’s not with her anymore. She wouldn’t let him mark her because she thought he’d be upset with her if she did. She said she’d tell him everything the next time she saw him. What does that mean?”
Cayden rubbed his temples explaining, “I think there’s a strong possibility Ashley Griffen and Melanie McAlister are the same person.” You could’ve heard a pin drop. Uncle Harper commented, “No fucking way. What does Melanie look like?”
My Uncle Marcus answered, “She’s got black hair, with pale green eyes, and heart shaped face. She’s five eight and favors red lipstick.” I linked, “You’ve seen her before you spotted her with Alexander.” He replied, “I never said I hadn’t. Alexander has videos of her dancing that Bjourn and I have seen.” Those little SNEAKS!
Rain said, “Let’s help Angela prank them all.” I just might. Uncle Harper said, “Son of a bitch. I mean, they sound similar.” Uncle Bjourn ordered, “Cayden, go get Alexander. Now.” Cayden opened a portal and went through.
EJ’s worry knocked me off the couch and onto my knees. My uncles were by my side as my grandpa ran in. He yelled, “CASSIE!” Grammy Vernoica said, “She’s ok. It’s not her emotions.” I winced, “It’s EJ.” Now he was pissed. My uncle’s phone beeped. He said, “Cayden has Alexander.” They all put a hand on me, and I popped us to EJ.
Alexander was getting information. Rain gasped, “Elise. Someone took Elise.” I wanted to scream. Oh my god! Could we deal with one crisis at a damn time?! Elise and Melanie/Ashley possibly. Rain linked, “It’s practically a certainty at this point.” Whatever. There was either one woman or two missing. No, there were three because now Elise was missing. Cayden came back to my side.
Alexander linked me, “Ummm are you glowing?!” I replied, “Yes. Let’s just focus on EJ right now.”Alexander raised an eyebrow, walked over, and hugged me. He linked, “Congratulations.” Several of my siblings were staring at me in shock. Drake went to the floor screaming about Melanie living her dream.
Sir Arthur went over to him and released him from compulsions. Alexander nearly fell over. I didn’t know a Vampire could compel Werewolves. Or any supernatural. Breanna tried to release me and my siblings, but nothing happened.
I linked mom, “This was your theory about the headaches?” My mom sighed, “Yes, but I don’t know what is going on with you kids though. I knew you couldn’t be compelled.” I frowned and got lost in my own thoughts.
Micah told Cayden they needed to talk. They walked off and when they came back, I knew. I could see it on Cayden’s face. Ashley was Melanie and we were at war. We were going against everyone that had anything to do with this.
EJ didn't want to hear it because he was focused on Elise. I linked Cayden, “It’s true, isn’t it?” Cayden studied Alexander who was giving him a look. Cayden walked over to me before answering. “I’ll keep you and our babies safe.”
I questioned, “Who keeps you safe if I’m not there?” Cayden hugged me, “A whole ass army. Our family. I will not miss out on our lives together because I am a determined man. I will not miss out on the centuries I have planned for us.” I nodded at him.
TJ popped in and everyone except EJ calmed down. I frowned and linked TJ, “Where is Angela?” TJ answered, “She’s trying to figure this out. She didn’t see it until it was too late. So, she’s in the library in Faerie.” My poor little sister. This wasn’t her fault. I linked her, “This isn’t your fault.” She didn’t answer.
Toby came in and announced there were possibly Witches working with Hunters. I could tell EJ was preparing to pop away. I popped to him and put a hand on his back as Alexander grabbed hold of me. Cayden linked me, “GET BACK HERE!” I replied, “You would do the same for your siblings.”
Alexander instantly put me behind him while EJ lost his shit. Cayden linked me, “We have the kidnappers on the phone so you need to get back here.” I got my oldest brother back home with that news. I grabbed Alexander saying, “We need to talk.” Alexander frowned, “We do. We just need to get Elise back first though. We have to be there for EJ.” I frowned, “Alright.”
The meeting was underway. Cayden had me secured next to him in a second. Ghiza shot me an annoyed look. I tapped my cheek letting him know I was sorry that I didn’t take him. EJ was threatening to hunt them all down and brutally murder them. Little did he know, that’s exactly what we were going to do. Elise began to fight back, but there were too many of them and she was drugged.
When shot rang out Cayden got on the phone, and I imagined it was with Silas. Rain said, “I’m talking to our brothers’ wolves. This is a mess.” I already knew that. I also knew whatever Silas said Cayden didn’t like the answer.
Tory linked, “What the fuck is going on with my Alpha and her Alpha males faces? This is more than Elise was kidnapped to you guys.” I answered, “So, Ashley Griffen is Melanie McAlister.” She shouted, “WHAT THE FUCK?!” I replied, “Yeah.” She said, “That’s not possible. Melanie has to have a wolf.” I replied, “I’m just telling you what I know.” She groaned.
I linked Cayden, “Has there been any sight of Ashley?” Cayden answered, “No, and all her friends just gathered without her. I told Silas to go in, but they are gone now too.” I tried to find the bright side, “There’s your proof then.”
Seconds later The Resistance had just stepped onto the screen. Cayden’s jaw was so tight I was worried he’d crack a tooth. Elise fighting with them now. Tory linked, “You know something more here.” I replied, “So like I said Ashley is Melanie. Plus, she’s Alexander’s and these are her friends on the screen rescuing Elise. Tell Gia.” She whistled in reply, but she was ready to act.
The gunfire had stopped briefly. We all watched as one as a woman ran onto the screen. I recognized her, knowing that was Bravo One. I turned to Alexander sensing his absolute horror and rejection of what his eyes were seeing.
He’d even visibly stiffened. Cayden’s hands were flexed in anger. Tory linked, “So, I’m guessing that’s Ashley/Melanie bleeding on the screen then. This isn’t defcon one or anything. Alexander is the LEAST chill Conners sibling and he’s the most intense Enforcer the Werewolf world has ever known. His mate was clearly whipped. This is all fine.” Rain snorted, “Her sarcasm was on point at the end.” I told my Beta, “He is because he was a double Enforcer by Werewolf blood and Fairy.” She sighed, “I know.”
I noted Bravo one wasn’t in her typical gear. The shirt she was wearing was white and obviously not hers. I wondered if it was my brothers. My mom was staring between all of us, but she was hyper focused on EJ and Alexander.
Alexander clearly knew that it was Melanie fighting, but he didn’t quite want to admit it. I linked him, “Alexander.” His eyes filled with tears the longer she fought. Eventually he answered, “I think I know who she is, but I don’t understand. Fuck it. I know who that is, but it doesn’t make sense.” I admitted, “I know.”
I watched Bravo One fight with Elise noting that it was clearly practiced. Gia linked, “Even if Tory didn’t fill me in, I’d have guessed Melanie was the one fighting with her. We know it’s not anyone here and they have clearly fought together before.” I acknowledged, “You’re right.”
I looked over at the Red Run group. Jason looked like he might pass out at any minute. I looked back and caught my dad’s eyes. I linked him, “It’s Melanie.” My dad didn’t deny it. Instead, he questioned, “How would Cayden know that?” I winced.
My dad answered his own question, “He thinks she’s Ashley Griffen, doesn’t he? He thinks Ashley and Melanie are the same person.” I nodded. My dad’s face contorted in rage. Rain said, “There are a lot of angry wolf counterparts in this room.” There were and a lot of them were my own family members.
I turned back to see Melanie/Bravo One/Ashley. Rain snorted, “Pick a name.” I asked, “Well, which one are we supposed to call her?” Before she could answer, the breath left my body as she dove in front of Elise to take a shot.
I popped to Alexander and held him upright. Rain said, “Oden is saying Melanie, so I say that’s what we call her.” That was good enough for me. EJ was so focused he didn’t notice any of what was going on around him.
