The Alpha's Daughter and Her Commander

Fight Another Day Pt. 1

Cassie is Twenty-Three Years Old

            Cassie was both excited and nervous. I was going out on a mission. I’d been on several, but this one...Uncle Bjourn was sending me specifically. I was pretty sure Cayden was going to flip s**t about the entire thing when he found out. There was a drug ring we knew about from Ashley. I was going to go in and try to make a buy. I think Uncle Bjourn was hoping the ring resistance would be there since technically speaking….based on her intel….we could dig a little deeper. I don’t think she thought we would though. I was just going in to make a buy. In and out. Cayden probably wouldn’t even notice I was gone. That’s what I was telling myself anyway. Rain snorted, “More like he will notice and think we are going to visit our family.” That was true. It would be Alexander though. Elise had gone into heat. I was pretty sure EJ and Elise were here in this realm. Dad was still trying to track stuff down. He was really busy. I could go see mom. She was busy too, but maybe after I’d bought some drugs I’d go see her. After I reported to Uncle Bjourn what I’d found of course. 

            I walked into the castle, and went directly into my Uncle’s office. I smiled, “Hi Uncle Bjourn.” He smiled, “Hi Cassie. Now...in and out. You got that? Nothing more.” I nodded, “I make the buy then I go. Why are we making this buy?” Uncle Bjourn smiled, “We didn’t get information on taking down this drug ring from Ashley. Just a location. If we confirm that they are selling drugs…..Well, we could share this with your parents.” I smiled, “A little murky, but I see where you are going with that.” Uncle Bjourn smiled, “You are the type this group targets. Females...beautiful...You know what to watch out for.” He tossed me a fairy charm. I caught it. He nodded to a mirror. I turned and put the ring on my hand. I didn’t look like me. I frowned, “You think they know me? My face?” My Uncle said, “I’d rather not risk it whether they do or not. I won’t hold you back from doing things here Cassie. I know you can do this mission; however, I do want you to be safe.” I nodded, “Alright. And if I so happen to see the ring resistance…..” My Uncle smiled, “Well, it would be rude not to say hello.” I smiled, “Got it. I’ll do some recon in the area.” My Uncle nodded, “That’s my niece. Be careful Cassie. Milana will be in the area. Not too close….but close enough.” I snorted, “You say that as if Aunt Astrid and Aunt Torvi won’t be in the area too.” My Uncle smiled, “Probably will be.” 

            I took off the fairy charm and went to find Cayden. He was in a meeting. Hendrix said, “He’ll be done in a few hours.” That was good timing. I nodded, “Tell him I stopped by. If you feel so inclined; give him a kiss on the cheek from me.” Hendrix laughed, “And get my heart encased in glass? I think not.” I looked around then asked, “How’s Ashley? I know you haven’t met her but….I didn’t get to talk to Cayden about her after the whole Black Path being attacked incident.” Hendrix sighed, “Mason was hurt. Ashley was a wreck. Micah got there after Alpha Theo left. He took her two towns over before she calmed down. Avery said it was Buck’s fault and even got in his face.” I smiled, “Good for her.” Cayden had told me all about Avery. She’d made huge strides since she’d started training with Ashley. Micah said she was good. She should be. Her family was made up of warriors. She still lived with Ashley, Mason, and Hendrick. They’d become fast friends. I frowned, “Did Avery tell Alpha Theo what happened last year?” Hendrix sighed, “No, she did tell him he wouldn’t do anything if she did.” I gaped, “What? What did he say? What did my dad say?” Hendrix said, “From what I know they have contacted the girls urging them to file complaints so they can step in. They need one of them to say something since we can’t tell them what we know. Hell...we can’t even tell them the tip came from us.” I sighed. It was hard not telling my dad everything. He could fix this. I knew he could.

            I nodded to Hendrix and walked out of the gym. I opened a portal and stepped into Louisiana. I surveyed the area. If I were a sniper….I wouldn’t like this place. Maybe that’s why they gave it to us. After an hour, I decided to make the buy. I’d watched enough. I had their patterns down, and I had an escape route planned. I jogged to my spot and snapped a different outfit on. I turned my phone off, and put it in my pocket. I slid the ring back onto my finger and I stepped into view. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. I turned. Someone was watching me. I shrugged. It was probably Aunt Astrid and Aunt Torvi. I started to step in that direction when someone called, “Hey, you lost pretty young thing?” I turned back around. Focus Cassie. We are making a buy. I smiled, “My friends told me….this is the place to come if you want to have a good time.” The guy smiled, “It might just be. Your friend got a name?” I nodded, “Yup.” I blew a bubble with the gum I was chewing. The guy laughed, “You gonna tell me?” I frowned, “I’m looking to party, not tell you my life story. I’m no narc.” The guy laughed, “Come on in then.”

            I walked in and was led to the back room. He asked, “How hard are you looking to party?” I laughed, “I want a buzz. Nothing too serious.” He nodded, then asked, “How much are you willing to pay?” I rolled my eyes and took out the cash. I waved it around, “This good enough?” He nodded and put the drugs on the table. I gave him the money and smiled, smacking my gum, “Pleasure doing business with ya.” The guy smiled, “Come back anytime.” Oh, I would. With my family. Both sides of them this time, and then this guy….Would be having a very bad day. When we got outside the guy asked, “What’s your fairy charm for?” I frowned, “Huh?” He snorted, “I work with fairies. That room is monitored for sound and audio. They texted you had a fairy charm. What’s it for?” I frowned, “Well….what’s fairy charmed on me?” He nodded to my ring. I frowned, “My Uncle gave this to me.” The guy snorted, “If he’s trying to keep you away from drugs….he’s doing a really bad job.” I shrugged, “He doesn’t know I do drugs.” The guy slid up next to me, “If he’s trying to keep the guys away from you...he’s also doing a bad job.” 

            This was off. I heard the click of the knife. He’d stepped closer to stab me. Stupid freaking fairies. I kneed him in the balls and disarmed him. People started pouring out of the building. I took off on the path I’d planned my escape. I stopped short when shots rang out covering me. Was Cayden here? Was that my aunts or Milana? I turned and saw people in all black. The ring resistance was here. For several seconds I wasn’t sure what to do. Then I heard shots coming from a different direction. Aunt Astrid yelled, “GET DOWN!”  I hit the dirt. She wasn't close enough. I rolled behind a rock. Bullets were zinging by my head. Cayden was going to be SO pissed. I pulled my knife out of my shoe. I conjured my samurai swords. I heard a distorted voice yell, “BRAVO ONE! I’M PINNED DOWN! I’M PINNED DOWN!” I peeked over my rock. There was a girl being circled. She’d clearly come out to cover me. s**t. I couldn’t leave her. I jumped up and aimed my hands at the man closest to her shooting him with my sunlight. The girl looked up at me in shock. She yelled, “GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” I yelled, “I’m not leaving you behind!” The girl said, “I’M COVERED! GO!” I was being shot at again. Milana and my aunts were being kept away by the shots. s**t.

            I dodged all but one bullet. I got clipped. It was a flesh wound, but it burned like hell. Someone laughed, “Take that Fairy! It’s got iron in it!” f**k! I had to get up. I felt all my connections were in pain. Cayden was pulling my pain to him along with Alexander. Alexander was pushing his strength in return. I stood. I pulled out my swords and started fighting. I was killing everyone who got near me. I wasn’t making headway on getting back to the girl who’d been pinned covering my escape. Everyone froze when a motorcycle engine revved. I took advantage and slashed my way through. I started to feel sluggish. God what was in these guys' bullets? One guy smiled, “You’ve lasted longer than most.” The engine roared as someone gunned it. I watched in awe as a girl held onto a burning kerosene lit torch. She tossed it into the first window she went by. The place was going up in flames. With the amount of drugs inside….it was going to blow up. People began to chase her. I turned about to make a run for the girl who’d covered me, but there was a shimmer beside her then they were gone. A demon? They’d recruited a demon for the resistance. 

            I turned to run towards my backup, but people got in my way. I fought two more guys. The girl on the bike….I determined she was Bravo one. Was shooting at people now. I think I wanted to be her when I grew up. I was cut from behind. I whirled, “Demons on all sides. Wonderful.” The demon attacked me until he was shot in the head. I turned back around and the girl on the bike was being surrounded. She gunned it to a makeshift ramp. She was going to try to jump the pond?! Was she insane? She holstered her gun and took out another one and aimed….I was too shocked to move when she aimed at me. I heard Aunt Astrid, Aunt Torvi, and Milana scream at me to move. She wasn’t shooting bullets at me though. It was like a gel pack that exploded on my skin. It stung, but that was nothing when my skin absorbed whatever it was. It felt like a fire in blood. Then….as quick as it hit I could feel I had my fairy power back. I started shooting sunlight from my hands again. Laxenread…..they’d somehow made it into like paintballs instead of an injection. DAMN these people were smart. I watched her toss that gun to the side. She pointed to her left, and looked back at me. I frowned...Why would I? Oh god! The building was going to blow. I popped to the side of the pond. I’d probably have to pop her out. The force of the explosion still knocked me down. The last thing I saw was Bravo One jumping off the bike midair and diving into the pond. 

            My ears were ringing when I opened my eyes. Something was heavy on my chest. I sat up in time to see Bravo one disappear into a holoport….A witch?! A demon AND a witch?! That was a holoport. I clutched my chest. My phone? Why was my phone on my chest? I took off for the holoport. I couldn’t get through. I was about to call Corbin when a pop sounded as portals opened. My mom, dad, and Alexander ran to me. Alexander crushed me in a hug. I was ripped away from him by Cayden. He pulled back and took the ring off my finger and whispered in my hair, “You’re ok.” I said, “I’m fine. Someone needs to check on Aunt Astrid, Torvi, and Milana….The explosion probably knocked them out too. They were to the west.” Hendrix took off like a shot. 

             My dad asked, “Princess….what the hell happened here?” I sighed, “I came to make a buy so we could all come back….it went fine. Apparently they have their buying rooms bugged. Whatever fairies they are working with told them I had a fairy charm.” My mom hissed, “f*****g pricks!” Cayden said, “How did you blow up the building? You could’ve turned your phone back on and called sooner. Or said something when you did call.” I stared at him, “I didn’t blow up the building, I didn’t turn my phone on, and I didn’t call you.” Cayden said, “Yes, you did….it’s how Micah tracked you.” I shook my head, “No…” My Uncle Bjourn opened a portal. He looked around, “Alright….everyone get what you can from the building.” People dispersed. He ran over to the area Aunt Astrid had to be in.

            My mom popped to my uncle and kissed his cheek when he walked back over with my Aunts. Both were fine. I searched and found Milana. All were dazed. They must have been knocked out like I was in the blast. My mom smiled, “Hello, brother.” He smiled, “Hello, Little one. Cass, are you ok?” I nodded. Alexander popped to me and healed my back. He said, “I thought you got hit with iron based on what I felt.” I snorted, “We need to know what’s on the drug rings bullets. It’s NOT just iron. I started to get sluggish….if not for the strength you were throwing at me big brother ....” Alexander linked me, “You know EJ didn’t feel it….or he’d be here.” I linked back, “I know. Elise is in heat. It’s fine. I’m fine.” Confused but fine. My mom said, “If you can...why don’t you come home for dinner tonight, Cass?” I nodded, “I’ll be there.” My mom grabbed my dad, “Come on. We have seen that she is fine. She needs to be debriefed. She wasn’t out here for us, and she will be home for dinner. Let’s go put the others at ease. You know they are driving me insane with their f*****g anxiety over this. I feel the need to pull at my hair.” Alexander frowned. My mom stomped her foot, “Both of you….we are leaving we will see Cass later. She’s a big girl, and she’s fine.” Alexander linked me, “You’re coming home?” I nodded, “I’ll be there later. I promise.” He kissed my forehead and popped away. My dad crushed me in a hug. My mom gave me a normal hug then popped my dad out.

            Cayden was furious. His eyes were still blazing. I popped to the spot where Bravo One had thrown the gun she used to shoot me. I popped back. Cayden said, “No popping away from me right now Cass.” Ok….then. I held out the gun. He frowned, “These don’t look like the ones our people have collected from the drug ring.” I said, “It’s not theirs. This is what gave me my powers back. It’s what made me feel less like I was going to pass out.” My Uncle said, “So...you ran into the resistance?” Aunt Astrid snorted, “Took ten goddamn years off my life.” Aunt Torvi agreed, “Mine too.” I winced, “One of the resistance members got pinned down covering my retreat. She called out to bravo one. Cayden, can Ashley drive a motorcycle?” Cayden nodded, “Yes, but so can lots of people.” I sighed, “Bravo one shot me with this. She blew up the building to cover the escape of the girl who’d been pinned down. Does Ashley know a demon and a witch?” Cayden said, “She does. Again….so do a lot of people. I know a witch and a demon. So do you, My Duchess.” I thought about it then said, “Bravo one….that had to be called you. I saw her run through a holoport. I woke up with my phone on my chest. She risked me waking up with my powers...that she gave back to me….to call you and get you here when I was already safe. It HAS to be her. It HAS to be Ashley.” Cayden frowned, “Unfortunately, None of that is proof.”

            Uncle Bjourn said, “Maybe we can get something out of this.” He took the gun from me and held it up. It really was like a modified paintball gun. Cayden shook his head, “She’s too smart. If it’s her...and I think it is….It’s not proof...but that’s a burner Cass. Someone knew my number. We don’t list out our names on burners.” Uncle Bjourn said, “It could’ve been a lucky guess.” Cayden nodded, “It could've. I just don’t believe that.” Uncle Bjourn said, “Neither do I. Let’s get home.” He opened a portal. I looked backwards. Cayden linked me, “Get your perfectly round ass through that portal. Right f*****g now.” I frowned and linked back, “I should be helping with the cleanup.” Cayden raised an eyebrow, “My Duchess….Get through the damn portal or I will THROW you over my shoulder and carry you through it.” My eyes widened. He was serious. I sighed and walked through the portal. 

            My Uncle Marcus had my Aunt Torvi on his lap. I was in Cayden’s. Aunt Astrid was on Uncle Bjourn’s. We’d lost Hendrix and Milana. I walked them through the whole situation three different times before they were satisfied. They asked several questions. I’d only seen three ring resistance members. I only knew Bravo One and the girl who’d covered me were female. The demon was gone in a shimmer. Neither of my aunts could tell either. 

             Uncle Gunner walked in. He looked grim. He handed Uncle Bjourn a report. Uncle Bjourn slammed his hands on the table. Cayden took the report. His rage hit me so hard I nearly fell over. I asked, “What? What happened?” Uncle Bjourn said, “Anectine. It’s a neuromuscular blocking agent. I’m sure it would’ve worked on someone who is not a hybrid like you are. Thankfully...They did not know who you were, but with the three different sides you have in you….the dose you were shot with wasn’t for that. I’m sure it was just for a fairy.” I shrugged, “I just felt tired. A little sluggish.” Uncle Gunner frowned, “With your wolf and Hackura side….it would’ve taken a higher dose for it to paralyze you like they planned.” I sighed, “Well….it was going so well. Until the fairies announced I had a charm.” My Uncle said, “We couldn’t plan for them knowing you had a fairy charm. We knew no fairies entered that area. Next time we will know. You tried Cassie, and you did see the resistance. That’s more than we’ve gotten. You actually saw them.” I snorted, “They are in black from head to toe. They have masks covering their faces. Bravo one had a motorcycle helmet. They have bullet proof vests. Seeing them is not particularly helpful.” Uncle Bjourn said, “It’s still something.” I nodded.

            Cayden and I walked back to our place in silence. The second the door shut. He said, “Space unheard.” I sighed and chanted under my breath. The second I finished he yelled, “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!” I raised an eyebrow, “That my Uncle and King asked me to do something.” Cayden said, “That doesn’t mean you don’t tell me.” I snorted, “Technically speaking….I did come to see you...you were in a meeting.” Cayden laughed harshly, “You knew before today you were going out on a mission.” I nodded, “Yes. I still came to see you before I left. You were busy.” Cayden hissed, “Then you interrupt the DAMN meeting Cass! You are MY WIFE! I need to know when you’re going out on a f*****g mission even if I don’t know where that is.” I sighed, “That’s not fair. I don’t always know when you’re going out.” Cayden threw his hands in the air, “When it’s planned...YES you do! Cass….Jesus Christ you scared me. I took as much of your pain as I could so you could fight. I couldn't explain what was happening to anyone. None of my people knew where you were. All I could do was take your pain while Micah tried to track your down, but your f*****g phone was off.” I tilted my head, “That’s standard on missions.” Cayden glared at me, “I know that. I didn’t know you were on a mission!” Well...that was true. I smiled timidly, “Fun way to find out I was?” Cayden shot me a look, “No Cass. it was not a fun way to find out. Why were you there?” 

            I sighed, “Uncle Bjourn thought if I made a buy we could include my family and take down that drug ring.” Cayden nodded, “Yeah….technically Ashley just gave us the name of someone to watch. It makes sense we sent someone in.” I frowned, “You don’t like that it was me.” Cayden said, “Uh no. No I DO NOT like that it was you. I do not like the fact that whatever that fairy charm is….didn’t work.” I frowned, “It did work. They didn’t know I was me.” Cayden asked, “In the many times we went over your story...You never said your eyes blazed.” I shook my head, “No, they didn't. I was focusing on pulling strength from Alexander.” Cayden said, “Then how did Bravo One know to call me. How did Bravo One know...you weren’t just a fairy like the ring suspected when you didn’t lie to them about the charm? You evaded.” I gaped, “I….even fairy’s see the charmed appearance. There’s no way they could’ve known…. I was me. They’d see what everyone does.” Cayden said, “But someone did. I believe that someone is Ashley. She knows what you look like. She knew before I showed her your picture somehow. I saw it in her eyes. The same recognition when she saw me. Ashley knows who you are. We both believe she’s Bravo One now that we have a damn name….She knew you were you, Cassie Crawford. I don’t want you out there with s**t that doesn't work.” I frowned, “But...it did. I saw my reflection. I didn’t look like me. When you got there….did I look like me?” Cayden shook his head, “No. You didn’t.” 

            I thought about it, “There’s nothing they could come up with that would show who someone is outside their fairy charm…..IF it’s Ashley...she shouldn’t have known I was me.” Cayden said, “She did. I know it’s her. I KNOW it is. I just can’t prove it. I WILL ask her how she knew. I won’t get a goddamn answer. I can’t have you out in the field and not know that you’re in the damn field Cass. I won’t hold you back. I NEVER have. I need to know where you are. You are MY WIFE and my mate. I think I deserve at least that.” He slammed out of the house at a dead run. I sighed. He was right. I should’ve told him. I waited for an hour. He didn’t come back. I linked him, “I’m going to my parents….are you coming?” Cayden answered out of breath, “I might be late. I don’t know if I’ll make it.” I said, “Ok. I love you Cayden.” Cayden said, “I love you too Cass.” 

            I popped into my childhood home. My mom smiled at me then frowned. My dad hugged me. My mom said, “It’s Mom and Daughter time. I’m stealing her.” She grabbed my hand and popped me to her treehouse. She held my hand, “What’s wrong Cass? Your sorrow is calling out to me.” I sighed, “Cayden is mad at me. He didn’t know I was going out today because I didn’t tell him.” My mom laughed, “So your Uncle sent you out then?” I nodded. My mom nodded, “You two are still young. I was the f*****g worst at sharing details with your dad sometimes. He was atrocious at times himself. He was older and set his ways so he took some time on that front too.” I let a tear fall. I whispered, “I messed up mom.” 

            My mom rubbed my back, “That’s marriage sweetie. You mess up. You fight. Sometimes you’ll be right...sometimes you won’t be. Sometimes you’ll be f*****g right and you’ll compromise anyway. I know you Cassie Veronica. You have that same independent streak your momma does. I’d say sorry but I’m not. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just something that you adjust to things as a couple. It takes time, and there is a difference between being married and living together. I know the f*****g Hackura don’t think so...but there are differences. Cayden and you have things that you have to keep from us because of what you do. You have to compartmentalize, and that's tough enough. Just remember Cass….Cayden isn’t the person you have to do that with. Technically neither am I. I’m the goddamn princess of your realm. If you ever need to talk about something. I am here for you Cass. I’ll take the burden of not sharing. Cayden is always there for you too though.”