Page 113 of The Alpha's Stealthy Daughter and Her Commander
Levi sighed, “Not exactly. I think Cayden has more pieces. I think I know what and who it is about though.” I asked, “Who?” Levi said, “There are times when we don’t share things. It’s because it will put you in a position you don’t want to be in.” It all clicked for me. Cayden got weird after we described a specific person.
I answered my own question, “You think this is about Melanie.” Levi carefully replied, “I think there are a lot of strange things about Melanie’s situation. I have for a long time. When I met that girl, she was ready to hitch hike or walk to Black Mountain to meet her Xander.”
I squealed, “She calls him her Xander? That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe Jase never told me that! Wait, I think Elise told me that, but I thought she grew out of it because she was three at the time.” Rain said, “I can definitely believe Jase didn’t tell us. She probably would’ve gottenupset with him.” I reasoned, “She wouldn’t have known because we never got to meet her.” Rain conceded I had a point.
Levi snorted, “Yeah. I think it’s very strange that she’s never come home. T always told me on weekend long competitions that Melanie would get homesick. Now she’s just cool being gone for six and change years? Hell, almost seven. I don’t buy it.”
I tapped my chin saying, “But she’s with Alexander right now.” Levi raised his eyebrows and asked, “Is she really?” I clapped my hand over my mouth, and I knew he felt I was horrified with myself. I pointed at him, “You can’t say anything! Angela set it all up. I was worried, so Uncle Bjourn went to check on them. He said based on how Melanie has been described, it’s her that he’s with. Along with one of her friends that he thinks is Phil’s mate. I’m guessing it’s Tiffany.”
Levi raised an eyebrow, “It can’t be. Tiffany is married to her mate.” I asked, “How do you know that?” Levi shrugged, “I monitor what I can.” I thought about it and then said, “Well, I’m sure Melanie has more than one friend.”
Levi agreed, “I’m sure she does. Maybe if I glimpse Alexander before he leaves on his mission, I’ll go talk to her myself. He could tell me where she is.” I pointed out, “Didn’t you agree not to interfere?” Levi smiled, “Yes, but that was with Melanie in New York. I did not agree to not talk to the mate of my cousin, did I?” I started laughing really hard.
Eventually I gathered myself. I teased, “How very Fairy of you, cousin.” Levi smiled, “Hey, you gotta learn the best and adapt. We can all use evasions, they are quite handy.” I rubbed my head. Levi frowned, “What?” I shrugged, “Something silly.”
Levi reminded me, “I think we are down the rabbit hole so to speak, cousin. Spitball your idea.” I shrugged, “Cayden got weird when Uncle Bjourn and I described Melanie. He’s never seen a picture. Hell, neither have I. You’re one of the only people here who has seen her in person.” Levi nodded, “Yup. So, why would he get weird about that?”
I shrugged, “Maybe he’s met someone who…” I trailed off then shouted, “HOLY MOTHER FUCKING SHIT BALLS! NO FUCKING WAY!” My head was pounding with pain. Rain whimpered in my head. I sank down on my butt and put my head between my legs.
Levi rubbed my back worriedly asking, “Cass?” It wasn’t possible. Ghiza yelled, “DUCHESS!” I gritted my teeth, “It’s just a headache.” Ghiza didn’t look convinced but stepped back to let Levi talk to me instead.
My mind whirled with information. Cayden couldn’t believe Ashley and Melanie were the same person. Ashley’s family died but Melanie’s was fine. Ashley is scared to meet my family, but Melanie DESPERATELY wanted to meet Alexander.
I stood and paced. Levi questioned, “Cass?” I didn’t say anything. He pleaded, “Come on, talk to me.” My head pounded as I whispered, “She’s living her dream.” Levi cautiously encouraged, “Ok, she’s living her dream. Let’s talk hypothetically. Does that make your head hurt less?”
I closed my eyes and thought I’d give it a shot. I postulated, “Hypothetically, if there was a girl who had characteristics that lined up with Melanie, but has some glaring differences could you speculate about it?” He agreed, “Yes, I can. Can you?” I answered, “I appear to be able to.” Rain urged, “Keep going. Walk through it.”
I continued my earlier train of thought. “We know her birth records are falsified. So that’s a link that can be explained. The jewelry and the mark hiding concealer…” I trailed off, “Shit! That’s a clear link because that’s an incredibly intelligent person.” I paced, “Then you have Alexander and Laxenread. It’s always about him. He asked the questions that got us all those answered. It’s always for him.” Levi frowned, “T did say everything with Mel came back to Alexander.”
I gripped my head, “But it can’t be.” Levi said, “I don’t know what you are talking about, but I think you believe Melanie is in The Resistance. I do too.” I turned to him, “Huh?” Rain said, “I mean he’s not wrong, but that’s not what we were saying.” My head didn’t hurt though so I was jumping on that.
Levi shrugged, “It makes sense. She was being lied to. What if she’s not coming home because she’s trying to fight where she’s allowed? What if she’s been here all along, fighting to keep Alexander and her family safe?” It made sense.
Ran asked, “Where does Ashley factor in?” I didn’t know. Levi realized, “You have a different piece to the puzzle. You think there’s more.” I sighed, “I do. Because of the conspiracy Cayden mentioned. If he’s met the girl we described that changes things.”
I added, “I mean she is fairly distinctive. Black hair, pale green eyes, and always wearing red lipstick. Uncle Bjourn said she was about five foot eight. That’s how tall Sam is.” Levi nodded, “Sure. That description is what got Cayden thinking?” I nodded, “Do you know who he has met?” Rain whimpered, “We know.” I did. I just didn’t want it to be Ashley.
If it was, then Jason would never forgive himself. Neither would Alexander. He’d only let all this go because Melanie was supposed to live her dream. What was I saying? She was living her dream. I shook myself. Pregnancy brain was already getting to me.
Levi said, “Cayden has met a lot of people I have not. He has his sources, and I have mine. Though, logically what you’re thinking is Ashley Griffen is somehow Melanie.” I laughed, “It’s silly. I’m being ludicrous. She’s living her dream.”
Levi shrugged, “I don’t think you are.” I frowned, “Melanie can’t be wolf less. She’s a Beta’s daughter.” Levi nodded, “Every wolf in the world went down on her birthday. That’s fucking weird.”I pointed out, “They couldn’t kill her wolf without killing her.”
Levi persisted, “I’m just saying, it was her birthday.” My mouth was dry when I replied, “Not just her birthday.” Levi frowned, “I’ve looked up Ashley Griffen before. I know they don’t share a birthday.”I was going to throw up.
I quickly conjured a trash can and threw up my dinner. Levi jumped up, “Shit!” He grabbed my hair and held it back. I felt Cayden’s concern and knew he was coming to me. I conjured myself mouthwash and quickly swirled it around my mouth then conjured the trashcan away.
Levi whispered, “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” I responded, “I can’t answer that.” Levi snorted, “That’s an answer, cousin. You want me to have Cayden’s six, and you’re throwing up. You are pregnant.” I shrugged.
Levi kissed my forehead, “It will be fine.” I confided, “Melanie and Ashley have the same birthday. Her birth certificate is forged.” Levi’s eyes widened, “Dear god. If, and that’s a big IF, they are the same person that would be one hell of a play from the other side.”
I reminded him, “Alpha Ezra, he wanted revenge on Drake.” Levi snorted, “I’d argue that’s revenge on Melanie, not Drake.” I frowned, “Crazy people aren’t rational. That’s what my mom always says.” Levi stated, “If that’s true and he did it, I’ll kill him. I’ll help Cayden look into this. Ok?”
Cayden jogged over and studied both of us.I looked at him, “Cayden, do you think Ashley is Melanie? GOD!” I went to my knees because my head was pounding. Rain whimpered in my head. She’d been very quiet. She admitted, “I’ve been trying to take the pain from you.” I felt bad but loved her for it all the same.
Cayden picked me up asking, “Cass, what’s wrong?” I answered, “My head is killing me. I just want to go to bed.” Levi quickly offered, “I’ll help you look, Cayden. I know I only met her once, but I do feel like I know her. T talks about her so much. We know Haley is looking into the headaches everyone is getting. It’s always about Melanie.” Cayden hesitated.
Levi added, “T is one of my best friends. If something has been happening to his little sister, I won’t rest until everyone who had anything to do with this is dead. That’s how I felt prior to finding out she’s Alexander’s. Though I believed she was before.”
