The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

Tournament Pt. 3

            Cayden left for a meeting with Uncle Bjourn to tell him about our new source of information. I took out one of the packages Cayden left, and studied the patch. My brain was nagging me. This was similar to the bracelets….Melanie was living her dream in New York though. This was out of the box thinking. Just like the jewelry Melanie had developed. She’d done that for my brother, and her family. This….she was willing to give to us….. the Hackura….my brother was also part Hackura. My head started to pound. This was silly. Melanie and Ashley couldn’t be the same person. One was….in Nashville...other was in New York. Dad had people on her. That name though….Ashley Griffen…..Ashley Griffen….It hit me. I called Alexander. He answered, “Hey Cass, what’s up?” I said, “Hey Alexander….that book series you read…...the one about the horses….what was the main character’s name?” Alexander laughed, “It followed several characters.” I shook my head, “List off the main ones.” Alexander sighed, “Ashley Griffen, Samantha McLean, and Cindy Blake...then there were daughters and nieces.” I smiled, “Thanks. It was nagging me.” Alexander said, “Ok….why?” I hung up. 

            Cayden walked back in. He studied me, “I know that look, my Duchess….What’s up?” I said, “Ashley Griffen is a character in a book series. Did you by chance run into Samantha Mclean and Cindy Blake.” Cayden smirked, “We did. I knew who they were though. We’d looked into Black Path before. The girl who said her name was Cindy is Addison Davis. The girl who called herself Samantha was Sierra Kiern.” I gaped, “The Alpha and Beta’s daughters?! They send in their own kids?” Cayden nodded, “Yup. The difference is Ashley has a background you can run. The other two don’t.” I frowned, “Seems odd.” Cayden snorted, “You have no idea. Come on...let’s get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” I smiled, “Remember…..you have to stay in the stands.” Cayden frowned, “Why don’t I like that sound of that?...Oh god...what did you do to the outfit Cass?” I smiled, “Oh….just you wait and see.” I popped into bed and Cayden got in next to me. He whispered in my ear, “You’re going to try to kill me, my duchess.” I smiled, “Never, my Commander.”  We fell asleep holding each other.

            I woke up before Cayden. I took a shower and put on some gym clothes. Cayden woke up slowly. I kissed his lips, “See you there My Commander.” Cayden smiled, “Give me a minute. I’ll walk over with you.” I nodded and waited for him. He pointed to the bag, “The outfit with the moderations is in there isn't it?” I smiled, “It is.” We walked over hand in hand to the outdoor training facility. I had Cayden’s office to myself today. I waved to my family who was of course  already here. Aiylee popped down to me. She bounced, “THIS IS SO EXCITING!” She popped us into Cayden’s office and charmed it so no one could hear us. She smiled, “FINALLY Corursula goes down!” I laughed, “That nickname is really catching on.” Aiylee smiled, “Your mom just has a way with nicknames.” I smiled, “She does.”

             I snapped myself into my outfit. Originally the outfit was a suede one piece, but I’d used my magic to make it two. Now there was a bra top with silver around the edges.  It had a faux fur short piece that covered my shoulders and tied around my neck. I’d take that off before the first fight. I’d made a silver cincher at my waist. Then the skirt matched the bra. It was a suede silver belt. I had silver skintight arm bands. Then I had suede heels….cause I could kick their asses in heels, and I’d prove it. Plus….Heel kick to the face hurts pretty bad. One leg had a faux fur leg warmer. The other leg had a strap wrapped tightly around my leg. I had on spandex underneath. Next I snapped my hair into an intricate braided look. So my hair was half up.

            Aiylee gaped, “HOLY HOTNESS! I mean…. hello Cassie’s boobs! Look at that six pack…..DAMN COUSIN! The women and men will be drooling.” She started laughing then added, “Uncle Eric will lose his shit.” I smiled, “You can’t barely see my six pack. It’s covered by the waist cinch.” Aiylee snorted, “Uh huh. Look at those toned legs….that booty! GIRL….I need your booty routine. You and your mom. Just….dang….” I laughed. Aiylee kept me company until a knock came on the door. She popped out and my Uncle Bjourn stepped in. His eyebrows raised then he burst out laughing. He said, “Oh my god….if you're not your mother’s daughter.” I winked at him. He said, “Your first fight is up.” I smiled, “Let’s go.” We walked out and I heard several people start talking about my outfit. Ashlyn winked at me. Cayden was gripping his seat so hard I was worried he’d break it. I didn’t dare look at my family. I shot Cayden a wink. He linked me, “You ARE trying to kill me. I’m f*****g you so hard after this Cass.” I smiled, “Promise?” Cayden gripped the chair harder.

            My first fight was announced by my uncle. My mom popped my Uncle up the bleachers. I easily took my first opponent down. It wasn’t even five minutes of fighting. I felt smugness in all my connections from my family and Cayden. Alexander linked me, “Nice moves Cass.” I worked my way through all the girls. Girls who…..wanted what was mine. I didn’t use Rain or my fairy powers to beat any of them. I wanted them to know I could take them without them. Cora’s friends though, I put serious beat downs on in my next several fights. I could hear Aiylee and my mom cheering me on. A little over an hour had passed before it was time for the final fight. My Uncle came back down and winked, “You’re making quick work of this today. Take a fifteen minute break.” I nodded and walked to Cayden’s office. Cayden linked me, “If you didn’t need your energy…..” I smirked, “What would you do to me, My Commander?” Cayden linked me, “I’d f**k you so hard on my desk you wouldn’t be able to walk.” I smiled, “After this fight then?” Cayden answered, “You bet your perfectly round ass.” He might be upset after this fight. We’d have to see. 

            I grabbed some water. Alexander popped to me. He smiled, “You’re amazing Cass. What’s you plan for Corursula?” I snorted, “How do you know mom’s nickname?” Alexander smiled, “I heard her on the phone with Lexi. She cursed up a storm about it.” I smiled, “I’m going to play with her. After I make her admit what she wants.” Alexander smiled broadly. He kissed my forehead and hugged me, “Cayden….might be mad.” I nodded, “I expect he will be. It will be obvious she’s done other things he doesn't know about. I’ve been nice. More than nice really. She wanted this. Now, I’m done. I’m not being nice. She will see who she’s messing with.” Alexander nodded, “Alright. Go kick her ass little sister.” I smiled, “Oh, I’m going to.” I tore the seam of my arm band on my right hand slightly so I could see my Melanie bracelet. My Uncle knocked on the door and I stepped back out.

            I went and grabbed my samurai swords. Since this was the final fight….there were weapons. I stepped into the ring. I smirked. Cora smiled, “You’re going down Duchess.” I snorted and looked into her eyes, “Why would you want that? I’m your commander’s mate after all. This is all in good fun, right?” Cora sneered, “Cayden should be mine!” Gasps echoed in the crowd. I raised an eyebrow, “He’s not though. He’s mine.” Cora lunged and I blocked her sword easily. She said, “HE WAS ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE MINE AND YOU WOULDN’T TAKE ANY OF MY GODDAMN HINTS AND JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE! I’ll beat you and he’ll see! He’ll see that I was meant to be his. I’m meant to have children! NOT YOU!” I heard several roars of anger. Cayden’s fierce anger slammed into me. I planned to use every last bit of their anger. Cora gaped at me. I smirked, “That’s why you don’t f**k with the truth seeker, Cora.” I looked down at my bracelet. It was silver and brown. Damn….I didn’t see that coming….she was going for iron and silver. I conjured both away from her. 

            Our swords clashed. I cut her across the arm. She screamed in anger and lunged at me. She reached for a dagger. It must have had iron or silver on it. I conjured her a normal one. She glared at me. I winked. She lunged. I easily avoided her. I cut her across the thigh. All light injuries. I wasn’t going to actually kill her. I did want her to remember not to cross me. There was no way in hell my mom or Alexander would heal her. Aiylee screamed, “TAKE THAT CORURSULA!” I heard several people snicker. Then someone whispered, “That’s a princess Haley nickname if I’ve heard one.” Several people agreed. Cayden was rip roaring angry. I remembered Ashlyn had a request. I sheathed one of my swords and juked left. I rammed my fist into Cora’s face. She went down hard. She was unconscious…..Well damn. I guess that’s what happens when you channel all the rage you felt in your connections. I didn't mean to hit her that hard. Alexander linked me, “I thought you might mess with her more.” I snorted, “I didn’t mean to hit her that hard.” Alexander linked me, “Incoming.” I linked back, “I have a Hackura bond with him, big brother. I can feel him coming.” 

            Cayden wrapped his arms around me and put me behind him. He was shaking with rage. My Uncle Spoke, “Well….that happened. My niece and your duchess won all her fights today. That is your commander’s mate!” I yelled, “HEY TAH!” They yelled back, “TAH!” I smiled, “TAH! They yelled, “TAH, TAH!” Cayden picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. Everyone cheered. I heard several of my brothers' fake gag. Cayden ran into his office. He was breathing hard. He said, “She’s done other things….things you didn’t tell me about…” I nodded. Cayden asked, “Why didn't you tell me?” I tilted my head, “You don’t see her for who she is Cayden. She’s a seriously somewhat obsessed stalker. She wants you. She always has. She’s done horrible s**t yet, but now I’ve proven I am your mate for a reason. NOT HER!” Cayden picked me up and put me on his desk. He bit my neck on my mark. I screamed. Cayden gripped my hips roughly. He kept altering between kissing and nibbling on my neck. Then he would bite it without warning. I was writing against him. Cayden spoke harshly against my neck, “YOU are MY DUCHESS. MY MATE. MINE! I would never want anyone else. You are everything to me Cassie Conners. Fuck...I’ll change your goddamn last name to Crawford any damn day you want.”

            My eyes went wide, “Did you just propose…?” Cayden pulled back, “If you want me to propose, my Duchess….I will.” He tore my spandex off. I was still staring at him in shock. We’d only been together for three years. Hackura tended to wait much longer to propose. He wanted to get married? Rain purred in my head. I smiled. I couldn’t believe Cayden wanted to marry me now. All those thoughts flew out of my head when his tongue hit my c**t. I was screaming his name so fast. He knew just the way to flick his tongue….to drive me wild. He flipped me around and bent me over his desk. He gripped my hips and pushed into me from behind. He grunted, “You are MINE Cassie! MINE!” I gripped the desk and whispered, “Yours.” He pounded into me. I came the second his fingers reached around and touched my extremely sensitive c**t, but he didn’t stop. My legs were shaking by the time we stopped. Cayden pulled out of me. If not for the desk...I’d have fallen over. 

            Cayden picked me up and cuddled me in his chair. He kissed my shoulder, “Cass, I need you to tell me when things like this are happening. If you want to handle it yourself….fine, but I still need to know about them.” I nodded, “Ok. I just wanted to prove I was your mate for a reason.” Cayden snorted, “You don’t have to prove s**t to anyone here. You are my mate. Even if you loved peace and were a pacifist who hated fighting. YOU are mine.” I smiled, “And now everyone knows you are mine and not theirs. Honestly Cayden….do you not know all but two of the girls who signed up to fight me did so because they want you.” Cayden gaped, “What? You mean Cora’s friends right?” I snorted, “No, my Commander….her friends want you too. The first two girls signed up because they want to improve their fighting skills. They wanted to gauge where they were at. You know….what this tournament is actually meant for.” Cayden sighed, “That’s…..insane. You do realize the amount of men that want you is not low. I have to constantly tell the men here not to stare at your boobs. I’ve put a few in the hospital.” I snorted, “Ok.” Cayden muttered under his breath, “What is it with the Conner’s women and not seeing how f*****g gorgeous they are?” 

            I smirked, “But you want me to have a different last name. So it wouldn’t be the Conners women...technically speaking.” Cayden touched my nose, “The second you’re ready Cassie Conners…..I’ll change your last name.” I smiled, “I mean….you have to propose first.” Cayden smirked, “Noted my Duchess.” I snapped Cayden’s clothes back on. I stood. Cayden said, “Oh no….you can’t go out there wearing that again. I WILL bring you right back here, and your dad’s head might explode.” I laughed and snapped myself into my yoga pants and tight t-shirt. He kissed me, “Not that this doesn't do the same thing. f**k Cass…” He ground into me. I kissed him until a knock came on the door. Cayden closed his eyes and pulled back. 

            He looked at me longingly and opened the door. His surprise had me looking up. He asked, “Dad?” Aaron laughed, “Cassie’s family wants to congratulate her. The princess insisted we leave you two alone, but her brothers and dad are growing paler by the second….I’m worried they will all pass out soon.” I rolled my eyes. Cayden and I walked out. My parents hugged me first. My mom said, “I’m so f*****g proud of you! You kicked those bitches’ asses!” I laughed, “Thanks mom.” My dad twirled me around. He whispered, “Good job, princess. I am so proud of you.” My brothers all hugged me. Cayden and his dad walked off for a second then came back. We went to the castle for dinner. Afterwards, Cayden and I walked to our home. Finally….this s**t would stop. 

            I didn’t see Cora for two weeks. I was loving this whole her hiding her face thing. Milana came over, “Are you ready to go out today?” I smiled, “It’s just meeting with a source. It’s not a big deal.” Milana smiled, “I heard something….” I asked “Oh? What’s that?” Milana said, “Your mate….punished Cora...that’s why she’s been MIA. Apparently, she got out of the dungeons yesterday.” I rolled my eyes, “And he says I need to tell him things.” We both laughed. Milana said, “Hey sometimes….we have our things we do on our own.” I smiled, “That we do.” I snapped on tan shorts with a white belt. I had a navy shirt with a tan scarf. I walked over to the training facility with Milana. She walked over to Hendrix when we got there. I found Cayden in his office. He looked up and smiled. I kissed him on the lips, “I’m heading out, but I wanted to say bye.” Cayden smiled, “If you didn’t I’d have been at our house in five. I’ve got a meeting later with Micah.” I smiled, “Enjoy your meeting. I’ll see you in a few hours.” I walked out. I saw Micah on his way in. I smiled, “Hey Micah.” I hugged him. He smiled, “Hi Cass. How’s it going?” I smiled, “Pretty good. I’m heading out.” I saw Cora out of my peripheral vision. She was glaring daggers at me. I guess...she hadn’t learned her lesson. We’d see.

            I opened a portal. I was early, but I liked to get the lay of the area. It didn’t take long for me to find….I didn’t like it. It was the perfect place to ambush someone. I began to smell more people around than were supposed to show up. This was not good. I conjured my swords to my back. I pushed my connections down. I felt two people not close….but behind me. They had no smell, and they should. The wind was blowing from that direction. I pushed that aside. The person I was meeting came out, looking nervous. I raised an eyebrow, “How much?” The source started sweating, “Huh?” I asked, “How much did you get for selling me out?” The source went to his knees, “I didn't want to...she said…'' He started to gurgle. I gaped. He fell to his side and started to seize. He’d been poisoned. I was about to try and help him when a voice said, “The infamous Cassie Conners is finally in our grasp.”

            I turned around. I growled, “I’m not in your grasp.” I threw two daggers killing two of the men who’d stepped up. I pulled my samurai swords. I tugged on my connection with Cayden and my brothers. Surprised to find they were already panicked. A portal opened behind the men. I smiled, “You’re so screwed.” They attacked from the front. I saw Cayden come charging through the portal with Hendrix and Milana hot on his heels. Our people started to fill the field. I heard pops signaling my family was here. Cayden yelled, “CASSIE!” I smiled as I killed someone else trying to take me. I was about to answer him when shots rang out. Cayden screamed, “CASSIE!” I hit the deck, but multiple shots were fired. I put my hand on my shoulder as I felt pain. I stared at a guy holding a gun. I felt the iron and silver hit my system. I gasped, “You shot me?! SERIOUSLY!” A second later a shot came and nailed the guy in the chest. A sniper? I didn't know who fired it….How did Cayden or my dad get a sniper here? People were still rushing at me. I used the anger I felt. My blood was pounding in my ears, but I knew there was roaring from wolves. A pop next to me sounded. I locked eyes with Cayden. I popped away from whoever popped to me. I just wanted Cayden. I popped into his arms. I felt hands on us, and we were gone. I let myself cry… getting shot hurt. I felt the healing light flowing around me and let myself fade to sleep.