Page 49 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart (Ribbon #7)

TJ popped in. I teased him, “Are you helping keep her out of trouble?” TJ gaped at me, “I am only nine years old. What do you want me to do? She’s like a wrecking ball.” Their happiness filled the bond as they goaded each other.

Angela said, “You forgot part of that. I am a wrecking ball of fun and mischief.”

I smiled knowing that was fairly accurate. I ruffled TJ’s hair, “Alexander and I had to do that with Cassie.”

TJ frowned, “There were two of you and only one of me. Also, Cassie isn’t as mischievous as Angela.” I laughed, “No, but she is sneakier.” TJ shrugged as if that didn’t make it difficult.

I told him, “We all have our struggles, and we all help you.”

TJ shrugged, “I just join the madness she creates, big brother. That way when she gets in trouble, I’m right there beside her.”

I winked, “Then have fun planning your birthday party with her.”

TJ groaned, “Already? I love planning but can’t we wait?”

Angela clapped, “EJ said we could start now.”

TJ looked at me, “Dear god EJ, why?” I laughed, “What could it hurt?” TJ looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.

He pointed to himself, “Ummm HELLO. Me! It hurts me. Our birthday is way too far away. She’ll change the plans seventy thousand times now.”

I shrugged, “It’s not that far away and that seemed sarcastic.”

Then I felt the bond and knew he was actually serious. I sent him an apology in the bond.

TJ sighed, “Alright Angela, what are we doing for our birthday?”

Angela clapped, “I’m so glad you asked. It HAS to be perfect.”

TJ groaned, “Aesir above, why?” Angela retorted, “Because it does.” TJ crossed his arms, and I started to walk out.

I heard TJ say, “Try again. I’m your twin. You want me to plan then tell me what the heck our party has to be perfect for.”

He would learn one day that the women in this family all like to plan the most perfect parties of all time. Plus, he’d do whatever she wanted even if she didn’t tell him, and everyone knew that including Angela.

It was true that mom threw epic parties. No one could deny that. I was ten before I found out that not everyone had a parade at their party. Mom just went all out for birthdays. I’m sure Angela had adopted her philosophy.

I walked out to the gym and found Alexander hitting a heavy bag repeatedly. He didn’t even acknowledge I was here. Eventually I asked, “Are you going to stop that any time soon?”

Alexander turned, “I was fighting the Warriors, but you ordered them to leave.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Which is probably why Toby came to see me. What’s your deal, little brother?”

Alexander punched the heavy bag again for good measure. He turned and sat down cross legged in a heap. He sighed, “I don’t know.”

I sat down next to him. I nudged him, “Can I tell you what I think?”

Alexander snorted, “Since it can’t be worse than what I’m thinking, sure.”

I rolled my eyes, “I think Ashely reminds you of Melanie and you’re not alone there. Minus the whole family bullshit, they are nearly the same person. Ashley’s strong and we know Melanie could be a Female Lead Warrior if she wanted. You like hearing about Ashley because at this point, we hear about her more often than Melanie.”

Alexander sighed, “That could be it. I just feel like shit because I feel drawn to both of them. If it turns out I’m just an asshole who’s another in a long line obsessed with Melanie, then I’ve put us all through this shit for no reason. Part of me wants to go to Nashville to meet Ashley.”

Before I could answer he told me.

“Because If I’m wrong about Melanie then I think my mate could be Ashley.”

I asked him, “What does your heart tell you? What do your instincts say?”

Alexander thought about it. Eventually admitted, “That Melanie is my mate.” I nodded, “Ok. Then I think Ashley just reminds you of her.”

Alexander snorted, “It pisses me off to no end there’s some fucking prick saying he’s her mate when he’s not.”

I laughed, “He has a name.”

Alexander shrugged, “Don’t tell me or I’ll find a way to kill him.” I asked, “Did you not hear Theo say his name?” Brutus said, “Oden doesn’t know it, so I doubt he does.”

Alexander sheepishly admitted, “I was arguing with Oden on what to do because we were both pissed about it.”

Suddenly, Elise’s lust slammed into me so hard I snarled. Alexander looked at me oddly then stiffened. He told me, “I just got the link that Elise just went into heat! Let’s go!”

We popped out.

I threw my shield at Elise. That was something I’d been working on. Uncle Aiden thought I should try, and it came to fruition when my mate needed it. She was surrounded by my protection and the unmated males were pushed ten feet away from her.

She’d obviously managed to punch one. I was damn proud of her for that. A she wolf in heat was desperate for the fire in them to abate. It was hard for them to focus. That she’d punched one of them filled me with fury. Brutus linked, “You give them shit before I take over and RIP off their heads.”

I snarled, “WHAT THE FUCK?! THAT IS YOUR LUNA!”

They were whimpering under the strain of my Alpha tone. One managed to say, “She smells so good and…”

I used my pushing power on them. They went down holding their heads.

Alexander touched my shoulder, “I’ve got this, brother. Go take care of Elise. She needs your help, brother. She’s in pain.”

That snapped me out of it. I released them and popped inside my shield. I picked her up promising, “I’ll make the pain go away, babe.”

I popped us to our place on my mom’s island in the Hackura realm. There was no way I was keeping her in our territory when those fuckers couldn’t control themselves. Elise whimpered, “EJ, please.”

I snapped us naked and thrust into her knowing it was what she wanted and needed. She gripped my arms moaning.

I bit her ear, “Mmmm. You’re so wet for me babe.”

I pulled out and slammed back into her. Her fingernails dug into my skin. I asked, “Is that what you want, Elise Conners?”

I repeated the motion as I talked. She screamed, “GOD EJ, YES! PLEASE!” I smiled and thrust into her hard and fast. Her orgasm ripped through her. Once she’d finished, I pulled out of her. She mewled in protest.

I quickly flipped her and spanked her. I leaned down and lightly bit her ass next, then gripped her hips. I asked her, “Do you know how often I think of doing this? I barely get any work done because the images of you and I run through mind all day.”

I thrust into her. She grabbed a pillow and gasped.

I growled, “You are all I think about. You consume me day and night.”

I was thrusting with every word. I growled, “You’re MINE! No one will ever do this with you but me!”

She whimpered, “No one.” I growled and kept pounding into her.

My fury at our pack members for attempting to take advantage, for being weakened by her heat, pissed me off. I groaned as I came. Elise collapsed onto the bed which surprised me. Then I looked over at the clock and realized it had been a decent amount of time. I knew we’d have a break for a few hours from past experience with her heat.

I held her tight, “They won’t get away with what they did to you.”

Elise snorted, “I know they won’t. My mom told me that until your mom came around it was just accepted that unmated males couldn’t help themselves.”

I snorted, “Well that’s not the case now, nor would I care if it was. It’s hard, but they can do it. There are consequences when they don’t. I’m damn proud you punched one of them. I arrived and my first thought was, that’s my girl.” I kissed her forehead.

Elise smiled lazily, “Let’s go swim until the next wave hits.”

I laughed, “We won’t get any swimming in after that one.”

It was intense from the next wave until the end. Elise ran out the front door of our house. She jumped into the small pool we had, and I jumped in after her.

She splashed me when I surfaced. I laughed and splashed her back. She eventually got out and started running for the ocean. I laughed and caught her easily. I popped us both into the water. She squealed, “EJ!”

I asked, “What? It’s not cold to you or me. Plus, I’m here to warm you up if you want to claim you need some body heat. I can’t have my girl being cold, can I?”

She pushed my chest and flipped onto her back floating in the water. She looked at me, “You definitely can’t have that.”

I flipped onto my back, and we just floated for a while. Elise told me, “I was thinking that in a few years when we are twenty five sounds like it would be a good time to try on my heat.”

I asked, “For a pup?”

Elise snorted, “No, for a stork. Yes, a pup you goober.”

I laughed, “There’s no rush, but if that’s what you want, I’m in. I will do my best to put a pup in you the second you ask.”

She grinned at me prodding, “So you’d be ready for a pup in a few years?” I laughed, “I’ve been helping take care of my siblings since I was little. In a few years I think we, along with our pack, will be in a good place. There’s no perfect time to have a pup, but I’m ready to start our family when you are.”

Elise smiled, “That’s what Ashley said. That there’s no perfect time.”

I raised an eyebrow, “You talked to Ashley about this?”

Elise nodded, “Yeah, we talk about life stuff a lot. She’s easy to talk to and she’s impartial, you know?” I laughed, “That girl looks up to you, and respects you. Her advice is not exactly impartial.”

Elise countered, “But she gives an honest opinion. Just like Mel.”

I smiled, “Well, one day we will meet this Ashley because I know you and you’re not giving up on that dream. Plus, in a few years they will have new pack leadership. They would either have to come here or we would go there to discuss an alliance. You’ll meet her face to face one day.”

Elise smiled, “I’ll just keep that on the down low from her. She’s weird about it.”

Brutus grumbled, “Why?”

I didn’t know and ignored him. I laughed, “I’m sure once that all gets settled, she’ll come back here then Ladybug will come home. You three will be best friends.”

Elise told me, “We’d have to invite Sierra, Addison, Avery, and someone named Paige.”

I shrugged, “That’s fine by me.”

Elise smiled, “They are in all her stories. I’m glad she has them.” I admitted, “I’m surprised they are, but I’m surrounded by daddy’s girls. Addison and Sierra can’t like their fathers. Not with the way Theo says Ashley talks about them.” Elise shook her head, “From what Ashley says, they don’t.”

Her lust hit me, and she jerked up and pulled me to her. She lowered herself on me. I popped us into the house and dry. I put my hands behind my head and smiled. I ordered, “Ride me, babe.”

She growled, “Why are you so damn sexy all the damn time?”

My smirk broadened, “So you say.” She snarled, “Everyone wants what’s mine.” She set a hard and fast pace.

We’d been going at it for hours when she finally fell off me. I thought since she was asleep, I would go and make us food. I popped to the kitchen and snapped sandwiches together when I heard her snarl. She was downstairs in seconds. Brutus chuckled, “Oh darn, she wasn’t asleep.”

I retorted, “You knew that then.”

He just laughed.

I teased my mate, “That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen you run.”

She grabbed me by the neck and our lips met so hard our teeth hit. I bit her lip, snapped the sandwiches into the fridge, picked her up by her waist and laid her down on the counter.

I conjured a vibrator and slid it inside her. She began to buck her hips when I bit the inside of her thigh asking, “Do you like that babe?”

She whimpered, “Yes.”

Talking got her going even more. My girl loved my voice, and I was more than happy to smell how turned on it made her. I replied, “Good.” I used one hand to thrust inside her with the vibrator. I blew a breath on her clit while she jerked up.

I laughed, “If you can’t stay still, I’ll take you upstairs and tie you down.”

She whimpered, “I’ll stay still.”

I seriously doubted that but didn’t mind tying her down. I barely licked her clit when she shuddered. Her entire body was shaking.

I started licking her quickly. She jerked her hips and clamped her thighs around my head. I smirked bringing her to a quick release then threw her over my shoulder. I spanked her and popped us to our room.

I snapped her into restraints then pulled the vibrator out again. She whimpered, “It felt amazing with that inside my while you spanked me.”

I winked, “I remember that, babe.”

I licked her mark, “You moved though.” She whimpered.

I began kissing her all over her body, but avoided her perky nipples that were begging to be sucked. I nibbled her neck and had my fingertips barely running up her sides. Just enough for her skin to respond with chill bumps.

Finally, when I knew she couldn’t take it anymore from the bond I buried myself in her. She let out a choked sob. I stopped, “Babe?”

She cried, “If you stop, I will hurt you in some way. These are tears of relief.”

I replied, “Your wish is my command.”

Elise muttered, “I wish I’d known that when this started.”

Brutus laughed, “She did know when it started. We have always been putty in her hands.”

He was right. I thrust into her quickly and her words quickly turned into moans.

I growled, “What was that?”

She whispered huskily, “Nothing, my Alpha.”

I growled and pounded into her harder. I pinched her nipple when she was close, and she shattered. “EJ! JESUS! GOD! FUCK!” I smirked as her eyes began to close.

I conjured the food to us. I whispered, “Babe, you have to eat really quickly then you can sleep. Ok?”

Elise groaned, “Just snap or conjure it into my stomach.”

I laughed, “You know it doesn’t work that way.” I pulled out of her and sat her up.

I whispered, “Come on. Be a good girl and eat your food.”

She growled, “If I wasn’t so tired, I’d punch you in the peck for that comment.”

I laughed, “I love you too.” I handed her the sandwich. She quickly ate it. I handed her a glass of water that she drank then slammed the glass down on the nightstand. She stuck her tongue out at me and laid down on the pillow. She muttered, “Love you, EJ.” She was dead to the world the second her head hit the pillow.

I kissed her lips lightly then pulled back, “I love you too, Elise Conners.”

I ate my own food and snapped the plates clean and back to their place in the cabinet. I took a quick shower since I wasn’t actually tired. I didn’t actually need much sleep.

I conjured my laptop and kept an eye on Elise while she slept. I answered a few emails. I saw an email from Ashley and smiled. I’d asked if she would come up for Elise’s birthday.

Alpha Duke EJ,

I have to say my heart stopped for a full second seeing you’d emailed me… and well… I just… well… I thought you were mad Elise and I were talking… because… I could… well… it’s just… I like talking to her… so I didn’t want to stop… so I avoided your email… which is why I haven’t answered… yet… well... I am now..

Unfortunately, I have to decline your invitation for Elise’s birthday. You have no idea how much I wish I could come, but I can’t. I will send her a gift though. I mean I had one already… not knowing I was invited… so obviously… I’ll get that to her.

You are a good mate, Alpha Duke EJ. Please always take care of her. I mean… oh my gosh… I didn’t mean… just… I mean… not that you don’t now, but like... gosh... you know what I mean. I wasn’t saying that you don’t take care of her now. Of course you do. I should’ve typed keep taking care of her. Yes, that’s a better way to say it. GOD ASHLEY STOP TYPING! UGH!

Ashley

I laughed because I couldn't help it. Brutus asked, “Why didn’t she just delete last part?”

I admitted, “I don’t know but it was amusing.”

I wished she’d just come to the party. I answered.

Ashley,

Please call me EJ. Talking to you makes Elise happy, and I would never take that from her. Or go behind her back and contact you to get your communication to stop.

I am sorry you feel that you can’t come. A gift is not necessary though. All Elise wants is your presence, but I won’t push you.

I understood what you meant about taking care of her. I assure you I was not offended. I’m actually not easily offended.

One day I hope you understand that what happened to your family was not your fault. Your family would not want you to give up your life after they gave up theirs so that you could live.

Just think about that and please start living YOUR life for yourself. I can tell by the tone of your emails that you give Elise permission to share with me that you want to see her.

My advice to you is this: Don’t hide from life forever. Those who are gone, we cannot bring back. We are here though, and we can honor their lives that way. That’s how we live. You honor them by being happy. Can you honestly say that you’re happy?

EJ

I hit send before I could second guess myself. A reply came a few minutes later. Brutus linked, “She types with the speed of a Hood member.” No joke.

EJ,

Some people don’t deserve to be happy. Well… I actually know a lot. I meant me… but… like that’s true… some people shouldn’t be happy. It annoys me that they are… Don’t be sad for me or anything. I have more happiness in my life than I deserve. Talking to Elise is a lifeline I shouldn’t have, but I can’t bring myself to give it up. I tried… but she keeps emailing… and …I mean I just realized that talking to her is something I can’t let go of.

I’m sure that doesn’t make sense, but she brings a little bit of home and normality back to me… gosh, that just…. I’m sure that makes even less sense. Her emails are what I hold onto a lot of days. Her words reach me when nothing else can… I’m pretty sure my friends want to email her sometimes… and thank her… then get mad I listen to her and not them… I probably give them a complex which isn’t nice….

It's just that they don’t fully understand. You know? I mean… no you don’t know because I didn’t explain it. Her emails make me believe that things could be different, but for now they cannot. Maybe one day, but I’m just not sure… but I think maybe… I mean I have plans…

On a totally separate note, sometimes Elise and I talk about your siblings… which everyone knows about…. so it’s totally not weird that I know about them… prior to her mentioning them… because everyone knows you guys… you’re famous.

Everyone also knows you have a brother who is an excellent fighter… other adjectives have been used…. best… strongest… lots of adjectives… I’ve actually met people who have seen him fight…. and he shares videos in the community of fighting techniques, which you know… because… you live together… Why am I telling you things you know? I don’t know… please stop typing Ashley.

The point was that…. well… we… no I… it was me… I implemented his training plan here. If you could… if you want… you’re not obligated but… please thank him for me. It’s made a huge difference in our Warriors.

Seriously, it has… it’s crazy. They think I’m crazy with how much cardio they do. You partial Hackura’s don’t mess around with your cardio. Even I was out of breath the first week. OH MY GOSH! Don’t tell him that... oh my god... just... ok bye...

Ashley

So, Ashley had implemented Alexander’s techniques. It wasn’t surprising since many had. Alexander had an eye for it. He put plans and techniques out to Werewolves at large. Partly because he knows that despite our best efforts, some she wolves still weren’t trained to fight. Omegas weren’t treated fairly everywhere else. Alexander thought if every Werewolf had access to his tutorials and basic defense moves, then maybe they could teach themselves some basic self-defense.

I called my brother. He answered out of breath, “EJ?”

I sighed, “Do you ever leave the gym, little brother?”

Alexander laughed, “For your information, Dad, William, and I were letting these pieces of shit know how we felt about their lack of control.”

I snarled, “I don’t want to see them EVER again!”

Alexander’s smugness wafted through his tone and the bond. “I thought you might say that. Theo said he would take them into his pack. Lux needs to work out some anger.”

I snorted, “Over his first rejection ever?”

Alexander laughed, “Nah, his birth mom and his half-sister.”

I frowned, “He still can’t find them?” Alexander sighed, “Nope. The mom used magic to hide from Theo and they aren't asking us for help yet.”

I questioned, “What have we done anyway? I know dad has been helping over the years.”

They started looking before we took over. His mom took off after Theo got custody of Lux when he was sixteen. Alexander sighed, “I ran a cursory search. The mom bounces all over the place and there are gaps. She’s got aliases, clearly. I don’t know where she is right now. She was in California, but she’s not there now. There’s no mention of her daughter. Lux is the only one who saw his sister.”

I pushed, “Did you find her birth certificate?”

Alexander snorted, “It was a home birth.”

I stared at the phone, “She should still have a birth certificate.” Alexander sighed, “If she has one, not even Uncle Gunner can find it.”

I rolled my eyes, “It seems like we have another Alania type mother on our hands. Keep an eye out. If we find the girl, we will get her to Lux. The mother would have a hard time saying anything if the girl doesn’t even have a birth certificate.”

Alexander snorted, “Since the girl is never with her from what I’ve heard I doubt she’d say anything. I’m a little surprised she didn’t just leave her behind. Her mom’s just running through men, but it seems she leaves her daughter somewhere when she does this.”

I groaned, “What about the girl’s dad?”

Alexander sighed, “Lux doesn't know who he is. Theo never met Lux’s sister, so he has no clue. I can tell you that there’s a long string of suspects.”

I sighed, “Tell Lux we will help where we can.” Alexander agreed, “I already did, big brother.”

I closed my laptop, “I’m going to get some sleep. I was told to thank you.”

Alexander snorted, “For what?”

I answered, “Your training plans. Maybe tone down the cardio, little brother. They aren’t Hackura.” I hung up as he asked what I was talking about.

His confusion and intrigue lit up our bond. Brutus asked, “Are we telling him?”

I replied, “Mystery is good for him. He kept secrets for years.”

Brutus laughed as I crawled into bed with Elise and pulled her close to me.

When she woke up, she was insatiable for several more days. I kept having to make sure she ate before she fell asleep. I kept up with work and the goings on of the pack while she was sleeping. I knew her heat was over when I felt her wake up and feel horrified.

She ran into the shower and just laughed into my pillow. I called, “Elise?”

She yelled back, “I reek! Why didn’t you say anything?”

I chuckled and followed her into the shower. I kissed her, “You always smell amazing to me. Plus, you didn’t care for my suggestions if they were not sex driven. I had to force you to eat before you fell asleep. If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the floor.” Elise threw a loofa at me.

I raised an eyebrow. She growled, “There are no jokes about dying.”

I walked to her and pulled her to me. I apologized, “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

She clung to me. Right when I was about to kiss her, she pushed me away. I laughed, “Oh come on!”

Elise shook her head, “I smell and my teeth need to be brushed. God knows how my hair looks.”

I winced as she turned towards the mirror and screamed. She groaned, “I hope you like that rat in my hair EJ Conners because it’s now a permanent fixture. I will NEVER get that out.”

I smirked and snapped her hair back to normal.

She breathed a sigh of relief, “I forgot you could do that.”

I laughed, “You know I’ve always got your six, babe.”

She used half a bottle of body soap on herself before she was satisfied she no longer smelled. She proceeded to scrub her face and brush her teeth for twenty minutes. Then she gargled mouthwash for ten. I couldn’t help but laugh.

She looked at me out of the corner of her eye then spit the mouthwash back into the sink and turned to me. “I’m glad my hygiene practices amuse you.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist, “You amuse me. My wife. My mate. My girl.”

Elise giggled, “Your starving wife, mate, and girl.” I nuzzled her neck, “What do you want to eat?”

Elise answered without hesitation, “A Caesar salad with chicken, eggplant parmesan, and garlic bread.”

I nodded and snapped my fingers. I smirked, “It’s on the table.”

Elise grabbed my t-shirt from my hands and took off.

I laughed, “Hey! Now, you’re stealing my clothes.”

Elise called over her shoulder, “Your clothes are my clothes. What’s yours is mine. That’s the whole thing about being married and mated thing. Plus, I’ve been stealing your clothes since we were pups, and I know you don’t care.”