I added, “Plus, my dad is rarely wrong. If she has proof of Black Path being shitty, the Werewolf council would EAT it up. Why would she go to Cayden? HOW did she go to Cayden?” Phil came in and sat on the edge of the couch. He replied, “Those are good questions. I have no answers. I am remiss and adrift without a purpose as a Beta.”
I linked Gage, “Are you up?” He groaned, “No, leave me alone.” Fine. I linked Phil again, “Seriously though, how the hell is Ashley managing to be a Female Lead Warrior, running a pack, and participate as a lead role in a band?” I had to admit that was a girl who didn’t like to sit still. Just like my Lovebug. My head pounded with pain. I shook that thought and sat back.
Phil linked, “I don’t know.” I felt like an ass for not knowing about this. I should’ve mentioned Ashley’s band in our emails. I jolted hearing that she played acoustic and electric guitar. Melanie played both too. Tristan told me he taught her, and she took to it easily. Plus, Jason had bragged about how Melanie could play both acoustic and electric guitar several times.
I rubbed my head wondering why I always compare them. Probably to feel less like a jerk about the whole thing. Ashley might be the only werewolf around that didn’t want to meet our family. I had no idea why that bothered me so damn much, but it really did.
I remained quiet while more details were thrown around. I’d ask Ashley about the band too, but I liked to have our emails remain private, just between us. I wasn’t going to share any of it with Lexi. I had no idea why, I just wasn’t going to.
Somehow the discussion turned to headaches. My mom got pissed when she realized we’d been getting these headaches for a while now. Oden whimpered, “Always about mate.” I winced. Was he right? Why would thinking about Melanie give us all a headache? I nearly threw up when I tried to connect the dots.
I had to stop thinking about this. She was living her dream. I was being possessive and selfish again. I wanted the headaches to be about her so I could go meet her. I shook myself because I wouldn’t stand in the way of her dreams.
Was I really though? I could pop her back and forth. She could do both. My head was pounding with pain now. No, I wasbeing selfish that’s all it was. Phil ran into the room. I’d been so in my head, I hadn’t even noticed he’d stepped out.
He was frantic and that was never good. EJ and I popped into the office. I shoved every other thought out of my head. I needed to focus right now. The McDermont’s Beta was on the phone. He said their Luna was dead. WHAT THE FUCK?! EJ popped out.
I linked my men, “GATHER OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!” I popped to them. Once I’d gathered our men I popped to EJ. I glanced at my watch noting it had taken five minutes. We were running drills again. That was an unacceptable amount of time for my brother to be fighting with his Luna without me and our men. They needed to get it under three before I would be happy.
I shifted and fought with EJ then shifted back once the fight was over. Theo, my brother named after my dad’s friend, popped in surprised we’d never met this pack before. EJ and I had met them, we just didn’t see them too often.
Oden growled, “This isn’t over.” It looked over until I spotted the pack’s Beta crawling towards the forest. That was not going to be good. I saw his mate trying to get a Warrior out of her way to get to him. I saw his son, but I didn’t see his daughter. Oh god no.
The Beta announced someone took his daughter and the Alpha’s. Fanfuckingtastic. EJ tried to pop to them and so did I. We were thrown back, but neither of us got hurt. EJ wanted to lead a scouting party. I spotted Theo, who was sniffing the air. I raised an eyebrow at him.
When he asked if we smelled ‘that’ my heart plummeted. Oh no. Please no. I nearly closed my eyes in frustration when a Warrior walked out with a hoodie. My brother snarled, “MINE!” Oden said, “Hmmm how odd he can tell from a scent on a hoodie. I myself told you the SAME THING when we found a hoodie in the back of an SUV YEARS AGO, yet you doubt me.”
I replied, “Now is not the time. That hoodie was brought out to track the girls. Theo’s mate is missing. Ours isn’t, she's just not here.” Oden grumbled but accepted I was right. It ended up being Jane McDermont’s hoodie. She recently turned eighteen. So, when we got her back, she’d be moving in with us at least. She’d be safe.
Theo kept trying to pop to her. I knew I needed to stop him, but I didn’t know what to say. I’d do the same thing if I was him. Angela eventually popped in and got him to stop. EJ led the search even though Angela said the girl had gone through a holoport.
While they were gone, I grabbed Theo and pulled him into a hug. I linked him, “We will get her back, little brother. She will be by your side as she’s meant to be. Alright?” Theo cried, “I already failed her. I should’ve protected her.”
I reassured him, “You had no way of knowing. You got here when you could. She was gone before we were even called. You couldn't have done anything.” Theo didn’t feel any differently, and I still couldn't blame him.
Maverick popped in, immediately hugging Theo. He offered, “It will be alright, brother.” Theo asked, “How, Mav? They took her. I don’t have her or a lead. They have her and she doesn’t know I’m coming.” Maverick said, “We are the Conners Family. They made a serious mistake taking her and they are going to know that. We protect what is ours, and we will protect Jane.”
Theo still didn’t calm down. I knew he needed to hit something, but he was waiting for EJ to return. He returned without Jane, which we knew was going to happen. Now, Theo was past reason. I got him to come with me, but it was a fight.
I walked into the gym and ordered, “Everyone out. We have drills starting bright and early tomorrow. You all took five minutes to get to me and that’s unacceptable!” Everyone left. Only a few grumbled about tomorrow.
I turned to Theo ordering, “Get in the ring.” We stepped up and we fought. It took hours for him to calm down. When we stopped Maverick popped to his side. I linked him, “Mav, it’s going to be ok.” Maverick argued, “He’s devastated.” I knew that.
My empathetic connection with my siblings' emotions, be it emotional or physical hurt, was incredibly strong. I knew how upset Theo was and I hated it. I wished I could take every single bad emotion from him and give him only good ones. I couldn’t though.
I popped them to the house that was oddly empty. I knew Maverick was staying with Theo in his room tonight. I popped to my room. I couldn’t stop myself from writing an email. I needed something to do because Theo’s devastation felt so acute it was practically ringing in my ears.
Ashley,
You mischievous little wolf. I hear you are in a VERY popular band. I feel horrible about the fact that I did not know about it. I’d love to come watch you play. Maybe I could buy tickets for Elise at least. I’d love to surprise her with them. She’d die of excitement. She really wants to meet you. Hell, I want to meet you.
The offer of you training our wolf less still stands. I’d love to host you for an event. It would be popular because YOU are popular in the werewolf community. We could swap tips too. I’d still love to spar with you sometime.
I heard you were in a car accident. I’m not sold on that being what happened. That’s just based on the rumors my Beta heard. I stand by my emails to you Ashley. If that ass wipe marked you against your will, I’ll kill him. I’ll find out too.
I truly hope you are ok because I am genuinely worried about you. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to help you. No, I NEED to help you. I can’t even tell you why, but I know that I do. Please let me help, Ashley. I’ll go around the Werewolf council, my brother, and anyone else you want. I just want to help you. Please.
Truthfully, I need to help someone. That’s probably selfish to put on you, but I can’t do anything to help my little brother at this moment. His mate was kidnapped. He found out tonight that she’s his. When we were going to track the two girls taken.
