Page 43 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart (Ribbon #7)

Everly whispered, “Who are you? How did you get here? How do you know us?”

The woman still didn’t answer her. She pulled a syringe out of her pocket. Julianna admitted, “I can’t pop.”

The woman bobbed her head back and forth. She assured her, “You will be able to shortly.”

She had two syringes out now. She quickly injected Julianna with the first one. Julianna choked in pain. We growled but the snake like iron bracelets fell off her. Julianna cursed, “Shit.”

A timer on the woman’s watch went off.

She groaned, “Oh come on! I asked for ONE measly break!”

She glared at the sky, “I think we know you owe me a break….bitch.”

I linked my dad, “Was that directed at her goddess?” He answered, “It appears so, yes.” Odd stance to take.

She dosed Julianna with the second syringe. Julianna winced slightly and stared at the woman in surprise. The doors burst open again and based on their reactions it wasn’t anyone friendly this time. The woman pushed Julianna and Everly down. She kicked over a desk for cover and began shooting rapid fire shots at the entrance of the room.

My jaw dropped when I realized they were all head shots and her six rounds after went into someone else. I locked eyes with my dad. I linked, “Our sniper has returned.”

He nodded, “Yes, she has. At least her timing doesn’t suck.”

Everly asked, “What the hell is going on? Was this the plan? Where’s your backup?”

The woman snorted, “Well… my plan is better than yours now, isn’t it? I didn’t have a lot of time to come up with a plan. I had to come save both of you… with their last minute…I think we talked about their timing already. You know what? Save people in your phone with codes name… that’s annoying but you should do it for me… I feel like that’s something you owe me. They texted people from your phone because you put their first AND LAST NAME in it. Don’t do that….please…No. Actually no please just don’t do it.”

Her watched beeped again.

She quickly handed Everly something. She told Julianna, “Pop her out now!”

She shoved Julianna and Everly away from her, hard, as she fired covering them. Julianna popped and appeared before us. My mom and Alexander were instantly at their sides healing them.

I linked Wesley, “Go get T. It’s a fucking emergency.”

Wesley snorted, “That doesn’t count. He’s just not in his house. I’ll pop to Dalton since he’s next to him.”

Fine then. He popped to Red Run. Fuck their emergency policy. Brutus agreed, “Truly and utterly fuck their emergency policy.”

Wesley popped them both back. Tristan rushed over to Everly. Julianna whispered, “What about her? She saved us from them and their seriously disgusting plans. We can’t get back to her, can we?”

Everly answered, “You know we can’t. They told us no one could get to us.”

Julianna grumbled, “If she wouldn’t have shoved me away, I’d have had her too! Why did she do that? She’s going to die!”

Fegle gripped her tightly. I linked Jayden, “You good?”

He answered, “Not even slightly. I’m still utterly pissed off.” I mused that the sniper did shove Julianna so she couldn’t be popped with them. Why?

Alexander growled. We all looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at us. He was watching the woman. We all turned to watch her. She was hell of a shot which, given she was the best sniper the circle group had, wasn’t surprising. They’d all switched to knives, but she hadn’t been hit once.

Brutus said, “Maybe if we offer a training session with Oden, she’d meet us.”

That was a definitely a thought. When they started fighting with their fists, I was astonished. She was really good.

Eventually, the man who’d called Jayden ran back into the room. He snarked, “You are outmanned and outgunned. Surrender or die.”

The woman laughed, “Not a chance… to both. No to the dying… and definitely not on surrendering... that’s a lot of no…”

Her rambling felt familiar.

My head began to pound. Karina quietly put down a platter of cookies on the table in front of us, and several of us took a cookie while we watched in rapt fascination. The headache went away quickly. I must not have eaten enough today. Thank god for Karina’s cookies. Brutus agreed, “Seriously, let’s give her a raise.”

I made a mental note to let Nana Blanch know. She was the Werewolf grandma we claimed even if it wasn’t by blood, and she ran our kitchen.

The man taunted her, “You came alone. That was foolish and arrogant. Now we finally have one circle group member in our grasp. I kept telling people you’d fuck up. Your little blue circles and your line drawing days are over.”

She laughed again, “Who said I came alone?”

That was evasive but he didn’t notice.

Relief flooded me when she tilted her head towards the door. When they all turned around ready to defend themselves, she threw her empty gun at the window. It shattered and she took off. I gasped. She had gone alone then bluffed to escape. Why would she go alone?

Brutus commented, “I was going to say she was a Fairy but she’s too fast.”

I agreed, “And too fast to be human. She could be a hybrid with Fairy blood though.”

The men all yelled at her to stop, but she didn't. She jumped through the breaking glass and went into a free fall, landing in the giant lake. Someone grabbed the camera, and we were brought to the window.

The man who’d called was cursing. He yelled, “Get men down there! I want her back here. Do not let her escape! We finally have one of those fuckers!”

We all watched silently hoping they wouldn’t cut us off.

Julianna was in tears while Alexander was gripping the table hard. The woman hadn’t surfaced. It had been over three minutes underwater, so she was definitely a supernatural if she was alive. Suddenly, on the opposite side of the lake, we heard a gasp for air. She’d surfaced!

Brutus howled in victory in my mind. We watched as she swam to the bank of the lake. Damn! I locked eyes with my dad. That was all very impressive. Brutus commented, “And yet again she’s very protective of our allies. The others in her group didn’t come, she did. Maybe she’s getting in trouble for going against the leaders to help us.”

That thought hurt me, but I could see it.

I watched as she quickly got out and took off running. She was limping, but still running pretty fast. The Hunters were trying their best to capture her. She dodged several darts before she took one in the thigh but laughed it off.

I linked my dad, “Who don’t those darts work on?”

He answered, “We’d have to know what was in it to answer that.”

I hated that he was right. We all heard a motorcycle roaring to life. It cleared the hill heading straight for her. That person had on a helmet obstructing their face.

Alexander snarled, “FUCK! We have to get to her and help!”

The woman shocked us by starting to run towards the bike. She reached it quickly and jumped on the back. The bike did a one eighty degree turn once she was on. I wanted to be relieved but shots were being fired at them.

Everly whimpered, “I have her bullet proof vest.”

The woman flipped around so she was straddling the driver. She took the guns from the drivers holsters and began firing back with deadly accuracy. She didn’t miss once. All head shots and six shots in succession afterward. I locked eyes with Elise this time. Brutus said, “We made contact with the sniper.”

I replied, “More like she made contact with us.” He grunted.

Alexander was growling softly. I linked him, “Brother?”

He replied, “I’m just mad and I can’t really explain why.”

We would have to get into that later. They made it out of frame before the feed cut out.

We sat in silence until Jason spoke, “So, two things. One, I think Every and Julianna just met our sniper. It’s a chick, that’s cool. Did you see how accurate she was? Head shots first. It’s her. Two, sister in law of mine, you gots some splainin’ to do.”

Tristan finally noticed Everly now had a bump. He gasped, “What? OH MY GOD!”

Everly smiled, “Surprise?”

My mom laughed, “My healing speeds things along.” Tristan hugged Everly and spun her around. He asked, “You’re pregnant?!” She nodded, “I found out this morning. I wanted to tell you when I got back.”

Tristan wiped his eyes, “Well, I’m surprised that’s for sure.”

She smiled, “Happy surprised, right?”

Tristan nodded, “Yes.” Beta Bond asked, “Sweetheart, are you ok?” Everly nodded, “I’m fine now, daddy.”

My dad asked “What kind of supernatural is she, girls? She’s too fast to be human. Not to mention being able to be underwater for more than three minutes.”

Julianna frowned, “I don’t know. I thought….”

She trailed off. Fegle put his arms around her.

She continued, “My instincts said she was a wolf, but my wolf couldn't reach hers.”

I looked at the Daniels screen. I asked them, “Is she Hood?”

Everly threw out, “I’d swear she was a wolf, guys.” Julianna admitted, “I would too. She should’ve had a wolf though, right?” Everyone conceded that point. Julianna added, “She doesn’t want us to know who she is either. She even had those colored contacts in to hide her eye color.”

Brutus mused, “She could be a partial and not have received a wolf.”

He was right. I said, “She could be a partial wolf or have just enough wolf blood in her to be that quick. What do you mean colored contacts?”

Everly nodded, “Yeah, we knew they were contacts. One time she looked to the side they slipped just barely when she blinked. It was too fast to see her real eye color, but I’d say positively that her eyes are not blue. Why else would she wear blue contacts?”

It was silent until Everly added, “She was hurt, but she still came for us.”

Julianna hung her head, “She knows us too.”

I frowned. Alexander asked, “What do you mean she was hurt?” Everly answered, “It was weird. She didn’t have a scent, but there was an ointment scent that smelled like a salve.”

I jumped on that, “That must be why she hasn’t been around. She’s been healing from something.”

My mom asked, “Where was the salve scent coming from?”

I sensed her trepidation in the bond. She had her walls going up that made me want to scream in frustration.

Julianna answered, “Her back.”

My mom flinched, “She was probably whipped then.”

Now, the bond with her was dull. Alexander growled and popped out. I was going to have to deal with that before he tore our gym apart.

I asked them, “Who was that guy?”

Everly snorted, “He said he was our damnation.”

Julianna supplied, “The guys called him Dante.” My dad sighed, “Girls go get some rest, and spend time with your mates. We can debrief you later.”

He looked at my Uncle Aiden, “I want people on her.”

Lucas snarled, “So do I.”

Julianna huffed, “Daddy, that’s overkill. Fegle won’t leave my side. We can even stay in Blue Moon tonight. It’s not necessary to put guards on me, Cousin Aiden.”

Uncle Aiden smiled and kissed her cheek, “All the same I’ll have four Fairy guards around you tonight.”

He hugged her and asked, “How did they get you?”

Julianna answered, “Everly sent me a text. She said she had an emergency and to pop to her.”

Everly gasped, “I didn’t text you, I swear!”

Julianna smiled, “I know. You were unconscious before I got hit with iron. That’s why the sniper told you to change contacts in your phone. She must have known they used your phone to get me. Maybe you’re hacked.”

Micah held his hand out for Everly’s phone. She admitted, “I don’t have it. They took it off me.” He made an annoyed face.

Everly shouted, “Wait!”

She grabbed the card out from her back pocket. There were coordinates on the front. On the back there was a blue circle with a line through it. I grinned, “Maybe we finally have a meeting.”

Julianna smiled and teased, “Not to brag but Everly and I got the first meeting without trying.”

Fegle said, “I would’ve preferred this not happen at all.”

Julianna whispered, “I know.” My dad said, “I want to know what the hell she injected you with. It gave you your powers back.” My dad linked me, “And I want to mass produce it.” So would Uncle Aiden.

Julianna said, “Not just that. She gave me Fern back after they’d given me wolfsbane.”

Her wolf?! I linked Jayden, “What the fuck? This sniper has something to give our powers back and bring our wolves back from wolfsbane?”

He said, “I’ve never been more intrigued.”

Julianna continued, “I could feel myself being allowed through the barrier too and that the magic didn’t want to let me pass. I had to hold onto Everly really tight. It’s like I could feel it begrudgingly letting me through. Whatever she gave me, it was like a jolt of adrenaline when I felt my powers return with Fern. Those bracelets were pumping iron into me. That first jolt, it was like fire in my veins. Like my blood was being cleansed.”

I rubbed my face, “What the fuck?! Who would do that? Who would work on something to cleanse iron from their system. I’m open to suggestions, Uncle Aiden.”

He frowned, “I do not know, but I would very much like to meet this girl. That would be more than useful.”

Didn’t we all want to meet her?

My dad said, “Not just the Fairies though. She did one for wolves too.”

He rubbed his temples. I grabbed Elise and popped to Alexander. He was hitting a heavy bag repeatedly. My Uncle Bjourn was in the corner watching. Was he just everywhere all the time? He smirked and answered my unspoken question. “Micah updated me and fed me the feed. I like this girl. She’s quite slippery though, isn’t she?”

It hit me. Six shots. On your six. I asked, “Could she be a Hackura? A partial? She was wearing colored contacts. Her fighting style is good. Maybe the six shots means on your six.”

Uncle Bjourn considered it. He finally said, “There could be someone who had fathered a child but passed away. She is clearly smart enough to mute any connections she has.”

Elise argued, “Julianna and Everly thought she was a partial Werewolf though.”

That’s what was odd. They’d met other partial Werewolves but called her a wolf. They should know by meeting her what she was. Julianna was unique but still a partial Werewolf. I trusted their instincts though.

I nodded, “I’m not sold on her not being a partial Werewolf. Julianna’s instinct was to reach for this girl's wolf. Something weird is up with that.”

Uncle Bjourn nodded. Alexander didn’t turn around and kept hitting the bag. His fury was bouncing all over the bond.

I rolled my eyes asking, “Will you stop that?”

Alexander stopped and turned around. His eyes were blazing. I frowned, “What’s wrong?”

He growled, “I don’t know. I just didn’t like seeing that girl fight alone. Or ride off the back of that damn motorcycle wrapped around some fucking asshole!” I was not alone in my eyebrow raise.

Elise offered, “Could it be because she’s good at fighting? Just like someone else we know who rambles like that. Well, she’s grown out of it, but she used to.”

Melanie’s texts and emails had changed. She didn’t ramble anymore and I found that a little sad. It was endearing.

She told her family and Elise the school had supplied her with a finishing school teacher to help her communicate more effectively. Elise didn’t care for it and neither did I. I missed her rambling.

Alexander looked relieved, “Yeah, that could be it.”

I held out the card Everly had given me. Alexander asked, “What’s supposed to be there?”

I snorted, “That seems like a Micah question.” I linked Max, “We need Micah.”

A second later they popped to us with my parents. My mom smiled but said nothing. I asked, “Are you ok, mom? Those were some pretty big healings.”

My mom snorted, “Exfuckingcuse me but I am the parent here.”

I smiled kissing her cheek. I told her, “I’m the Alpha here though.”

My mom rolled her eyes, “It’s my own fault. I sneezed all these damn Alpha’s out of my vajayjay. I have no one to blame but myself.”

Alexander said, “Ew, Mom. Just ew.” She shrugged, “That’s how it works Alexander.” I laughed.

Micah frowned, “So, according to this there’s nothing there, but it’s in Alpha Cameron’s territory… ish.”

I corrected, “He just handed his territory over to his son, Colton Daniels.”

His second oldest pup. His oldest wanted to be the Lead Warrior instead of the Lead Alpha.

Alexander corrected, “Well, they are doing what we did at first. So, they are both the Alpha in the hybrid style leadership EJ started.”

I took out my phone calling Emmett and Colton. They both answered at the same time, “EJ?”

I said, “The girl who rescued my cousin and Everly gave the latter a card. It has coordinates in it that fall in your territory Colton.”

Max said, “It is more like adjacent to their territory. It’s just outside the Daniels territory.”

Emmett said, “Let’s go then. Pop to us and we’ll come with you.”

Colton laughed, “I’m in.” I asked my mom, “Can you pop them there?” My mom snorted and popped away with my dad.

My Uncle Bjourn smiled announcing, “I’m coming too.”

Alexander grabbed him. I linked Toby, “Get here with Phil and ten Warriors five minutes ago.”

Toby snorted, “If anyone could go back in time it would be your family not mine. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Genevieve walked in with them. She linked, “I know you weren’t going without me.”

I replied, “I knew Toby would have you be the ones going, so no.”

She winked at me. I noted it only took Toby and the Warriors thirty seconds to get to me.

Once we had everyone we popped to my mom. Aunt Lexi, Chase, Cameron, Reagan, Emmett, Alexandria, and Colton Daniels had popped with them. I felt magic around us. Brutus linked, “I smell it. If this had been near our borders we’d have known.”

So, of course it wasn’t. That would be too handy.

I looked at Alexander. He nodded as did my mom. She couldn’t smell it, but she could sense it. I stepped forward and took my mom and Alexander’s hands. My mom started chanting, “Canbe point actin. Dat so point megroup (Something is hidden that cannot be. Remove it so that we may see.)”

Alexander and I started chanting with her. After the sixth time the magic was removed.

My mom sighed, “Witches.”

My dad teased, “Not Witch bitches, Angel?”

I answered, “That was not dark magic. It’s like the sniper knows a Witch that protected this area so she could send us here.”

I grabbed Elise's hand and linked her, “You stay with me. Ok?”

She nodded. We slowly made our way through the building that came into view. The stench gave away that someone was dead. Brutus corrected, “Several someone’s.”

Even better. There were men throughout the building all shot execution style. My mom was snapping bodies away as we encountered them.

My dad broke the silence, “This was a very efficient team.”

Both Alpha Chase and Alpha Cameron nodded. Uncle Bjourn agreed, “It definitely was.”

Once we got to the main office we paused. The man behind the chair had been tortured. Extensively. This was clearly their target.

On the desk there was an envelope addressed to Alpha’s of Black Mountain. There was a cardboard box taped up under it. I walked forward and opened it the envelope.

Alpha’s of the Black Mountain Pack,

It came to our attention that you are curious about us and who we are. I suppose that’s something we can answer. We are the Resistance. Specifically, we are the Ring Resistance… since you probably want specifics…cause that could be a thing…that I heard about…you wanting….or not…that’s an option too….

You guys do a pretty good job, but you need to be more careful. You are well known. These people have been planning against you since before you were born. We are in a unique place to do something about this that you cannot… since we are in the shadows… .and you are… well, you’re not. At all.

The man in the chair… was bad… obviously. He provided names and was a “placeholder”

for young girls and boys put into the Ring. Expect an influx of people to your areas soon. We are working to get them out. You have sheltered the people we have sent, and we are grateful… I mean we knew you would…because you’re good people.

That’s why they were sent to you. You never disappoint when they come. My belief that you will take them in and give them shelter has been proven time and time again. Many of them never see us, so please do not question them harshly. They do not know anything. Plus, ya know… masks are things… we wear a lot…so…you could try that out….occasionally. It could be nice. I’m just saying.

As for your attempts to work alongside us, you do not want that. Should there come a day when we need your help and not the other way around… I’ll contact you. As it stands, there is nothing we have come across that we cannot handle ourselves.

What do we do? We keep people safe. That includes all of you. In this box you will find something that will help you. It’s not easy to come by…. well… it’s complicated… in formula… you don’t care… but it appears you need it.

Do try to stay out of trouble. Don’t worry though, because when you find it... we will be there. Do not look for us because we do not want to be found. It works best this way for us all.

Why do we do this? There are SO many reasons. No one should suffer this way. It is wrong and we won't stand for it. Too many have stood by in fear, wanting to keep their heads down and stay out of the fray. I am not afraid. I will stand. I will not turn a blind eye.

We know where our place is. It’s standing between the innocent and those vile, corrupt, evil masochists leading the Ring. They hide, but we can get to them. They are not safe anymore… and they get my messages about it. I will not stop until they are all dead. I personally want revenge… for the things they’ve done to me… and those I love. I have to stop them. I won’t stop until I have vengeance.

As for your request to be “friends.”

I have already told you, you don’t want that. Let’s just stick to our current relationship. It’s symbiotic in nature… so it works. Don’t break it. Finding out more about us, about me, will break that. We have a good thing going. Work within that and let me help the way I can.

How do you find us? Short answer: You don’t. Longer answer: We will not be found if we don’t want to be. If you find us it will be because we’ve crawled into your lap, tapped your shoulder, and said hi. That won’t happen though.

As I said, our relationship works because of the anonymity we have right now. Let us continue to help each other. Stop looking for me. I will contact you if we need help. I will know if you need our help, as I have up until now. Stay safe Alpha’s.

We will fight until this is over. The Ring will go down.