Page 107 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
Plus, she looked absolutely nothing like them. Honestly, she looked more like she could be related to Jason and Tristan. But that was crazy. Jason and Tristan only had the one sister, who we’d established was in New York.
I knew we would figure this all out some day. I just wanted it to be soon. I was sure if I could get an inch from Ashley, I’d have all the damn pieces. I just didn’t get it. She trusted me. I could see it in her eyes, but there was just always something that held her back. Some fear she had, and for the life of me I had no idea what it was.
I was hoping since she was panicked about Alexander’s email, I could get something from her this time. She loved everything about Alexander. The Warriors were always mockingly saying ‘Alexander said this. Alexander said that.’ They were sick of his videos. Or at least Buck’s were, because Ashley’s Warriors were better than them. You’d think they would just pick up a tip or two, but no.
Cassie brought up Trevor and that situation. Alexander was going to tell her to file against him. Aesir above, she’d be in a discombobulated state when I saw her. She’d want to do it, but she wouldn’t. Good lord, she was going to ramble for hours.
Honestly, if she were from around Black Mountain or anywhere near it, I’d say Alexander was the guy. She wasn’t though. Plus, Alexander would never reject his mate. He couldn’t give a shit less about her past. He absolutely would not blame a teenager for the death of her parents and oldest brother. He might just kill anyone who dared to blame anyone for that in the first place.
Cassie called and got verbal confirmation from Alexander he’d train with a source of mine. I linked Micah, “Ashley is going to be paralyzed with indecision. I can already picture it.” He asked, “Why?” I answered, “Alexander agreed to train with a source of mine.” He snorted, “We might not be able to tell her that any time soon.” I wondered why.
Ashley did get nervous whenever you said Alexander’s name. Plus, he’d emailed her. Cassie compared Melanie and Ashley again. They did have obvious similarities. I was going with the theory they were friends. Maybe The Resistance fostered some anger in Melanie about how she was sheltered as a child. Why would they though? It was something to consider.
I needed to get going to my meeting. I ran to my office at the gym to grab the custom made gun for I’d had made for Ashley. I knew she’d like it. I opened a portal and stepped out in front of the forest and walked into the diner.
I spotted Micah and sat down. I asked, “Where’s Ashley?” Micah snorted, “In the back, muttering about doing something or not.” I laughed, “Is this still about Alexander’s emails?” Micah nodded, “He told her to report Trevor. She’s been debating it since I left her last night. I don’t actually think she’s gone to bed yet.”
I snorted, “Maybe that can work in our favor.” Micah linked me, “Max filled me in on the Red Run attack. You think that’s why Ashley couldn’t meet me sooner.” I reasoned, “You know, and I know, that’s exactly why she couldn’t. She was there.”
Ten minutes later Ashley walked out to the booth we were sitting in. I raised an eyebrow at Micah. He was right. Ashley literally hadn’t been to bed. She sat down, “Sorry, I lost track of time, and the...” I held up my hands before she could continue, “It’s ok. Maybe you shouldn’t have any more coffee.”
Ashley frowned, “No… that’s… why would you… say that? I need more coffee. Coffee is good. Coffee keeps you going. Hendrick, I need more coffee please!” Hendrick and Mason yelled, “NO!” at the same time. Ashley frowned and got up and walked behind the counter. She poured herself more coffee and sat back down.
She took several sips then said, “So Cayden, what did you want? Micah said you wanted to talk… then you weren’t here when I thought you would be… you’re much later… then there was a lot of coffee… I mean you obviously got busy and….”
I interrupted, “My mate released her magic, so I was later than planned, but I’m on time for this meeting. Why did I want to talk to you? The Resistance somehow knew who Cassie was even though she had a Fairy charm on her and didn’t look like herself. I find that very concerning.” She frowned.
I noted Addison and Valentine shot each other looks that said to me, that they were there. Ashley said, “Well, that’s not possible. I mean… even with a weak Fairy charm, but Cassie would go out with one charmed by her family so…”
I jumped back in, “Said Resistance member also knew my number. Not to mention said member knew a Demon and a Witch. What else? Oh yes, they knew how to ride a motorcycle. I said to myself, those are rather weird coincidences as I know someone who knows a Witch and Demon and can do all those things. Then let’s talk about the experimental gel pack side of it all. Sounds like you.”
Ashley sat back and looked away, “It does in fact sound like coincidences and not at all like actual, factual proof in any way, shape or form. Did you portal all the way here for that? That seems like a waste of time for you. I know you like spending time with Cassie. I’m sure you’d rather be there plus... well not that opening a portal is super hard or anything but...”
I snorted, “Dear god, switch to decaf Ashley.” She shook her head, “I’ve... I’m... I can’t... I need to make a decision and then I can. I can’t decide though. I mean I decide and then I change my mind. It’s too complicated! I don’t know what to do anymore.”
I said, “Not to stop this rant, but I’m going to. I got you something.” I slid the gun across the table. She gasped, “That’s… that’s… a custom… you… I… that…” I nodded, “Yes, it’s one of the custom guns everyone inour army gets. I told you anytime you want, you’re in.” Ashley picked it up and studied it. Tears formed in her eyes.
She whispered, “Thank you, Cayden.” She put it in her backpack. I saw the stuffed toy this time. It was a white and black wolf. There was a grey hoodie under it too. Something about the hoodie was familiar. I wondered a moment, then shook it off. It was just a worn out hoodie.
I said, “You know, I would've bought you a new hoodie if I knew you needed one. That one looks worn out.” Max asked, “What hoodie?” Ashley zipped up her bag, “What? Hoodie? I don’t see a hoodie. I mean... Hoodies, there are so many of them in the world. Let’s not focus on just one. I have so many.”
My jaw dropped, “Ok, we really need to cool it on the coffee.” Ashley said, “Beta’s live on coffee. Always coffee, coffee, coffee. Gotta keep up with memos and Alpha’s. Always having their Alpha’s back.” I raised an eyebrow, “Right but your parents were Warriors, and your mom had Omega blood.” Ashley flushed scarlet. She sipped on her coffee again, but now was oddly silent. Ok then.
Micah said, “So, what’s with the worn out hoodie if you have oh so many hoodies?” Ashley said, “It’s a special hoodie… because it is. The point is, I don’t need another one. Mason could attest to that. Hey Mase! How many hoodies do I have?”
Mason stuck his head out of the kitchen, “It’s an explosion. Her room is full of hoodies.” I raised an eyebrow, “Why do you have an old letter sticking out of your backpack?” Ashley paled and looked down at her backpack. The back of an old letter was sticking out.
If only it was flipped around so I could see a return address. She slammed it into the backpack and clutched it to her chest. I frowned, “Ashley, what’s wrong?” Ashley said, “I was trying to make a decision. I was just reading an old letter to help… with that… decision?” That was a question?
I said, “I doubt the letter can help you. I’m guessing this is about Alexander.” Ashley flushed, “Why would it be about him? It doesn’t have to be about him. It could be about anything under the sun. Literally the sky's the limit.” Micah said, “Oh my god. Just tell us what he said, and we can help you. We both know him.”
Ashley started to say something then stopped. I surmised, “He told you to report Trevor for trying to claim you as his mate. You can’t decide if you should or not. Right?” Ashley gaped, “How could you possibly know that? Did you bug my computer?”
Micah snorted, “If I could bug your computer, I’d give it a shot. You’re locked down tighter than Fort Knox.” Ashley smiled, “Really? Thanks. I can’t believe you said that. You’re so smart and tech savvy at coding and…”
I interrupted, “So, what’s the problem? Report Trevor.” Ashley frowned, “I can handle him. I have been handling him and…” I cut her off, “You shouldn’t have to handle him. That’s the council's job.” She whispered, “Then they will all come here.” I nodded, “And?” She frowned and put her head down and groaned.
I questioned, “Would it help you if I said Alexander has agreed to meet a particular source of mine? He even agreed to give a training session with your Warriors.” Ashley jumped up and hit her knee on the booth.
