I added, “Warriors will be at shifts looking out for wolves. You will allow chaos into your children’s lives. As if the first shift isn’t enough to worry about... now I’ve got to worry about someone taking other wolves.”
“I was WRITHING in pain FOR HOURS! You let me suffer for hours! You sat back and did NOTHING! I’ll figure out everything I need to between Freya and I without your help. Because we don’t need you. We have each other now and there’s nothing you could say I’m interesting in hearing.”
Selene opened her mouth to speak. Aesir’s voice boomed, “I SAID LEAVE!” They finally did. I sank to my knees and sobbed. Aesir rubbed my back like my dad used to. I cried, “They are horribly awful people! They are the worst mothers of all time!” I heard more sobbing.
Aesir snorted, “They aren’t that good at listening either. I will not deny they have lost their way. They have sat back so long they think it’s their job. There was a time they were not like this.” I snorted, “Centuries ago before Rings were around maybe.” Aesir admitted, “Yes.”
I snorted, “Well la di da for them. Thanks for trying to help me…in a way with Life. Not that I get his warning at all.” Aesir rubbed his temples saying, “I actually think he used my face because he wasn’t supposed to come to you. Many hard truths are about to come to light. I just urge you, once your anger settles, to remember you were going to try with your brother.”
I winced saying, “Jason… is complicated. I don’t know if he will want to try.” Aesir winked telling me, “He does.” Selene shrieked, “AESIR, YOU CAN’T!” Aesir yelled, “WOMAN, SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!”
I laughed, “You could’ve just let me pummel her unconscious then she wouldn’t be saying anything.” Aesir asked coyly, “Does that not tell you something? That you could beat up a goddess?” I snorted, “That she’s gotten so complacent she doesn't even know how to fight back….not unlike the Alpha’s I beat.”
Aesir laughed heartily, “I do like you very much. I wish you had accepted Cayden’s offer for being in the Hackura Army. Though that will still be on the table. Your Xander, as you call him, does a hybrid role. I do wish you were one of my children.”
I admitted, “Before I met my wolf….her name is Freya… I did too. Now, I can’t imagine not having her.” Aesir nudged me saying, “The goddesses are right about one thing. You are special.” I shrugged, “Not really.” Aesir replied, “You may not have Hackura blood running through your veins, but you are certainly protecting the realms. Do not shut my children out. Micah and Cayden are good men. You need the Conners family, especially Alexander.”
I acknowledged, “I know they are good men and people.” Aesir sighed, “I don’t foresee you shutting them out, that’s not why I’m saying that. I just know anger like you’ve never known is coming.” People kept mentioning that as if I didn’t have a lock on my rage.
He hummed, “Deservedly so. The truth is devastating to many people. You have already suffered so much. I despise that it hits you so hard.” I asked, “The truth about what?” Aesir sighed, “Everything. Life did not lie before. Things are not as they seem. Hurt often clouds the mind, especially when there is magic involved to aid the hurt.”
I jumped on his wording, “Magic aiding the hurt?” Aesir nodded, “I cannot say more, as you are not my child. I am so very sorry for your suffering. It was unnecessary and not the way things were supposed to go at all.”
“You and your Xander were supposed to have known each other your entire lives. There are reasons you didn’t. Reasons I should’ve kept a closer eye on, and for that I am sorry. I did not realize until too late that magic was involved. Unintended at first, then it became directed at my child. I should’ve known. That is my fault.”
I explained, “Not really. My dad was just overprotective. Along with the lying Warriors about crossing the stupid border.” Aesir frowned, “That is a thing that was not as it seemed.” I closed my eyes, “My mom and my car accident…”
I trailed off because it was always on the cusp of my mind I couldn’t remember something about that. It was right there, but I could never reach it. Aesir hummed, “Another thing not as it seemed.” I snorted, “Selene really does suck.”
Aesir sighed, “She was repeatedly warned by me that you would hate her. She did not listen. I’m sure she’ll come crying to me about how I was right.” I told him, “Be sure to tell her not to let the door hit her on her way out.”
Aesir chuckled, “I would love to keep you here longer, but too much time has passed. It’s time for you to go save an old friend.” I instantly jolted, “Save who?” Aesir looked around, “Don’t tell anyone I told you, but Elise needs your help.”
I jumped up asking, “Someone hurt Elise?” Aesir nodded, “She’s been kidnapped, but it’s all a distraction. You will be rather busy once you wake up. My child will be there for you when it matters. All of them will be. Right now, though, you must open your eyes and save Elise Conners.”
I said, “Then someone needs to get Buck to let me out of the hole because I can’t climb up… I’ve tried. They have spells on the mud…so even the tools I use to climb from my watch don’t work… it’s annoying.” Aesir winked, “I’m sure you don’t need Buck this time.” He tapped my head.
My eyes snapped open, and I realized that I wasn’t in the hole anymore. I was beside it. That was obviously Aesir’s doing. There was a white shirt on the ground beside me. Interesting color choice but beggars can’t be choosers. It’s not like Aesir was a fashion guy.
I put the shirt on, and discovered my phone was under it. Aesir for the win. Which proved my point… goddesses could’ve stepped in. I unlocked my phone, went into my GPS files, and located Elise. I’d given her a charm bracelet for her Luna ceremony before I left. The wolves I’d given her for her birthday as Ashley had better GPS trackers in them though.
I gaped at the screen when Elise’s location came up. She was really close to me… way too close for anyone from Black Mountain. They didn’t come down here and she was just outside Nashville. I got up and ran to the holoport that would take me to my place.
I quickly ran into my apartment and grabbed weapons and a mask. Then ran and got into one of the cars here. I drove like my life depended on it and arrived at the abandoned warehouses. I quickly climbed up a fire escape for a good vantage point.
I sighted my scope and found Elise. CRAP! I was running late. I really needed to help her. I texted the Resistance chat group.
Me:Get to this location now! They have Elise!
I ordered, “ILYX, send them Elise’s location.” ILYX replied, “Of course.” The voice steadied me. It was like Xander was here with me. I took a deep breath then opened fire. I took out the person closest to Elise. I needed her to be free to run, so next I aimed at the chain holding her in place.
Elise was clearly drugged. She shouted, “Right on sniper friend! You and me, girlfriend! Let’s take them all! I’m coming home EJ! Keep that sexy growl thing going!” What growl? EJ wasn’t here. Was she hallucinating? What drug did they give her?
It wasn’t the moment to smile, but I did. She acted like we were friends. She also acted like she knew we could beat them together because we could. My heart longed for her to still feel that way about me. Once upon time, we were family. Family that fought side by side or back to back. Nothing and no one ever beat me and Elise when we fought together.
I heard the car coming and groaned out loud. I pulled my mask out of my pocket and put it on. When everyone got here, I’d get down there. Right now, I’d leave Elise open to getting taken or killed if I left my spot even though I wanted to be beside her. I was shooting as quickly as I could.
I linked, “Freya?” She whimpered. She sounded tired. My poor wolf. I wasn’t taking good care of her, but I would. I couldn’t help but feel intense relief when I saw the shimmer start. Everyone was here. My friends as the Resistance immediately stepped into the fight.
