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Alexander is Twenty Three Years Old

Alexander was nervous. I had reached out to Lead Warrior Ashley Griffen. She hadn’t replied yet, which was surprising. Everyone else had mentioned she answered quickly. It had been hours. I read through my email again.

Lead Warrior Ashley Griffen,

I think you are the first person from a pack that I’ve emailed that doesn’t use their pack email address. I’m reaching out for some much needed clarification of the events that occurred during a takeover your pack conducted.

Theo Bartlett just explained his visit and I find myself disturbed by most of what he said. Can you tell me what happened and where your counterpart was?

I’d love to discuss it in person at Elise’s birthday party. EJ mentioned he’d invited you. We would all love to meet you.

I also would like to hear what this about this boy (yes, I said boy) saying you are his in your own words. Because I have a lot of thoughts about that.

Alexander Conners

Maybe I should’ve signed it Alpha, but it felt right to use just my name. I kept clicking refresh waiting for her email reply. Gage came in my room asking, “And what are we…?” He trailed off and read over my shoulder.

He hummed, “She hasn’t answered yet? From what we have she answers fast.” I grumbled, “Forever. She takes forever.” He laughed, “Impatient Alpha blood.” I shot him a glare and my email dinged.

I turned back to my screen only to groan at the incoming coupon from a local business. Gage said, “A watched egg never hatches.” My email dinged again, this time from Ashley.

I shouted, “HA! In your face, Gage!” He snorted, “Yes, only several hours later. Clearly, I’m the one in the wrong.” I rolled my eyes and opened her email.

Alpha Duke Conners,

Gosh… ummm this is such an honor… yes…definitely an honor… and… just don’t use my title… because you’re you… and that’s just… so no title… that’s a thing. I can’t believe YOU are emailing me… like… you… I watch all your workout videos. I’ve implemented all of them here with my Warriors.

I don’t want to bother you… like you’re busy… I know that’s a thing… that you are… because you release a lot of content… and spend a lot of time… in the gym… which you know… I just… umm… not trying to bother you here… .at all… and I tend to send long emails…

My counterpart… Buck… well… I don’t get him…

he’s… confusing and obnoxious. I don’t really like that.

He knows right from wrong. He just… keeps his head down and never makes waves…

but he was keeping the pack going before I took the position…

so…. he does know things…. he’s a dichotomy…

that annoys me…. particularly today… other days he bothers me a lot less.

So… it’s not a good day to talk about him.

As far as what happened in the attack… They tested us… because our leadership is awful… which is what grubby wanting more land so called Alpha’s want around here. If someone who was worthy of running a pack tried to take over… well… I’d have my Warriors stand down…but those Alpha’s never attack.

We made them come at us the long route and in the way that would have them gassed.

They retreated but they hurt someone…. well…

he’s… important to me… he’s family… and I was mad…

so I pursued them… and me and my group killed them…

so… they deserved it… to be fair… which you care about…

as a partial Fairy… Fair is thing you care about… so… yeah, fair.

Elise’s birthday… gosh… I can’t come… because…

I can’t… for… well… I’m busy? Or… something…

yeah … I’m busy. That’s a thing I am… all the time actually.

Edward doesn’t run this pack… or have anyone around here’s respect…

so… it’s been bad lately… there was a whole thing which leads to your question that really caused dissention in the pack…

so… you know what I mean… the whole boy (I agree he’s not a man…

like even remotely) saying he’s my mate thing…

Which leads us into the discussion of said boy, as you called him…

accurately. That was so accurate. I can handle him…

it’s not a big deal. He’s not my mate… I don’t feel anything towards him, except anger…

bitterness… loathing… animosity…. there are lot of bad words I could use…

but that would take up more of your time… and I’m not trying to bother you… so…

It’s not a big deal really… everyone knows it’s not true.

Even Edward who says I just need to be marked to feel the bond.

He thinks I’m dumb… which is insulting… I’m not…

which sounds like I’m bragging… but I really am intelligent…

and I refuse to be GASLIT about my mate…

which I have told them…repeatedly…I think they may have short term memory loss…

it’s the only explanation as to why they cannot remember I have said that…

So everything is fine… totally fine…

Ashley Griffen

P.S. It really is fine… no need to do anything… everything is good… you emailing is like gosh… I… I’m sorry it took me so long to reply… but it’s you… and gosh… you… ok bye…just…be safe…and you’re fine…so…love your videos! OH MY GOSH YOU DID JUST TYPE THAT! WHO SAYS THAT?

Gage snorted, “Holy rambling run on email.” I replied, “It’s more like a stream of conscious thoughts.” Which was exactly how the McAlister’s described Melanie before that etiquette and manners coach got ahold of her. Gage handed me a Karina cookie and I quickly ate it.

I typed out my furious reply. Gage snorted, “I mean, we could go down there and remove that Alpha from power.” I agreed, “We could.” He handed me another cookie and I hit send.

He hummed, “She clearly has some hero worship for you so saying you’d spar and put videos up with her will literally send her spiraling. ”

I winked, “Then maybe she’ll come here.” Oden agreed, “She needs to be safe and here would be better.” I knew that. Now, I just had to wait for this plan to work because it might not be today or next week, but I could feel that she’d be here eventually.

Gage asked, “Are we going to comment on her parting line?” I chuckled, “It’s cute.

” He said, “She could’ve deleted it.” I admitted, “I’m picturing her fingers getting ahead of her and in a pure panic sending the email.

” He snorted, “Well, hopefully she agrees and we get to meet her.” I’d meet Ashley one day, just like I’d meet Melanie.

Flash Forward - Alexander is Twenty-Four Years Old

Alexander looked around his room. I had Melanie McAlister’s hoodie, that had long lost its delicious strawberry scent, clutched in my hands. Oden commented, “Mate smells so good. We should go eat some strawberries to remind us of her amazing smell.”

I still held out hope he was right about her being our mate.

For many reasons one being he was right about Melanie smelling better than anything else I had ever smelled.

Even real strawberries. Oden sighed, “I am right. I don’t understand why you doubt me sometimes.

Melanie McAlister is ours. She’s OUR mate. ”

I replied, “You know most days I agree. I hope you are right. It’s just that other wolves are possessive of her.

” The last part came out as a growl. Oden was growling in my head too.

I could smell Phil coming, but I didn’t care if he found me holding the hoodie.

He was well aware of all things Melanie, along with my Gamma, Gage.

Phil walked in and sighed. He admitted, “At moments like this, I wish that hoodie still had a smell. I’ve GOT to get my hands on a freshly scented Melanie hoodie.

It would make my life so much easier.” I frowned saying, “Two things. One, you will forever be my favorite person if you make that happen. Two, why do you need me to be calm?”

Phil answered, “Well, you know you asked me to keep an ear out for anyone who was possibly hurt recently. Which, by the way, IS A brOAD generalization of a category of people to look out for, I’m just saying. It’s such a broad directive, Alexander.” Gage entered the room silently.

I nodded, “I know it was. I couldn't really narrow it down for you. You guys know Cayden called and possibly needed me to go heal a source of his. He was cagey and I was curious. You have the blood that wants all the answers therefore I tasked you with finding what you could.”

Phil said, “Not that I see this as likely, because I don’t want it to be true and that is my sole reason. I also don’t know why she’d be a source for your brother in law…” I stiffened, “She? Is it Melanie? Is she hurt? Jase didn’t say anything! I’ll….” I trailed off trying to plan.

I quickly declared, “I’ll call Doris! She will go take care of her.

If Doris just so happens to bring Melanie back to the Hackura realm and I'm there well. I mean that’s something that could easily happen.

You and I are part of the royal family and Gage is my Gamma.

I take him there a lot. WE go there a lot.

Who would find that weird? Literally no one. ”

Phil sighed, “I actually now wish that’s what I had to say. I am a SERIOUS fan of that plan.” Gage agreed, “Me too.” I frowned, “If it’s not Melanie, then who did you find out is hurt that you think I’ll be mad about?” Phil winced, “My source in Nashville told me....”

I growled interrupting, “Ashley?! It’s Ashley who is hurt?

” Phil nodded answering, “Yes, it’s Ashley Griffen.

The story is that she was in a VERY bad car accident.

” I raised an eyebrow when he didn’t continue.

I glanced at Gage who was staring at the ceiling.

I prodded, “But obviously that’s not what you believe since you used the word story at the beginning of that sentence. ”