Page 51 of The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart (Ribbon #7)

Elise is Twenty-Three Years old

Elise played with her pencil. Rhea purred, “I feel mate’s eyes on us.”

I knew that. We were all waiting for word from Alpha Theo. Ashley hadn’t answered any of my emails in the last few days. I was worried she was hurt since their neighboring pack had attacked them.

Logically, I knew she was busy as the Lead Female Warrior. We just didn’t have any numbers on wolves who were injured or dead from either side. We were neither their friends nor allies, so the details were scarce. So, we didn’t know who was hurt.

Rhea reasoned, “We haven’t got word that a Lead Warrior was down. Eric and Thor should at least get that type of news if it had happened.”

I agreed, “Yes, but Black Path’s Pack leadership is worthless except for Ashley. All we know was that Black Path had won the fight and has taken over their neighbor’s pack.”

Rhea said, “Yes and we both know the only way they could win was under Ashley’s leadership.”

Her logic was sound, and I knew it. Ashley just had to be fine. She had to. Alexander linked me, “If you chew harder on that pencil, you’ll crack it and eat wood. Then I’ll have to heal you. I’m sure Ashley is fine.”

He was worried too. I replied, “I just wish she’d answer my email.” He nodded in agreement.

When Alpha Theo walked into EJ’s office I was relieved knowing he had answers. I linked Eric, “Thank you for asking him so quickly what happened.”

He replied, “I know you’re worried and you are a daughter to me. I know Ashley is fine though. Nashville would be in an uproar if she wasn’t.”

I smiled at him.

Honestly, both my in laws were amazing. I was lucky. Rhea told me, “Titan is excited about whatever he’s learned.”

Titan was Alpha Theo’s wolf. She didn’t need to tell me that because Alpha Theo’s eyes told me he was.

I linked Rhea, “He said versions of the story. That means one is Ashley’s. That means she’s ok and can talk. She’s not unconscious recovering from injuries.”

Rhea agreed, “Definitely. She will answer our emails soon.”

I’d even bugged Phil about this. He’d gotten in contact with his Warrior friend in Nashville. His friend believed she was ok, but Alpha Theo had confirmed with eyes on her. Rhea snorted, “You really just want to hear it from Ashley herself. That would be the best way to make us relax. I know how you feel because I want to see a ranting email from her too.”

Rhea was right.

I did want to hear it from Ashley. Rhea sighed when our invitation to meet her was turned down again. I hid my disappointment, but I couldn’t hide it from the bond. EJ send me his understanding. Alpha Theo started telling us what had happened in Black Path.

Rhea snorted, “Both the Alpha and Beta’s version of the event were pathetic. Beta my ass. Did they just pick a random guy and decide he would be the Beta?”

I replied, “You know he has Beta blood.”

Rhea snorted, “It sounds like his wolf is having a similar experience to one I had in a past life. I hated my last human before you. She was useless. The Moon Goddess did give me you afterwards though. I had to wait, but this life is much better than that one. God that woman was a witch.”

I snorted, “You still won’t tell me who it was. Or will you?”

Rhea laughed, “It’s not necessary information. Just know that I adore you. You could be full of yourself, but you’ve always been humble. I love you and you accepted our mate. My past human did not.”

That was abhorrent to me. How could she not accept a mate? Poor Rhea in that life. That would be so hard on the wolf.

Phil and Alexander’s exchange had me glancing over at my brother in law surprised. What about Melanie? As I thought her name my heart clenched. I knew she was going to get into Juilliard and never come home.

At this point, Cassie was going to have to go with her plan to hunt Melanie down and bring her home. I wanted her to live her dream, I did. I just wanted to see her in person too. On a computer screen wasn’t the same. She’d only have a few minutes here and there. It was depressing and I hated everything about it.

When I found out what Ashley’s versions of events where I had to smile despite my fury. She had a way with words. I even saw Eric’s lips twitching as he tried not to smile about the shit she gave people. Rhea growled, “I can’t believe the pack leadership hid from the fight. They left their pack to defend themselves, and they hid?!”

I agreed, “I will kill them.”

Rhea added, “That is pathetic on so many levels. How could they hide while their people were fighting for their lives?! Did they think that the office door would protect them if the other pack had won the damn fight?! They’d have broken down the damn door and killed their weak, pathetic asses. What kind of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma could live with themselves after that?”

I replied, “Their poor wolves. That must be embarrassing.”

Rhea agreed, “They are probably ready to move on just like I was. It’s hard when you get a shitty human.”

It probably was and she’d know best. I could help their wolves move on though.

I did feel like I could get down there and kick those pathetic pieces of shits asses myself. EJ pulled me onto his lap. Rhea linked, “I’m just saying Alexander looks ready to join us in our noble quest. Oden is growling pissed off. Honestly, I’m also team kick their ass. Ashley could kill them, but she doesn't. I find that odd.”

I did too.

I watched Alexander out of the corner of my eye. He was clearly interested in Ashley’s strategy to defend the pack. I couldn’t help but be proud of her all over again. She defended her pack and used tactical responses. She was just so damn smart, just like Melanie. That thought made my head hurt.

My eyes narrowed and Rhea growled when Alpha Theo talked about the future Gamma. I knew that Ashley hated Trevor with a passion. She never said why, but her hatred came through in the few times she’d mentioned him. She liked the rest of the future pack leaders though.

Alpha Theo description of Ashley surprised me. Was it just coming down from the fighting high? Rhea linked, “What do they mean her rage? They talk about that a lot, but it has never come across in our emails.” I agreed.

Her dislike for certain people did, but not rage. I genuinely wished she’d just leave that pathetic excuse of a pack. She’d been so upset she’d almost punched her Alpha which was a serious offense.

Rhea made a noise of disagreement before adding, “She did beat him and his wolf in a fight. He’s supposed to be her leader, and he hides. I’d punch him too. She’s having to act as the Alpha, and she doesn’t have Alpha blood. That very hard for someone to do. She’s overriding her own instincts to follow, which has to hurt her.”

That pissed me off, but I couldn’t understand it really as an Alpha myself surrounded by exceptional leadership.

I could tell Eric had half a mind to just wipe the current Alpha out. I was so on board with that plan, but Alpha Theo was the bucket of water to my fire right now. Rhea reasoned, “You know Ashley likes The current Alpha’s son.”

I wanted to groan, because I did know that Caine Davis was working to take over.

Ashley had told me Caine and the Beta’s son, Dax, were training with her now. She was a bit of a perfectionist about training. She truly rivaled Alexander in that department. They would get along really well if she would just come up here.

I told my wolf, “Well, of course Caine couldn’t learn how to fight from his dad. His dad’s instincts were to hide while his untrained son and his Female Lead Warrior fought for his pack. That complete and utter coward!

Rhea told me, “Why would someone who is a good fighter not want their son to be?”

I answered, “Because he doesn’t want his son to be able to take over his pack. Which doesn’t make any damn sense since he wasn’t even going to defend it if they were attacked. No Alpha would be able to look him in the face once this got around.”

It pissed me off because my dad would NEVER do this. Alpha Theo’s comments about Ashley’s rambling put a smile on my face. She rambled in emails so I wasn't surprised Ashley kept talking in person until someone stopped her.

I loved that about her because it reminded me of Melanie, before a manners and etiquette coach changed her. I wondered if Melanie still rambled when she was mad. Rhea told me, “What we need is for Melanie and Ashley to meet. It would crack the etiquette training she went through. Then we could all be blessed to watch that interaction. Solely to hear how much they talk.”

My head began to pound. Rhea whimpered in my head. I shoved those comparisons out of my mind. I linked Eric, “There was no need to ask who killed the other Alpha. It was definitely Ashley.”

He replied, “She shouldn’t be able to do that.”

I replied, “But she definitely did.”

Alpha Theo confirmed my belief. Eric linked, “I thought maybe she held him down and Future Alpha Caine did it.”

I paused because that would make more sense. Caine would have the brute strength. What kind of workouts did Ashley do?

Rhea chuckled, “And can we get them? We’d be the unstoppable Alpha and Luna dream team with EJ.”

I replied, “I mean, we already are.”

She purred, “True.” I voiced my concerns about Ashley’s living situation. She told me that she had a relative in the pack and that’s why she was sent there. The thing was, we couldn’t find a single shred of proof that she had a blood relative there. Ashley didn’t like to talk about it either.

The Warriors Alpha Theo named did give me a sense of relief. I knew those names because they’d been recruited by packs in this area, but they’d never accepted. I didn’t know that Alpha Davis didn’t approve of them being gay. Fury slammed into me that was a combination of EJ’s and mine.

I told Rhea, “That guy needs to die. He needs to be tortured for being a hateful, bigoted coward. He’s a pathetic excuse for an Alpha!”

She agreed, “He is but I am glad they’d stayed in the pack all this time. I am glad Ashley has them.”

Rhea had a point because I could tell she was a little lonely. It tugged at my heart strings.

Eric linked me, “Is Theo wrong? Could Ashley have an authority problem?”

I replied, “She’s never rude to any of us. I think it’s a matter of respecting the person in the position if they deserve it, as opposed to giving someone respect because of their title.”

He nodded his head, “That makes sense. Around here Alpha’s deserve the respect that comes with their title, but where she is they don’t.”

I added, “I know she feels betrayed by her old pack. She’d been close with the Alpha’s family, and he turned his back on her. She was really hurt by that. So, she’s a little jaded about pack leadership.”

He snorted, “Then the situation was compounded because she got sent to the worst pack on the planet.”

I hummed in agreement.

What I didn’t understand was why she didn’t just tell Alpha Theo everything. He could help her, and she knew it. Rhea replied, “We all could. She just wouldn’t let us.”

Which was annoying. Why was she so stubborn?

Rhea linked, “Did Alpha Theo just say the boys in the pack fawned over her? She never said that.”

He did say it. I knew without looking at him that Alexander was mad. My headache came back with a vengeance. Jesus. Melanie and Ashely had so much in common.

We hadn’t heard about any problems with Melanie in New York though. Those problems seemed to end for her in New York. Maybe Ashley just needed a change of scenery. I’m sure her pack see a strong female in their pack now. That has to be new given how their pack used to treat women.

My heart felt frozen in time when Alpha Theo said someone was claiming to be Ashley’s mate. I frowned because Ashley told me she thought her mate was someone from back home. She said that after everything happened, he hated her just like everyone else.

Rhea said, “She still loves him though.”

It was true and came across in her emails. Her heartbreak over his feelings for her made me want to punch him in the face. I linked Rhea, “TREVOR?! The stupid Gamma’s son is claiming to be her mate?!”

Rhea sighed, “That’s what he said.”

I shouted, “But she is repulsed by his presence and feels nothing for him.”

Rhea argued, “I think it’s more of disdain, but definitely nothing positive.”

I wanted Trevor dead for his lies. How could she not tell me this? I would’ve been there in a second.

Fury lit through me. I linked Dalton, “I FUCKING HATE PEOPLE!”

He replied, “I didn’t do it.”

I snarled, “I know that! HOW DARE he claim he’s her mate, and that she doesn’t know because she has no wolf. That is just insulting. He is throwing her lack of wolf in her face even though she is clearly stronger than he is. No true mate would EVER do that.”

He asked, “What are we talking about? I mean clearly you mean Ashley Griffen, but who else?”

I didn’t answer his questions, “Every wolf knows it’s hard to be wolf less even if you expect it. For her, it had to be a sore subject, because we’ve never talked about. I can just tell she doesn’t want to. How the FUCK could someone claim to be her mate, and then callously throw her lack of wolf into her face?”

He replied, “Because they are uneducated on the mate bond. WHO told Ashley that?”

I snarled, “That whole scenario is complete and utter BULLSHIT! I want to kill him. EJ is going for punished. Be on MY side about him dying.”

Dalton shouted, “WHO?!” I answered, “Trevor McCann.” He replied, “Oh yeah, he could die. I’m down.” Yes! One person on my side.

Eric linked, “You’re asking your brother to kill him?”

I replied, “No, I asked my brother to be on MY side about killing him. Punishing him means he lives. I don’t like that scenario.”

He agreed, “When Ashley files and we get to have a paper trail I’ll push for his death.” I told him, “I love you so much.” He chuckled in reply, but I was happy he agreed with me. EJ would get on my side.

Rhea purred, “Let’s use sexy fun ways to get him on our side.”

I teased, “It’s such a hard life we lead, but I suppose you’re right. I’ll make my points and sex him into agreeing.”

Rhea cackled, “That’s the spirit.

Despite our banter my fury could not be matched at this moment. Before this information I thought I’d wanted Alpha Davis dead most out of them all, but now I’d changed my mind. The lying sack of shit Trevor McCann, he had to go down first.

I stalled those thoughts when Alpha Theo said Ashley wouldn’t file the necessary paperwork with him so they could look into it. What? No! She had to! That was disrespectful to the Moon Goddess, Ashley, and Trevor’s real mate.

Rhea linked, “Not that we care but also to Trevor himself. His wolf could be pissed. If he agrees then he’s a bad wolf.”

I snarled, “I could care less about him. He’s a super slimy bastard.”

Honestly, I was just so disgusted that someone would ever do such a thing. I took out my phone and started to type.

Ashley,

First off, I am glad you are ok. Alpha Theo is here and now I understand why you haven't had a chance to check your emails. Once again, I find myself feeling so proud of you. I want you to know that none of the things that happened would have happened to you here in our pack. EJ, I, and the other Alpha’s, Beta’s, and Gamma’s would proudly fight by your side.

It is not normal for leadership to hide away. That shouldn’t happen, and I find myself again offering you a safe place to land. Here. In Black Mountain. Please consider this offer more seriously than in the past. You don’t have to say yes or no right now. Just think about it.

Now, onto this matter about Trevor McCann I just found out about. I know why you didn’t tell me, but this is serious. I am worried about you. He could try to forcibly mark and mate with you. To claim to be your mate and use the fact that you do not have a wolf is reprehensible. No true mate would say those words. He would want to comfort you and be proud of you. I strongly urge you to file with the Werewolf Council. They will protect you because it’s their job.

The mate bond is a powerful force. It is a spit in our Goddesses face to claim to be your mate when he is not. We both know if your mate was Trevor then you’d feel sparks when you touched each other. He would smell nice to you. I know you believe your mate is someone back home. I urge you to go see him and find out. I don’t think he will reject you because he would be crazy to do so.

I am yet again sorry your pack leadership is trash. Neither EJ nor I would ever let this stand here. That is unacceptable and your Alpha should punish him for this. Please get out of there. Even if you choose not to come here. There are safer places to land. Alpha Theo genuinely likes you and would offer you a place in his pack if you wished. I would love to have you here, but your safety is paramount. I do not feel you are safe there given all this information. If you want to bring others with you, I know they will be accepted. Just think about it.

Alpha Theo seems to think you and Trevor have a past. It was alluded to in front of him. Did you date him? Did he get obsessed with you? I am truly worried about you, Ashley.

Elise

My heart flew into my throat and tears filled my eyes when Eric mentioned rape. Rhea snarled, “He wouldn’t dare.”

Alexander linked me, “She’d tell you.”

I’d like to think that was true. I quickly thought over his words and heard the menacing anger behind them. Did Alexander like Melanie and Ashley?

Rhea linked, “I don’t think she’s been raped. She told us she’s never had sex.”

I sighed in relief when Alpha Theo confirmed it. I knew Ashley well enough to know that she wasn’t a liar. It would have devastated me if all this time she’d been suffering being sexually abused that way and I never knew. At least my instincts weren’t totally off. I knew I was missing something about Ashley though.

EJ asked about her brother. I’d asked him to track him down because I wanted to bring him here and talk to him myself. Or get Haley to. I knew he was angry but taking it out on Ashley was not ok. They needed each other and he just callously pushed her away.

I linked Eric, “You found him?”

He replied, “He’s never there when we are.”

Rhea snarked, “Isn’t everything about this just incredibly convenient? I swear to God anytime we made any sort of progress with anything BAM. We hit a wall.”

I knew Missouri was full of bad people, but so did everyone else. It was believed that the vast majority of Missouri were corrupt. Similar to the undergrounds, we just couldn't prove it. I voiced my concerns because I felt it in my bones someone didn’t want us to dig into Ashley.

It felt like someone was intentionally putting blockers into our path. But why? My head began to feel like a spike was going through it. I knew my physical pain didn’t reach EJ though because our bond showed no concern. Good for me figuring out how to do that. Rhea grumbled, “We can’t do that.”

Yet we were, obviously.

Alpha Theo held back on taking out the leadership of Black Path because Ashley asked him to. Rhea reasoned, “Thor assured me they are watching the pack.”

I asked, “How closely though? We don’t have a source inside their pack. We only have Phil’s Warrior friend in a neighboring pack, and they still aren’t our allies. They just lived in the same place.”

It clicked that Alpha Theo wanted Ashley as a source. Rhea mused, “She is the most obvious choice. She hates that pack, and she doesn’t bother to hide it.”

I replied, “So, why doesn’t she tell any of us stuff?”