Page 105 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
Micah:So, Alexander reached out to Ashley. She is somehow having a panic attack that she is talking through. Is he TRYING to kill her? She might pass out. She’s like arguing with herself about replying. She’s not even waiting for replies to the things she asks or says. She’s just like yes, no, yes, no, maybe… it would be rude not to answer… it would be crazy to answer... but I... yes... no... AHHH. That’s a direct quote by the way. Then she repeats it all.
Me:And you are SURE she’s never been in this area? She doesn’t know Alexander, correct?
Micah:There’s no way she can know him. She’s only ever been to Missouri and Nashville. He can’t be the guy she thinks is her mate, but she’s obviously crushing on him. I asked about the guy back home before she found out Alexander emailed her. Still the same wistfulness about him. I just don’t know man.
I wanted to groan. This was not what we needed. I put my phone away. I wanted to ask Alexander what he said, but I couldn’t. They didn’t know we were talking to Ashley. Eric announced, “The cabin is clear. Put the note in your pocket, Alexander. We will give it to Dalton, Dakota, and Peter later.” My brother in law nodded, grabbed us both, then popped us back to the group.
When we explained our finds, Cassie seemed just as confused as I was. She didn’t understand how Alexander found everything so quickly. She began to feel urgency in the bond I didn’t understand. She felt like she was onto something big.
I wanted to get out of here and hear all about it, but everything took some time. Peter showed us the text he’d received. This person was REALLY pissed at him. Addison didn’t know Peter Kyle, but she was the one Micah noted was pissed off.
Valentina could but it didn’t feel right. Everything I had said Ashley didn’t know the man either. This was personal though, Haley even said that it was. That type of message was a cry to be seen. A cry to an Alpha that one has to view as their Alpha.
I studied Peter, noting he was genuinely confused. He had no idea. I linked Haley, “How can no one stick out in their files?” She answered, “I don’t know. It should be glaringly obvious. The dangerous part here is the person who sent this message believes it is that obvious.” I agreed, “I’m worried they will lash out.”
She sighed, “I don’t think we should be worried about the sender lashing out. They are in a group of people that stand for injustices. If they believe nothing is done about this message they could lash out at the sniper. There is loyalty in their group, but this has to piss them off.” Was that why Addison was mad? Did Micah see her pissed off for her friend and not herself? I just needed to know which friend it was.
Cassie stunned the hell out of all of us asking where Robert was. I could tell you exactly where he was. With the Omega he was constantly following around in Black Mountain. I was surprised they hadn’t marked each other as chosen mates yet. I’d heard the girl say they’d talked about it. I also knew EJ HATED Robert with a passion.
It didn’t track for me that he did this. Or was a sniper. He might be the least disciplined supernatural I knew. Plus, we knew the sniper was a female. Robert knew full well exactly what would happen if he was found out betraying his pack. It was not pretty.
Robert struck me as a selfish asshole. There’s no way he wasn’t selfish with his own life. The only way he’d be involved is if he was positive he’d get out with his life, and I didn’t see how a traitor could believe that. The Kyle family was linked to the Conners through Elise. EJ would never let anything happen to Elise’s brothers, or her family, and let it stand.
It was fairly well known that EJ was creative with torture techniques too. He took after Uncle Bjourn in that way. Robert knew that. Plus, Alexander might hate Robert more than EJ. Which was no small feat, but after that dance they went to when they were fourteen Robert was Alexander’s top enemy.
They were going through candidates of who the sniper could be. None really sounded likely. Cassie had me turning to her when she asked about Melanie. Melanie McAlister had no reason to be pissed off at Peter Kyle. I took out my phone and texted Hendrix to get an update anyway.
Me:Sync with Eric’s guy and confirm Melanie’s location and movements tonight.
Hendrix:Ok, I’m on it. Why am I on it?
Me:Cassie made some good points. They are extreme, but a supernatural who was held too tightly growing up could revolt in a way everyone would agree was good by joining The Resistance. Plus, she kind of has overreactions down pat. She ran off after not being allowed at Elise’s Luna ceremony and hasn’t been home since. Research shows those that are creative are extra sensitive.
Hendrix:Ok, but the sniper being her doesn’t make sense as a whole. Cassie has a point for sure, but Melanie knows Tristan is the Beta.
Me:I agree. You know who might not know that? Nashville. They don’t have strong ties here. Ashley could think Jason is the Beta since she keeps calling him that. Cassie makes a strong point though that they could be friends.
Hendrix:Then it’s the end of the world for the rest of us. They run it. I’ll check.
Me:Thanks.
That got me thinking if Melanie was here, if she and Ashley were friends, and Melanie was the one mad at Red Run she’d missed Alexander by minutes. Now my back was up. Alexander’s wolf had been acting weird. Alexander could just tell where the sniper was because it was his mate.
I shook myself. No way. The sniper had to be Ashley, not Melanie. Ashley just had no reason to be mad at Peter. Neither did Melanie. Right? GOD this was frustrating. Cassie started to feel distraught in our bond. She wanted information about Melanie.
I was worried because she was focusing intently on something. I wasn’t alone in noticing she suddenly felt a serious determination. Whatever she wanted to do or say she’d decided to do it. We were about to leave when Jason thanked Cassie for having his back.
I threw my arm around Cassie and briefly let my eyes blaze in Jason’s direction. He put his hands up and walked away. I opened a portal and walked her back into her parents living room. The nerve of that guy. I was right there, and Cassie was MINE!
She was my mate, my wife, and he could fuck all the way off. Where was his mate for crying out loud? And why, Aesir above, was she torturing me by taking her sweet time showing up? Cassie shot me a ‘was that necessary’ look. Yes. Yes, it was. She was mine. Jason McAlister needed to know that.
Gia, Cassie’s Gamma, linked, “He doesn’t want her.” I replied, “He did.” She laughed, “You do understand you used the past tense.” I retorted, “Well, she’s mine.” Gia reasoned, “And he knows that. She had his back, and he said thank you.” I grumbled, “He can say it when his mate shows up.”
She snorted, “Jed feels similar.” I noticed he’d shown up. They’d marked each other and were very happy together. I snorted, “Jed and I are right. Just go have your claiming sex.” She winked, “Will do. Thanks!”
Cassie saw some cookies set out. I bit my lip trying not to laugh since I knew it wasn’t the right moment. The kitchen staff here knew the Conners siblings well. None of them could resist a peanut butter cookie. Cassie scarfed then down.
All of a sudden, her determination seemed to disappear. I picked up a cookie and sniffed it. There was nothing off that I could smell on it. Cassie’s sense of smell was better than mine anyway. Was she just hangry? Haley literally turned up her nose at the cookie. She hated peanut butter for some reason. Eric and all Cassie’s siblings loved everything peanut butter though. My phone beeped.
