The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

A Place With Us Pt. 2

            I pushed that aside, “Come on. Let's get to the venue. Ashley is going to let us in for the sound check or practice….so we can get the lay of the land for tonight.” Ashley was in a popular band called The Rebels. There was a drug leader that was coming tonight for their concert. We were going to take him back to the Hackura realm for answers. This guy I could get answers from. We drove to the venue. Once we parked...I noticed there were several Black Path pack members around. I found that odd, but shrugged it off. A few guys noticed us and watched us curiously. Micah linked me, “If they were more observant they’d recognize me.” I smirked, “They are a sad pack.” Micah linked, “No joke. Those are the lead male warrior Buck’s warriors.” I snorted, “Ashley says they are shit.” Micah added, “They are.” 

            We walked inside into a heated argument. Ashley was beating the ever loving s**t out of a guy. I looked at Micah who was gaping. I cleared my throat. Micah told me, “That’s….Buck.” I snorted, “The lead male warrior of Black Path?” Who needs a wolf? Not Ashley. There was a girl wearing Ashley’s hoodie with a black eye in the corner. I grabbed Ashley around the waist. I asked, “What happened?” Ashley hissed, “He’s a piece of s**t! That’s what happened! Are you happy Buck? You made Avery see you for the s**t that you are! She is the ONLY person in this pack who thought you were worth a damn! No wonder your mate rejected you and ran away!” I raised an eyebrow. I looked over at Micah. His jaw was on the floor. Rejecting someone...That was a big deal. 

            I walked over and grabbed Ashley by the waste. I carried her backstage to a private room. I closed the door and asked her, “Out of Curiosity….Can you get out of my hold?” No sooner had I asked Ashley pushed her hips back into mine and broke my hold. She was briefly on the ground before she rolled and was quickly on her feet. I nodded, “So you let me stop you. What happened?” Ashley hissed, “I was running here…..I almost didn't! God...what if I’d driven?” I frowned, “Avery has never been a fan of yours.” Ashley shrugged, “I am outspoken about the fact that her brother is s**t. Until today….she didn’t agree. I’m sure we will be friends now. Not even MY brother would sink that low.” I asked, “How low?” Ashley snorted, “He left his little sister to be gang bang raped by six of his warriors. She’s never been trained on how to fight. That’s f*****g changing. She already asked if I’d train her.” I raised an eyebrow, “What happened to the warriors?” Ashley shrugged, “Half are dead. The other half are in the pack hospital. Or dying in a field. I really don’t care.” I laughed, “You killed them?” She nodded, “I’ll get in trouble, but who cares? Not me, that's who?” I knew better than to let her keep going. I jumped in, “Surely your alpha would not even care if you stopped a warriors from raping another pack member.”

            Ashley snorted, “Welcome to Nashville, Cayden. Everything is backwards here, and that piece of s**t who calls himself Alpha has no spine. He’s a coward and a sexist chauvinistic pig. I WILL get in trouble, but I don’t care. Avery is staying at the King’s tonight. Hendrick and Mason already agreed she can stay with us from now on. Avery is my warrior now so I can do that. I don’t give a flying pig if they don’t like it. I WILL protect her from those awful pieces of s**t!” Mason and Hendrick were here too. Hendrick played the drums and Mason played the electric keyboard in their band. Ashley was shaking she was so angry. I frowned, “I can take you to my father in law. This should not be happening.” Ashley snorted, “Shouldn’t they know? What if they do? What if there’s someone who just doesn't tell them about how it is down here because they think people here should suffer? They think I should suffer.” I raised my eyebrow. The door slammed open. Addison said, “Ashley….calm down.” Ashley hissed, “Calm down?! They were going to GANG BANG RAPE HER! His own sister! The people here…..I HATE IT HERE! He just WALKED AWAY and left her there!” 

            I frowned, “So leave. You hate it here….leave.” Ashley rolled her eyes, “I can’t leave. I have things to do here. If I leave….no one protects the women of the pack.” I frowned, “If you’d tell my father in law…..Yes, someone would.” She didn’t believe that for some reason. I added, “If you think there’s a mole on the council…..My father in law needs to know that.” Addison said, “If there was….I’m sure you could figure it out.” I could. I would now too. I just wished they’d give me a direction to look in. My father-in-law, his closest allies, Red Run, Blue Moon, Yellow Hills, Alpha Theo, and several former Alpha’s from all over the country were on the werewolf council. If someone was betraying my father in law. I’d find out about it. Addison said, “Give me a minute, C.” They called me C and Micah M because they didn’t want anyone to know who we were. 

            I left and I saw the scared Avery in the hallway. She was crying. I sat down, “You can go in there. You know that right?” She whispered, “I’ve said horrible things to her….to Ashley. She hates my brother. I listened to the older pack members who said she was ruining the pack. She could’ve just run on past me saying I told you so, but she didn’t. She heard me screaming then….she’s….amazing. I wasn’t allowed at the female lead warrior challenge….I’ve never seen her fight until today. She’s amazing. She gave me clothes out of her bag. They had ripped mine off.” Avery was in shock. Great. I let her keep talking, “She gave me clothes. She killed some of them. She’ll get in trouble. She knows that. She fought for me anyway….me...who has been awful to her.” I frowned, “How old are you Avery?” She sighed, “I just turned sixteen.” I nodded, “You’re just a kid. You can change. People gave you bad information. Ashley doesn't hold it against you.” Avery wiped her tears, “She should. I would. I know she won’t though. She already ordered her warriors to get my stuff out of the packhouse.” I raised an eyebrow, “You don’t live with your parents?” Avery shook her head, “After we shift in our pack we are put into the pack house.” That was ridiculous. Newly shifted wolves need guidance. They could move into the pack house when they were seventeen if their parents agreed. Most moved at eighteen.

           Avery cried, “She said she’d protect me until I could protect myself. She’s going to train me herself. She could’ve let them rape me and later told me I told you so. I….” She broke down sobbing. Micah appeared with tissues. Sierra walked up. She sat down, “Avery….Me….” She turned bright red and stopped speaking. Avery’s head shot up in fright. Sierra rubbed her arm. Micah finally asked, “You what?” Both girls looked relieved and Sierra said, “Me, Addison, and Ashley know you just wanted to believe in your brother. Ashley always said one day she felt we’d all be friends. Well….now we know why.” I linked Micah, “Did you ever meet Buck’s mate?” Micah said, “I saw her from a distance. She was a skittish omega...and the Omega’s here are not like the ones we are used to seeing.” I raised an eyebrow and linked back, “A skittish Omega who ran away after rejecting the lead male warrior? I don’t think so. When we get back….observe Black Mountain Pack’s allies. Find her Micah. I think Ashley got her out.” Micah nodded. 

                Sierra took Avery to see Addison and Ashley. Micah said, “So….I think Sierra was about to say someone’s name. I don’t think she was about to say me. They both looked petrified, like Sierra had slipped up.” I nodded, “I agree. It’s not a concern right now.” We stepped out. Buck was healing. He stood, “I need to talk to Avery.” I laughed, “Try.” Everyone turned to me. I got in Buck’s face, “I’ll kill you if you go near her right now. I can’t even look at your face. Get the hell out of my sight. I have two sisters...anyone who wanted to touch them against their will….HELL anyone who looked in their direction in a way I didn’t like….would die.” Buck spat, “You think I like this?” I snorted, “If you don’t, you’re weak and pathetic to walk away and leave your little sister to be raped by your own damn men. LEAVE!” Micah smirked as Buck tucked tail and ran out. Micah said, “Aww….I think he’s going to cry.” I snorted, “Some lead warrior he is. Anyone else would’ve fought me.” Things got back to normal. The girls came back out. Mason sat Avery on his piano bench by him. She was smiling now at least. Poor thing. 

                Micah and I eventually slipped away while they practiced. Ashley told us where the drug leader would be. It was a private box at least. Micah wired it for sound. We walked back down in time to see the band wrap up their practice/soundcheck. Ashley winked at us, “What did you think?” I smiled, “You guys are good.” She smiled, “People should be getting her soon, and….” A snicker stopped her from talking. That was new. She usually did not stop talking. A guy walked up behind her. It was all over her face. She loathed this guy. He said, “Hey man….let me spare you the time. Ice queen over here isn’t going to give you any. She only cares about her girlfriends and her stupid stuffed wolf. You’d think at seventeen….she’d give up a stuffed animal, but it’s the only thing that gets close to her chest.” Ashley put him on the ground and cut off his air supply in one move. She hissed, “Go to HELL Trevor. I wouldn’t touch you romantically if you were the last man on earth. You’re sick and disgusting. In case you need to hear it again….I LOATHE you. I will never not loathe you, and you know why. If my stuffed wolf is so stupid….Why do you try to steal it so you can destroy it all the time? You’re the one who is pathetic.” She spit in his face then let him up. I looked over at Trevor's friends. They were trying not to laugh. Some friends. One whispered, “I’ll take that twenty. Told you she’d put him on the ground again.” This apparently happened often. 

                Trevor stayed down for a second then got to his feet. He rubbed his neck. He rasped, “She’s weird about the f*****g stuffed wolf too. Grow up Ashley. You’re seventeen. Your worn out wolf belongs in the trash.” Ashley snorted, “The only thing in here that belongs in the trash is you, you backwoods no nothing who couldn’t fight his way out of a paper sack piece of s**t! You are SUCH a pathetic excuse of a wolf for a future Gamma.” Trever clenched his jaw, “Watch it! I have Alpha blood in me, little girl!” Ashley put him back on the ground in a flash. She snorted, “I’m NOT a little girl. How pathetic are you? I just put you on the ground TWICE! Your blood means nothing. You don’t work out. You don’t train. You think you can get by just because you have Gamma and Alpha blood….out of curiosity Trevor….How’s that working out for you?” She got up and turned back to me as if nothing happened. I linked Micah, “Why does she hate him?” Micah frowned, “I don’t know. People are quiet about them. Something went down though. I know that.” 

                Trevor got up after several moments. Ashley said, “Don’t even try it. I can literally feel you thinking about being a dumb piece of s**t and trying to attack me from behind.” He didn’t listen. He attacked. She bent down and he flipped over her. She slammed him back down onto the ground. Trevor winced, “Next year Ashley…..that wolf will be gone! Your mate will hate it!” Ashley rolled her eyes, “Uh huh.” Trevor stood, “What if it’s me?” Ashley tilted her head, “Then we’d feel drawn to each other, Trevor. You would’ve NEVER done what you did to me.” My eyebrows were through the roof. As Ashley continued, “You wouldn't smell like a wet dog, and I wouldn’t LOATHE you down to my pinky toe. You are NOT my mate.” Trevor snorted, “Yes, we know….You THINK you know who he is. Jokes on you Ashley. He doesn’t want you. He HATES you!” Pain flashed through Ashley’s entire being. She raised an eyebrow, “And you think that means that I’ll lose all sense of decorum and start banging my way through this hapless pack? Think again Trevor. Tell you what...You find a guy who can beat me in a fight...I’ll think about dating him. Oh wait….that rules out...everyone in this area. Awww darn. Oh well.” 

            Trevor turned to me, “Don’t waste your time man. She’s the ice queen for a reason.” I said, “I’m happily mated, nor can I blame her for not wanting to f**k you.” Trevor turned red. He moved to punch me. I blocked his punch and broke his hand as if it was nothing. He screamed, “What the f**k?! I was trying to help you.” I said, “I am not trying to f**k Ashley. If you’d set your ego aside for five seconds and talk to her you might find she’s quite smart and interesting to talk to. Your behavior is reprehensible. Your pack should be ashamed of their future Gamma is walking around getting his ass kicked and mocking his pack members. You weren’t trying to help me. You were trying to insult Ashley and hurt her feelings. You’d never beat me in a fight, and I wouldn’t try, little boy.” I let my eyes blaze. Trevor backed up, “s**t! RUN!” He and his friends took off. Addison, Sierra, Avery, Hendrick, Mason, and Ashley started laughing. 

            I said, “Dressing room Ashley, now.” She instantly stopped laughing. She walked back to the dressing room in silence. I closed the door behind us. I frowned and asked her, “What did he do to you?” Ashley turned red. I asked, “Ashley….did he….” Ashley snorted, “Rape me? As if he could. I’m stronger than him.” I frowned, “Then what did he do?” Ashley rubbed her arm, “You don’t have to pretend to care about me. I know I’m a good source and…” I cut her off, “I’m not pretending. I do care about you.” Ashley’s eyes filled with tears. I said, “If you let me...I’d take you away from here Ashley.” Ashley frowned, “I don’t have anywhere to go.” I smiled, “With the way you fight….You could join us. There’s a place for you in the Hackura army if you ever want it.” 

                I had no idea why I offered it. We did let mates of the Hackura join the army if they were good enough. What I was doing wasn’t done, but I needed to help her. Ashley gaped at me, “I….what….me….you….what?!” I laughed, “I made you speechless. I think I deserve a medal. I mean it, Ashley. You will always have a place in our realm. You saved my mate. The realm’s Duchess. My Uncle would agree with me. Ashley’s eyes filled with tears, “I wish I could.” I said, “You can. Anytime you want. You tell me or Micah if you want to come to our realm. We will bring you.” She sighed, “My place is here defending those who cannot defend themselves. I deserve to be here.” I shook my head, “You’re a seventeen year old who should be being defended. You haven’t been able to be a kid since I met you. You deserve better than this.” She didn’t agree. It was all over her face. 

            Addison knocked on the door. She said, “Ash...it’s time.” I left. She wasn’t going to tell me what Trevor did. Micah and I were in a private box too. I walked in. I told him, “Find out what happened with Trevor and Ashley.” Micah said, “I’ll dig around, but like I said....people don’t talk about it. I do know whatever it is….was the final straw for the Alpha and Beta’s mates. They moved into their own places after whatever it was. Not that they loved them before...but...” I nodded, “What’s this about a stuffed wolf? Is it from her family?” Micah shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ve heard people talking about it.” I thought back to the first time I’d met Ashley. That must have been the toy in her backpack. I nodded to myself, “I think it’s black and white.” Micah shrugged, “Max said wolves can be weird about that if they like someone. I think there was a situation in one of the allies packs where someone had a wolf….can’t remember who though…..I didn’t really pay attention to the story. The guys in the pack didn’t like it because their wolves weren’t that color.” I snorted, “Shits. It was a kids toy….Or a teenager I guess.” Micah laughed, “I think it was a little girl’s toy.” I raised an eyebrow, “I’d have killed anyone who got upset about Aubrielle or Tenley’s stuffed animals.” Micah shrugged, “Wolves.” I snorted, “Your mate is part wolf as if mine.” Micah nodded, “Yeah, but they don’t suck. That’s why I tuned the story out. Who wants to hear about assholes wolves?” I snorted, “Fair point.” 

            The Rebels were really good. They covered a wide variety of songs. They covered pop, rock, and country. Micah smirked, “I mean...it’s Nashville. They had to do country songs.” Ashley could play both electric and acoustic guitar. Her voice was decent too. Towards the end of the concert we faded in the background. We grabbed the drug dealer and opened a portal to Micah’s fake apartment. I told him, “Go back to the concert Micah. Bring Ashley here afterwards.” Micah nodded and left. I smiled, “Alone at last.” The guy hissed, “Let me go man!” I smiled, “Sorry partial demon….that’s a no go.” I let my eyes blaze. His eyes widened. He whispered, “A Hackura?” I nodded, “You’re going to sing for me….ALL about how you’re supplying drugs to the area and why.” I called Angus, “Little brother, I need you to come collect a package from me.” Angus snorted, “Why can’t you bring him here then go back?” I laughed, “Because if I’m caught by my mother in law….she might not let me leave. She literally gave me a  day pass Angus. We all know you don’t cross that woman.” Angus laughed and opened a portal. 

            He nodded to the guy and asked, “Who is the partial demon?” I smiled, “This guy….is one of the leaders in the drug ring.” Angus nodded, “Right on. I love your source here. You get the best sources….You didn’t even have to cultivate this one. She just offered herself over to you. I swear Cayden….if we weren’t brothers...I might not like you. You get everything.” I laughed, “I don’t recall you having any trouble with the ladies.” Angus wiggled his eyebrow, “No...No I do not. Let’s go dirtbag.” Angus turned, “By the way….you should check out the locker rooms…..in the gym when you get home….just saying.” I raised an eyebrow as they left. 

            I thought about it. Angus was right. Ashley was a great source. I didn’t have to do much of anything to get her to agree to be a source. How the hell did she even know we had sources? How did she know so much about us? I was pulled out of my thoughts by a pop. I whirled around and took in Cassie. She looked stunning. My mind was instantly going to that being on the floor after I ripped it from her. Aesir….please do not let this be her wedding dress. I couldn’t rip that. Cassie asked if I liked her dress. Liked it? That was tame for the thoughts running through my head. I asked what it was for. She said it was for fun. Thank Aesir and all the goddesses. The Hackura god was good to me. Cassie ripped my shirt off. I knew she hated it when I wore them. She loved that in the Hackura realm….I never wore one. She kissed me. We lost ourselves in the kiss. Cass was so far gone I knew she didn’t hear Micah and Ashley coming. 

            I was more than amused when Ashley flushed crimson and rambled her apologies. We needed to get her to our realm. She was fun when flustered. Cassie turned in time to see the back of Ashley. She wanted confirmation that it was her. I told her it was. She was mad she’d only seen the back of Ashley. Nor did she get her scent. If she’d ask, I’d tell her. Ashley smelled like strawberries. I pushed all that out of mine and ripped her dress off. We lost ourselves in each other. I wasn’t going to waste a single minute of her nap break. Why did they need a nap? I couldn’t care less. They were napping and My Duchess didn’t need one. I could practically taste the sun on her skin. That must be why they needed naps. She tasted like the sun and the ocean. Mystery solved. 

            When we fell apart she confided she’d been worried about having kids because she was afraid people would want to take them. I closed my eyes. I knew there was something….I should’ve suspected this. I assured her I’d protect our family. All of us. Always. Cassie was really scared we’d have a daughter who could do what she did. I knew just as she did how desirable that would be. Our daughter would know how to protect herself. Just like Cassie did. Our kids would be threatened. There was no way around that. Because of who we both were. The Commander of the Hackura army was not a safe unknown person. People knew my name. We’d protect our kids as we protected each other. We’d keep our family safe whenever she was ready to start a family. I loved it being just us right now. There was no rush to me. We had centuries for her to sneeze out kids. I hoped that was how it worked for her anyway. 

My phone started buzzing. I picked it up.

Micah: Safe to come back? Don’t want to traumatize Ashley. Wolves don’t do orgies Cayden

Me: She saw me shirtless. She sees male nudity. I wasn’t naked. It’s fine. You can head this way.

Cassie said she was sure Ashley had done stuff. I was not so sure. I think there was one boy who owned her heart, and she only wanted that guy. Cass said she should head back. I told Cassie I was glad she popped in. She said she wanted a family someday. I told her she was scared and that was ok. She’d had two calls….Two calls that NEVER should’ve happened. They did though, and I couldn’t blame her for worrying about our future children. I did too. I just knew we would protect them. I would protect my family. Cassie popped back to her party. 

            Micah and Ashley came in. Ashley flushed, “I’m sorry...we…” I said, “No need to ramble. It wasn’t your fault. Cassie’s bachelorette party was today. My tipsy fairy/wolf/Hackura Duchess wanted to see me.” Micah snorted. Ashley opened her backpack and handed me two presents. I raised an eyebrow, “What’s this?” Ashley said, “Wedding presents. One for you and one for Cassie.” I was stunned, “Ashley….You didn’t have to do that.” She smiled, “I wanted to.” I opened mine. It was a very nice watch. I smiled, “Thank you Ashley. You didn’t need to do this.” Ashley shrugged, “You only get married once and stuff…I mean...yeah….you’re only with Cassie so...once...in the supernatural world anyway…” I laughed, “I got it. It was very nice of you.” Micah’s phone dinged. He snorted, “Our time is up according to our mother in law.” I frowned. I still had questions. I told Ashley, “Call us if you need anything. I mean anything Ashley. My offer stands. We will bring you to our realm and you can stay there.” Micah’s eyes flashed in surprise before he masked it. Ashley nodded, “You have no idea how honored I am….That means the world to me Cayden.” I gave her a hug. I told her, “We will protect you Ashley. Trust us.” Her eyes hardened but she nodded. 

            She left and I opened a portal into the castle. Micah asked, “You offered her a place here?” I nodded. I found my Uncle Bjourn in the main room with his brothers. Uncle Bjourn smiled, “Another successful mission. Good job guys.” I nodded, “I need to talk to you.” Uncle Bjourn said, “You can talk here.” I told him, “I offered Ashley a place here. In the army. She didn’t take me up on it, but I hope she does one day. She’s good. Her lack of wolf does not hinder her from beating the crap out of...anyone.” My Uncle studied me then nodded, “It’s not done, but she has been an outstanding source for us. She’d only be better if she let us bring in the Conners. If you feel she could hack it here...then I trust you Cayden. Why did you offer her a place here in the first place?” I sighed, “Because she’s seventeen, and she’s taking on the weight of the world. She should be just a kid...having fun. She thinks her place is to protect the innocents in the area and her pack. Do we have anything suggesting the werewolf council….has a traitor?” My Uncle stood, “No. Why? Did Ashley say there was?”