Page 36 of The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior Vol. 2 (Ribbon #10)

Melanie and Sierra held onto Valentina’s hands. Valentina brought us to an alley near the mall in Missouri where my dumb brother was for some reason. Valentina’s phone went off. She frowned then told us, “I need to get back. Call me when you guys need to get out of here.” She shimmered away.

Sierra snorted, “I really hope that was an epic emergency because people are going to die in there and we are GOING to have to leave in a hurry. Like probably one of the biggest hurries we’ve ever left in.” I looked at the mall entrance not arguing, because she was right.

I told her, “It will be. Val wouldn’t have left otherwise.

Go pick up one of our cars in the garage.

Be waiting out in the alley. If I don’t make it to you in twenty minutes, leave.

” Sierra frowned, “Mel, no.” I told her, “Si, if I’m not out in twenty minutes you get out of here.

Then you call Phil and tell him everything. He’ll protect you.”

Sierra sighed, “Fine, but ONLY if you promise to call your Xander if things go south.” I agreed, “I’ll call him.

His brother is here. Alpha Theo Conners would never forgive himself if he didn’t know who I was to his brother before his brother decides what to do about me.

” Sierra scoffed then ran off towards the garage.

Honestly, we were both lucky and unlucky this was going down in Missouri.

We had a few buildings and cars around states that were heavy in Ring traffic.

Missouri was a hot bed. We had a few places here so that was good, but the allies really should not be here.

The Rings knew who they were and would not be happy they were here. I closed my eyes to center myself.

I opened my eyes ready to face whatever was waiting.

I walked in through the back of the mall and stuck to the shadows until I found a corner to observe from.

Thank god this was a Supernatural mall. No humans were allowed in unless they were with a Supernatural and no one was paying attention to me.

I’m sure humans would freak out about a masked figure running around the mall.

Not to mention one with a lot of weapons.

Supernatural’s didn’t really bat an eye.

I spotted Alpha Theo Conners first. He looked a lot like EJ.

Freya snorted, “You know exactly what they all look like.” Ok…

so I did. I had all their pictures in files… like a normal person.

I suppose in a way, Theo looked like Xander too. I could just tell them apart. They had subtle differences. Alpha Theo was with Jason. Behind him were Beta Finn and Alpha Jayden. Oh good. They had stayed together in a group.

Why don’t they just wear highlighter neon colors with a sign that says we aren’t from here? Please shoot us because we ventured into Missouri and gave you this golden opportunity. Yup. Why not? Alpha Theo shifted on his feet, and I nearly screamed in frustration when my brother came into full view.

Jason was honest to god wearing a bright colored shirt. That jerk! COME ON! A bright green HIGHLIGHTER shirt. Seriously?! Did he WANT to get shot? I shoved my annoyance down because I needed to focus. I began to survey the area, and my heart immediately dropped.

There were nine people eyeing their group and they weren’t being subtle.

Nine assassins for four people? They must suck at their jobs.

I noticed Alpha Jayden had clearly spotted several of them.

Alpha Theo was eyeing the other half subtly.

Jason had his eyes on two. Beta Finn was jumping around the group as if he was anticipating a fight.

I nearly gasped. No freaking way! They did not come here as bait. I was going to KICK Dalton and Dakota’s butts to kingdom come! I was going to verbally rip them apart and punch them both in the face… somehow. It was going to happen.

Logically speaking, I could request a meeting with them as the Resistance representative and punch them in the face. Then I would have Valentina shimmer us away. Yes. That was a solid plan. I liked every single part of this on the fly plan.

One thing was for sure; I was punching them in their stupid faces.

What the heck was anyone thinking here? That just because EJ and Xander were away, they could make foolish plans?

Alpha Theo should NOT be here. Alpha Jayden and Beta Finn should one hundred thousand percent not be here. My brother should beyond not be here.

Honest to god… was a single person capable of using their brains?

What the hell happened in Red Run that everyone just checked out their mental capacity at the border now?

! Sending your Beta into a trap that could get him killed, after they almost killed him sending him in with Hunters… He had a PUP!

Fury lit through me. They sent him into ANOTHER trap. The Hunting Ring was the dumbest move I thought they could make. Jason had a wolf. Why would you send a shifted Werewolf to Hunters? There was no logic in that whatsoever.

I knew that because NOT EVEN BLACK PATH DID THAT!

Freya snorted, “You are also a genius.” Yes, but if BLACK PATH can figure it out…

..DALTON AND DAKOTA SHOULD BE ABLE TO?! The Kyle’s needed to get their heads in the game.

Or I would smack some sense into them. Were they spelled to not care about Jason’s safety?

! Maybe I could send an email to Dustin Bishop to check on that.

I preferred that option to them being callous even though it meant I missed something.

My eyes narrowed on a woman walking towards their group. She was all alone and walking directly towards them. Were they watching her? NOPE! They were focused on the nine guys and seemingly not paying attention to her.

I moved towards the railing overlooking the first floor in time to see her pull out a gun. Fear wracked my body because I was too far away. I screamed at the people around me, “MOVE! GET OUT OF THE WAY!” People jumped back as I pushed a few others out of my way.

I shouted, “JASON! JASON, GET DOWN!” A shot was fired. I screamed, “JASON!” I made it to the edge and fired, taking out the girl with one shot. I aimed at three others. I turned to see if anyone was hurt and my heart stopped. Jason was on the ground.

All I could see was the edge of his leg and pants. He was down behind a column. I screamed, “NO! JASON!” I jumped the railing. As soon as I landed, I ran as fast as I could over to him. Alpha Jayden was using his magic to take out other shooters with Alpha Theo.

I reached Jason in quite possibly my best run time ever.

Beta Finn had a bullet graze on his arm.

Jason hit his head on a pillar but was fine otherwise.

I ripped out some combat gauze from my pants pocket and put it on Finn’s arm then Jason’s head.

We all had them just in case in pockets and our watches. I turned to leave.

Jason shouted, “Wait! Don’t go. You saved us.” I warned over my shoulder, “Keep your head down Beta Jason and get the hell out of here. Y’all don’t belong in Missouri. Stay the HELL out of here. You are CLEARLY not welcome.”

Jason snorted, “You keep calling me that.” I shot back, “It’s your name and title. I don’t know what else I’d call you.” I called him that because he’d said I had to, and I was really freaking bitter that MY OWN brOTHER made me stand on titles.

I turned and took out another shooter before he could answer. I sighed when Alpha Theo didn’t see a girl coming up behind him. I ran and tackled him to the ground, shot her, and kept running. Alpha Theo and Alpha Jayden were chasing me.

I shouted, “Get Beta Finn and Beta Jason out of here now!” I ran outside and jumped through the sunroof of the car Sierra had picked. Naturally, it was a sports car. I ordered, “GO!” I rubbed my side. Jumping through sunroofs was efficient, but painful. She took off.

Alpha Jayden seemed frustrated about something. It was like he tried to pop in the car and couldn't. I shook myself because that didn’t make sense. He could pop to me if he wanted to. It’s why I thought they didn't really want to find us. They never had popped to us.

He popped away with Alpha Theo. I buckled myself in while Sierra took a sharp turn. She was doing evasive maneuvers just in case. I grabbed the tablet on the console. It already had the security feed up, so Sierra wasn’t blind to the situation.

Alpha Theo and Alpha Jayden had popped Beta Finn and Jason out. I sighed in relief. I called Valentina but she didn’t answer. I called her three more times until I gave up and called Virgil. He didn't answer either. I closed my eyes .

Sierra asked, “What’s the problem? We can just go to our safe place here.

” I snorted, “Your dad will call you. They don’t think we are in the Resistance, but I screamed Jason’s name.

We need to be in our hotel since he’ll probably facetime you.

” Sierra winced, “You’re right and our phones are back at the hotel. ”

I ran through options. Freya whispered, “You know the choice here.” I did. She sounded so tired I wanted to cry. Sierra asked, “What?” I explained, “There is only one real option.” She asked, “And that is?” I answered, “I’ll call Xander from my burner.”

Sierra shouted, “Are you serious?” I replied, “Yes. Our holoports here lead back to Nashville, not our hotel.” Sierra groaned, “No, you have to call him from my phone. He might recognize the number of yours as Bravo One. You have called him before, and he leaves you messages. A lot.” I ripped my mask off and found a change of clothes in the back.

I pointed to a parking garage instructing, “Pull in there.” She did and we both changed quickly. Sierra offered, “We could call Phil.” I disagreed, “His Beta brain would not be able to handle any more no questions asked.” Sierra cringed.