The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

A Place With Us Pt. 1

Cayden is Twenty-Five

            Cayden silently entered his home. I’d come home later than normal tonight. I had a meeting that ran late. I usually made it home in time to go to bed at the same time Cassie did. That was not in the cards tonight. I knew Cass was asleep. I could feel in our bond that she was out. I entered our bedroom silently. I got ready for bed in the dark then slid into bed. I studied her. She was perfect. I couldn't stop my smile. She’d be my wife at the end of this week. I was ready. I loved that she wanted every detail of our wedding to be perfect. I didn’t care that we’d had a two year long engagement. For Hackura’s….we were still running down the aisle. A two year engagement was really short here. 

        Everyone was excited for our wedding despite some thinking it was fast. I was still trying to run down what the f**k had happened last year. Micah and I had a theory, but it didn’t make sense. The only thing we’d come to find about that event that haunts me was it happened on Ashley’s sixteenth birthday…..her real birthday. Not the one on her birth certificate. That had been an interesting story. Or lie I should say. We’d stumbled onto the information by accident. Micah had overheard someone from Black Path talk about the weird s**t that happened on Ashley’s birthday. 

            He immediately found Ashley at the King’s diner. Apparently, Ashley was born at home, and her parents didn’t report her birth until a few days later to the state. Ashley had nothing to say about it. Even when I came in and asked her directly. Addison was the one who’d told the tale. I had to admit, Addison was good at lying, but I knew how to spot when someone was lying to me. Her story about Ashley’s birthday….It was a lie. I didn’t know the real story, but I knew Ashley’s real birthday was the same day as Melanie McAlister. Melanie was fine though. Ashley….was wolf less. It was f*****g weird. Every werewolf in the world went down. I couldn’t help but think about that day.

            *Flashback*

I was in the gym fighting with Hendrix. It was a normal day. The gym was packed. I knew Cass was her too. I could feel her close by. Uncle Bjourn walked in. I nodded to Hendrix and stepped over to talk to him. He smiled, “I was…” He was cut off by an ear piercing scream that made my heart stop. I yelled, “CASS!” Whoever was fighting her was f*****g dead! I ran over to an astonished Milana. I glared at her. Milana said, “I don’t know what happened….She just….went down.” I yelled, “SOMEONE GET A DOCTOR!” My Uncle began checking her over. I’d forgotten. He was a doctor. Titus, Drake, and Evin ran in. Followed by the rest of Cassie’s Uncle’s. I held her hand, “Cass….Cass talk to me. What’s going on?” Her face was contorted in pain. She started sobbing, “Alex….Alexander…..Get….to...Alexander.” I glanced sharply at my Uncle. It wasn’t her pain. 

            Hendrix yelled, “OPEN A PORTAL RIGHT DAMN NOW! I Want twenty men on me.” Someone taking down Alexander was not an easy feat. They might need more men. Harper opened a portal and they ran through. This time pain barreled into me like lighting. I gripped my Uncle's shoulder to keep upright. Cassie screamed in pain. This time it was hers. I looked over at the portal that was still open. I could hear the yells and screams of pain coming through from the other side. Hendrix ran back through looking panicked. He told me, “Every wolf is down. Haley is freaking the actual f**k out. Alexander went down first and I quote ‘for no goddamn f*****g reason’ Haley said it’s all her kids now. All her kids are in pain.” Jed ran through, “Blue Moon is down too.” Silas came through, “Red Run….is down. So is Yellow Hills.” A portal opened and my brother, Agnus ran in with eyes wide. He’d been in Louisiana. I hissed, “Agnus?” He said, “Cayden….an entire pack is down. Nothing happened...they just went down in pain. Even the rogues that were nearby.” I gaped, “What the f**k is happening?!” Cassie whimpered. I held her tight. I said, “Shhh, my Duchess. I’ve got you.” Her pain was fading. Then it just vanished. She stood up in a flash.

            She opened a portal and ran through it with me and all her uncles right behind her. She spotted her parents. She looked around. She cried, “Where is Alexander? Mom? What happened? Where is he?” Eric spoke, “Alexander popped out. He linked me that he’s with EJ in Red Run. I don’t know what the f**k happened princess. Did….were you hurt too?” He was back on his feet. He walked over to us and crushed Cassie against him. She cried, “What was that daddy?” Eric was pissed. He rubbed her head, “I do not know, but I will find out. Are you ok, Princess?” Cassie whispered, “I’m fine. Is Alexander ok?” 

        At that exact moment Alexander popped back home. He was pissed. Haley spoke, “Alexander….what happened sweetie?” Alexander punched a heavy bag straight off its holder. Uncle Bjourn put his hand on Alexander's shoulder. He asked him, “What happened, Alexander?” Alexander whirled around, “I don’t f*****g know! A wolf….Oden said it was a new wolf….contacted me asking for help. The wolf sounded tired. Like it had been fighting. Then the connection cut, and I felt pain. EJ said they did too.” 

            Cassie spoke, “First it was just you….then….then it was my own pain. Rain was howling in my head. She’s still in a state. She just doesn't know why. Is Oden ok?” Alexander locked his jaw, “No. He’s not.” Haley kissed his cheek, “You’re ok?” Alexander nodded, “Yes, mom. I’m fine. I know they want you in the pack house. They need you. They are scared. There’s nothing physically wrong with me mom.” Haley frowned, “Alexander…” He smiled and kissed her forehead, “Go mom.” She sighed and looked at Eric. He nodded, “I’ve got this, Angel.” Haley popped away clearly not happy about it though. Cassie asked, “Why did you pop….? OH MY GOD! Is Melanie ok? Was it her?” Alexander’s jaw ticked, “Apparently she’s fine. She is also not here.” My jaw dropped. Eric said, “Excuse me? Apparently? Melanie’s not at home?” Alexander shook his head, “She had plane problems. She barely made it back to pack lands before midnight. She started her goddamn shift all alone until warriors found her.” Cassie yelled, “HOW IS THAT NOT A GODDAMN EMERGENCY?! She could’ve been hurt! It’s dangerous to shift alone for the first time!” Alexander nodded, “I know.”  

            Eric asked, “How do we know she’s fine then?” Alexander shrugged, “She called Drake while I was there. They went down too.” Eric frowned, “No one else in this area has a birthday tonight.” Alexander nodded, “I know.” Eric sighed, “I’ll figure it out.” Alexander sighed, “I don't’ know who else would reach out to me and Oden. I don’t know anyone else with a birthday tonight. Why did the wolf sound so weak...did….Did I go to the wrong place and a sixteen year old died for that?” Cassie said, “No...no...you were in pain before you popped anywhere. Dad….could the wolf have died?” Eric frowned, “It’s not likely. No wolf besides someone from this pack should be able to link you, Alexander. New wolf or not….there’s just no one else who could. I’ll reach out. We don’t have a pup with a birthday tonight...I’ll figure it out.” Cassie held onto Alexander tightly. He hugged her back. Eric and Uncle Bjourn were clearly having some silent conversation. Eric’s phone rang. He stepped away. When he walked back over to the group, he was beyond pissed.

            I asked, “What’s wrong?” Eric sighed, “My guy just followed Melanie to the airport. That was all I had him doing today. I just wanted him to make sure she got to the goddamn airport. He’s going to get eyes on her as soon as he can but….he’s never seen her wolf yet. He doesn’t know who she is. He’s not allowed on their pack lands. I have him set up with a different pack. He’ll call tomorrow with news.” I raised an eyebrow, “Alexander said she called Drake.” Eric nodded, “I am aware. I want eyes on her anyway.” 

        He was looking at Alexander. I nodded. Then Eric also believed Melanie was Alexander’s then. I didn’t officially know that….but this was making it obvious. Cass had never told me, but I’d picked up subtle things from conversations here and there. Eric had to  believe that too. Uncle Bjourn spoke, “Haley is unsettled Eric.” Eric snorted, “She’s going to be. All our children went down. ALL of them. We were all in the gym except EJ and Cassie. Alexander….” His voice cut out and his eyes filled with tears. He wiped his eyes and continued, “Alexander went down in a heap. Haley was screaming there was nothing wrong with him. She was cursing witch bitches and demanding someone find out how a goddamn witch got in here without the super noses noticing. She wanted the witch brought to her...she had….plans...Then….We all went down. Haley’s panic and terror was so strong at that moment...I felt it stronger than the pain I felt. Our other kids popped to their friends in the pack house. Alexander popped away. She’s...reeling. She saw it all happen, and she could do nothing to help us.” 

            Alexander said, “f**k….as a healer….that’s...rough. Poor mom. I’m going to go see her.” He popped away. I grabbed Cassie. I linked her, “I can’t let you out of my sight Cass. I….can’t.” Her scream was still ringing in my ears. She frowned but nodded. I told her, “We can spend the night here if you want to be closer to your family.” Eric shot me a grateful look. Cassie kissed me lightly and whispered, “Thank you Cayden.” Most of her Uncles ended up staying. Even Titus stayed the night. Uncle Bjourn had to go back, but he had a long talk with Alexander first. I couldn’t hear them, but Alexander’s frustration was palpable. Someone had told Haley what a slumber party was. Eric’s brothers, their mates, their children, along with all of Cassie’s siblings were on mattresses in the living room. Uncle Bjourn tried to tell her that we should be in sleeping bags. She went on and on about how bad that would be for everyone’s back. So the main room was clear of furniture and we all had mattresses. I pulled Cassie as close to me as I could. Her scream of pain was still ringing in my ear. 

            *End of Flashback*

            I shook the memories off from that day, and pulled her close to me. That wasn’t today. It had never happened again. Whatever it was. When I woke up I could feel Cassie’s eyes on me. I could tell she was thinking. It was too early, and I’d come to bed too late for her to be thinking so much right now. Cassie told me I didn’t know what she was thinking about. Oh really? My Duchess needed a reminder that I knew her inside and out. I told her what she was thinking and she blushed. I didn’t need her to tell me I was right. I knew I was. She was excited that it was finally time for our wedding. I didn’t know how I got so lucky. I had the most beautiful, powerful, precious mate around. She was all mine too. I asked her what she was doing tonight. She’d been secretive. She evasively told me she didn’t plan it then admitted she knew one thing they were doing. One thing that ALL the women in the realm had been dead quiet about. It was oddly unsettling.  She told me I’d laugh when I found out. Probably. 

            I asked her for a hint. She teased me, but didn’t tell me. I pointed out I could get her to talk. I excelled at making people talk. She admitted I could, but she wanted me to wait. We lost ourselves in each other. I lost time when I was with Cassie this way. I was completely consumed by her and us being together. We’d come a few times each when we both came again. I was not done though. Someone banged on my door. Oh...they’d better be dying. I gently pulled out of Cass and walked to our front door. I yanked it open, already yelling that someone had better be dying. Banging on my door when you could full well hear EXACTLY what’s happening inside. I raised an eyebrow at the young man on the other side. He wasn’t from this part of the realm. What the f**k was he doing here? He looked nervous. I slammed the door in his face. He was perfectly fine. 

            Cassie told me I’d scared whoever it was. Good. Hendrix would’ve been the one at the door  if it was actually important. No one wanted to interrupt Cassie and me at this moment. An angry commander was not good for anyone. Cassie wanted to shower. Clearly she didn’t understand that my hands could not control themselves with her naked body in the vicinity. I quickly followed her into the shower and continued doing exactly what I’d intended before, giving Cassie more pleasure. Once we were both satisfied we got out of the shower. Cassie snapped us breakfast and I grabbed us some orange juice. I told her to have fun at her party. She told me she was coming with me. Of course she was. We walked over to the gym. The second we walked in my dad walked up to us smirking.

            Cassie excused her and my dad walked into my office. He smiled, “So….you slammed the door in a young man’s face today, did you?” I raised an eyebrow, “And he went crying to you? As the earthly realm would say...that’s two strikes. One more and he’s outta here.” My dad laughed, “Oh, he didn’t come running to me. He just came back because he had already been at our house.” I frowned, “Why?” My dad smiled, “He was sent to get you to bring you back to our house.” I raised an eyebrow, “Is everything ok?” My dad nodded, “Yes. Aubrielle found her mate.” I sighed, “You’re going to tell me it’s the guy I slammed the door on.” My dad laughed, “No, it’s his brother.” I nodded, “Ok….Aubrielle’s mate brought his brother to his mates house?” My dad smiled, “Aubrielle portaled to a spot her friends told her about. Both her mate and his brother were there. Aubrielle insisted they both come back to meet everyone.” I shrugged, “He should’ve sent Aubrielle then. Or Tenley. Not someone I don’t know. I mean...I do know him, but I’ve never met him.” My dad laughed, “Your sister wants you to come say hi to her mate.” I nodded. I was going to grab Cass, but she was already gone. Hendrix called over to me, “She and Alexander popped out.” I nodded and walked out with my dad.

            I walked into the house. The nervous man from the door avoided my gaze. Aubrielle squealed, “CAYDEN! I met my mate. This is Wren.” I nodded. I knew him. He was one of the lords of the realm’s oldest sons. I shook his hand, “Make my sister happy.” Aubrielle rolled her eyes. Wren smiled, “I plan to.” Aubrielle asked, “Where’s Cassie?” I said, “She’s talking to Alexander. You can tell her at her...You’re not going to her bachelorette party anymore...Are you?” Aubrielle’s smile fell, “Will she be mad? Wren and I want to spend some alone time together before your wedding this week.” I told her, “She won’t be mad. Cass will be happy for you. Besides, you can introduce her to him at the wedding.” Aubrielle hugged me, “Don’t tell her! I want to share the news.” I squeezed her tightly, “Are you happy Aubrielle?” She pulled back smiling, “I’m so happy.” I kissed her forehead, “Good.” I shook Wren’s hand, and they left. My mom laughed, “We were trying to have a family breakfast before they left.” I laughed, “You should’ve sent someone else then.” My mom rolled her eyes, “Duly noted.” 

            I followed my connection with Cass. I quickly realized where they were. Cass and I’s spot. I stopped when I heard what they were talking about. Melanie McAlister. They must be involved in their conversation to not realize I was here. The second Cassie mentioned Levi. I texted him.

Me: I don’t know what you know about Alexander and Melanie….Tell me you don’t have a crush on her.

Levi: I know she likes him. She always has. As I am observant, I know he likes her too. I don’t have a crush on her. I like the kid though. She has moxie.

Me: Cass might have spilled the beans that you met Melanie

Levi: To whom?

Me: Alexander. He’s incoming.

Levi: f**k! 

Me: Best of luck he seems….unhappy.

Levi: It wasn’t like EJ and I planned it. With all that damn border crossing bullshit...something weird is going on with that whole thing. The whole damn situation is f*****g weird. God help you if you say that though. Tristan made me promise to leave the whole damn thing and Melanie alone. It was f*****g weird. We were talking about it here in person. He admitted it was f*****g weird she’d never come home. He left...and an hour later I got this text asking for my word to leave Melanie alone. He flipped s**t on me in a text.

Me: That is weird. You guys have been friends for….forever.

Levi: I know. I dropped it. I don’t say s**t about Melanie and the f*****g WEIRD s**t anymore. I’ll be waiting for Alexander

When Alexander popped away I had to laugh because Cassie threw herself onto the ground. It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know that it was a secret Levi met Melanie. I was surprised it hadn’t come out to Alexander before now. I was surprised I didn’t know. Something about that nagged me briefly. Levi and EJ met Melanie….Ashley’s words from our first meeting came to mind….A full blooded Hackura and a partial…..No. that was crazy. I pushed those thoughts from my mind. Who else knows who met Melanie and kept it a secret.

            I told Cassie she was so lost in her conversation I finally snuck up on a Conners. With their sense of smell….It was hard to do. Cassie asked if I’d heard them talking. I told her I wouldn’t say anything to anyone about Alexander. I’d already suspected anyway. It’s not like I met her or was friends with her brothers. I knew of her. I knew Elise missed her. I knew she danced and was smart. I knew she hadn’t come home since she left. There ended my knowledge of Melanie McAlister. Well….and Alexander believed she was his. According to Levi….Melanie liked him too. Cassie said that was close to what she knew about her too. She wasn’t completely convinced Melanie had existed for a while. She believed that. As much as she cared for Jason she honestly thought he made up a little sister until Levi met Melanie. I pointed out Levi meeting Melanie was not something Alexander knew. Cassie was instantly worried for her cousin. I told her I let Levi know what was heading for him. I glanced at my watch. I needed to get moving. Cassie wasn’t happy I was leaving. I told her I’d be back tonight. Her mom insisted. It was good that this wouldn’t take longer than that….Or I’d have to hide from my mother in law. 

            Cassie asked me to ask Ashley again if she’d meet her. I had no idea what the HELL that was about. Ashley seemed to get scared and became extremely skittish if I mentioned Cassie meeting her. Cassie and I both believed that Ashley was the best sniper in the ring resistance. That sniper always shot six times. She was on our six. Always. We just couldn’t ever get to the snipers hide in time to talk. I’d asked Ashley point blank if it was her. She asked me to prove it was her. She didn’t deny it, which told me….it HAD to be her. I just need something tangible. Physical proof it was her, and she would talk to me about it. Cassie pointed out I could make her talk. I couldn’t. Uncle Bjourn and his brothers said the same. I couldn’t though. I couldn’t torture information out of Ashley. Even Harper agreed with me. He’d only seen her on video too. He said she needed to be protected. The reasons I couldn’t torture her was because: One, I truly believed she’d withstand torture better than people thought she would. Two, I couldn’t hurt her. She was like a little sister to me. I needed to protect her. Not hurt her. I think she was facing enough of that. Sometimes when we’d see her she’d have unexplained bruises. Which made no damn sense. I’d watched her teach fighting classes. She was...impressive.

            Part of me felt Ashley wanted me to figure the resistance piece of it all. She hoped I did. The other part of her….seemed terrified of what would happen if I did. I’d tried telling her that none of us would ever hurt her, but she seemed to disagree. I just couldn’t figure out why. I’d even told we owed her as a people. She got us to Cass on time. That meant something to our entire realm. Hell it meant something to the Conners. Her eyes would flash with sorrow when I mentioned my in-laws. I just couldn’t figure out what the f**k that meant. After Ashley didn’t shift….which she wouldn’t talk about….something changed in her. She was darker. Harder….Definitely angrier. I explained to Cass what Micah had found out. Rumor is her dad wasn’t her dad. Seemed like complete bullshit. Wolves have to be in heat to conceive. So I didn’t buy for one second some dude raped a she wolf in heat...then her mate showed up and didn’t kill that guy? Yeah right. Something was wrong with that. Ashley though…..seemed broken about it. She’d told Micah her biological dad may not be the man she thought he was, but he’d always be her real dad. She said it didn’t make sense because everyone said she had features in common with her dad. What they were….I couldn’t tell you. She wouldn’t talk about it.

            Cassie was pissed. She saw the flaws with the story that I had. I told her the crux of the matter seemed to be this guy. A guy she believed was her mate. Something happened involving him after she didn’t shift. I guess her brother told her the guy she thought was her mate wouldn’t want her. That he’d picked her brother's side. Which made no goddamn sense. There should be no f*****g sides. We tried to find her brother and the guy….but no one besides the brother seemed to know who this guy was. Ashley wouldn’t talk about him, and the brother always disappeared. We’d never even glimpsed him. I was beginning to side with Eric about Missouri. They sucked. So did Nashville. Those guys called Ashley the ice queen because she had no interest in them. Cassie thought the whole thing was shitty. She was right. It was. It all seemed wrong. Cassie said she should still have a wolf. That’s what Ashley said. I worried that somehow the Black Path pack had killed her wolf the night she first shifted. Addison and Sierra weren’t there. They’d gone on a trip. Hendrick and Mason King were sent off by the Alpha….None of Ashley’s friends were there. Ashley….didn’t remember the night she was supposed to shift. Or much about it other than screaming in pain. She remembered waking up in the Alpha’s office with her Aunt being told she had no wolf. She was given a letter….A letter I hadn’t read, but she always had it on her person. The whole thing….reeked of something being wrong.

            Cassie asked if I really thought this guy was her mate. I sighed and told her that whether he was or not ....Ashley believed it with her whole heart. The guy was an i***t if the brother was telling the truth. I had to say at this point….I leaned towards her brother was lying. Someone was lying. Cassie wanted me to find him and kick his ass. I wanted to kick his ass myself. I just had no damn clue who the guy in question was. She was just as mad as I was that Ashley was being blamed for what happened to her family. She was a victim too. She was fourteen years old, and she woke up in a hospital with someone she’d never met. That was cruel. No matter if everyone in the damn pack was hurting or not. I held Cassie close, not wanting to let her go. Max and Micah popped in. Max frowned watching his sister. At least I know she could somewhat vent her frustrations to her brother. I opened a portal and Micah and I stepped through.

            Micah sighed, “It’s so hard not telling him. I just want to confess it all, and see if Max can figure out a way to fix this s**t that we can’t.” I sighed, “I know. We can’t lose Ashley as a source though. Also….” Micah said, “Yeah...also. I just need to protect her. I want her to be happy. Cayden….I think….I think Ashley is in the REAL undergrounds.” I jerked my head back to him. We were alone in his apartment we’d kept for him. I frowned, “Tell me you have proof to back that up.” Micah snorted, “Of course not. That night she called us….about Cass. I had my dad track down the building her call came from. We didn’t get to it….until a day later but it was crazy clean, Cayden. It reeked of cleaning products. What abandoned building gets scrubbed like that? She had these unexplained bruises that she doesn’t want to talk about. I don’t think it’s just the pack doing s**t to her. If you were the real undergrounds….you’d want her fighting right?” I sighed, “Eric says the same thing.” Micah nodded, “I know. I just think he’s right.” I ran a hand through my hair, “f**k! Can’t we just get a break with this girl? Just one goddamn thing Micah? f**k with anyone else…..I’d have gotten answers out of them by now. I just can’t do that with her. We’ve built trust with her. I know it! Why is she still holding back.” Micah sighed, “I know I feel the same way about getting answers from her. I think she does trust us. Hell, I think she likes us….that scares her.”