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I linked him, “You know who she is. She’s a Beta’s daughter. That’s Sierra Kiern.” Phil replied, “I am aware of that. I just want her to say her name. They said Melanie’s name was Ashley. So, who knows if we are using real names or not.”

Sierra answered, “Umm I’m Samantha McLean.” I frowned. Phil linked me, “Ok, so that was a no on using real names for our mates. That makes NO sense.” Melanie was still screaming. Sierra asked, “Ashley, what’s wrong?” Both names clicked for me. Samantha and Ashley.

I asked, “Ashley Griffen?” Phil replied, “No.” Sierra nodded. I snorted, “Where’s Cindy Blake?” That was the character they were missing from the book series Melanie liked. Sierra told me, “She left the show with everyone else.”

Phil linked, “They use the names for the band from the book series I read with you because I saw you reading them so many times.” I retorted, “Thanks for that astute observation. By the way, I already figured that out.”

I asked out loud, “What’s wrong with my mate?” Sierra admitted, “I don’t know. She might have hurt her head earlier, but she said it was nothing.” I told her, “There is nothing physically wrong with her, or I could heal it.” Oden whined in my head.

Sierra winced saying, “I did know that about you.” So, she knew me.

Phil linked, “So, Melanie told her about you.” I replied, “Clearly.” He admitted, “It’s not surprising really.

EJ and Elise said you are her crush.” What the hell was going on?

Melanie thrashed in my arms. I set her down and she started trying to crawl.

I felt something wet on my face and wiped my face to realize I was crying but I wasn’t the only one. Sierra was crying too. Oden howled in my head. I asked, “Buddy?” He said, “I feel like something inside me is repairing and it hurts because it hurts her.”

I asked, “What are you talking about?” He said, “Since mate’s sixteenth birthday I have felt pain that I kept from you.” I shouted, “Why the hell would you do that?” He admitted, “Because it’s not a small amount of pain and I love you.”

I growled, “I love you too! You shouldn’t have done that. I never want you in pain.” He admitted, “I didn’t know what it was, and all the other wolves said they didn’t feel it, but it’s getting better.” There was pain in his voice though. I whispered, “Oden.” He whined again.

Phil said, “She was better when you were touching her.” I grabbed Melanie and pulled her into my arms. I’d never felt more useless in my entire life.

I whispered, “I’ve got you. You’re ok. I’m here.

Please stop crying. It’s ok. Just tell me what’s hurting.

I’ll fix it, I swear.” She sobbed into my chest.

I whispered the words to grant her peace, but it didn’t work. I looked at Phil, panicked. I asked him, “What do I do?” Phil closed his eyes then said, “I’ll be back.” He left the house and came back with the pack doctor from our allies here.

The pack doctor looked at us all and sighed, “I’ve been told this is all in the utmost confidence and I’m not to tell even your father about this.

” I growled, “Help her!” He studied Melanie.

He said, “She doesn’t have anything physically wrong with her that I can see.

You are a better healer than I am since you can just make people better. ”

I snarled, “If I could help her, I would. My healing light says she’s fine but it’s clearly on the fritz!

” He offered, “She’s clutching her head.

I supposed I could start there.” He took out a needle.

I grabbed his arm growling, “You are NOT giving her something when I don’t know what that something is. ”

Phil commented, “Easy their killer. You’re going to crush the bones in his arm. He’s trying to help her, remember?” The doctor winced and told me, “It’s morphine and it should help her.” I slowly released his hand, and he administered the drug to Melanie.

I cradled her and played with her hair as her screams died into whimpers. I held her close offering comforting words, “I’m here. I won’t leave you. You’re ok.” I linked, “Oden?” He said, “Everything is getting better. My pain is going away too.” What the hell happened to my wolf?!

Phil said, “There’s no way that the others in our family didn’t feel that. I could practically feel your concern from that. I’m surprised no one has popped in. I sense Angela’s influence afoot people.” I held Melanie knowing he was right based on the bond, but I couldn’t focus on that.

My whole world was in my arms right now. Her eyes eventually fluttered back open which had me smiling because they were so beautiful in person. She subconsciously smelled me. After a moment, she bolted up without ever looking at me. Her eyes instantly found Sierra.

Melanie asked, “Where are we?” Sierra admitted, “I do not actually know the answer to that question.” Melanie rubbed her temples asking, “Who said that?” Sierra answered, “Umm I did? You asked where we were I answered.”

Phil linked, “What the hell is going on?” I knew what he did. Melanie waved dismissively, “Not that… THAT! Who said that?” Phil joined their conversation, “Umm you did.” Melanie whirled around to face him.

Recognition, fear, and confusion flickered on her face. Then hope filled those perfect eyes and her eyes wildly jumped around until she found me. Our eyes locked again. Her jaw dropped then she jumped back onto the couch, screamed, then covered her mouth with her hands.

Oden growled, “Say something! Why is she upset?” I asked him, “Can you reach her wolf?” Oden answered, “I just made contact, but she sounds tired and weak. Before it was like there was a wall.” I knew the problem then

I rubbed my temples, “Ashley Griffen is wolf less and that’s not possible since she’s Melanie.” Oden snorted, “Mate is both and she’s not wolf less anymore.” I asked, “And the pain you felt?” He answered, “Gone.” Because my wolf was able to talk to his mate now? What the hell was going on?

I looked into her eyes, letting her see my sincerity.

I told her, “It’s ok. You’re safe. You’re in my family home in Switzerland.

I know this is probably confusing. My wolf says he can barely sense yours.

I’m guessing that’s the voice you’re hearing.

” Her eyes widened and I watched every emotion she had play out on her face.

Her eyes widened in shock but I knew the second she asked if the voice in her head if it was her wolf, because her happiness nearly made me cry. I continued, “It scared you when your wolf said mate, didn’t it?” Oden said, “It did. Confirmed by mate.” So, her wolf was talking to them both now.

Sierra screeched, “WHAT?! HER WOLF?! Ashley, what’s going on?

” Melanie didn’t seem able to look away from me until Sierra got her in her face.

Sierra announced, “My wolf said she senses your wolf too. I don’t know what’s going on, but you have a wolf.

You really do.” Why the fuck would Melanie think she didn’t? It’s literally impossible.

Melanie burst into tears. I couldn't stop myself from going to her. I took her back into my arms. I whispered, “I don’t like your tears. Not one bit.” Phil said, “He’s so rude.

He didn’t introduce himself. He’s Alpha Duke Alexander Conners.

I’m Beta Phil Kruthers. My mate is your friend, Samantha.

” I guess we were going with fake names.

Gage linked, “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?” I answered, “Make yourself scarce around the pack. Something weird is going on and Phil will probably have you looking into it.” He questioned, “Like what? I need an example because I am listening to Theo freak the actual fuck out about your intense feelings.” That made me feel bad.

I answered, “Like the fact my mate JUST got her wolf and my own wolf has felt pain that he kept from me since we went down on her birthday.” His gasp was exactly how I felt. He questioned, “Oden has felt pain since Melanie was SIXTEEN?!” I answered, “Uh huh.” He said, “I’m on it.” Good.

Sierra let loose a growl which made Oden snort. Phil raised an eyebrow. I linked, “You know why she’s mad.” He snorted, “I do but the thing is I said the name she told me to use.” Sierra closed her eyes then said, “Don’t call me that.”

Phil grinned while teasingly asking, “I can’t call my mate by her name?” Sierra looked away before answering, “No, you cannot call me that.” Phil chuckled, “Am I allowed to call you sugar lips or babe?” Sierra laughed, “Babe will do.”

Phil shrugged, “I reserve the right to call you Sugar Lips.” Sierra’s lips twitched into a smile.

Melanie told her, “He lives with Fairies…not giving him permission to use that nickname made it more fun to him. So…. he’s absolutely going to call you Sugar Lips…

You should just…” She jolted and covered her mouth.

Melanie looked up into my eyes as tears streamed down her face.

She whispered, “Hi, Xander.” Phil linked me, “Ummm hello giant neon sign as to her real identity. As a Beta blood, I recall the only person I’ve EVER heard call you that, and not get punched in the face, is Melanie.

Ask her what the HELL is going on? How is Melanie McAlister also Ashley Griffen? ”

I reasoned, “I don’t know the answer to that question and I’m pretty sure it’s a long winded detailed answer.

So, in short, stop ruining my moment.” I answered Melanie out loud, “Hi, Ashley.” She growled back.

I bit my lip before asking, “I can’t call you that, can I? ” She frowned then shook her head no.

I smiled saying, “I could call you my Lovebug.” Oden snorted, “She’s always been Lovebug to us.” I knew that, but she did not. Her eyes met mine again as tears swam back into her eyes. She whispered, “I’d like that.”