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Mason drove through our holoport and Hendrick jumped through after him.

Mason ripped off his helmet. He yelled, “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!” I replied, “That I couldn’t just…

sit there and let something like this happen…

and it didn’t make sense. Julianna should’ve been the target… but it was Everly and…”

Hendrick sighed, “God damn, kid. You can’t do stuff like this. Especially right now.” It wasn’t the first time I had, and likely would not be the last. We went back and found the group. Caine growled, “We decided not to interfere!”

I disagreed, “No… you did. I did not. Definitely not me…” Dax raised an eyebrow looking at me. It made my skin itch to go against Caine, but I was right. It was the right call. ILYX announced, “Black Mountain and their allies have entered the building you wanted, Melanie Jane. They read the note.”

I sighed in relief. They had Laxenread now. They would be ok. Caine said, “Let’s listen to the group vote next time. Ok?” I shrugged because I was absolutely not going to do that. ILYX told me, “Micah is calling.” Oh gosh… did he know?

I answered, “Uh hi.” He chuckled, “Hello. I have a request.” I asked, “What is it?” He chuckled, “My sister in law wants your email. The one I have, not your lead Warrior one. Congratulations on that, by the way. Are you doing ok?”

I sighed, “That seems like a veiled way to ask about how I’m dealing with not having a wolf… and probably like you’d imagine… or worse and no on the email. Wait. Which sister in law? Actually just no. No is good answer.” He ignored me, “Elise.”

I shrieked, “ELISE WANTS TO TALK TO ME?!” Addison grabbed the phone ordering, “Ashley, calm down.” I whispered, “She wants to talk to me… well… .no probably not…. no… because no. Right? Like… Elise though.”

Micah said, “So, it’s still a yes on Elise being the one who wants your email. The personal one. Actually, Former Beta Dylan Frost is literally begging and pleading with me to give it to him too.” I said, “He emailed me… not on my personal email though.”

Micah hummed, “Well, Elise, Eric, and Dylan want it.” Caine covered my mouth when I screamed.

Micah said, “I still heard that whoever muffled it.” I replied, “Umm no. So…no… but maybe… no. Former Beta Dylan Frost… I mean…. ok. I’m curious…

umm Alpha Eric could get it anyway and…. umm sure… but Elise… no… but then….”

Dax groaned, “For the love of god.” I declared, “I need coffee.” They simultaneously shouted, “NO!” I frowned at them all.

Micah asked, “So, yes to Eric and Dylan. No on Elise.” All my friends nodded.

I winced, “Umm that would probably hurt her feelings… so just yes. Fine. Ok bye.” I hung up before I could say anything else.

They all groaned but when she emailed me, I actually screamed.

Caine stiffened, “We have to go. Virgil, shimmer us near the pack.” He did then grabbed my arm and said, “She’ll catch up.” Caine sighed, “Fine.” He took off. He said, “I will always be on your side and go with you. Val too.”

I admitted, “I know that…it’s just…I was panicked.” He said, “I understand more than they do. My brother betrayed me and Val. I want to hate him with every fiber of my being, but I can’t.” I hugged him and he hugged me back.

I took off running to catch up with everyone. We walked in a group and I nearly fell over when we reached the pack ground. I stammered, “Alpha Theo…and technically already an Alpha Lux…” They both stared at me.

Edward said, “He’s not the Alpha.” I disagreed, “He had his Alpha Ceremony and he can link other Alpha’s he just didn’t take the title yet because his younger brother hasn’t and he wants to do it together. Read a memo for ONCE in your life.”

Alpha Theo Barlett raised his eyebrow. Lux said, “Oh, I like her.” Booker snorted, “That’s ill advised.” I snarked, “So is you breathing, but you keep doing it.” Lux’s jaw dropped. Alpha Theo said, “I feel we have a lot to discuss.”

Edward said, “With us.” Alpha Theo laughed, “I’m good. I do know how to talk to women. Come on, Lead Warrior Ashley. The entire Werewolf Council is intrigued by you. Caine linked, “Don’t.” I squeaked, “Really? Everyone?” Was Alpha Peter proud of me again?

Lux said, “Yup. Let’s take a walk.” I shrugged, “Ok.” Edward said, “We have a conference room you can use.” Honestly, I’d prefer that option with my injuries. Alpha Theo declined politely, “Thanks, but it’s a nice day.” They started to walk off with me.

Lux said, “So, beautiful lady tell us everything.” I chuckled, “About?” Alpha Theo said, “You’re the youngest Female Lead Warrior. Why?” I answered, “Umm because I won the tournament?” Lux laughed, “Awww, she’s adorable. Let’s keep her.” I blushed furiously.

Alpha Theo said, “If she wants to come with us, she can.” I gasped, “What? Umm…that’s… you can’t do that.” He replied, “I can. Back to why you have a GED.” I disagreed, “You didn’t mention that at all… so we can’t really get back to it.”

He pressed, “What’s the answer?” I said, “Well, I wanted to get it…” He questioned, “But why aren’t you in school?” I replied, “It wasn’t really an option….school has always been boring to me anyway.” He asked, “Are you ok here?” I laughed, I couldn’t help it.

Lux said, “I don’t like that laugh at all.” That was fair. Alpha Theo asked, “Did you get some injuries against the wolves you fought?” I said, “Booker got a shot in on me in his wolf form, but I still won.” Lux asked, “Don’t you mean Gamma Booker?” I answered, “No, I mean Booker.”

Alpha Theo said, “If you want to tell us about something going on, I’ll listen.” I asked, “Have you ever had your entire belief structure shattered?” He answered, “No.” I said, “Mine was.” Lux offered, “We really will take you back to our pack.” Except they couldn’t.

Edward asked, “Are you trying to poach my Female Lead Warrior? I’ll complain to the Supernatural Council.” I scoffed, “Oh please, you pathetic sack of bones just shut up.” Alpha Theo’s jaw dropped. Lux said, “Please, dad. Can’t we keep her? She’s so amazing.”

Edward said, “I think you’ve stayed long enough Alpha Theo.” I scoffed, “Yeah, they knew they could beat you in a fight before word went out that I beat you in human and wolf form. Now, they know they could pummel you into the ground.” He glared at me.

Alpha Theo said, “Well, this is interesting.” He told me, “We came to make sure you were ok and we’ll be here tomorrow too.

Just know every single member of the Werewolf Council is impressed by you.

The ones officially on it and the ones slated to come on.

” Which meant Nick AND Alpha Peter were impressed by me.

It felt like a balm to my soul even if it was going to be short lived.

Life kept on going. We’d stopped an attack on Elise and EJ. Which was honestly insane. But tonight, I was watching the allies but mostly Xander, come up with ideas for who came up with Laxenread. I watched on his computer in the document I was hacked into.

I was drunk with Sierra. I was so annoyed as the names on the list mounted while I drank.

Sierra winced as I took another drink from the third vodka bottle.

She tried to appease me, “Mel, you wanted them to think you were a Fairy. That’s why you named it Laxenread.

They took the bait. It was a genius plan. ”

I wiped my mouth and lamented, “Over ONE HUNDRED suspects, Si. ONE HUNDRED! I’m not even on the list. Do you know how INSULTING that is?” She huffed, “Yes, because you’ve told me repeatedly for the last three hours.”

I scoffed, “OVER ONE HUNDRED! How can I not make the list? They KNOW how smart I am.” Sierra pointed out, “They didn’t meet you though.” I rolled my eyes, “They still know I’m a literal gosh darn genius. That they don’t even CONSIDER me a suspect is just so….”

She interrupted, “Exactly what you wanted. They did exactly what you thought. They think it’s a Fairy because of the note you left. You’re so good at evading.” I grumbled, “Don’t patronize me. They did what I wanted, yes. That’s true. I wanted them to think I was a Fairy.”

I added, “But I also want to be CONSIDERED! NONE of the people on their damn list is HALF as smart as I am. I mean come on…. HALF. I did something AMAZING!” Sierra snorted, “I’m glad you can actually admit that.

We try to tell you that and you blush. All I needed was bottles of vodka and you admit how smart you are. ”

I ignored that, continuing. “Yet my Xander is out here with a list of HUNDREDS OF SUSPECTS…” Sierra huffed, “A little over one hundred.” I ranted, “AND I AM NOT ON IT! That’s just…” Sierra supplied, “Insulting.” I clapped, “YES!”

Caine came in, “Sierra, you’re needed in the kitchen.

I’ve got our little hacking drunk Melanie.

” I grumbled, “How annoying.” Caine told me, “The Luna in Clarksville died.” I asked, “And? No… she was friends with Cassandra…right?” He nodded, “Yes.” He looked at his watch then groaned, “I have to go. Don’t do anything crazy.

” I shrugged and kept drinking. Then I hacked and found I had things to do.

The Clarksville Luna had recordings in her possession that would hurt Xander if he knew them about his grandma.

She bragged about recording their conversations all the time.

Both women were awful. I couldn’t have that.

Could I? Nope. Not my mate. Cassandra didn’t get to hurt him anymore.

She was mean when she was alive, so I would not allow her to be mean in death.

I linked Addison, “Going to break into the Clarksville main house to steal the dead Luna’s things.

” She groaned, “No you are not!” I replied, “Uhh can’t have her being mean to my Xander in death…

so yes.” She asked, “Why would the Clarksville Luna be mean to your Xander?! She’s dead as you clearly know.

” I said, “Uhh Cassandra... not the Clarksville Luna. Obviously.”