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Alexander is Twenty-Five Years old

Alexander saw EJ and Elise popped out of Black Mountain to go on their vacation with the Kyle family. I looked over at my brother, Wesley. He smiled at me before joking, “I give EJ an hour before he makes his first call to ask how things are going.”

I laughed, “I think you’re giving him too much credit, little brother. I’ll give him twenty minutes. He’s not actually worried though. We both know you and Max have got this.” Wesley replied, “You could take off too.”

I shrugged asking, “Where would I go?” Wesley answered, “I don’t know. Maybe Nashville for fun and stuff.” I laughed, “I’ll think about it, Wes.” Wesley nodded, “I’m just saying, you’ve got some spare time on your hands.” I did. Oden sighed, “Or New York.” It wasn’t his worst idea.

Wesley continued, “I know you’ve wanted to convince Ashley to have a training session up here with the Warriors.

Who could say no to you in person? You’d have the advantage.

I’ve yet to meet a woman or man who said no to you in person.

Plenty you’ve said no to, but none say no to anything you ask.

Even when they are disappointed in the answer. ”

I laughed, “Plenty of people could say no to me. In fact, Ashley does all the time.” Wesley teased, “I know. It makes me like her. People just do what we say all the time, but she’s different. I don’t know though, I think she’d say yes to you in person, big brother.”

I chuckled, “Maybe we will find out. I’m going to the gym if you need me.

” Wesley gasped in mock shock before saying, “Of course that’s where you will be.

It’s where you usually are. If you want to talk about that, I’m here.

Because I know something has been going on and it was before Ashley Griffen came on the scene.

” I lightly punched his arm and popped to the gym.

I lost myself in the movements of hitting the heavy bag. Maybe Wesley was right. Maybe I should go to Nashville or New York. Heck, I could do both. Oden perked up in my mind, then someone cleared their throat. I knew who it was turned around asking, “Phil?”

Phil sighed, “A certain little sister of yours requests that I get you showered and dressed. It seems she has plans for the both of us. I, myself am freshly showered. Gage is off on some other thing because his sister asked him to do it.”

“I just can’t help but comment on how all of us are owned by your sisters. They say jump, we all ask: how high? And for how long? I’m worse off because I have my own sisters that I jump through hoops for AND yours. It’s not fair for a group of people who CONSTANTLY talk about what’s fair.”

I laughed and popped us to my room then quickly got into the shower. I came out and a pale green shirt was sitting out with jeans. I raised an eyebrow at my Beta. Honestly, I’d forgotten I even had this shirt.

Phil laughed, “I know what you’re thinking. I have lost my marbles and decided that you are my personal Ken Barbie doll, and I get to dress you; however, I had nothing to do with this.” I rolled my eyes.

Phil urged, “Go ahead and put it on. We are all the dancing monkeys of Angela. Gage linked me his sister’s errand had something with Angela too.” I laughed because he was right. My little sister wanted me to get dressed up so I would be.

I linked Gage, “You good?” He snorted, “I feel like I’m on a scavenger hunt. I’m good.” I hoped he had fun. I asked, “For what?” He admitted, “I’m not even remotely sure but I’m excited.”

My phone rang and I noted it was Angela calling. I frowned asking, “Why would she call me?” I showed Phil my phone. Phil replied, “Who knows? Maybe it’s for dramatic effect. Fairies. What can you do? You should be used to it. You are one.”

I answered, “Hello Angela…” I trailed off because there was loud music in the background. I growled, “Where are you?” Angela laughed, “I’m in Louisiana. You should come get me.” I shouted, “What the HELL are you doing in Louisiana?!” I grabbed Phil.

Angela answered, “Enjoying some music. The band is actually really good! That was the rumor though and it’s true. Are you coming to get me? I’m not leaving until you do.” I growled, “Do not move. I’ll be right there.” Angela laughed, “Just get here fast.” She hung up.

I threw my phone across the room. Phil complained, “I feel led astray. This was not the type of fun I thought she had in mind.” I growled, “Klaus had BETTER be with her or I’ll have someone ground her.

” Phil laughed, “You’d have to ground her, your parents are on vacation.

Correction, your mom is the only one who could do it, because your dad is an even worse sap than we are. ”

I sighed, “You know I can’t ground her. AH HA! Loophole! Technically Wesley is in charge, so he’d have to ground her.” Phil laughed, “There ya go.” I popped us to Angela but heard her pop out as we arrived. I growled, “What the HELL is she playing at?”

Phil pointed out, “You left your phone at home so we can’t call and ask. Might I suggest linking her.” I could conjure it. Oden told me, “Snow said she was here because we needed to be. We can’t upset Snow.” God damn it.

I asked Phil, “Where’s your phone?” Phil admitted, “It’s also at home.

Specifically in your room. I didn’t think this was a long stop.

We are being pranked. Obviously.” The music I’d heard had stopped playing.

I blew out a breath then inhaled deeply.

I got hit strongly with the scent of Strawberries. Oden demanded, “GET MATE NOW!”

My heart stopped for several seconds. I grabbed Phil. He asked, “Do you smell that too?” Oden growled in my head. I questioned, “You smell it too? It’s strawberries, Phil. Do you know who smells like Strawberries?”

Phil laughed, “Strawberries? I do know because you’ve told me and the hoodie you have used to have a scent; however, you need to get your super nose checked out.

That smell is CLEARLY peaches.” I sighed in relief because he wasn’t smelling Melanie strongly like I was.

I wasn’t some possessive Werewolf. Well, I was but it was because Melanie was mine.

Oden growled at me, “If you don’t go get mate RIGHT NOW I will growl at you until we have her in our arms. It WILL annoy you and I won’t feel remotely bad about it.” The scent was getting stronger. Phil was bouncing back and forth on his feet. Oden purred, “Mate is coming to us.”

I could hear voices now. One girl whisper yelled, “Where are you going? We need to get the HELL out of here!” A voice that stopped everything in my world answered her, “Uhh do you not smell the most amazing sugar cookie that is literally wafting its scent?”

She practically moaned, “Wafting… I NEED it. It’s practically taunting me…

.and daring me to come get it. Who says no to a delicious dare like that?

Not me…I want to lick it… No, I want to DEVOUR it.

It will be mine. You know I LOVE sugar cookies.

We can spare a few minutes to track down the delicious sugar cookie then get the heck out of dodge. ”

Phil linked me, “Is that really who I think it is? You smelled strawberries because Melanie freaking McAlister is here?!” I answered, “It is her and I assure you she can do all those things to me. I even strongly encourage both.” He asked, “What the hell is she doing in Louisiana?!” I had no idea and I didn’t even kind of care.

I linked Gage, “I’m about to meet Melanie.” He shouted, “YOU ARE WHAT?! I’m linking Phil immediately.” The girl with Melanie snorted, “I do not smell a sugar cookie. I do smell chocolate pie, and it does smell really good. I guess we can go this way, but then we HAVE to get out of here.”

Melanie told her, “When I have my delicious cookie… we can absolutely leave. I don’t know anything about a chocolate pie smell though… you might be losing it. I don’t currently care…. Because I want my sugar cookie. No, no… I NEED my cookie.”

Oden purred, “I want my strawberry smelling mate. Go get her!” They rounded the corner before I could move, and I was instantly captivated. Phil growled, “Mine!” Both girls gasped and jumped apart. Then my mate’s beautiful green pale eyes landed on mine.

I growled, “Mine!” Melanie’s jaw dropped. For a split second everything was perfect. Her eyes were on mine, and I was lost in hers. Then she started to fall to the ground while screaming in pain. She was clutching her head. I rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground.

Her friend screamed, “ASHLEY, what’s wrong?” I asked, “Umm what? Ashley?” Phil linked me, “What the actual hell? That’s Melanie McAlister. I know because you’ve made me watch those videos of her dancing a bajillion times.” I replied, “I am aware of who she is, Phil. I’d know that scent anywhere.”

I knew what Melanie smelled like, and I knew what she looked like because of the videos I’d been watching of her dancing. Melanie was better when I was touching her, but she was still screaming in pain. Her friend looked around before saying, “God, we’ve got to get out of here.” I nodded to Phil.

I didn’t care why, but I did want to get somewhere safe to help my mate. Phil grabbed his mate, and I popped us away. Gage linked, “What is going on?” I answered, “Something both good and bad. I can’t talk, you’ll have to link Phil.”

Phil’s mate sat down and groaned. I actually looked at her and was shocked to realize I knew exactly who she was. How the ever loving hell she knew Melanie was going to be a whole ass fucking story, I could tell. She said, “Whoa popping is a really weird experience.”

Sierra Kiern sat down for several moments then jumped up. She shouted, “HOLY SHIT!” She clapped her hands over her mouth. She whispered, “She was right. Oh my god. She was right! She’s been right the whole time.” Phil asked, “About what? And who might you be?”