Page 54

He jolted, “You can’t. You’re not a pack member.” I grinned, “But I’m not supposed to be here either… and technically speaking, Ashley Griffen IS a member of this pack. I saw my name on the pack census. So I actually joined…when you think about it.”

He snorted, “Idiots. I swear my dad gets worse every damn day.” I asked, “Was he always like this?” He answered, “No. That’s the hardest part to reconcile. I remember being little and back then he adored Sierra. Him and my mom were happy but…” I asked, “What?”

He sighed, “Him and Edward were really close and good friends. Booker had the job of Gamma, since his uncle died, and they were close until he distanced himself. Then they got close again and everything changed. My dad turned into a monster I don’t recognize.” He stood to leave.

He turned, “Thank you for protecting Sierra that night. For all the girls and boys you have protected. I wish I could have.” I reasoned, “They drugged you.” He said, “And they talk about how they can’t do it to you. You scare them.”

I snorted, “I told you… that’s not possible.” I needed to test my own blood at this point. He left and I worked on my watch program. With Paige here I could use some spells on them. I asked, “ILYX, can you locate Xander?” He answered, “Xander’s GPS location is in Black Mountain.”

I jumped and cheered for myself. I’d sync with Paige and get the spells on the watches, and they’d be ready. ILYX asked, “Is that all you require, Melanie Jane?” Paige asked from behind me, “Is that Alpha Alexander Conners?! Damn. You guys are deep into this if he’s in too.”

I squeaked, “Huh? What? No… that’s not… him… it’s ILYX… which is not him… at all.” She snorted, “I’ve heard his voice and that was it.” I questioned, “Umm what are you doing… ummm here?” She shrugged, “I saw Dax leave and wandered in.”

I nodded, “Uh huh… wandering that’s…” ILYX announced, “Melanie Jane, I have found three cottages that match your criteria.” I blushed.

Paige asked, “And what does ILYX stand for?” I squeaked, “Stand for? Umm… it doesn’t have to stand for anything.

Nothing… yup nothing.” She laughed, “You’re a terrible liar. ” I grumbled, “So I’ve heard.”

She stared at me. Finally, I blurted out, “It’s I Love You Xander…

ok? So….” She nodded, “So Alpha Alexander doesn’t know you’re using his voice.

” I squeaked, “It’s… ummm just a programmed voice…

like lots of other software.” She threw an arm around me, “You and me are going to be great friends.” In a different life maybe. I was broken now.

She stared at me, “You are far from broken.” I groaned, “I have to stop talking about loud… this is a skill that I require.” She laughed, “Probably.” ILYX said, “Code Red alert, Melanie Jane. Four bounty Hunters are going after Xander.”

I grumbled, “It’s like they just don’t get my messages.” I geared up. Paige declared, “I’m coming.” I hummed, “You can be on comms on the computer… since... well… I haven’t evaluated your skills… so… computer. ILYX, give Paige the same access as Sierra.” ILYX replied, “Adding Paige to the system.”

I parked her in front of the laptop. I told her, “ILYX will tell you if you need to tell me something.” She grumbled, “I could curse the shit out of people.” I agreed, “That will be very helpful… I also kind of need holoports set up… but again… I haven’t evaluated your skills.”

I called Valentina. She answered, “Hey girl.” I told her, “I need you to shimmer me to no man’s land.

” She shimmered in and stared at Paige. I asked, “Have you two not met?” Paige snorted, “We met but she’s being a typical Demon about new people.

I’ll wear her down.” She winked, “You’ll be my friend too, Val.

” Valentina shot me a disbelieving look and shimmered me out.

She declared, “The new girl is bright and shiny.” I snorted, “She’s got her way of coping…

and I think it’s nice. She seems like a good person.

She’s definitely powerful, but I did rescue her…

and let me say the guy I fought for her was…

umm… horrible. So, I wouldn’t say her life has been roses. ” Valentina asked, “What are we doing?”

I hit the buttons on my watch hoping this worked. I was having ILYX scan for heat signatures. A map projected with four of them. I pulled my gun and shot at three before return fire came. I shot him down. I walked over to him while he gasped for breath.

I asked, “Why don’t you all listen to my warnings? LEAVE HIM ALONE!” I shot him five more times. Then I walked over the other bodies and did the same. When I was done, I arranged them in our symbol and painted it on the middle one’s shirt.

I told Valentina, “Shimmer us back.” She did. Paige jolted, “You’re already back?!” I nodded, “Yup… I’m… kind of really good at killing people at this point.” She snorted, “I’ll say.” I got undressed and started to work on my file.

Paige asked, “What’s this?” I explained, “I plan to go the Supernatural Council for help… so… I’m working to perfect this file.” She began poking around. She said, “You know, I think we could develop a lot this stuff together.” I turned to see what she was talking about.

Valentina groaned, “You’re going to talk to her about her science projects? Oh, Asmodeus give me strength. You two have fun.” She shimmered out but it turned out that Paige and I did have fun. We managed to accomplish a lot.

I was working on developing my counter agent to iron poisoning, but it was going slower than I wanted. I wanted to protect Xander. I was thinking about it when I walked into the coffee shop to get Edwards’ freaking coffee order.

A woman laughed, “Alexander Conners can go all night.” What? I turned and looked at her. My heart dropped because she was stunning. She might even be perfect. From her blonde hair to her model like look. She was stylish too.

One woman with her asked, “Huh? You met Alpha Alexander?” She answered, “Yeah, that’s where I was the whole weekend.” Male Lead Warrior Buck cleared his throat beside me. I blinked up at him with tears in my eyes. He said, “Don’t listen to her.” If only I could take that advice.

Another woman laughed, “Tell me how you got to him because…” She trailed off then continued, “I’m impressed and want a turn.” The first woman answered, “Don’t be the pathetic pup they are worried is his fated mate.” A knife to the heart would’ve hurt less.

The barista called, “Alpha Edward’s order is up.” I rushed forward and grabbed it, threw a tip on the counter, and ran out as the tears fell. Lead Warrior Buck shouted, “Ashley, wait.” Right, me. Because in public I was Ashley.

I turned and he sighed. He said loudly, “Make sure that gets back without you spilling it.” Several people snickered and my heart dropped. I thought he was going to say something nice. He got in his truck and drove off.

I started to walk back. Once I was out of sight of the town Buck called, “Get in the truck.” I jolted, “Lead Warrior Buck…” He rolled his eyes jabbing his thumb, “Get in the truck.” I did as he said. I asked, “Why are you giving me a ride?” He answered, “Because.”

I asked, “Well… why didn’t you offer in town? Because…” He cut me off, “You ask too many questions, pup. Keep your head down here because you’re painting a massive target on your back.” I argued, “I’m doing what’s right… that’s more important than…”

He disagreed, “It’s not. Keep your head down pup and survive.” He stopped and told me, “Get out and keep walking.” I frowned, “So you’ll only help when no one is looking but…” He added, “And don’t listen to the gossip about Alpha Alexander. Maybe make it less obvious you’re in love with him.”

I blushed, “I… that’s… he…. you…” He snorted, “Good god. Your stuffed wolf everyone hates looks just like his and it’s obvious you love him. Get back to the Alpha.” I got out of the truck, and he took off. He confused me.

He knew what was going on was wrong. Did that make it worse than those that thought everything was right? He was strong enough to help people… he kind of helped me… Those thoughts swirled in my mind.

I put Alpha Edward’s order in his office and left. I smelled Trevor lurking and ducked so his fist went through a wall. I commented, “That was really sloppy… you should go to the gym.” He snarled, “A gym you’re not allowed into because you’re unworthy…”

I snorted, “Ok… I could beat you in a fight. Literally anytime, anywhere…. my genitalia barring me from a gym is against code…” He swung a knife that I dodged.

He shouted, “Women are meant to be on their backs and in the kitchen. You have no place in the gym! We don’t care about codes and rules! We make our own.”

I admitted, “So I have seen… it’s…. against basic human decency… you know it’s bad when Humans would call you out on what you’re doing… but I also know you don’t care.” His friend, Mark, urged, “Let’s just go.”

Trevor sneered, “You’ll be whipped for talking back to me. You’re a curse and family killer.” He slammed his shoulder into me. Francis sighed, “Just do yourself a favor and stop making him mad.” I asked, “How do I do that?” He sighed.

I pointed out, “My mere presence caused him to take a swing… .so… your advice is terrible unless you’d like me to die.” He replied, “No one wants that.” I busted up laughing. He looked at me like I was crazy until Trevor shouted, “FRANCIS!” He took off running like the good lap dog he was.

I left and called Alpha Peter. He answered, “What?” I said, “Umm… I just… was…” He growled, “Spit it out. I don’t have all day.

” I stammered, “Can I come… just… home?” He growled, “No, stop asking.” He hung up on me.

I stared at the phone and cried. He’d never talked to me that way in my entire life.

I went to where I danced and let everything go. Tears coursed down my cheeks. Everyone wanted me to accept this was my life now, but part of me just couldn’t. I left the field and took off running for the plot of land where my parents and Tristan were to me.

I cried, “I can’t do anything right for them anymore.

They hate me and it hurts.” I begged yet again, “Come back to me. Please. Just come back. I’m sorry.

” I stayed there and cried until I had to go back to the pack I was staying in.

Maybe everything would be ok once my file for the Supernatural Council was perfected.

Black Path was under their purview. They could make everything ok.