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I stopped when I saw what was on top. Her toy wolf from all those pictures I’d seen was barely peeking out.

Oden hummed with satisfaction. I couldn’t help my own sense of pride about it.

She still had it after all this time. Hell, she traveled with it.

At least in some small way, I’ve been with her all along.

I quickly shook myself and inhaled. I settled knowing she was nearby. I tried to pop to her, but it didn’t work. OH COME ON! I was beyond annoyed at myself for agreeing to that stupid promise all those years ago. She was mine and I NEVER should’ve agreed to that bullshit.

I charged down the stairs, jumped, and landing soundlessly on the ground.

I followed her scent trail outside. She was playing music softly and dancing barefoot in the grass.

I was immediately captivated. The videos I watched didn’t do her justice.

Seeing it in person was somehow more moving. She was the most graceful dancer.

Oden purred, “Mate is stunning. She can fight and dance. Plus, she’s kind, and caring. Don’t let her go back to those people, Alexander.” I sighed, “Let her? Come on now. She’s a person with free will. I’ll make a strong case for her to just go home.”

I paused adding, “Well, our home in Black Mountain since I’m not supposed to know who she really is.

Or since she knows Cayden, I might be able to convince her to wait in the Hackura realm.

I imagine she will actually have to go back to Black Path since she’ll have to tell Alpha Edward she’s leaving.

She’s the Female Lead Warrior. That could wait until I could go with her though. ”

Oden grumbled, “I don’t like it.” I asked him, “Has Freya give anything away?” Oden sighed, “No. They are just getting to know each other. She doesn't want to upset Melanie. Plus, she thinks that they both need to be ready to tell us.”

I replied, “That doesn't sound good.” Oden growled, “It doesn’t.” I told him, “If the Supernatural Council did this to them and us; I promise you they will pay. She’s hurting and feels alone.

She’s been missing Freya. I can’t even imagine, as a Beta’s daughter, how devastating this all was to her to think she didn’t have a wolf.

” Oden growled, “I agree. Someone WILL pay.”

I watched her dance for another half hour. It was much less haunting than anything she’d choreographed for the last four years, but that now made sense to me in a way. Part of those dances were about missing her wolf.

A timer went off on her phone and she turned off her music. The wind blew my scent in her direction which had her whirling around. I complimented her, “You are a beautiful dancer. How is it that no one talks about what a great dancer Ashley Griffen is?”

Oden snorted, “Seriously. We’d have gone to see her because we’d have thought the coincidences were too much.” Which is why no one talked about it. She blushed, “I mean… I dance in fields. The pack’s not my biggest fan. They tend not to talk about me more than they have to.”

I growled, “Then they are idiots. I’d talk about you all the time. In fact, Black Mountain might just get sick of how much I brag about you. That’s a personal problem though, and they wouldn’t dare say it to my face.”

Also, it didn’t make sense that she wasn’t the hero to Black Path.

She’d saved them more than once. Melanie laughed, “No, I doubt they would… say anything to your face I mean. You’re intimidating.

I mean not to me, but I could see how people would find you intimidating…

I mean... this is all sounding so wrong and I… ”

I closed the distance between us and kissed her. I pulled back, “I find I am a fan of having to kiss you to stop your rambling. I’ll have to be on call twenty four seven. I can’t say I’m even remotely upset about it.” She blushed. I took her hand, “Let’s get back inside.”

I popped her back into our room. I noted that I could pop with her, but not to her.

How obnoxious and annoying. Oden scoffed, “You never promised not to pop WITH her, just to her.” I retorted, “It wasn’t her specifically.

It was the McAlister’s in general.” He growled “I remember.” He’d been just as pissed off about that entire ordeal as I had been.

I got back into bed and fell asleep holding my mate.

When I woke up again, the same thing had happened. Oden and I both sighed. I’d have to tell her I wanted to wake up with her. Also, was she some type of ninja?! I was not a heavy sleeper. This time, I could hear her in the kitchen.

I snapped sweats on and walked downstairs. She was cooking up a storm. I couldn’t help but smile watching her. Oden purred, “She’s perfect. She does everything.” I replied, “I agree wholeheartedly.” Neither of us would care if she couldn’t cook. She was perfect to us no matter what.

She had bacon, biscuits, eggs, pancakes, waffles, and fruit all cut up and presented beautifully on a platter.

Phil walked in sniffing the air. He linked me, “She made all this? Does she sleep?” I snorted, “No she gets up to dance first. I took her to back to bed, then she got up to fix this.” She was dancing around the kitchen, not paying attention to us.

I took in her appearance loving that she was wearing my hoodie from this morning.

I instantly got hard. She casually said over her shoulder, “Help yourselves. I wasn’t sure what everyone liked.

.. so I made a little bit of everything.

The muffins will be done in a few minutes. ” So, she did know we were here.

She added, “I wasn't sure what time everyone woke up… so I wanted to space everything out. I made chocolate and blueberry muffins. There are chocolate pancakes too. Those are for Samantha. They are her favorite.”

“Well… if you guys like them, I could make more… that’s a thing I could do. Sorry about the mess… I had to search for everything. Your kitchen is really well stocked though…” Phil linked me, “It’s too early for her to be using so many words.” I popped beside the refrigerator and kissed her.

When I pulled back Melanie bit her lip. She added, “There’s coffee too.

” Phil brightened, “Coffee. I love coffee!” Oden snorted, “As if everyone didn’t know that.

” Melanie laughed. I asked, “How much coffee have you had, mate of mine?” She blushed and her heartbeat caught when I referred to her as my mate. Her eyes shone with happiness.

She shrugged, “Some.” I laughed clarifying, “How much does some mean?” Sierra came in wearing Phil’s clothes.

She snorted, “Some is either one or two pots.” Melanie stuck out her tongue at her.

She declared, “Just the one pot… AND I made more. Plus, I made your favorite pancakes which I regret since you’re being mean to me. ”

Sierra laughed, “But I love you, and your cooking so much. I also love you on coffee. Just not too much coffee. For example,” Melanie gasped, “DON’T YOU DARE!” Phil’s eyes brightened, “Dare Sugar Lips, please do dare.”

Sierra laughed, “The first time Alexander emailed her. You have no idea how much coffee she drank. You might have to pay Hendrick and Mason a chunk of change for all the coffee she went through. ALL NIGHT long!”

A wet dish towel flew at Sierra’s arm. Melanie was near tears. Oden demanded, “Fix it, Alexander.” I instantly took her in my arms. I told her, “Would it make you feel better to know that I drafted my email to you at least twenty times?” She blinked up at me.

Phil cleared his throat. I added, “I also made Phil read each and every one of them.” Phil snorted, “It’s true.

He was VERY obnoxious about the first email he sent you.

Then he just locked me out of the exchanges as if I didn’t have to read a billion drafts of the email that started it all before he sent it. ”

He dramatically gestured between us saying, “Now, I get nothing. I just know you email each other. It’s maddening I tell you. Sometimes my Alpha and cousin is so very mean. Watch out for that.” I growled at him.

He smirked, “These eggs are amazing, Ashley. So fluffy. Where did you learn how to cook?” Melanie answered, “Hendrick and Mason King taught me how to cook. I work in the kitchen at the diner sometimes. They cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mason’s burgers are the best, but Hendrick is the breakfast master. ” She looked sad.

Phil linked, “Sierra, who you are calling Samantha because if I call her that she growls, told me that Mason and Hendrick are like family to Melanie.” I cleared my throat saying, “I’m sure we could find the perfect spot for them to open a diner in Black Mountain.

I could conjure it for them even. I’ve heard they are impressive Warriors.

They are more than welcome to come with you when you move. ”

Melanie’s eyes shot to mine. Hope danced through them. She whispered, “Really?” I nodded, “Of course. If they want to come, they are welcome. We can even find a way to keep the diner they have now open and open a new one where we live. I have no problem with them joining you two in our pack.”

She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me. I deepened the kiss sliding my tongue into her mouth. Sierra laughed, which had Melanie pulling away. She whispered in my ear, “Thank you.” Her timer on the oven went off.

She ran over to the oven mitts and pulled out muffins. I got two plates and handed one to her. She looked startled and stared at it like it was a bomb, not a plate. I laughed, “You know that you have to eat with us.” She seemed stunned for several seconds but nodded.

She checked everything then came to sit by me. I snapped us mimosas and pitchers of more to drink later. Except for Melanie, I snapped her a cranmosa with a separate pitcher. Sierra laughed, “He’s got your number, Ash.” She smiled and we all ate.