The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Cruel Universe Pt. 3

            Selene looked at Aesir with tears streaming down her face. Aesir sighed, “Go Azoney and Selene. I told you not to do this.” Selene cried, “I need to speak with her! She doesn't know yet about Freya and herself!” I snorted, “You had fourteen years to speak to me when I only thought you were a little bad at your job. You didn’t. You don’t care about me. I’ll repeat it one more time….you allowed my wolf to be hidden from me. Your job is to make sure the balance of magic isn’t upset. Hiding someone’s wolf. Trapping it inside them. Blocking us from each other….you shifted the scales to evil that day, and every day you allowed it to keep happening. No one will stand with you after this. Every wolf less will have to wonder….warriors will be at shifts looking out for wolves. You will allow chaos into your children’s lives. As if the first shift isn’t enough to worry about...now I’ve got to worry about someone taking other wolves. After WRITHING in pain FOR HOURS! You let me suffer for hours! You sat back and did NOTHING! I’ll figure out everything I need to between Freya and I without your help.” Selene opened her mouth to speak. Aesir’s voice boomed, “I SAID LEAVE!” They finally did. 

            I sank to my knees and sobbed. Aesir rubbed my back like my dad used to. I cried, “They are awful! They’re horrible! They are the worst mothers of all time!” I heard more sobbing. Aesir snorted, “They aren’t that good at listening either. I will not deny they have lost their way. They have sat back so long they think it’s their job. There was a time...they were not like this.” I snorted, “Centuries ago before rings were around?” Aesir smiled, “Yes.” I snorted, “Well la ti da for them. Thanks for trying to help me. Not that I get your warning at all.” Aesir frowned, “Many hard truths are about to come to light. I just urge you once your anger settles….to remember you were going to try with your brother.” I nodded, “Jason….I don’t know if he will want to try.” Aesir smiled, “He does.” Selene shrieked, “AESIR! YOU CAN’T!” Aesir yelled, “WOMAN! SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!” I laughed, “You could’ve just let me pummel her unconscious then she wouldn’t be saying anything.” Aesir smiled, “Does that not tell you something that you could beat up a goddess?” I snorted, “That she’s gotten so complacent she doesn't even know how to fight back.” Aesir laughed heartily, “Oh... I do like you very much. I wish you had accepted Cayden’s offering for the Hackura army. Though that will still be on the table. Your Xander does a hybrid role. I do wish you were one of my children.” 

            I thought about it, “Before I met my wolf, Freya….I did too. Now, I can’t imagine not having her.” Aesir smiled, “The goddesses are right. You are special.” I shrugged, “Not really.” Aesir smiled, “You may not have Hackura blood running through your veins but you are certainly protecting the realms. Do not shut my children out. Micah and Cayden are good men. You need the Conners family. Especially Alexander.” I frowned, “I know they are good men.” Aesir sighed, “I don’t foresee you shutting them out….I just know...an anger like you’ve never known is coming. Deservedly so. The truth….is devastating to many people. You have already suffered so much. I despise that it hits you so hard.” I frowned, “The truth about what?” Aesir sighed, “Everything. I did not lie before. Things are not as they seem. Hurt often clouds the mind especially when there is magic involved to aid the hurt.” I frowned, “Magic aiding the hurt?” Aesir nodded, “I cannot say more as you are not my child. I am so very sorry for your suffering. It was unnecessary and not the way things were supposed to go at all. You and...I do believe you call him your Xander…” I nodded. Aesir smiled, “You were supposed to have known each other your entire lives. There are reasons you didn’t. Reasons….I should’ve kept a closer eye on, and for that I am sorry. I did not realize until too late….magic was involved. Unintended at first, then it became directed at my child. I should’ve known. That is my fault.” 

            I frowned, “My dad was just overprotective. Along with the lying warriors about crossing the stupid border.” Aesir frowned, “That is a thing that was not as it seemed.” I closed my eyes, “My mom and I’s car accident…..” Aesir nodded, “Another thing not as it seemed….” I snorted, “Selene really does suck.” Aesir smiled, “She was repeatedly warned by me that you would hate her. She did not listen. I’m sure she’ll come crying to me about how I was right.” I told him, “Be sure to tell her not to let the door hit her on her way out.” Aesir smiled, “I would love to keep you here longer, but too much time has passed. It’s time for you to go save an old friend.” I frowned, “Save who?” Aesir looked around, “Don’t tell anyone I told you, but Elise needs your help.” I jumped up, “Someone hurt Elise?” Aesir nodded, “She’s been kidnapped. She is a distraction. You will be rather busy once you wake up. My child will be there for you when it matters. All of them will be. Right now though, you must open your eyes and save Elise Conners.” He tapped my head. 

            My eyes snapped open. I wasn’t in the hole anymore. I was beside it. That had to be Aesir’s doing. There was a white shirt on the ground beside me. Interesting color choice but beggars can’t be choosers. I put the shirt on, and discovered my phone was under it. Aesir for the win. I unlocked my phone and located Elise. I’d given her a charm bracelet for her Luna ceremony. The wolves I’d given her for her birthday as Ashley had GPS trackers in them. I gaped at the screen when Elise came up. She was far too close to me. She was just outside Nashville. I got up and ran to the portal that would take me to my place. I quickly ran into my apartment and grabbed weapons and a mask. I ran and got into the car. Going to the abandoned warehouses. I quickly ran up a fire escape for a good vantage point. I sighted my scope and found Elise. s**t! I was running late. I really needed to help her. I texted the resistance to get here ASAP. I sent out my emergency code. Then I opened fire. I took out the person closest to Elise. I needed her to be free to run so next I aimed at the chain holding her in place. Elise was clearly drugged. She was yelling to EJ she was coming. I winced. EJ wasn’t here. I heard the car coming and groaned out loud. I pulled my mask out of my pocket and put it on. When everyone got here I’d get down there. Right now I’d leave Elise open to getting taken or killed if I left. I was shooting as quickly as I could. 

            I couldn’t help but feel intense relief when I saw the shimmer start. Everyone was here. The resistance immediately stepped into the fight. I ran down the fire escape faster than I’d done anything in my whole life. I threw the sniper rifle in my car. Someone would have to take it back. I didn’t have time to switch out the plates. I couldn’t take this to Black Mountain. It was registered to me. I took out my gun and took off running for the group. All I could see was Elise. Tears were trying to fill my eyes, but I refused. For the first time….in a very long time. I was fighting with Elise. I ran to her side. We’d fought together before. We used to practice together every day. It was easy to fight by her side. I couldn’t help the smile that was on my face. We were always meant to be like this. The moment was cut short when I heard shots fired. I paled. I was not going to watch another person I loved get shot. I dove on top of Elise. I felt the tranquilizers hit me. Well...that was lucky. They didn’t affect me. Freya snorted, “You still haven’t figured out why.” I linked back, “umm I did figure it out. I’m a freak. Mystery solved.” Freya huffed. I rolled up and returned fire shooting the three people who’d fired. I took the darts out of me and tossed them to the ground. 

            Elise was giggling. She wanted to get drinks. My heart tugged. Freya told me, “Tell her who you are.” I linked her, “Are you crazy? We can’t tell her. Alpha Peter is her dad.” She thought I had superpowers. Wonderful. Mason answered her telling her I didn’t know they weren’t really bullets. Elise was stunned. She had no idea why I’d take a bullet for her. Because she was my sister. It might not be biological, but she was. That’s why I’d take a bullet for her any day. She began to worry her wolf wasn’t coming back. I knew that feeling of thinking you had no wolf. It was horrible. I checked Elise over. She’d been slapped, but she was ok. I told her that Rhea would come back. I couldn’t tell her I knew her wolf's name was Rhea though. God….this was complicated. Elise asked what I was. I didn’t know the answer to that. A weird werewolf. Freya scoffed, “We aren’t weird. We are special.” Sure. She had to say that she was my wolf. Elise commented that EJ wanted to buy me a bakery. What? Why on earth would he want to do that? Then she asked about her dad. 

            Caine hissed that her dad was a jerk. I started to talk and he told me he didn’t care about her dad or her feelings. I told him to shut up. I linked him, “She is DRUGGED and she doesn’t understand! Give her a minute. She was kidnapped for gracious sakes alive!” Dax agreed with Caine though. He wanted me to tell Elise everything. Of course he did. He always agreed with Caine. Elise started shouting that Alpha Peter was a good man. My heart broke. She didn’t know. Part of me felt comforted by that. The other felt bad for her because she would be upset that she didn’t know. She would never understand why her dad did this. Hell...I didn’t understand and I’d had years to try and figure it out. I still didn’t get it. Addison pointed out that her dad was a hero to her, but not to everyone. It wasn’t really a veiled comment. Elise figured out she meant. She wanted to know why he was the villain in my story. That was a long explanation of which she would NOT understand. Crush and Virgil drove up in cars. I held my hand out for the key from Virgil. He gave them to me and I palmed him my keys. I didn’t need Elise to see the type of car I drove.

            I announced I was going to take Elise home. Freya snickered, “Freak out in three, two, one.” Everyone did not agree with that choice. Caine was absolutely against it. I told them I wasn’t asking for their opinions. I was taking Elise closer to her home. She was drugged. She wasn't safe out here, and they knew it. Dax yelled at me to stop fighting for people that abandoned me. I disagreed. Elise didn’t abandon me. They pointed out I needed treatment. Stupid white shirt. I shrugged and told them I wasn’t leaving her here. We all knew I couldn’t. She was not safe in this territory because of who she was. She wouldn’t have been safe as a Kyle and she absolutely was not safe as a Conners. Dax said they’d come for her quickly. Of course they would. They still couldn't get to her. This area was spelled against those not from here. Like our pack….like the place where people were punished. They said we could just take her outside the circle. I gave them a look. We didn’t just drop people off and abandon them. Elise was insisting she wasn’t going to pass out. Paige said she would and told me I needed to be treated. I would get treated. Eventually. When I had time. I still needed to challenge Sierra’s dad. I told everyone I needed to get going and asked Valentina if she was coming with me. It wouldn’t take nearly as much time if she did. Valentina agreed. Dax yelled at me to stop doing this. He said that If I was caught everything was over. That wasn’t true. They could continue without me, and I would never give them up. I’d never tell about the resistance to someone holding me captive. I still couldn't leave Elise somewhere unsafe and text EJ a location. It wasn’t happening. 

            Dax wished I could quit them. Honestly, sometimes so did I. Addison told them to stop and told me to do what I needed to do. I asked them how they didn’t know this was happening. As much crap as Dax and Caine were giving me….they wouldn’t have let Elise get hurt because they knew I’d charged in guns blazing. Hendrick said it wasn’t planned. They’d tried to take Elise before. That didn’t really make sense that they’d take a chance. They were just in the right place at the right time? That just sounded extremely suspect. They had inside information somehow. I told them to get their stuff. Hendrick said they knew the drill. I know they did. Elise didn’t want to come with me. That hurt. Freya pointed out, “She doesn’t know you are you.” I sighed, “I still saved her.” I told Elise to get in the car. She wanted to talk about things we didn’t have time to talk about. I tried changing tactics mentioning EJ. She still didn’t want to get in the car. I sighed and asked if she’d let me get her closer to her territory. I was planning on Yellow Hills. I couldn’t get caught there, but I had a better chance of getting away than Red Run or Black Mountain. EJ would be on the warpath with Elise missing. I was going to be cutting close, and she was making it a whole lot harder. Dax told me to leave her here. I told him to cut it out. 

            I turned to Elise and told her what was between her dad and I….It was a long story that I was incapable of telling quickly. I was VERY bad at telling short stories especially when it was as life altering as what her dad did to me. She was upset they called her a spoiled Duchess. Well she wasn’t spoiled but she was a Duchess. I pointed that out. Freya linked, “Technically so are you.” I snorted, “I’m not a duchess.” Freya linked, “You will be. Just like Elise is.” I wasn’t fit to be a duchess. That was not a thing. Elise didn’t understand how I knew a lot of things. I mean, I have an intensely expansive network….I also know a lot about her because we grew up together, but we couldn't get into that thought. Dax snorted that they really didn’t get it. I linked him, “They aren’t supposed to.” Dax linked back, “Being willfully ignorant is a choice.” I sighed. Sierra laughed saying it was too late to get a clue. She said Red Run lied about specific people. I frowned. I linked, “Are you talking about Xander?” Sierra linked, “That’s exactly who I’m talking about. They lied to you about him, Mel. Think about who his mother is. He would NEVER promise to reject you. His mother would kill him.” I frowned, “Jason is his best friend.” Sierra rolled his eyes, “Mate trump's best friend. No one would think he should get a second chance for rejecting you over something you had no control over. His DAD would kick his ass too as long as he waited for his mother.” I sighed. 

            Elise was charging them. I grabbed her around the waist and said our word. Mshango. She passed out cold. I was so beyond annoyed. I could carry her, but my back was killing me. Adrenaline was fading fast. I carried her to the car. I put her in the back and buckled her in. Valentine got in the passenger side and I got in the driver's seat. Valentina whispered, “What happened?” I told her, “I saved Kai. Booker was PISSED off about it.” Valentina asked, “Are you ok?” I snorted, “I haven’t been ok for quite some time. I was more than fine the last two weeks. I was with Xander.” Valentina shrieked, “WHAT?! Way to bury the lead there, Mel.” I laughed, “He knew me as Ashley. He doesn’t know. I'll explain when he gets back from his mission, and we will go from there.” Valentina reached over and squeezed my thigh, “He won’t care. He will want you because you are amazing.” My grip tightened on the wheel, “We will see. Shimmer us outside the portal to Yellow Hills.” Valentina nodded. We sat at the portal and I turned to her. I’ll leave you right behind their border. I’ll get her as close as I can. I’ll try to get back to you.” Valentina said, “I’ll shimmer you away if need be. They will NOT put you in the dungeons. I’ll go to Alpha Alexander myself. You are his mate. They can’t do that.” I winced, “He doesn’t know that his mate is not only in the resistance...but the leader….let alone that I’m Melanie McAlister.” Valentina snorted, “The man is smart. I bet he does know some of those things. I bet he does know you’re Melanie.” I shrugged. I wasn't going to hope. I drove through the portal. Valentina got out of the car. It was eerily silent on the border which meant one thing…. A trap. Great. I drove across and into Yellow Hills. 

                My heart was pounding. I found the perfect place for Elise. She’d be found safely in this territory. It was still covered by the forest, but they would patrol this area. I got Elise out of the car and hauled her over my shoulder. I had just put her down when I heard, “So you’re our sniper. Nice to kind of meet you. Thanks for all the help over the years.” Good thing I’d never taken my mask off. I turned, “Get her home safe, former Beta Male Ted.” Ted smiled, “It’s TeleTed….go ahead...tell TeleTed your story. You have my undivided attention.” I raised an eyebrow, “Sorry, but I don’t know you, and I really don’t have time for that. Get her back to EJ, please.” Lexi Daniels flashed up. Just great. Lexi spoke softly to me, “Look, we need to talk.” I nodded, “Great. Have your talk...I've got to go.” I could hear the wolves coming. Just…. f**k my life. A wolf shifted back and grabbed a pair of shorts. He looked at me, “My son and our allies would very much like to talk to you.” I nodded, “I’ll be sure to give them a call, Former Alpha Chase Daniels.” He smirked, “You know me?” I nodded, “I do. As I know the two men behind you are your sons Keith and Keaton. Oh hey...there’s Former Beta Matt and Former Gamma Derrick. It’s been great chatting. Gotta run.” Former Alpha Chase said, “I wouldn’t recommend it. I’ll chase you, and I’ll catch you.” I laughed, “I wish you the best of luck with that….I’m fast.” I heard a pop and I took off like a shot. 

            Someone yelled, “WHAT THE f**k?!” I was running towards where I’d left Valentina at the border. I didn’t even look back. I dodged someone who flashed beside me. I heard someone yelling. It sounded like EJ. I had to laugh when I saw what caused the panic. Valentina had shimmered in for the car. She was waiting right over the edge with it. I jumped in the rolled down window. God my side was taking a beating with the sunroofs and windows. I heard someone say, “How the hell can she run fast enough to keep up with us?! Speed is our thing!” Someone answered, “She didn’t just keep up. She won.” I heard a snort, “She had a head start. Normally, that doesn’t matter though.” Valentina gunned the car. I groaned, “Ok….my back is officially killing me.” Valentina frowned, “Lifting someone multiple times when you’ve been whipped badly will do that to you.” I sighed, “I’m going to close my eyes. Valentina nodded, “I’ve got this.” It felt like seconds when an alert went off my phone. I startled, “I don’t even remember having that thing.” Valentina told me, “I got it for you.” I opened it and my mouth dried. I told her, “Get us near Blue Moon. NOW!” Valentina looked over, “What’s happened now?” I told her, “My grandpa who disowned me even though I AM HIS GRANDDAUGHTER and Nick Kyle are walking into a trap.” Valentina nodded. She shimmered us in. I could already hear shots being fired. No! I screamed, “GRANDPA BEN!” I took off running. I began to fire back. I saw My grandpa hit the ground before my shot hit the shooter. I couldn’t stop the scream from ripping through my throat, “NO!” I fired and killed the other four people there. 

            I looked and spotted Nick Kyle. He’d been shot in the shoulder. I yelled, “Bravo Four!” She said, “I’ve got him!” I ran to my grandpa. I ripped out a package of military gauze. My tears wouldn’t stop. He’d been shot in the stomach. He groaned. I told him, “You’re going to be fine. We’ll get you out of here. You just hang on. Do you hear me? You have children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild that need you. You just hang on!” Valentina came over, “I’ll shimmer him to the car.” My grandpa tried to laugh, “A demon and a werewolf walk into a field. There’s a joke somewhere there. Did you wolf get hurt young lady...along with you? That’s a lot of blood on your shirt.” I told him, “It’s nothing.” My grandpa frowned, “Young lady….that is most certainly not nothing.” He began to cough. I cried harder. Valentina shimmered us to the car. Grandpa Ben threw up. Valentina sighed, “Rolling the windows down.” I got out to spray that made us have no scent. I shrugged, “Guess we will see if it works in cars on vomit.” I sprayed it and thankfully...it muted the smell. We’d have to have the car detailed and cleaned. Valentina drove. I held the gauze over my grandpa’s wound. He whispered, “Check on Nick.” Nick answered, “Nick is fine. You hang on Ben. Just stay with me buddy.” I turned to Nick, “You do not look ok.” He didn’t. He looked very pale. I told Valentina, “Call our guy.” Valentina turned, “The werewolf? But he’s in…” I snapped back, “I know where he is! Get us to him. He’s the best and they need the best.” Valentina nodded and opened her phone. 

            I checked on Nick’s wound. I quickly changed his gauze and smelled that they’d been hit with silver. I quickly pulled out the antidote for the silver out of a kit in the car. I injected Grandpa Ben then Nick. Within seconds their color was better. Grandpa Ben whispers, “My granddaughter comes up with stuff like this. You two would get along.” I choked out a sob. He called me his granddaughter. Grandpa Ben continued, “She’s a tinkerer that one. Loves to mess around and figure out stuff like that. Damn if I don’t miss that girl.” I bent over and sobbed. I felt my mask being pulled off. I whirled around and looked into the stunned eyes of Nick Kyle. He yelled, “HOLY MARY MOTHER OF GOD! MELANIE JANE MCALISTER WHAT THE f**k IS GOING ON?!” I pulled my mask back from him and put it on. They were delirious. No one would take their word seriously. I climbed into the passenger seat. Grandpa Ben spoke, “Ladybug….what’s going on? Why are you hurt? Who hurt you? I’ll kill them with my bare hands! What’s going on? How are you our sniper? Are you our sniper? All these things…..they were your tinkering experiments?” I didn’t answer him. I just stared straight forward. We hit the portal into Black Mountain. 

            Nick commented, “Why is your heartbeat so fast Melanie Jane? I said nothing. Eventually Nick spoke again, “Answer us now Melanie Jane McAlister.” Grandpa Ben cried, “Mel, please Ladybug. What’s going on?” Valentina snorted, “It’s funny what happens when you turn your back on people.” Both men shirked, “WHAT?!” Grandpa Ben said, “Melanie Jane, you explain right now.” How dare he! He turned his back on me, and I saved him. He has the audacity to say I need to explain myself. Nick Kyle said, “Young lady you start talking this instant!” We pulled up to the hospital. Valentina shot them with a blow dart gun with a sedative. I raised an eyebrow. She smiled innocently, “What? It was the easiest way to do all this. We can’t compromise our guy.” I shook my head.

            The doctor came running out. His eyes went wide, “Is this…” I answered, “The former Alpha and Beta of Red Run, yes. We….were late. We had to save the Luna of Black Mountain.” The doctor closed his eyes, “I’ve got them. I’ll have to call the Alpha of Red Run.” I nodded, “Give us five minutes.” He nodded, “I can do that.” I told him, “Don’t let anything happen to them.” The doctor studied me then said, “You know them.” I watched my grandfather being rushed inside on a gurney. I wiped away tears, “I do. Nothing can happen to him. Or Nick.” The doctor nodded, “I’ll get them through this.” I told him, “Nick’s shot to the shoulder wasn’t a through and through neither was Ben. The bullets had silver, but I gave them something for that.”  The doctor nodded, “I’ll take it from here. Get out of here.” He hugged me, “You saved my girls. I’ll save them both for you.” I nodded, “Thanks.” I winced. He frowned and then saw the back of my shirt. He frowned, “I can treat you first.” I shook my head, “No, you can’t. You’ll get in trouble.” He reached into his bag and handed me medicine. I frowned, “You know this doesn’t affect me the same.” He smiled, “You are not the only one who likes experiments. You gave me your blood. I worked up something. You’ll remain alert….but the pain recedes.” I nodded, “Thank you.” He nodded, “We will never be even. You literally saved my family. Get out of here.” I nodded, “See you around.” The doctor smiled, “I certainly hope so.”