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It’s so kind of you to offer to heal me. I’m all good now and cleared by an overzealous doctor. I mean seriously… I was fine a few days ago but the doctor and my friends were ALL male about me being 100% or whatever. I mean... Doctors... right?

I mean... they aren’t bad or anything. Well, some are.

You have bad apples in every profession…

that’s just a fact. Literally all professions.

This guy wasn’t a bad doctor... I’m actually grateful to him for helping and everything.

It was nice of him. I probably sound ungrateful.

.. dang… I’m really not. It was nice... I was just fine a few days ago. .. and moving on again.

The training offer. You just have no idea how much it means to me.

Maybe someday… we could meet up and talk about it.

.. I don't know when… but someday. Someday is a good time frame. Of course after we meet, you’d probably take it all back, but that’s just…

umm well yeah. So, it’s an incredibly flattering offer. Someday.

Sparring with you... Just wow. I don’t know. You’re so good and you’re distractingly hot like OH MY GOSH! I DID NOT WRITE THAT! BYE!

Ashley

It was just what I needed because I burst into laughter. Oden and I both liked that she thought we were hot. Which made me feel like shit until thirty minutes later when EJ linked me to get to the office. Hopefully, we got a damn break.

I popped to the office. I linked Phil, “Get the allies on a video call.” Phil replied, “Roger, what do we have?” I admitted, “I don’t know.” The distorted voice on our phone told me that our sniper was back. Ashley was back and our sniper was back. Hell no. Do NOT even go there.

Oden pointed out, “You are already there. It’s a hell of a coincidence.

If it is one.” I argued, “It HAS to be. She can’t be in a band, the Female Lead Warrior, running a pack, AND in the Resistance.

” Oden replied, “You forgot to mention a source for Cayden.” I snorted, “Exactly. She has no time. The only person with more things to constantly do is Mel.”

I rubbed my head and shoved that out of my mind. Ashley had just recovered from an accident. She couldn’t be running around saving the world. She needed to heal. Oden chimed back in, “She already is healed.” Ugh. He needed to stop coming up with valid points.

I smiled to myself and smugly added she thought I was hot. I mentally slapped myself to focus. The sniper was giving us information. She couldn’t do it herself. Well she could, but she wanted to know if we’d go. It didn’t really seem like she doubted we would though.

Oden linked, “Almost like someone told her that one of the girls was mated into our family. Weird.” I growled, “Shut it. She can’t run off into danger like that. She JUST healed.” Oden snorted, “I think she is, and so do you.” I repeated, “Shut it.”

Jason and the sniper snarked at each other. I knew what Jason’s problem was, he wasn’t sleeping well. The sniper though, that was confusing. The anger in her tone towards Jason didn’t make sense. I didn’t know what that was. I texted Tristan like EJ ordered.

Me: Get into the meeting room.

T: What’s going on?

Me: Jase and sniper are taking shot at each other.

T: On my way. I’ll be a few minutes but I’m coming. What the heck is this sniper’s deal with us?

Me: Not a clue.

I linked Oden, “See? It can’t be Ashley. She wouldn’t be that upset with Jase.” Oden conceded, “Sure, that has some logic. But so does the fact that Ashley pops back up, then so does the sniper.” He was annoyingly right. I got the call back on point.

Oden linked, “See? The sniper even listens to us.” I rolled my eyes, but he was right. The sniper was giving us six fighters in the Undergrounds. Damn. This girl was impressive. How did she know all this stuff all the time?

Oden offered, “Maybe she’s good with computers unless she hits enter too soon AND SENDS AN EMAIL!” I growled at him. I didn’t want to think about that. I’d have to be beyond a hundred percent sure to float that out there to the larger group. Elise loved Ashley.

I nearly growled when Theo got mad and snarked at the sniper.

She was kind to him though. The complete opposite of her interaction with Jason.

My dad linked me, “That was weird.” It was.

Oden said, “I feel like a broken record here but it’s like someone told her Theo’s mate was taken. ” He had another good point.

Our sniper could’ve figured that out though if she’d been watching us at all. It was all over the Supernatural and Werewolf community that Jane was Theo’s at this point. So was the fact that we were coming for her.

Oden agreed, “You also have a point.” The sniper gave us more details but cut the call after her and Jason got into it again. Like siblings. That didn’t make sense though. Melanie was Jason’s only sister, and she was perfectly fine in New York living her dream.

I was annoyed that the call got cut off because Tristan had texted that he was minutes away. Everyone was always minutes too late lately. Jason said he had a headache, and he’d missed his call with Melanie. Damn it! I wouldn’t have anything to play later.

Oden snorted, “We don’t watch those unless the dancing videos are scarce. She doesn’t sound like mate in them.” He was right. She sounded nothing like the Melanie I had heard about, but they all thought she was still mad at them.

I jolted when my mom made excellent points about our sniper.

My mom believed the sniper was the seventh fighter.

I linked Oden, “Ok, Ashley cannot do all that. That’s too much for one person.

” Oden reasoned, “Not if she has help.” I growled, “Ashley JUST healed. She can’t be fighting.

” Oden sighed, “I don’t like it any more than you do. I’m just saying it could fit.”

Jason left the room visibly upset. I could confer with Uncle Aiden on something to help him sleep. I should’ve done that when Everly came to me. What was wrong with me? My mom got next level pissed about the fact that they were getting headaches in Red Run too. She popped out.

Now, my dad was in a bad mood. Elise commented the same thing I’d thought about the sniper and Jason went at it like siblings. Which still didn’t make sense. Plus, they couldn’t be siblings. The sniper thought Jason was the Beta. Melanie knew Tristan was the Beta.

I told everyone I’d talk to Jason. I’d just talk to Uncle Aiden first. There had to be something to help him get some damn sleep that wasn’t a pill. Jason hated pills. We spent some time planning. My phone beeped and I walked away.

Alpha Duke Alexander Conners,

When you arrive in Kentucky to save the girls, you’ll need to walk in between the two largest trees. Jump three times, and a panel will pop up. Then you can put in the codes below: 44KKDE23DJ! Three times.

Stay Safe,

The Ring Resistance

I sent the email to Micah and linked him, “Try to run down that IP address.” Micah replied, “On it. I do love a challenge.” EJ rallied the troops on the lawn. We were ready to go bring Theo’s mate home. I linked him, “It’s going to be ok. She’s coming home.” He was tense but ready to go.

Once we got there, I followed the instructions I’d been given. Micah came with me to put in the code. Once we were in, I popped down with EJ. EJ tried to hold Theo back, but he left then wailed for our mother. My heart wrenched at the emotional pain my brother felt.

I prayed, “To all the Gods and Goddess please let my mother be able to save Jane. I’ll patiently wait for Melanie's arrival if he can just have his mate.” We were being shot at, so EJ threw up his shield.

Once they stopped shooting, I moved with my men and easily had the situation under control. They were not expecting us at all.

A Hackura took off for Madeline, the Beta’s daughter that had been taken, cell.

I knew that man in question. He was one of Angus Crawford’s best friends, Drier.

He was a good guy. Madeline would probably be heading to the Hackura realm.

He was likely going to be a Squadron Leader in a few years under Cayden.

Something told me Madeline might just feel rather safe in the Hackura realm right now.

Plus, I knew Madeline could fight but she preferred to design dresses. She was quite good too. She worked for one of our businesses. I’d sent her a proposal about opening her own place. That could be done in the Hackura realm easily enough.

I popped in and healed her while Drier held her. It didn’t take too long. Mom was still healing Jane when I was done. I was ready to step in if need be. Mom was stronger as a healer than I was, but if she couldn’t bring Jane fully back to health, I could jump in from where she’d left off.

The second mom was done healing Jane; she sat up and instantly wrapped herself around Theo. His relief was practically washing over me. I was ridiculously happy for my little brother. Madeline had information and I nearly cheered.

FINALLY, a break! They could tell us who the sniper was.

I was excited for a whole minute. They didn’t remember details but my Aunt Katie was all over this.

They just knew the girl was a fighter named Swiffer.

She wiped the floor with her opponents but first let them beat the shit out of her. WHAT?!

Oden and I were enraged to a degree I didn't understand. I linked Gage and Phil, “Who would do that? Who would have that be their thing?! AND WHY?” Gage answered, “I plead the fifth because my thoughts are having thoughts.”

Phil agreed, “Phil also pleads the fifth because of the crazy thoughts that will have you roaring in anger. Let’s take a beat and discuss the crazy, possibly correct, theories later.” Fine. They thought it was about money.