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I asked, “Alice, are you ok?” Mentally I pleaded, please don’t tell me to be with Trevor to save him… please… I really liked Alice. I actually felt really bad for her. She whispered “You can’t mate with him. He’ll kill you.” I winced, “It’s more like the other way around.”

She glanced sharply at me then nearly laughed. She waved, “I needed that. Just don’t let him convince you to be with him. You don’t deserve the things he’s done.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. She whispered, “I tried so hard with him. He was a sweet boy then…” She trailed off and wiped her face.

I squeezed her hands, “You did what you could.” She cried, “It’s not enough.

He’s even more of a monster than his father is.

Booker does unkind things, but that candy you gave helps.

Booker never hits me. He’s never raised a hand outside the bedroom though I wish he would’ve instead of making our son evil.

I wish he’d beat me black and blue and left Trevor alone. ”

She continued, “He’s so focused on Trevor, I’ve been able to keep the rest of my pups away from him.

You know my other pups are so sweet.” I agreed, “They are.” She shook her head, “The things I’ve heard him say about this day and how he’d treat you.

I’m so glad you’re not his. I want to be surprised he lied but I’m not.

God, I’m really not. Please stay away from him.

I have to go.” She ran from me as if her life depended on it. To be fair… it did.

I walked into the gym and found Buck. He sighed in relief when he looked at my neck.

He whispered, “Can the wolf less really feel the bond if it’s fated?

” I answered, “Of course… why wouldn’t they?

Because they don’t have a wolf to growl ‘mine’?

They still feel everything everyone else does with their fated. Tingles can’t be faked.”

He asked, “How is Avery?” I answered, “Talk to her and find out… you guys were talking, did something happen?” He replied, “No, it’s just different now.” I shrugged and we worked out the schedules.

Buck walked out with me where Trevor, Mark, and Francis were waiting. I announced, “I have another meeting so… I can’t do this strange thing where you’re being cra…” Trevor cut me off, “Get to my room and lay on your back, naked.” Buck rubbed his face with his hand.

I answered, “Not only no, but hell to the never gonna happen no.” Mark sighed, “I told you to ask her on a date.” I hummed, “That’s a better way to approach it… if he could go back in time to about four years.” Mark winced. Francis sighed, “Will you just get on with mating him?”

I scoffed, “No. It’s never happening. I’m not going to be with him.

I’d rather die.” Francis jolted saying, “You don’t mean that.

” I turned to Buck who looked stunned. I questioned, “Has this pack not established my lying abilities leave something to be desired?” He answered, “Uh huh.” I prodded, “So, clearly I’m serious I would rather die than be anything other than his mortal enemy.

” He nodded, “You are apparently serious.” I winked, “There it is.”

I ran past them and got my motorcycle from Mason’s house. I revved past Edward and Jean who were trying to flag me down to talk. They could wait. I drove to my secondary place where I was meeting with several people.

I walked in and chaos ensued. Avery shouted, “Oh my gosh, are you ok?” I answered, “I’m fine… well… ya know…it’s not a great birthday so far…but overall…I’m fine.” I went and grabbed some vodka and started drinking it.

I asked, “Olivia, how are poisoning Maverick’s threats going?

” I’d been working with her on the range.

She could switch between the two now. She answered, “Quite well. I do feel bad though. He seems agitated.” I told her, “I gave them the poison we were using so he’s probably just aware it’s us and wondering why he can’t catch you. ”

I asked, “Hendrick, what about Aria?” He answered, “I went out last night and took out several Goblins and a Demon. I swear they go after her with the Frost Giant’s the most.” I hummed, “Yes, you seem to enjoy killing the Frost Giants.” It’s why I’d assigned him to them.

I offered, “I went out and offed a whole coven that was going to go after Killian Farmer. Have we figured out why they are after him?” Paige snorted, “No.” I hummed, “Is Guster doing it?” I kind of hoped she said yes. Rya Daniels kept going back to dating him and I didn’t like it. He sucked.

Paige replied, “He’s in a good coven from what I can tell.

I met two of the women in it and three men.

They are good people practicing the right way.

If it’s him, he’s got another coven involved.

Or he’s working with someone else.” I sighed, “I liked some of those words. So… that’s progress… I suppose.”

Hendrick added, “I used that device planted with iron set for Ariena.” I squealed and kicked my feet. I demanded, “Tell me we got her. Oh gosh… that will turn my birthday around… and…” He cut in, “She didn’t die according to the chatter.”

I grumbled, “Did she at least get hurt?” He nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, she did. Her new lover took the brunt of the blast.” I muttered, “I’ll just calibrate it better.

Next time, glancing blows also kill.” Paige reasoned, “She’ll be out of commission for a while though, recovering.

She’s a full blooded Fairy and she has no access to healers at the moment. ”

I acknowledged, “That does make me happy… Xander will be happy about that.” I drank more and listened to the reports. An alert went off and I quickly checked it. I snorted, “Someone dumped a body on the Resistance?! Who would do that? Hmmm….”

Addison asked, “Is it a cover up?” I looked into it and admitted, “No, we would’ve killed this person. They were on our watch list. They are obsessed with Luna Alexandria Daniels. It was likely a Hood member. I’ll find it.”

I threw my hair up and began to hack looking for any type of evidence. I found the frame I wanted and froze it. I admitted, “Wow… I didn’t see that coming. Good for him.” Caine asked, “Good for who? Are we moving against someone?” Dax replied, “Her tone says we aren’t.”

I grinned, “We are getting our first honorary member. That’s exciting…. and new… I like this a lot. I just need to pull a list together of who he would mostly likely target so we can have his back… from afar… because he’s so fast.”

Caine leaned over my shoulder. He said, “I remember that outfit. Dax, which one is the Silver Blade?” Sierra gasped, “Keaton Daniels assassinated someone without his family’s permission?!” I had already hacked Heath and Joe Scott, so I knew the answer.

I hummed, “He did. Look at him… that’s such growth for him…

. He’s such a cute honorary member of the Resistance.

” She snorted, “Don’t say it like that.” I waved, “I’ll write him a note and…

” Valetina said, “I will shimmer to his room with it.” I grumbled, “That’s not as fun but fine… we could’ve had fun.”

Addison threw out, “I think we’ve had enough excitement for the morning.” Caine agreed, “It’s been a heck of a morning.” I waved, “I won’t be gaslit about my mate… honestly… no one believed we were mates before threats of Alpha Commands and fake rejections were issued.”

My phone rang. I answered, “Beta Jason.” Caine growled.

He said, “You refused your fated mate?” I answered, “Nope… he’s not my fated.

” I hung up. He called back. I answered, “Uh huh….this is a record of you calling me…so…please say something nicer…like happy birthday for example.” My friends gaped at me.

I’d never been rude to my brother when he called before. I’d usually try to explain, but they were NOT going to lie to my brother to try and GASLIGHT me. Not about my mate. It was NOT happening. I was Xander’s.

Jason snarled, “Alexander IS NOT YOURS!” I winced, “Even if you think that… it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t feel the bond with my fated mate. You know that… and I know that. So whether you believe me on who my mate is or not…we both know it’s not who they claim it is.”

He asked, “Wait, you don’t feel the…?” I cut him off, “Oh and Mom would punch you in the FACE for saying otherwise. T would get you too. He’d kick your butt and you know it. So… for once… do what you do and LEAVE ME ALONE! I’m busy!” I hung up.

I wrote out my note for Keaton letting him know it was ok to throw his kills on the Resistance. I handed it Valentina and found everyone staring at me as if I was an alien. I asked, “What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Sierra said, “Umm.” When she didn’t continue I questioned, “Was that the end of the sentence?” Paige said, “Girrlllll! HUG ME!” She jumped up and gave me a hug. She squealed, “I should’ve known your Xander was the key to getting you to SNAP! I am SO proud of you right now! All of us are!”

Avery said, “Umm we are mostly shocked but proud.” Olivia agreed, “I’m newer to the group and I’m mostly shocked. I’ll get to proud. I’m working my way out of the shock.” I hummed, “But we love you… and it’s been like almost two years… so you’re not new.”

Flashback

Melanie was annoyed. I grumbled, “I can’t believe I didn’t find…

” Paige interrupted, “But we did find this facility. They do move prisoners around a lot. So, this is a good find.” Of course now that I’d found it there was only one person inside right now.

Caine wanted to wait and hit it when there was more to save.

He wasn’t wrong… but I didn’t want this person to suffer. Who knows how long she’d been down there? Paige and I got in and she hexed the guards to think there were spiders coming at them. They came running to me where I killed them with my broadsword.