The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

A Ring Pt. 2

            I laughed as did Micah. I smiled, “You’re a bad liar. You hate Black Path.” What was surprising was that Addison and Sierra agreed with her. Ashley sighed, “Yes, I f*****g hate it. Except for a few bright spots...of wonderful people….. as a whole….the pack itself is a s**t hole. The Alpha is spineless….The beta is just as much so. Their future leadership is different, but the current leadership is doing shady s**t. Their lead warriors are crap. They think just because they are wolves they don’t have to train. I could beat the crap out of all of them. I’m fifteen….so that’s just sad. When I get my wolf….I’m going to challenge the pathetic excuse of a female lead warrior for her spot. I’ll win easily.” I interrupted her, “At sixteen? What about school?” She shrugged, “I have a GED. I don’t go to school.”

            Micah frowned, “What do you do during the day?” Ashley looked away. Addison held her hand and answered, “They have her doing chores.” Ashley added, “I work on projects in my spare time. Like hiding your mark.” Micah asked, “Yeah about that ...how did you do that?” Micah moved his collar down. I glanced over to see that his neck looked clear of marks. His wolf tattoo was completely gone. Ashley smiled and leaned across the table. She grabbed his arm and pealed….I almost gagged because it looked like his skin was coming off. I looked over and his mark was back. 

            I gaped, “How did you do that?” She grabbed a beat up purple backpack and slid it to me. I frowned, “You need a new backpack.” She shrugged, “This is all I’ve got.” The need to help this girl was very strong. I opened her backpack. In several packages were circular objects that looked like small band aids. I swore there was a stuffed animal in the bottom too. I couldn’t make out what it was without taking it out, but I could see black fur whatever it was, maybe even a hint of white. She smiled, “Put one on.” I put it on the back of my hand. If I hadn’t known exactly where it was...I couldn't have seen it. It matched my skin the second I put it on. I moved my shirt. Micah smiled, “Your marks and wolf are gone. That’s wicked cool!”

             I turned back, “What the heck are you three doing with hunters? They will kill you if they find out you are werewolves.” Ashley snorted, “As if they could. They wish they could fight half as well as I do.” Addison laughed, “They do wish that. Several have even said that out loud.” I frowned, “Why does your pack have you with them?” Ashley said, “We could talk about that….or you can take what’s in the backpack for your people. It would help you on missions. Especially if you’re trying to get involved with hunting rings.” I sat back. I asked, “We can just take out Dante if he’s in charge.” Ashley looked murderous, “He’s a figurehead. He’s not in charge, he just thinks he’s hot s**t because he’s the face of the hunters now. Moron. Everyone knows you go for who you think is in charge. He thinks he’s special, but really those in charge are hoping people come to kill him instead of them.” I asked, “Who is in charge then?” Ashley’s face lit with hatred. She spat out, “Slade Carter.” I frowned, “Never heard of him. How do we get to him?” Ashley snarked, “You won’t because I’ll get to him first and kill him.” 

            I sat back and ate some of my burger. Finally I said, “You think Slade Carter killed your family then.” Ashley frowned, “I know he did. I’ll find him...and he will pay for what he did to me.” Whatever her pack thought she was doing….She wasn’t. It was all over her face. She wanted Slade. I sighed, “We could help you.” Ashley looked away then looked back, “It would be more beneficial if I helped you. Micah doesn’t have to join the hunters if you have me. It’s safer too.” She was right. I told her, “I trust Micah implicitly.” Ashley sighed, “We want the same thing Cayden. I want the hunters to go down. So you do. You have to. For Cassie.” I raised an eyebrow, “Which brings us back to how on earth you know all that.” Ashley shook her head, “You keep those concealers, and I’ll give you information on a drug bust you can hijack. We forget the conversation about how I know things. I will be a source for you on the drugs, and the hunters. I just want to be an anonymous source.” I frowned, “Why?” Ashley shrugged, “It’s the only way I’ll do it. No werewolves, even partial ones, can know I’m helping you.” Micah frowned, “Shouldn’t you prefer the werewolf council?” Her jaw ticked. Her eyes showed despair. 

            Addison said, “It’s a good deal and you know it. She’s offering more than she has to.” I nodded, “And I’m wondering why she is. The only conclusion I can come to is that this is about my in-laws. You know a lot about the Conners.” She muttered, “Most people do...they are pretty famous. You have the most powerful pack being taken over by childhood sweethearts and an Alpha Enforcer.” I exchanged looks with Micah. Her tone was wistful when she spoke of Alexander’s title. She added, “Their dad is the strongest Alpha around….their mom is a double princess….everyone knows about them.” Not everyone knew who I was. My name. Sure...What I looked like? No. I studied her. She was only fifteen. If we built trust with her…..she could explain more. Something told me she knew a hell of a lot more than she was saying. I’d bet she knew the blue circle group people. If I were them….I’d recruit the s**t out of Ashley Griffen. I nodded, “Temporarily...I agree. I’ll have to confirm with my King. For obvious reasons….we do not tend to close the Conners out of things.” Ashley frowned, “But in special cases you do, and the princess understands. She was raised that way. She understands how things work…” I cut her off, “The more you ramble the more I wonder how you know these things. Do you know a Hackura?” She muttered, “I met one….a full blooded Hackura ….once….before….and a partial one….” I sighed, “You really are evasive like a fairy.” 

            We finished our burgers. She slid information over to me. I raised an eyebrow. She was giving us a shipment to stop. I took out my phone and sat a few booths away. I began coordinating. Gunner and Harper had texted several comments. They mirrored my own thoughts. Micah took out his computer. Ashley sat forward. She said, “You should Atom instead. It’s easier to use.” Micah looked up, “I normally do. I just have a few codes I write in Sublime Text.” She moved to his side of the booth. She added, “You should change that to a three...and that one to a plus.” Micah studied her. He looked back at the screen. He yelled, “Cayden! I’m never letting her go! This fixes the problem my dad and I have been having! You just inverted the…” I tuned them out. My phone buzzed. Gunner said she was right. Harper told me Gunner was geeking out just as hard as Micah. Micah and Ashley were coming up with some kind of code together. I studied her. A kid with a GED who had these contraptions she called concealers. Did her old pack not understand how valuable she was? She was talking code like it was her job. 

            Eventually I handed her a burner phone. I said, “Contact us on this. I’ll let you know if we are moving forward with you as a source.” She smiled, “You’re going to say yes. It’s written all over your face. You like me. Not in a weird way. Oh god...you’re mated...I meant….you think...like…” Micah was biting his lip trying not to laugh as Ashley kept on talking. I sighed, “Do you ever stop talking once you start?” She whispered, “No...not really...I was just trying to clarify...I didn’t mean that you like me like me….like anything more than a person. Most people like me in a different way….they are possessive.” I frowned, “Excuse me? You said that earlier too.” She shrugged “People are always saying I’m theirs. They want to have s*x with me….most want to possess me.” I frowned, “If you become our source….if you are ever in danger we will come for you Ashley. We protect our own and our sources.” Ashley laughed, “I have yet to come across someone whose ass I can’t kick.” I smiled, “You’re right though. I do like you in a non-romantic way.” I didn’t think it would help to say I felt a brotherly connection to her. Her brother was an i***t. I hadn’t spent much time with her, and I wanted to protect her.

            I drove Micah and I back to his fake apartment. I told him, “We’ll keep this apartment for you since Ashley is likely going to be a source for us. Uncle Bjourn will agree.” Harper walked into the apartment nodding, “He will. He would without me recommending it, but I absolutely will.” Gunner and Micah started talking about the code Ashley had changed. I asked them, “What’s Atom?” They both laughed but didn’t answer. Gunner said, “It’s best to just let them discuss it.” 

            I turned to Harper, “She’s fifteen. She’s doing chores...that’s what Addison said.” Micah said, “She called herself Cindy though.” Gunner said, “They have no background whatsoever. Dante isn’t too paranoid if doesn’t run a background check. Even basic ones. The diner you went to belongs to Mason and Hendrick King. They are ostracized in their pack for being gay.” I frowned “I thought werewolves were past that.” Gunner sighed, “Not all of the packs are apparently. They are fated mates too.” That was simple minded thinking. Even if they weren’t fated mates...the heart wants what the heart wants. Assholes.  I turned back to Harper, “If they are like that….could they be treating Ashley as a pack slave?” Harper frowned, “Yes, they could be. I could have Eric check on her….I just need to think of a way without tipping our hand.” Micah said, “She’s challenging to be a female lead warrior when she’s sixteen. That would be an obvious time for the council to check in. It’s standard to wait until she’s eighteen to have the time to challenge because of school.”

            Gunner nodded, “He’s right. That would make the most sense.” I didn’t like it, but they were right. Harper said, “You gave her the phone. She could call you if she needs something.” I said, “She’ll reach Micah when she calls. I put his number in there. They bonded. She’d be the most comfortable with him. I think we can get more than hunting and drug rings if we can get this girl on our side.” Harper nodded, “I do too. Eric has long suspected that pack of doing bad things.” They left. I told Micah to get some sleep. The four of us would tackle the drug shipment tomorrow. When it turned out good….I’d get Ashley a new backpack. The next day we took several people prisoner and intercepted a very large drug shipment that had been infiltrating Black Mountain Pack, and their allies’ areas. Micah smiled, “Her intel was good.” I nodded, “Yes it was.” I stopped and took us into a*****e. I saw a multicolored purple backpack. I told Micah to meet up with Ashley and let her know she was in then give her the backpack. Uncle Bjourn would agree.

            When he got back. He told me, “I found her at King’s Diner. I was just going to give it to Mason, but she was there working in her notebook. She cried….over a backpack Cayden. She was so excited. She hugged me as if it was the best thing she’d ever gotten.” I frowned, “It’s just a backpack.” Micah frowned, “I think it’s about people being nice to her. There were some pack members there calling her a curse. I asked her why she didn’t just buy a new backpack. She said her money goes into other things more important than a backpack.” I frowned, “She probably uses what she can on things like this.” I held up the concealers. Micah nodded, “I guess. Someone has to be funding that kind of thing.” I opened a portal, “I’m going home. Are you going pop to Black Mountain?” Micah said, “I’m going to grab some things at Max and I’s place in our realm...then yes.” I portaled us right outside Cassie and I’s house. I walked inside and threw my stuff down. I needed to protect Ashley. Getting her to trust us could go easier than or thought. Or much harder. Something told me the backpack would get us at least something. I had a sinking feeling…..trust was a thing of Ashley’s past. I hoped I was wrong though.

            Cassie walked in interrupting my thoughts. I had a meeting with Uncle Bjourn, but I could be late. I was going to worship her body, but she had other plans. She popped us into our bed and practically impaled herself on me. I smiled. I couldn’t say I minded. She was being very possessive. She was attaching my mark with her teeth and setting a fast pace. I was doing everything I could to hold back my own orgasm. She wanted me to say I was hers. More than she knew...I was. She owned me. She wanted me to say I was her louder. My fiery redhead was quite fiery today. She raked her nails down my back the way I liked. I yelled that I was her. I heard three distinct gasps outside our window. Oh hell to the f**k no. If we were outside in an orgy...that’s one thing. I was not about to deal with peeping f*****g toms into our goddamn home. I couldn’t hold my orgasm back any longer. I yelled at the peepers to go away. Cassie told me they were gone. I studied her. She’d known the whole time. She’d wanted whoever was outside to hear me say I was her. She wasn’t going to tell me who it was. 

            She popped into the shower and invited me to join her. Who was I to turn down such a generous invitation? We stayed in the shower far longer than we should’ve. God I’d missed her. When we got out she’d asked what happened. Max had been about to pop to Micah. That would not have been good. I told her I’d tell her all about it, but I needed to make sure that she knew what she was getting into. Hiding things from her family. She again reiterated she was the one who had my back as the commander’s mate. I couldn’t help but kiss her. When she said things like that….the words Marry me almost came off of mine. I told her we had a new source. She was surprised. I broke the situation down for her. I asked if Cass knew anyone from there. It would help. Ashley was new….but Black Path didn’t associate with Missouri...that we could find….which is where Ashley’s old pack was. Cassie said they didn’t know people down there. I’d have to figure it out another way. I told her about how Ashley saved Micah. Cassie said it was a bluff. That’s the thing. It wasn't a bluff. She KNEW Micah had killed rogues. She was very evasive…..a liar though...she wasn’t. 

            Cassie offered to talk to her. I wished. She flipped out and almost left though. I told Cassie about the concealers. Cassie immediately asked what I thought. If Ashley was part of the blue circle group. I thought she very well could be. If we built up some trust with her...maybe she’d bring us to the inside of the group. I had no evidence that said she was, and she was an interesting person. She’s clearly very angry, but she had a reason to be. I explained to Cassie that her family died, and she clearly thought it was her fault. I didn’t have to ask her to know that. It would be huge if I could get us a meeting with the circle group's leader. Along with the intel she already agreed to provide….it was big. She asked the same question we had about the werewolf council. I just didn’t know the answer. Maybe her old pack shipping her off made her turn inwards. She kissed me and told me I could do it. 

            I had to leave for my meeting with Bjourn. I was late but I was also sure he suspected I would be. I ran to the palace. I found my uncle in his office. Harper and Gunner were already there. My Uncle Bjourn said, “You and Micah got us an in with the hunters….we don’t have to use Micah undercover, and you’ve come back with new gadgets. On top of busting up a drug shipment. That’s quite a successful mission.” I sighed, “Yes, her name is Ashley Griffen. She wants to be an anonymous source for us though. She knows a lot about us for only having ever met only one of us….and a partial….Maybe she dated one….We’ll have to ask around.” My Uncle nodded, “I know. Harper told me about it. Hopefully, we can build trust with her, and she’ll change her mind. Harper seemed to think….she has a connection to the Conners themselves.” I shrugged, “Cass said she’d never met her. So did Ashley.” Harper said, “You didn’t ask if she’d met them all….just Cass.” I nodded, “That’s true. I only asked about Cass. Ashley knows a lot about us and fairies.” My Uncle nodded, “Something the Conners have in them.” That was true. I sighed, “She likes fighting. Seems like she’s good at it. She could look up to Alexander for that reason alone….Along with Eric. Eric is a legend. Alexander is on his way there to legendary status already. If you were good at fighting...that’s who you’d pick to look up too. Especially if you were in a shitty pack.” My Uncle nodded, “That’s true. I see you already got her a backpack.” 

            I sat down, “I can’t explain it, but I feel a need to protect Ashley. As a brother would. She needs someone. She’s got her friends, but….I can’t explain it. I just have that connection with her. I think Micah would say the same.” Gunner said, “He would. He said it felt like family. Like he feels with Elise and Buttercup.” I nodded, “Actually, that’s exactly how I would describe it.” Uncle Bjourn nodded, “Alright. She’s already proven she’s a good source for us. I’m fine with keeping her anonymous. I hope we can eventually gain enough trust with her to at least let us go to  Eric with what she knows. I do understand her plight though.” 

            I sat forward in my chair and asked, “Huh?” Uncle Bjourn sighed, “Teenagers long for acceptance. What she’s doing….a lot of werewolves could see her as a traitor.” I snorted, “I don’t think she cares. She said her pack was s**t. She hates Black Path, Uncle Bjourn. It’s clear as day on her face and in her tone. The surprising part was the Alpha and Beta’s daughters….agreed with her. Whatever Ashley is doing….I think they are all in on it. What do we have on Slade Carter?” Uncle Bjourn sighed, “Very little. We wouldn’t have suspected him as a hunter. It’s brilliant though. He travels a lot. He’s a bit of recluse but Gunner and Micah are on that.” I nodded, “Maybe their new code with Ashley will help.” Gunner said, “It’s not for that….Micah could talk to her about it though. She might have a different algorithm to run. A three and a plus...Who would’ve thought?” Harper said, “I speak for us all Gunner….when I say….literally no one.” I laughed, “I’m going to get back to Cass.” 

            I told Micah to text Ashley’s burner and let her know she was in. I ran back to the house and walked in. Cassie was deep in thought about something. She had an idea. I asked her what it was. She told me that Ashley Griffen was a character in a book. Then she asked me if I met Cindy Blake and Samantha McLean. Son of a b***h. That’s why they don’t have backgrounds. They’d picked book characters. Their pack could pretend to give a s**t about them and give them fake backgrounds. Jesus Christ. I told her they were actually the beta and Alpha’s daughters. Cassie was enraged. I don’t even think she noticed her eyes were blazing at the thought of the pack using kids to infiltrate a hunting ring. They’d get the s**t fined out of them if Eric ever found out. Cassie thought the whole thing was odd. She had no idea how odd. We needed to put it aside and go to bed though. She had a big day tomorrow. She reminded me I had to stay in the stands. I knew that...oh shit...she’d modified the outfit to make it harder for me to stay put. She tested me….My duchess. She always had to push at the tethers of my restraint. I fell asleep with her in my arms. 

            I woke up hearing Cass move around. She kissed me and told me she’d see me there. I told her to just give me a minute. I’d go with her. I knew she’d put her outfit in the bag she had on. She didn’t want to spoil the surprise. She wanted my reaction in front of a crowd. My Duchess was fiery indeed….She definitely had her mischievous moments. Her cousin popped to her and then they went into my office. One of them charmed it because I couldn’t hear anymore. I went into the stands. Alexander clapped my back, “How are you doing?” I sighed, “I’m about to watch my mate fight five people….I’m peachy.” Hendrix cleared his throat, “Umm….so….not exactly.” I frowned, “What are you talking about?” Hendrix handed me the list. My eyes went wide, “TEN?! TEN FIGHTS?! That’s too f*****g many in one day. Absolutely not!” Haley sighed, “She’ll be perfectly fine Cayden. My baby can kick f*****g ass just like her mom. You add her dad’s blood in there and all those women are thoroughly fucked.” They were. Whether Cass won or not...training just became brutally tough the next several weeks.

            Aiylee popped back to the stands. She wrapped herself in Exsis lap. He smiled at me too. He wasn’t terrible for a fairy. He made Aiylee happy which made Cass happy. My Uncle Bjourn walked out of my office. I gripped my chair so hard. Hendrix whispered, “You’re going to break the chair, man. I didn’t care. I needed to f**k her. I needed every man in here to hear her say she was mine. She looked so damn hot. Her boobs were taunting me….perkily sitting there reminding me I had hours before I could play with them. She turned. Her ass. GOD! JESUS f*****g CHRIST!”  My brother Angus whispered in my ear, “We’re going to have to kill several people, big brother. No one looks at my sister-in-law like they are.” I turned and slammed my hand onto the bleachers that everyone else was sitting on. Several looks were thrown my way. My eyes were blazing. Many looked away. Others had to get an elbow into their sides. They had NO IDEA the hell training would be. I linked Cass and asked if she was trying to kill me. She teased me. She wasn’t going to be able to walk after this. Her family would have to deal with it or leave. Their presence was barely even registering to me. 

            The first fight was announced. I could barely focus. I switched between her boobs and her ass. Her tight round ass. Jesus f*****g Christ. She made quick work of her opponents. I was damn proud of her. Haley was waiving a round that said, Kick Their Ass, Cass. Only Haley. The moment Cora’s friends entered their fights Cassie changed her style. She went at them hard. They were going to need to visit the doctor. Hendrix coughed, “Fiery redhead.” He looked at me then whispered, “Seriously man...shit we had no idea about was going on….I think the last fight will be one for the record books.” I nodded. I was getting that sense too. I couldn’t be prouder of Cass. She’d beaten nine people in an hour. If she hadn’t been messing with Cora’s friends….it would've been even shorter. She wasn’t even breathing hard. Uncle Bjourn sent her to take a break in my office. Now he was just torturing me. The things I could do with her in fifteen minutes. I couldn't today though. She still had one more fight. 

                I linked her. I had never been gladder I’d joined Black Mountain. She asked what I’d do to her. I was so hard I was beginning to worry that my d**k might fall off. I told her she wouldn’t be able to walk if I came down there. She asked if that would happen after this fight. It would absolutely happen after this fight. I felt her excitement with a little apprehension. A tad bit of disbelief that it would happen. I could give a s**t less what happened in this next fight. Aesir himself could say he needed to talk to me, and he’d have to wait. I turned to Hendrix, “What do you know?” Hendrix slipped me a piece of paper. 

What I know - Cora disappeared for a few weeks because Cassie did something to her. Cora was at Cass and Cayden’s house. Cassie singed a pair of sheets over it. Cass wants to handle it on her own. Milana says she can’t tell me because of the girl code.

Girl code? Seriously? I crumbled the note. I knew what pair of sheets he was talking about. I just didn’t know what had happened to them. If Cora was in our bed…I felt nothing but fury. I pushed it down. Cass needed to focus.