Page 55

Alexander is Nineteen Years Old

Alexander was furious. I hit the heavy bag wishing I could hit someone in New York. Melanie left and I’d never to meet her. Oden growled, “Just go to New York.” I might just do that. Cassie’s emotions slammed into me, and I popped to her.

I growled, “Who the FUCK made you cry?” She sniffled and I gathered her into my arms. I asked, “What happened?” She whispered, “Promise me that you won’t retaliate.” I agreed, “I promise that I won’t for now.”

She chuckled humorlessly, “I guess that’s all I’ll get.” She sighed, “Cayden’s ex is being awful.” I reasoned, “Then kill her.” Oden growled, “Rain said this ex said our sister couldn’t have his pup!” What?!

She told me, “She’s started all these ugly rumors about her that me, Milana, Aiylee, and Bea shut down. I’ve gotten her ass back but…” She trailed off.

I asked, “Why did you show up at the sex dungeon Cayden and I were in?” She winced and the pain she felt had me pulling her into my lap. I told her, “I’ll fix it all, just tell me.” She whispered, “Cora showed up in our bed, naked.” Fury overtook me.

EJ linked, “What is going on?” My dad linked, “Are you ok?” Mom linked, “I’m ready to kill whoever.” That made me laugh because it was just like her to say. I asked my sister, “And is she still alive? Or do I need to bury a body?” I hadn’t heard about her dying but Cassie was incredibly stealthy.

Cassie snorted, “She appears to be recovering.” I said, “Then I’ll kill her.” She smacked me across the chest reminding me, “You promised not to retaliate.” I reasoned, “I also said I’d fix this.” I conjured us drinks until Beagan showed up.

She waved, “Hey, Alexander.” I kissed the top of her head, “Cousin. Take care of Cass.” Cassie asked, “Where are you going?” I answered, “To the gym where I do my best thinking.” I winked at her, and she chuckled.

I shifted into Oden. He growled angrily as we ran to the gym. That fucking bitch better hope she didn’t cross my path right now. I shifted back and grabbed shorts and went into the gym. She’d come onto me when we’d come home from that mission too.

Right in front of my brother in law, who didn’t even care.

I flicked her off, but she now coming after Cassie.

I was sick of women coming onto me when they didn’t actually like me.

Oden growled as our thoughts trailed back to our birthday party when I got as drunk as a I could and someone kissed me.

Flashback

Alexander was hurt. Melanie had been grounded from coming to an event again. Oden whined in my head. I was tired of being kept away from her. I was tired of being kept in the limbo of whether she was mine or not. Oden declared, “She IS ours.” I took another drink.

Jason McAlister asked, “You good man?” I didn’t answer and conjured ten more drinks and slammed them. My cousin, Cory, asked, “Alexander, are you ok?” I didn’t answer him either and kept drinking. I was never going to meet her.

They kept her away from me because they questioned my character. Oden growled, “We are a good person.” I reasoned, “They don’t mind you. It’s clearly me.” He said, “Then they are dumb.” I wasn’t going to say he was wrong.

Jason snorted, “You have a fan club over there.” I asked, “And?” I drank several more whiskeys. I saw Hastein fade in with a worried look on his face. Jason repeated, “Seriously dude, are you ok?” I turned to him, “You know what? No, I’m not because…”

Someone shouted, “ALEXANDER!” Oden grumbled, “We were about to tell him why we were upset. It felt like a breakthrough so obviously someone ruined it.” I turned and my collar was grabbed and before I could process it lips were on mine.

It felt wrong. Nothing about it was right because it wasn’t Melanie.

I pulled her off me and felt like I stared at her letting my eyes blaze for hours, but I knew it was barely a second. Her face seared into my brain. She’d stolen my first kiss, the one I’d been saving for Melanie. It was just gone because I couldn’t meet her. I stalked off.

Cory popped beside me and wisely said nothing. I stormed into the gym then shouted, “Get out!” to everyone here then hit the heavy bag with all my strength I could. It flew off and I went to the next one. I raged and screamed.

I heard a pop and knew it was my mom. She popped in front of me and blocked my hits.

I didn’t go hard at her though. I never could.

I looked in her eyes and just knew she knew what happened.

She might not understand my feelings that it was stolen from Melanie and I, but she understood. She was pissed off too.

Hastein called, “I’ve got this, Aunt Haley.” She kissed my temple, “I love you, Alexander.” I whispered, “It was supposed to be my mate.” She squeezed my arm, “Then your next one can be. I’m so fucking sorry that was taken from you.”

She walked over to my dad, who was here too now, kissed him then left.

Hastein came at me, and we went round after round.

Jason commented, “This is not a very festive birthday.” It wasn’t because Melanie didn’t come, and I was as tipsy as I could get.

Which allowed someone to steal what I’d been saving all this time for Melanie.

I was so sick of the people who couldn’t respect my boundaries. I didn’t mind people who flirted with me that respected me. Both women and men seemed interested in determining my sexual preference, but the ones who were rude and tried to take things from my mate pissed me off.

Hastein said, “It’s ok.” I growled, “NO, IT’S NOT!

” We fought until Uncle Evin jumped in. Then I fought him until my dad jumped in.

He pinned me after an hour. He linked, “Pup, it’s ok.

” I replied, “I was tipsy, and she put her lips on mine. I wanted my first kiss to be with my mate.” He said, “And your mom had a lot of things to say to that she bitch most of which involved her fists.” Of course she did.

He told me, “You didn’t kiss her back.” I had not. He reasoned, “So, that doesn’t count.” I snorted, “That’s not really how it works.” He argued, “If someone kisses you but you don’t kiss them it definitely means it’s not your first kiss.” Maybe, but it seemed like semantics.

Oden was sulking and I didn’t blame him.

I said, “Well, I won’t be doing anything with anyone else until I meet my mate.

” He nodded, “Fair enough. I respect your choice.” He hugged me whispering, “I’m proud of you.

” He wouldn’t be if he knew I was sulking because they were lying about Melanie crossing the border to keep her from me.

Oden whined in my head. Happy fucking birthday to me.

Flashback Ends

Nothing had changed on that front either. I wasn’t going to do anything with anyone who wasn’t Melanie. It might not be official, but she was my mate to my wolf and myself. Being with someone else wouldn’t change that. I stormed into the gym and got into the ring.

A few people joined me, and we went at it. I fought for hours yet again as the plans formed in my head. I had over hundred ways to kill Cora but that wasn’t what Cassie needed which left me with one option. I nodded to the guys I’d been fighting and walked into Cayden’s office.

Silas had been in there with Jed. I glared at the latter who wisely left without a word.

Silas asked, “Did Jed piss you off?” I answered, “No.” Silas teased, “Do you want to tell your face that?” I replied, “No.” He nudged me saying, “He’s so verbose.

” Cayden ordered, “Give us the room, Silas.” He left.

Cayden asked, “Would you care to tell me why you’re beating up everyone in the gym?

” I answered, “I was thinking through the best solution for something.” He replied, “I live with a Fairy now.” I shot back, “I am aware since that Fairy is my sister.” He grinned, “Yes, well I know you’re being evasive. ”

I called EJ. He answered, “What on EARTH is going on with you? Cassie’s so nervous about your reaction to something I’m on edge.” Cayden chimed in, “I’d like to know the same answer since it’s my mate who is on edge. Your brother is being evasive.”

I told them both, “We need to work out how I’ll remain as an Alpha, EJ’s Enforcer, and a be Squadron Leader here.” Cayden’s eyes met mine. He jolted, “You’re serious. You’re finally going to take me up on that offer?” I answered, “Yes.”

I linked EJ, “I need to be here more to protect Cass. Shit is going down and it would be harder for someone to keep doing that if I’m here more.

” I wasn’t going to delude myself into thinking it would stop, it wouldn’t.

Cassie was going to have to handle this how she determined was right for her, but me being here more often would put Cora on notice.

EJ replied out loud, “I have no problem with this as I’ve said many that before. I’m proud of you, Alexander.” Cayden eyes narrowed. He said, “I am too, but I know this move is about my mate.” I agreed, “It is. I want to be closer to her.” EJ linked, “Evasive.” I replied, “Yet true.”

Cayden rubbed his temples, “For fuck’s sake.

I already told you I recognize the evasions but fine.

Just tell me she’s safe.” I snorted, “You know she is.” She could kill Cora easily even without Fairy powers.

He studied me, “Do I need her Guard around her?” I shrugged, “It couldn’t hurt if they were around a little bit more.

” He nodded, “Alright. Let’s figure this out. ”

It only took an hour since we’d all been thinking about it prior to me officially agreeing.

Cayden nodded, “We will have the ceremony here in a few hours.” I laughed, “You’d better let me have my mom plan it.

” He rubbed his temples again, “This will be a squadron leader ceremony for the ages, but I’m not dumb enough to deny my mother in law that honor. ”