Her mate cleared his throat, “I didn’t actually get to introduce myself yet. I’m Walker. I’m a Warrior in Cedars Run.” He was exactly who I thought he was then. His brother was the Male Lead Warrior in a good pack. Walker asked, “Do you have a position in your pack, Blair?”
Blair nodded, “I’m a Warrior in Black Path….” She trailed off when Walker made a face. Blair added, “I’ll move to your pack.” Walker nodded commenting, “You must be a warrior under Ashley Griffen then. I heard Buck still doesn’t allow Females to train under him. Not even his sister.”
I snorted, “He always follows the rules… in a way… he kind of skirts them… through other people… but he doesn’t… technically… break them. Usually, it’s me… but he and Avery barely speak… which I’m pretty upsets them both… but that’s a whole thing… that….”
Blair jumped in, “This is Ashley Griffen, and I do train with her.” I smiled at Walker, whose eyes widened. He gaped at me before saying, “Well, I’ll be damned. I was just sent on an errand and saw this place. Then I had to stop when I smelled Blair and now, I’ve met my mate and Ashley Griffen.”
He paused then added, “My brother, the Male Lead Warrior in our pack, will not believe me. He’s DYING to meet you. Even our Female Lead Warrior wants to meet you. You’re somehow everywhere while simultaneously being a recluse.”
I smiled saying, “Well Cedars Run is one of the few packs around here that isn’t complete crap. I couldn’t part with Blairfor anything less. Have you always wanted your mate?” Walker wrapped an arm around Blair before kissing her head. My heart clenched thinking I’d never have that.
He told me, “I have. My parents and my older brother, the Male Lead Warrior I mentioned, all have their mates. I’ve been looking for mine, but Blair here has been hiding.” Not exactly.
Black Path Females weren’t allowed to go looking for their mate. At least they weren’t right now, but when Caine and Dax took over that would change. It would shake the Ring when that happened. It’s why Edward and Jean weren’t training them. They knew how their sons felt about their complicity with Hunters and the Ring.
Edward Davis was a pathetic excuse of an Alpha. Having access to his files as the Female Lead Warrior meant I knew that he made a deal to keep his family safe. Not his pack though, his family. He gave over information… hell he’d almost sold an Omega to a Hunter as a chosen mate.
Luna Elena I felt bad for. She was completely disgusted with Edward, and they were fated mates. I’d thought maybe they weren’t since that’s how things go down here. She talked about how he used to be different and hopeful. I couldn’t really see it.
Beta Female Eden felt the same way Luna Elena did. They lived separately from their husbands. They were just as much prisoners here as the rest of the women... even some men. We all knew that Omega they nearly gave to a Hunter would have been tortured to death if I hadn’t fought for her.
I’d taken a hell of a punishment afterwards, but I didn’t care. I could stop them from punishing me if I wanted to. They could only do it because I let them. All of my friends, Mason, and Hendrick told me to stand up for myself, but they didn’t understand that I deserved it.
It still hit me some days my parents and older brother were dead. I should’ve died with them. Everyone thinks so from myold pack and… most days… I wish I had. I missed what my life had been like before that horrible night every single day of my existence down here.
I was still upset Selene, the Moon Goddess, didn’t just let me die. My family was gone. Jason HATED me. Both sets of my grandparents rejected me. My Aunts and Uncles by blood and marriage wished me dead. Peter and Chelsea Kyle abandoned me. All the Kyle’s did.
Elise was different… I didn’t think she knew. I talked to her... via email. She always told me I reminded her of someone. Sometimes I pretend that the name Ashley Griffen had got her attention. I just hoped it was because deep down, she knew I was me and she wanted me to come home.
It was a silly notion really, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted her to know I was me. She didn’t though or she’d ask why I was here. She’d be upset with her parents if she knew. Heck, EJ probably knew I was banished from Red Run. He DEFINITELY didn’t know I was Ashley though. He wouldn’t talk to me, nor would Xander.
My heart filled with pain like usual. Xander. I loved him with everything in me. I still helped him how I could. I had to send Hendrick out as his sniper though. If I saw him through the scope… I’d run to him. I knew I should go let him reject me so he could be happy, but I knew his rejection would likely kill me.
I needed to stay away so I could get the Resistance to a point where everything could keep going without me. Kingsley could run it all, but she had her own thing going on. If something happened to me, ILYX would transfer everything to her with a message about it.
Plus, as things stood I needed to protect Xander, his allies, the innocents from the Ring, and my friends. Once everything could run without me and the plan to take over the forgottenpacks was all done then I’d go to him… and let him do what he needed to. Then I’d disappear or be dead. That was the plan.
I felt bad enough that I’d made Xander wait this long. I knew he was probably looking for his mate. He didn’t truly believe it was me and all the women he sent down here said how desperately he didn’t want to be mine. They’d come over the years and nearly ripped my heart out.
Flashback
Melanie was furious. Buck and I had just stopped another pack trying to attack and take over. I was dealing with the aftermath and was currently late to the Rebels concert. A hairbrained idea from start to finish at the last minute from someone with delusions of grandeur stopped me from being on time.
All because that invading Alpha’s Beta was away and didn’t make it back in time to stop them. My friends in the band would announce to the supernatural crowd that I was busy and would join if I could. Cayden and Micah were there tonight though. I had information for them, so I needed to get there.
I finished the paperwork and got up to leave. Edward said, “I need you to go pick up my coffee.” I sneered, “Why? Doing your job isn’t good enough for you now?” He turned saying, “You’ll go or Avery will be in the punishing fields tonight.”
Buck jerked upright with furious eyes before he clenched his jaw and looked at the ground… but he said nothing. I silently tried to will him to… but it didn’t work. Even though I knew he would never let a whip touch Avery.
I huffed asking Edward, “Where’s your dang coffee at?” He shrugged, “The usual place.” I wanted to hit him. I called as he walked away, “I’ll go get your ungrateful turd face your coffee. Even though I just saved you from dying. AGAIN! Maybe next time, I’ll let them get to you IN YOUR OFFICE WHILE YOUHIDE!” I stormed outside and got on my motorcycle and took off.
I was surprised when Buck pulled into the spot beside mine at the coffee shop. I asked, “Are you ok?” He replied, “Better than you will be, since Edward is not the only one whose order is waiting. I’m going to help you get the order back to the packhouse.”
I gritted my teeth surmising, “He knew I’d take my bike.” Buck nodded. I asked, “And you’re here because?” He replied, “We both know I’d have come even if they didn’t threaten Avery, but I won’t risk anything happening to her.” I stared at him, my reply dying on my lips. It was true.
Buck helped me out sometimes and it pissed me off because it was in the shadows. He wasn’t brave enough to stand up and do what was right, but he did make moves to be a decent person. Which told me he could be one all the time.
I stalked into the coffee shop. I went up to the counter declaring, “I’m here for Edward Davis’s order.” The staff nodded and started to get it all together. I shook my head and noted they ordered muffins, likely all they had behind that counter. I swear they just liked to upset me after I saved their ungrateful lives.
