The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

Tournament Pt. 2

        Alexander sighed and walked off to the gym. I groaned, “How do we make him see that? There is a difference.” EJ sighed, “I think you’re right, but he’s afraid he’s obsessed with her just like everyone else. I don’t think our logic will reach him. We won’t know until they meet.” I snorted, “Which will be when? When she graduates high school? Meanwhile our brother torments himself with this am I possessive Alpha. It’s bullshit EJ...of course he’s possessive. He’s an Alpha, but no one will convince me she isn’t his.” EJ nodded, “Most of the time….I’m right there with you Cass.” I snorted, “You should be there all the time. Melanie McAlister is our brothers. She belongs here, with him. With us. Where she will be loved. Not in some pack in New York that doesn’t care about her like we would. She’s one of the Luna’s here. They won’t watch out for her like we will.” EJ sighed, “Oh...they’d better. If anything happens to Melanie McAlister then they will know my wrath. Not just for Elise and Alexander, but for Ladybug herself. I really like her. She’s a nice…..very smart kid.” I smiled, “Jason said she’s pretty.” EJ nodded, “She is. Elise has always been jealous of Melanie’s hair. I don’t see why. Her hair is perfect.” I laughed, “It’s not about the color. Hair has different thickness and texture EJ. What am I saying? You won’t understand.” 

            We walked back inside. My dad frowned, “Where’s Alexander?” EJ tilted his head, “I’ll give you three guesses dad. If you need more than one….you’re slipping old man.” My dad rolled his eyes and walked out of the house. I walked over to TJ. I hugged him, “I’m so happy for you TJ.” TJ smiled, “I’ll be just like EJ with Elise. I’ll protect her, always.” I smiled, “I know you will.” I snagged another cookie. I hugged my mom, “I’ll see you at my tournament.” My mom smiled, “Yes you will….I made posters.” I snorted, “What?” My mom nodded, “I saw those when you guys were in high school. I can make a f*****g poster.” I hugged her, “That’s….of course you can. See you later, Mom.” I popped back to the Hackura realm. It was already night time. I snapped my shoes off and walked along the beach. It was calming to me as it was to my mom. I sat down on the sand and closed my eyes. 

            I smelt someone coming, but I wasn’t worried. I knew that scent. It was my grandpa. He sat down beside me and chuckled, “You know….I used to find your mom out here a lot. What’s on your mind Cass?” I sighed, “So many things.” My grandpa smiled, “What’s one?” I shrugged, “Melanie McAlister.” I rubbed my head. My grandpa nodded, “I feel that is a popular thing to think about with my grandchildren. Levi gets quite upset about it.” I frowned, “He does? I mean….I’m not upset. Why is Levi?” My grandpa smiled, “He insists something is weird about the situation.” I nodded, “And what did you find?” My grandpa shrugged, “Nothing odd….which makes me wonder….I sent someone to make sure she was ok. Your father already had someone there watching her.” I raised an eyebrow, “Does he?” My grandpa laughed, “Of course he does.” I sighed, “Somedays….I think I should tell mom. She’d know what to do...she’d do it sneakily….then I remember….Melanie is living her dream. Our pack is all about following your dreams. It would be hypocritical to try and stop Melanie from living hers.” My grandpa nodded, “I’d be lying if I said the entire thing didn’t give me pause. From what I can find though….everything is as it should be.” 

            We sat in silence. Then I asked, “Why does it give you pause?” My grandpa sighed, “Several of my grandchildren are affected by this. Levi is adamant it’s weird. I told my children, and I tell all of you….to trust your instincts. Levi will keep monitoring the situation,  but I don’t know that he will find anything. Hopefully, he’s just off about this….” I sighed, “What’s off is that she never met us...or Alexander. Levi and EJ met her by chance.” My grandpa smiled, “I know Alexander thinks that is because of him. To be fair, his logic makes sense.” I frowned, “How can you say that? He would never hurt her.” My grandpa said, “Oh, I know he wouldn’t. None of my grandchildren would. If you were an outsider though…..warriors in neighboring packs and her own want her. I think a normal person would fear the unmated in our family. Where others cannot take her….we could. You kids can go to any realm you wish. Two realms would protect you….I’m not saying they are right, but I’m saying….I understand why Alexander feels they are keeping her from him intentionally. On the one hand if they are….I understand the fear. Terrible things happened to my daughter while I was a realm away. That was different though, and there will never be a day I don’t regret that.” 

            I frowned, “That wasn’t your fault.” My grandpa sighed, “I am the protector of the realms. My daughter was tortured and raped. Who else would you blame?” I snorted, “Fabian.” My grandfather’s eyes blazed, “Oh, I do blame him. My point is….people react strangely out of fear….while I might understand the logic….if this comes down to it, and they’ve intentionally kept them apart….they will know what it means to hurt my grandchildren. Right now we have supposition and conjecture. If there is proof they have hurt Alexander in this way….I will not be kind.” I frowned, “Jason is a good man.” My grandpa sighed. I added, “That’s what doesn’t make sense. I know Jason. He’d be happy if his little sister was mated to Alexander. They are friends…he’d never think that Alexander would hurt his little sister. So much doesn’t make sense.” I rubbed my head. My grandpa frowned, “Cass?” I shrugged, “A light headache.” My grandpa asked, “What else is on your mind?” I smiled, “Cayden and my tournament.” My grandpa smiled, “Cayden will make it back. Your tournament will go well. I’ve seen you training with your Uncles. You will be amazing.” I smiled, “I changed the outfit.” My grandpa laughed, “I’d be worried about you if you didn’t.” 

            I sighed, “I’ve been thinking a lot about kids.” My grandpa said, “What about them?” I sighed, “I’ve always known the rings want me. I never thought someone I knew would be part of them. Gystepi proved me wrong. What if I’m missing other things? What if I have a daughter who is also the truth seeker and I trust the wrong person? I don’t want to wait forever to have kids. I just...I’m already worried about them.” My grandpa put his arms around me, “There will never be a perfect time to have children. When you defeat one enemy another pops up. It is natural after your encounter a few years ago that you worry. You can’t give those that hide in the shadows that kind of power over you though, Cass. If you’re not ready, then you are not ready. If you are making a decision based out of fear….you need to talk to one of the therapists here. You can’t let fear rule your life because then the bad guys win. If you want to wait until your twenty-five or even thirty…..hell….seventy-five. We will all be around for centuries. There’s nothing wrong with waiting. You have to do what is best for yourself and Cayden.” I smiled, “You’re always so wise Grandpa.” He laughed, “I’ve been around for a while.”

            He asked, “Are you going to kill Cora?” I snorted, “Does everyone but Cayden know about that?” My grandpa frowned, “Cayden has always been blind to her infatuation with him.” I sighed, “I'm taking her down at my tournament. If she doesn’t get the hint after that….then no one will doubt I’m some mate who’s jealous of an ex when I kill her.” My grandpa laughed, “That’s what’s stopped you?” I said, “If I just killed her….some would doubt. Everyone knows she wants him….that could annoy me enough to kill her for no reason. No one will doubt she wants what’s mine after the tournament.” My grandpa raised an eyebrow, “Why?” I tapped my temple, “I plan to make her tell everyone what she hopes to accomplish.” My grandpa laughed, “And what do you think that is?” I said, “For Cayden to see me lose, and go on an off period and have a child with her. She wants to be important. She wants to be Cayden’s. She wants to tie herself to him with a child. She even wants people on her side. Which is luscious. Everyone here knows if I was infertile my mom or brother could fix that.” 

            My grandpa nodded, “As many children are here as a result of your mother….no one would doubt that.” I smiled, “I plan to remove all doubt of why I am the commander of the Hackura Army’s mate. I am the granddaughter of Titus Cambridge….I am the daughter of Haley and Eric Conners. I won’t bow down from a fight. I will take them all down to prove my place here, whether they like it or not.” My grandpa told me, “You have always had a place here with or without being mated to Cayden. You are the Duchess. You are my granddaughter. I won’t lie and say I haven’t adored every second of you being here. I love having you here Cassie. It makes my soul ecstatic to have you mated to Cayden. I would torture someone within an inch of their life for not making you feel at home. Because you are. This is your home. So is Faerie. So is Black Mountain.” I smiled, “No one can make me feel like an outsider in any place I call home. She may make me want to spit nails with deadly accuracy into her eyeballs, but she doesn’t make me feel unwelcomed. She’d never succeed at that.” My grandpa smiled, “I’ve held your grandmother and your mom back. They are ready to attack.” I smiled, “I know...mom told me.” My grandpa laughed, “Of course they did. I told them you’d have had a plan.” I smiled, “I’ve had a plan from the moment Cayden told me he had an ex who cheated on him.”

            My grandpa bumped my shoulder, “Of course you have. You are stealthy.” I asked my grandpa, “What would you have done if mom’s mate was a fairy? Why didn’t you want her mate here?” My grandpa said, “A fairy? I would’ve killed him. They could not have my daughter after what they did. As for why not a man here…..no one was what she needed. It would’ve been nice, but most were mated that would’ve been close to what she needed. Your Uncle Bjourn met your dad and fought with him. We were looking at approaching your dad for your mom once she graduated if he hadn’t met his mate. Of course, we would’ve upped that timeline if we’d found he was looking for a bride.” I frowned, “But he was.” My grandpa smirked, “He was looking for your mother though. I’d known for years….from the moment the fairies and werewolves were at war. I knew what Alpha Eric Conners would want to end the war. Our informants were just a little late with the information that the princes agreed to meet with the werewolves. I was out on a mission as were your uncles. Zader and Logan were here, but my sources and Bjourn’s only speak with us. Your mom told me before they could.”

            He chuckled, “I won’t deny the anger I felt at hearing her fairy brothers agreed to the match. They had no right after what they’d allowed. They also beat me to my goal. I’d planned to introduce the idea to your mother. They thrust it at her to save their people. A people who had done nothing to her. I wanted them to meet….obviously that would’ve gone far more interesting than I’d thought, but I’d planned the whole thing to be slower. I wanted your mother to be happy. I’ve always wanted that. After what the fairy goddess allowed to happen to her….I wasn't about to trust her choice of mate for my little girl. I should’ve known Aesir had handled it.” I smiled, “I think he has done a great job with all our mates so far….I’ve been mad at the fairy goddess since I was sixteen years old. I’m glad Aesir has to agree on our mates. Who the HELL knows what we would’ve ended up with otherwise?” My grandpa kissed my forehead, “All my grandchildren’s matches are perfect. As are my children’s. Don’t stay out here all night Cassie Conners.” I smiled, “Yes, Grandpa.” 

            He left. I stared out of the ocean. I felt my connection with Cayden. He was calculating. He was also intrigued and weighing his positions. I pushed my love at him. I felt a happy emotion overtake him and I got love back. I popped into our home. I held his pillow to me. I tried to sleep. I flopped around the bed the entire night before I got up and grabbed one of Cayden’s hoodies. Then I was able to fall asleep. I woke up to Rain linking me, “Someone is outside. Get up Cassie!” I jolted up. I kept all the lights off. I slunk around the house to where I smelled people. I heard someone say, “Cora this….just beat her in the tournament tomorrow.” Cora snorted, “I need her off her game.” She went to throw a brick into Cayden and I’s window. I shot it with my sunlight. They whirled around. I smiled, “Vandalism of the Commander of the Army’s house…..is a serious offense. I do believe you can be whipped in public for that.” All of them paled. Cora hissed, “You’d like that, so I couldn't beat you.” I laughed, “You’re not going to beat me. We both know it. Or I wouldn’t have been able to kick your ass sixteen different ways already. I’ll take you down tomorrow….then after that Cora….I’m done playing nice. Continue to come for what is mine and you’ll die. Get out of here, and if anything happens to Cayden and I’s house….you’re who I’m coming for first.” 

            I turned around. Cora said, “HE WAS MINE FIRST!” I turned around, “And you f****d up. You cheated on him. Own that Cora. You wanted him to be devastated, but he wasn’t. Your mate is out there. Maybe think about how he would feel about you chasing a man who was NEVER yours. He was your boyfriend in high school, but he’s ALWAYS been mine Cora. He will never not be mine. You need to find a way to build a damn bridge and get over that fact. It is what is. Go look for your mate or something. Get your head on straight, but WHEN not IF WHEN I beat you tomorrow….Stay out of my life with Cayden. We don’t do off periods, and he will never be yours. If he wanted a child with you….you’d have known long before I entered the picture. Accept the fact that my mate does not care for you as more than someone he commands. He hasn’t for a long time. I’m saying that for you to continue drawing breath Cora.” She gasped, “You can’t threaten me.” I got in her face, “THE ONLY reason you aren’t dead is because I have been waiting for my tournament. You know that too. It’s why you start your ridiculous rumors about me. You’re a petty high school b***h who hasn’t gotten over that phase of life. For yourself, for your family, and for your friends. My grace period ends the second that tournament is over.” I let Rain take over. She growled, “CAYDEN IS MINE!” 

            Cora’s friends pulled her back and ran away. I shifted and ran in the opposite direction needing to get some frustrations out. I ran for miles. Rain snarled, “I WILL RIP HER THROAT OUT TOMORROW.” I smiled. If I leaned more towards my wolf….that’s exactly what I’d do. I told Rain, “No, we will make her admit the truth. Cayden will see her for who she truly is. Everyone will. Then we will kick her f*****g ass. Then she can fall in line, or she will die, but everyone will know….WE are Cayden’s mate, and we aren’t going anywhere.” Rain smirked, “Damn straight!” I laughed. I shifted back and snapped my clothes on. I said, “Hello Spencer.” I turned and smiled at my cousin.” Spencer smiled, “It’s a pretty long run.” I smiled, “Cayden and I have a running program.” Spencer snorted, “You don’t usually run as your wolf.” I smiled, “Excess energy after dealing with bitches.” Spencer frowned, “Cobin’s ready to curse the f**k out of her...just say the word.” I laughed, “I’m surrounded by overprotective men. I can handle a catty ass b***h. I’ve watched my mother do it.”

            Spencer sighed, “Your mother would’ve killed her by now.” I smiled, “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve seen my mom deal with pack members who try to come at my dad. She handles those differently. Cora is still a member of the army. She is still one of my people. I will defeat her tomorrow then she can shut the f**k up or deal with the consequences. I will not hide behind a single man if that time comes. I’ll kill her myself. I don’t need any of you to put her in her place. I am more than capable.” Spencer smiled, “Oh, I don’t think anyone doubts that.” I smiled, “Good.” I popped us back to the castle and we grabbed breakfast. Afterwards I just walked around. Several people called well wishes for my tournament tomorrow. I smiled and thanked them. 

            I heard a squeal. I turned around just in time for Tenley to barrel into me. She hugged me and wrapped her legs around my waist. She yelled, “HI CASSIE!” I laughed, “Hi Tenley.” She said, “Can we go get ice cream?” I laughed, “Where’s your mom?” Ashlyn came running up. I smiled, “Hi Ashlyn.” She smiled, “Hello Cass. Tenley….” Tenley bit her lip, “Sorry? I saw Cass and I HAD to say hi.” I laughed, “She wants ice cream.” Ashlyn laughed, “Alright….let’s go.” I put her down and walked to the ice cream shop. Ashley smiled, “The first time I met your mother was here.” I smiled, “She does like ice cream.” Tenley said, “Uhh duh! It’s awesome! Are you ready to kick some ass tomorrow Cassie! Cayden’s going to freak!” I laughed, “Why?” Ashlyn frowned, “Double the amount of fights that normally occur are happening. You have ten fights….that’s a lot in one day. Normally it’s five.” I smiled, “I don’t intend for them to take very long.” Ashlyn shot me a knocking glance, “Except the last one of course.” I smiled, “Except that one.” Ashlyn snorted, “Give her a shot to the nose...for me. Cheating on my baby boy.... She deserves that.” I smiled, “I’ll do that.” 

            We walked back to my house. Suddenly Cayden’s nearness hit me. I smiled, “I’ll see you guys later.” I took off running. Then I smacked myself. I popped into our house. Cayden smiled, “There’s my duchess.” I jumped on him. I kissed him fervently. I could feel his smile against my lips. I snapped us both naked. He pushed me back against the wall. He started to kiss my neck. He was going to take his time, and I wanted hard and fast. I popped us to the bed. I saw the amused look on his face as I lowered myself onto him in one move. He chuckled, “Impatient today.” I pulled him up and rocked my hips against his. I pulled back and growled, “MINE!” Cayden titled his head. I attacked his mark as I rocked my hips. He choked. He gripped my hips hard, moving me into a faster rhythm. I could smell those girls back outside our house. BITCHES! I bit his ear, “Say that you’re mine Cayden.” He whispered, “I’m yours Cass.” I bit his neck hard and linked him, “Louder, My Commander.” Cayden had joined the pack for me last year. We spent most of our time here, but I was still an Alpha, so my mate had joined the pack. 

            I raked my nails down his back. Cayden gripped my hips harder, “f**k CASS! I’M YOURS! ONLY YOURS!” I heard the gasps outside. Rain snickered, “They can’t even be quiet….mate had to hear that.” Cayden groaned and exploded inside me. He turned his head and yelled, “I don’t know who the f**k is outside my house but get the f**k gone because if I have to come out there…...you will NOT be happy. This is not an orgy in the street. You won’t watch me f**k my mate in our home!” I heard people running. I laughed, “They are gone.” Cayden raised an eyebrow, “You know who it was….you can smell them.” I smiled, “Yes, I do.” I kissed him and got up.” I headed towards the shower. I swung my hips more than necessary and called over my shoulder, “Are you coming?” I popped into the shower. Cayden was behind me in a second. He pushed me up against the wall. He turned on the water. He smelled me. He groaned, “f**k…..Cass….I missed you so damn much.” I pushed myself flush against him. I whispered, “I really missed you too.” We didn’t make it out of the shower for hours. Eventually, we had no choice. We were very pruned. 

            I snapped on some yoga pants and a tight t-shirt. I smiled, “So….Max almost popped to Micah...what happened?” Cayden sighed, “Cass….I want to tell you, but we talked about this when I took over. That there would be times...I had to ask you if you wanted to know because you’d have to keep it from your family. I know Max will choose not to know.” I sighed, “I told you then, and I’ll tell you now….Max knows you have Micah’s back as his commander. I’m your mate Cayden. My family will be fine. I need to know someone has your back, and that’s me. What happened?” Cayden kissed me hard. He pulled back, “I love you so damn much my Duchess.” I smiled, “I love you too, My Commander.” Cayden said, “We have a new source.” I gaped, “Someone else has infiltrated the hunter group we wanted to?” Cayden snorted, “That’s….a word for what happened. I’m not sure what’s going on there exactly….but there’s a she wolf who lives in Black Path’s pack who saved Micah. I was under the impression you didn’t know any of them.” I frowned, “We don’t. Chase hates that pack. My dad does too. He says they are up to no good, he just can’t prove it.” Cayden snorted, “If I could tell him about this….we’d prove it. They are sending in their wolves younger than sixteen without wolves’ pack members and their wolf less into the hunters. Why? Don’t know….but our source is DEFINITELY not doing what they want her to.”

            I smiled, “What’s her name?” Cayden said, “Ashley Griffen. She’s fifteen….She saved the mission. They grew suspicious of Micah for some reason. They wanted him to take off his shirt.” I paled, “His mark….” Cayden nodded, “Ashley walked in...called him by name and touched his arm. She told the group he’d killed wolves before and was cool.” I snorted, “Hell of a bluff.” Cayden shook his head, “That’s the thing...it wasn’t a bluff. She’s a bad liar….like sadly bad….the girl can’t stop talking. She wasn’t lying though. She knew Micah...and she knew he’d killed werewolves….not like the hunters thought because she evaded it all. They didn’t ask if it was rogues, and she didn't say. I was convinced on the other end she was a fairy until I met her. She’s a full blooded werewolf….who knows A LOT about fairies….and us. For some reason.” I frowned, “I can talk to her.” Cayden snorted, “I wish. She’s easily spooked. We want her as a source. She talked code with Micah. They geeked out about it. Came up with some newfangled…..code or whatever.” I asked, “Did Micah take off his shirt?” Cayden nodded, “I was ready to storm in there, but when Ashley had touched his arm...she’d put this patch on him...it matched his skin tone and hid his mark.”

            I gaped, “That’s not possible.” Cayden snorted, “Not until now. I used it on myself. She agreed to help us. She has knowledge about the drug rings. She just wants to be an anonymous source outside the Hackura. She’s willing to give us these patches that would hide our marks while we are out in the field. We checked out her intel that she gave us…..it was solid.” I raised an eyebrow, “Is she in the blue circle group EJ and Alexander are looking for?” Cayden sighed, “I think she is. I don’t have enough trust established with her to get that answer. Nor do I have any proof. She’s one angry little girl.” I frowned, “Why?” Cayden looked away, “Her family died. She thinks it’s her fault. Her living brother blamed her. Whatever her pack thinks she’s doing….she’s not. She wants revenge and she thinks going up the ladder of the hunter’s ring will get her that. She’s willing to provide stuff to us. If I can get us in with the circle group….” I nodded, “I understand….if she’s a wolf though why isn’t she running to the werewolf council? Why trust the Hackura instead?” Cayden raised an eyebrow, “I don’t know. From what Micah found….she’s never met a member of the council….but trust...she doesn’t have any of that. Maybe because her pack betrayed her she’s leery of werewolves? I don't’ know….but I just feel it Cass….if I can get her to trust us…..We might solve this whole damn thing.” I kissed him, “If anyone could do it….it would be you.”