Page 125 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
Levi wasn’t happy when I told him what I knew. His reactions confirmed that even if I was wrong, this was done. I was bringing Ashley here even if she was kicking and screaming. I wasn’t leaving her in their hands anymore.
I took Cassie home. She was pretty tired in the following days. I wished Beagan was around to come see her, but she was in Faerie with JP. Cassie spent a lot of time resting. Hendrix and Levi had both goneto Paris, but they couldn’t find Melanie anywhere. Despite Levi getting where she was staying from Tristan. Who had spoken to her but obviously, he really hadn’t.
The apparent answer was we couldn’t find Melanie in Paris because she wasn’t there. She’d probably never been there. My Uncle Bjourn walked into my office and sat down. I looked up dreading this conversation.
He said, “You’ve got people in New York, Paris, and Nashville.” I nodded, “A few.” If his sister wasn’t a partial Fairy, I might have gotten away with the evasion. My Uncle commented, “Two make sense. You called and asked Eric about Melanie McAlister. He called asking if I’d asked you to ask him. Melanie is supposed to be in Paris, but she’s not because she’s with Alexander. What are our people doing in Nashville? Is Ashley ok?”
I shrugged, “Ashley is on vacation.” Bjourn raised an eyebrow, “And you need to talk to her?” I nodded, “I do.” My Uncle studied me, “Why? What happened? You bolted out of my office as if the hounds of hell were after you. Astrid saw you leaving and told me you are faltering in the bond. You feel dejected and worried. You feel like a failure, and I want to know why because you are not one.” I was.
I closed my eyes saying, “I can’t talk about this yet. It’s a bell that can’t be unrung, and I could be wrong.” It was slim at this point, but there was still a chance. My Uncle snorted, “I know you, Cayden. So I know that you don’t think you are wrong. Have you connected Ashley and Melanie? Do they know each other? Did Melanie stay away because she was recruited by The Ring Resistance?”
I evaded, “It’s possible.” Uncle Bjourn read between the lines and called me on it. “But that’s not what you think.” I looked away answering, “No, it’s really not.” My Uncle asked, “Why do you need to be more certain than you are now?”
I explained, “You’ll declare war and so will EJ for Black Mountain. Eric will as well which means all Werewolves, and Aiden will have Faerie follow that lead.” My Uncle’s eyebrows hit the roof. He eventually questioned, “You’re certain of that?”
I nodded, “Yes. Of all the things I am uncertain about, I know that beyond a shadow of doubt. The war between the light and the dark will be officially waged. Actually, it’s already waged they just didn’t tell us it started. If I’m right though, we have a HELL of an edge that the dark itself gave us. All wrapped up with a nice little bow. A little bow I could’ve done without, but we will have everything we need to take them down. The question is when we will get it.”
He asked, “Why is that the question?” I acknowledged, “Because of the hurt and devastation this will cause. There will be three of us that are everyone’s hope.” My Uncle said, “And who would that be?” I said, “Me, Micah, and Alexander.” My Uncle commented, “An interesting group.” I nodded, “Yes, it is.”
Uncle Bjourn said, “My sister will be a source if you somehow want Ashley to open up. No one can relate better than my sister to suffering, unfortunately.” I nodded, “True.” And Ashley, who is possibly Melanie, would want Haley to like her since Ashley/Melanie loves her son.
My Uncle left my office, then walked right back in. He declared, “I’m coming to a point where I don’t care how certain you are. When I ask you next, I want to know what this is. You are my nephew, even if it’s not by blood. I love and trust you, but I get the sense you’re right. Which means I need to be prepared.” I nodded, “Yes, Sir.” He left my office.
The next time I looked up Cassie was walking in with a water bottle. She handed it to me and her timing couldn’t have been better. I saw words at the bottom written before I processed what they said. Then promptly choked on my water. How was this possible when she was on birth control? My mate was pregnant?!
She confirmed it and threw another surprise at me. It was twins. It made more sense that her pregnancy was why she had been so tired and quick to tears. I quickly proved how happy I was about it.
When we finished Cassie started to leave, but I couldn’t let her. She needed a desk in here. I needed her in my eyeline. Now I understood why her guard was around. She mentioned her family and I knew when my news dropped, she’d push off telling them.
I hated that but she didn’t want to say anything until EJ and Alexander were home, which meant my news would land before this. At least telling my parents would be easier. I led her out of the gym appraising it for vulnerabilities I hadn’t considered before.
I wasn’t covert about it, and Hendrix raised an eyebrow at me. I winked at him, and he shook his head. I ran us to my parents’ house. My excitement grew with every step, and I sent them my joyous feelings. My mom was beside herself with the news.
My dad hugged me, “I’m so happy for you, son.” I clapped him on the back. I had the best example of a good father. I whispered, “If I’m half as good a dad as you are my kids will be just fine.” He was deeply moved by that comment.
I found Ghiza later. I told him, “The rest of her guard can be in the shadows, but you stick by her side. She’s pregnant with twins.” Ghiza’s nodded, “Alright then.” I snorted, “You figured that out.” He replied, “It made the most sense.” I ordered, “No one touches her. Ever.” Ghiza nodded, “No, they will not.”
That taken care of, I was satisfied. Then I’d gotten stuck in a meeting and missed Alexander returning to the realm to talk to Uncle Bjourn by a hair. My Uncle Bjourn raised an eyebrow at the look on my face. I’m sure I looked like I sucked on something sour.
Uncle Bjourn said, “I didn’t know you wanted to speak to him.” Cassie came in a few seconds later and he looked ill. Cassie didn’t catch it, but I think Uncle Bjourn had caught onto our suspicions. I walked out and called Micah.
He answered, “Hey.” I asked, “Is Ashley back?” Micah snorted, “Not yet. Addison said that they should be home soon.” I hung up. An hour later, Levi came running up to me outside breathing hard. He announced, “Kai McAlister has been kidnapped.” I shouted, “WHAT?!” I catch onto the possible Ashley/Melanie connection and her nephew is kidnapped?! FUCK! Did we tip someone off?
Cassie stood, “I need to go to Jase.” Over my dead body. Her perfect, pregnant ass would be right here. I grabbed her, “Hell to the FUCK no you don’t. We don’t know what this is. Which means we don’t know if it’s safe. Let me help the McAlister’s.” She made a face but stayed by me.
I kept my eyes on her asking Levi, “When?” Levi admitted, “They don’t know. It could’ve been five minutes, or it could’ve been a half hour ago. He was at a playdate. Suddenly, the mom realized he was missing.” I groaned, “You have GOT to be kidding me.”
Levi picked up his phone, “T, Cayden is going to...” He trailed off then yelled, “WHAT?!” Levi locked eyes with me trying to convey something I didn’t get. I did understand that it was significant. Levi said, “What does he know? Ok, no, that’s great that he’s back.” Kai was already back? Did he just wander off?
Levi hung up and explained the situation seemingly resolving itself. I was fuming pissed because it correlated to my theory. Alexander was back which meant Ashley/Melanie is back and now The Resistance is off saving her damn nephew! He’s not fucking saying who saved him, probably because his aunt asked him not to. Awesome.
We talked over theories then Cassie started talking about a watch. She ran to our house and came back with the watch Ashley had given me. I linked Micah, “JASON HAS THIS WATCH?!” He asked, “Huh?” I said, “My watch that I got as a wedding present. Cassie says Jason McAlister HAS ONE TOO.” He whistled in reply. I found it to be a lackluster reaction at this point.
It made sense to me. Ashley had to believe Kai was Jason’s son That’s why our sniper, who had about a billion names at this point, was PISSED at Everly. Because she believed Everly sided with Jason over everything in Melanie/Ashley’s mind. Great. That was just great.
Micah called and told me, “Ashley isn’t here and she’s the only one that isn’t. Sierra just got back. They are frantic about something, but not frantic enough to tell me what they are so damn worried about. I’m not a rocket scientist or anything, but they are clearly worried about something Ashley did or is doing. They told me she’d be back.” After we hung up Micah sent me a text.
Micah:FYI Max just filled me in. Earlier today, there was a shootout in a supernatural mall in Missouri. I know you’re wondering why you’d care, I’ll tell you. Finn, Jason, Theo (yes, our brother in law Theo) and Jayden tried to set up a trap. They were warned by someone screaming at Jason to get down. The warning was a distorted voice, then shots rang out and bodies dropped around them. Everyone is fine.
