The Alpha Enforcer and His Dancing Warrior

Waiting Impatiently Pt. 2

            I couldn’t help my snarl when Klaus called Angela his. TJ of course popped over and sent some calm around with his little snark. I loved that kid. I looked over. My Uncles were mad. Dad….was on a whole other level. I think I actually saw steam come out of his ears. Eventually he lost it and broke forward yelling about Farrin. My mom actually yelled at him. That brought the entire party to a dead quiet halt. In all my life, I’d NEVER heard my mom yell at my dad like that in front of other people. On occasion when they’d fight, sure it was the curse of our super hearing. In a setting like this though….unheard of. Preston said, “I can’t look away. It’s like….I don’t even know. Seeing a polar bear fly.” I rolled my eyes, “Obviously, Farrin did something dad didn’t like that mom doesn't want Angela to know.” Mom bent down and told Angela to go outside with TJ, Klaus, Parker, Cole, and Calvin. Angela was tearfully addressing our dad. I linked Parker, Cole, Calvin and TJ, “I’m sure Klaus won’t do anything, but be on alert for other fairies. They could use you all outside as a distraction.” Parker answered, “We will be on alert Alexander.” I smiled at them as they walked out. 

            My mom made us all go join her in the office. Cass popped in as soon as we’d gathered. I wondered where Cayden was. Mom said dad lost his mind. My dad was upset. My mom tried to be reasonable and point out Klaus wasn't going to hurt Angela. My dad was past reason. He yelled that Farrin tried to have s*x with mom at their wedding. Cassie linked me, “Boy….you take a nap and hear things….on never needs to hear.” I linked back, “I never got the impression from Farrin he liked mom in that way.” Cassie linked back, “He’d met Trixie by the time we were old enough to have a memory of him.” I linked Oden, “Do you recall that ever being a thing?” Oden linked back, “Thor said she went into her concupiscence at their wedding. That Farrin didn’t resist.” I rolled my eyes. I hated that damn excuse. We were not just animals; we could resist a female in heat. Farrin didn’t even have an animal side. I’d been around fairies in their concupiscence and she wolves in their heat. I’d carried one to her mate. I’d defended a few more. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to do, but I respected the hell out of women and men alike. Taking someone’s choice away from them was wrong. I shot Farrin a glare. He actually looked ashamed. Good. 

            Mom was on a tangent about how none of us would suffer because of her past. Oh mom. I didn’t want her to feel that way. Though….if she’d had the life she’d been meant to in Faerie….would I have cared about Angela’s mate being a fairy? The answer was a clear no. I wouldn’t have. I worried because the depraved depths of which those people had hurt my mother, but that was my right. I cringed. It wasn't my right to make Angela feel bad about her mate though. I linked her, “I didn’t get to say congratulations little one.” Angela linked back, “I knew you’d come around first.” I snorted, “He’d better treat you like the queen you are.” Angela snarked, “As if I would accept anything less. We are very happy. Just like you are happy with your blur. I’m still working on figuring that out.” I smiled, “I have faith in you.” My mom and Farrin were commenting back and forth. My dad was calming down, but he was still upset. I linked EJ asking if he knew about the whole mom and Farrin debacle. He said no. Well at least we didn’t know.

            Guilt seared through me when Cassie said it was better to know they’d met. Cassie linked me, “For the millionth time….it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know. You were just teasing. If I’d listened to your tone...felt our bond...or called Cayden...none of that would’ve happened.” It did though. Because of a stupid joke. Cassie was hurt. Angela popped to her...it was a whole mess that didn’t need to be. Cassie winked at me before she added that we were worried about the wrong things. Angela was mischievous as was Klaus together….they’d be diabolical. Oh good. EJ linked me. We were in trouble. I already didn’t like this. They were going to prank the hell out of all of us. It was somehow already annoying. I needed Melanie. I needed to smell her sweet strawberry scent. 

            Blue moon arrived. Dylan was egging my dad on. Preston snorted, “Dad might actually kill him this time.” I linked back, “Nope. That would upset Wesley because Buttercup would be distraught.” Preston wiggled his eyebrows at me. My dad had Dylan running out of the room in under five minutes. I think that was a record. My mom pointed out Angela was raised to defend herself. My mother was raised by the pretending whisperer of a queen. She wanted my mom to be meek and passive. Alania was a b***h. My mother was neither of those things. It had been in blood to fight back. Both sides of her to be truthful. The Fae were fierce. The Hackura...I mean we were the protectors of the realms. Part of me hoped there was a ribbon where my mother just kicked their asses and popped away from them until my grandpa Titus or any of my uncles found her. I think that would be nice for my mom to see. Some of them….sucked. They all had different circumstances. I might be biased, but I think my mom got the rawest deal of them all. At least other me’s had my mom looking out for their version of her. She saved a lot of them and so did my dad. I was proud of both of them. 

            My dad pointed out part of his fear was about Alania seeing this pairing with her sight. Uncle Aiden said we had ample knowledge of it now though. That we could prepare. Oh, we’d prepare. Anyone who EVER hurt Angela….would see a side of me that surpassed the anger they’d seen from my dad. They’d think it tame compared to what I would do to those who’d hurt my family or my Lovebug. If anyone EVER hurt my Melanie…..they’d know what Robert did. You stayed away from her. Or else. My family agreed on the amount of guards Angela would have. It did calm me down too. I did feel bad our emotions probably clouded this moment for Angela. I didn’t want that for her. She said we owed her an apology. We did. She should’ve gotten to be excited and introduce him to us all. We all deserved that moment. My mom popped out. That woman knew how to give a parting line to a speech. 

            Elise wanted to go. EJ snapped all the men left in the room whiskey. He teased the women they didn’t need to take the edge off. I wanted to laugh at him. He’d never seen the edge Elise took on to calm him down on occasion. I winked and snapped all the women a strawberry martini in honor of my mom. They all raised a glass to me. I winked at them. Uncle Aiden was practically walking on air. He’d been waiting for this moment. I think he thought it would be Julian. I needed to ask Cass what her feelings about it were. She was usually right. I faded into the background and went outside. 

            I found Angela and Klaus easily. I hugged her, “I’m happy for you little sister.” Angela smiled, “Klaus said he’d help me in the library try to figure out my blurry visions.” I kissed her forehead, “You don’t even worry about that today. Ok? It’s not only your birthday you met your mate.” I held my hand out, “I’m Alexander.” Klaus smiled, “I know. We’ve met.” I smiled, “Most people can’t tell us all apart.” Klaus smiled, “Once I hear all your names with faces I’ll remember. I’ll remember them all for my Angela.” I nearly gagged. Parker said, “For an hour Alexander. He’s been saying sappy s**t like that for an hour. I need to wash my eyes and my brain.” I bit back a smile, “I’m sure you’ll see a revolving door of us all now that I’ve started the train.” Klaus nodded, “I’m sure. I will not harm your sister. Ever. I promise.” I raised an eyebrow, “I don’t doubt you Klaus. From the moment I saw you looking at Angela...I knew that. I worry about others.” Klaus said, “I will light them on fire if they so much as upset my Angela.” I laughed, “I could get behind that.” I hugged Angela again then walked inside. 

            I saw Elise sneak off. I grabbed a glass of whiskey and drained it. I welcomed the burn. I grabbed two more. I slammed the second one. Then held onto the third. EJ trickled outside after Elise. No doubt at her direction. I walked outside and found a freshly showered Cayden. I laughed, “Did you beat someone up?” Cayden said, “Yes.” I laughed, “And you didn’t invite me after the day I had? I thought we were brothers.” Cayden laughed, “I’m terribly sorry. It involved a source.” I nodded, “The one you asked if I’d heal. How is said source?” Cayden said, “Improving. Unconscious but improving.” I frowned, “If you change your mind….I’ll be there.” Was it Ashley? Was Ashley unconscious? Oden was restless. Cayden went inside to find Cassie. I went to the gym. 

            I was hitting the heavy bag for several hours when I heard a throat clear behind me. I turned, “Uncle Bjourn.” He asked, “What’s going on? Is Melanie ok?” I nodded, “Yes. She’s fine.” Uncle Bjourn said, “So it’s Ashley that’s bothering you.” I snorted, “She was hurt. Supposedly a car accident. She’s gone off the grid. I feel like s**t about the whole thing. I am drawn in by everything Ashley, but Melanie…..hearing her name makes my heart skip a beat. Ashley’s name….it’s just odd Uncle Bjourn. That’s a character in Melanie’s favorite book series.” Uncle Bjourn said, “That could be your connection right there. You feel connected to her because of Melanie. They are both good fighters.” I nodded, “True. I miss her Uncle Bjourn. How can I miss someone I haven’t met? Hell...I miss both of them because I’m an asshole. Ashley hasn’t emailed me back in a while. I miss her ranting little emails. They always make me smile. It makes me worry that she’s pretty damn hurt.” Uncle Bjourn said, “I do keep tabs on her.” I asked, “You do.” Uncle Bjourn nodded, “I can tell you she’s hurt, but she’s recovering remarkably well.” I laughed, “Then you know where she is.” Uncle Bjourn smiled, “There are very few people that can hide from me.” I nodded, “My dad is trying to find her.” Uncle Bjourn sighed, “I think your dad is waiting for her to come back rather than look for her lest he find something he might not want to know about where she was.” 

            I had no idea what that meant. I hit the heavy bag some more before popping into my shower. I put Melanie’s hoodie on my second pillow and jumped into bed. Nope, nothing remotely creepy about this. Oden tiredly said, “It’s not creepy. She’s ours. This is the best I’ll get since SOMEONE won’t go get her.”

            The next morning. I ran into the omega Robert was dating. She smiled, “Would you like some cookies Alpha Alexander? I just made them.” Her peanut butter cookies were to die for. I said, “Bad offer. I’ll take the whole plate.” She laughed, “I’ll just go make more. My boyfriend loves watching me bake.” I snarfed the cookies down to avoid thinking about that. I wished they’d break up already. I hated seeing that guy around here remembering what I’d heard him say to Melanie. He’d hurt her feelings. He made her cry. He didn’t like that her wolf looked like me. Oden perked up, “Mates toy does look like me. Elise said she calls him her Xander.” He purred the name. I hated it when people called me Xander….but for some reason...It always made me smile when I thought of Melanie calling me Xander. 

            I found my family in the main room. I sat down on the couch a moment before Lexi blazed in using her speed. She was on about some band I’d never heard of. How popular could they be? Micah knew about them though. Maybe the Hackura liked them then and not wolves. Lexi was perplexed that Micah knew and she didn’t. Micah seemed stunned that we didn’t know about this band. He said they’d been popular for a few years, and that unless you had a connection; you couldn’t get in. I bet any of us could. We were kind of popular. People wanted to meet us. Oden snorted, “Except Ashley.” Except her. I couldn’t figure that out. She did want to meet us, she just also didn’t. Max was startled to realize Micah and Cayden had been to the concerts several times. I leaned forward in my chair when Micah said he couldn’t talk about it. He had a source in the band. I was not getting a good feeling. Elise jumped in and said the only person Micah had said that about was Ashley. How did Elise know that?! What the ever loving s**t?! Why was Ashley a source for the Hackura?!

            Why wouldn’t she talk to the council instead? That’s who she should trust. I mean Cayden and Micah were trustworthy but….How did she know that? What was going on? My heart stopped as I put it all together. It was her. Ashley was the source. That’s why Uncle Bjourn knew where Ashley was and her status. Brody was with her. I linked Phil, “It’s Ashley. You were right. Ashley is the source Cayden was going to have me come heal. Damn it! I was so close to meeting her.” Phil answered, “That was my guess honestly. Not that it makes ANY sense WHATSOEVER…..unless…Your dad is right and Black Path is doing naughty things.” I rolled my eyes, “Just come into the room and sit down. There’s no need to hide around the corner. My dad is rarely wrong. If she has proof, the council would EAT it up. Why would she go to Cayden? HOW did she go to Cayden?” Phil came in and sat on the edge of the couch.  He linked, “Good questions. I have no answers. I am remiss….adrift without a purpose as a beta.” I asked if Ashley was superwoman. Seriously? How the hell was she managing to be a female lead warrior, running a pack, and be in a band. That was a girl who didn’t like to sit still. Just like my Lovebug. My head pounded. I shook that thought and sat back. 

            I wanted to know if Ashley was the singer in the band. I felt like an ass. I should’ve mentioned it in our emails. There was some other girl who sang. Her name was Odette. That was unique. Micah said Addison and Sierra were the singers. Of course. Ashley was best friends with them. Of course they were in the band. Elise figured out that Ashley played the guitar. Micah laughed and said both types of guitars. Acoustic and Electric. Like Melanie. I rubbed my head. Why did I always compare them? Probably to feel less like a jerk about the whole thing. Jason had bragged about how Melanie could play both acoustic and Electric guitar many times. Micah said they wouldn't come here. Of course they wouldn’t. Ashley might be the only werewolf around that didn’t want to meet our family. I had no idea why that bothered me so damn much, but it really did. Micah told us the rest of the band members. My mom was not happy there was a witch. I couldn’t help but smile. My mother hated witches. Micah told her said witch was cool. Max ran off with him. Elise told Lexi she’d get more details. I remained quiet. I’d ask Ashley about the band too, but I liked to have our emails just between us. I wasn’t going to share any of it with Lexi. I had no idea why….I just wasn’t going to.

            Elise started to get a headache too. My mom got pissed when she realized we’d been getting these headaches for a while now. Oden whimpered, “Always about mate.” I winced. Was he right? Why would thinking about Melanie give us all a headache? I nearly threw up. I had to stop thinking about this. She was living her dream. I was being possessive again. I was being selfish. I wanted the headaches to be about her so I could go meet her. I shook myself. I wouldn’t stand in the way of her dreams. Was I really though? I could pop her back and forth. She could do both. My head was pounding. I was being selfish again. Phil ran into the room. I’d been so in my head….I hadn’t even noticed he’d stepped out. 

            He was frantic. That was never good. EJ and I popped into the office. I shoved every other thought out of my head. I needed to focus right now. The McDermont’s Beta was on the phone. He said their Luna was dead. THE f**k?! EJ popped. I linked my men, “GATHER OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!” I popped outside. Once I’d gathered our men I popped to EJ. Five minutes. We were running drills again. That was an unacceptable amount of time for my brother to be fighting with his Luna without me and our men. They needed to get it under three before I would be happy. I shifted and fought with EJ. I shifted back once the fight was over. Theo popped in surprised we’d never met them before. EJ and I had...we just didn’t see them too often. The Beta was crawling towards the forest. That was not going to be good. I saw his mate trying to get a warrior out of her way to get to him. I saw his son, but...I didn’t see his daughter. Oh god no. The Beta announced someone took his daughter and the Alpha’s. Great. EJ tried to pop to them. So did I. I was thrown back, but neither of us got hurt. 

            EJ wanted to lead a scouting party. Theo was sniffing the air. I raised an eyebrow at him. He asked if we smelled that. Oh no. Please no….a warrior walked out with a hoodie and he growled, “MINE!” Oden said, “Hmmm how odd he can tell from a scent on a hoodie….I myself told you the SAME THING when we found a hoodie in the back of an SUV YEARS AGO….yet you doubt me.” I linked, “Not the time. That hoodie was brought out to track the girls. Theo’s mate is missing. Our mate is not missing, she's just not here.” Oden grumbled but accepted I was right. It ended up being Jane’s hoodie. She recently turned eighteen. So when we got her back….she’d be moving in with us at least. She’d be safe. 

            Theo kept trying to pop to her. I didn’t know what to say. I’d do the same thing if I was him. Angela eventually popped in and got him to stop. EJ led the search even though Angela said the girl had gone through a holoport. While they were gone I grabbed Theo. I pulled him into a hug. I linked him, “We will get her back little brother. She will be by your side as she’s meant to be. Alright?” Theo linked, “I already failed her. I should’ve protected her.” I linked back, “You had no way of knowing. You got here when you could. She was gone before we were even called. You couldn't have done anything.” Theo didn’t look happy. I still couldn't blame him. Maverick popped in. He instantly hugged Theo, “It will be alright brother.” Theo asked, “How Mav? They took her. I don’t have her, and they took her.” Maverick said, “We are the Conners. They made a serious mistake taking her. We protect what is ours, and we will protect Jane.” Theo still didn’t calm down. He needed to hit something. He wanted to wait until EJ came back though. 

            The second he saw EJ he demanded to know where Jane was. EJ explained even Corbin tried to get through...he promised we’d find her. Theo was now past reason. I told him to come with me. Theo didn’t want to. I told him he needed to focus, and then we could find her. He needed to be that way for her. He finally agreed. I walked into the gym and ordered, “Everyone out. We have drills starting bright and early tomorrow. Five minutes to get to me warriors? That’s unacceptable!” They all left. Only a few grumbled about tomorrow. I turned to Theo, “Get in the ring.” We stepped up and we fought. It took hours to calm Theo down. When we stopped Maverick popped to his side. I linked him, “Mav….it’s ok.” Maverick linked back, “He’s devastated.” I knew that. My empathetic connection with my siblings' emotions, be it emotional or physical hurt, was incredibly strong. I knew how upset Theo was. I popped them to the house. Maverick was staying with Theo tonight. I popped to my room. I couldn’t stop myself from writing an email. I needed something to do because Theo’s devastation was ringing in my ears.

 Ashley, 

You mischievous wolf. I hear you are in some VERY popular band. I feel incredibly bad I did not know about that. I’d love to come watch you play. Maybe I could buy tickets for at least Elise. I’d love to surprise her with it. She’d die of excitement. She really wants to meet you. I want to meet you. The offer of you training our wolf less still stands. I’d love to host you for an event. It would be popular. YOU are popular in the werewolf community. We could swap tips too. I’d love to spar with you sometime. 

I heard you were in a car accident. I’m not sold, that's what it was based on the rumors my beta heard. I stand by my emails to you Ashley. If that asswipe marked you against your will….I’ll kill him. I’ll find out too. I truly hope you are ok. I am worried about you.  I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to help you. I NEED to help you. I can’t even tell you why, but I know that I do. Please….let me help Ashley. I’ll go around the council. I’ll go around my brother….and anyone else you want. I just want to help you. Please.

I need to help someone. That’s probably selfish to put on you, but currently I can do nothing for my brother. His mate was kidnapped. He’d found out tonight that she’s his. When we were going to track the two girls taken. The Luna of their pack is dead. Their Alpha is a wreck, and so is my brother. His mate is going to be devastated when we bring her home. Her mom is gone. My brother Theo, his full name is Theodore, but we call him Theo. He’s beside himself. I don’t know how to make him feel better other than get him in the gym. My connection with my siblings' emotions make it very hard to process. I want to burn the world down for him.

I hope to talk to you soon, and I wish you a speedy recovery. 

Alexander

P.S. I could make it an incredibly fast recovery for you. I’m just saying. I’ve got healing hands.

I hit send. Then cursed myself, “I have healing hands. GOD Oden! Why didn’t you stop me from saying that?!” Oden snickered, “I liked it, and it’s true.” I closed my eyes and went to sleep. 

            Weeks passed. I ran drills. We’d gotten our response time where I wanted it. I hadn’t heard back from Ashley. It was putting me on edge. The only thing keeping me calm was re-watching videos of Melanie dancing. She was truly stunning. The way she moved was incredible. I was so frustrated with our lack of progress on finding Jane. It was clear Theo’s mate had been taken into the undergrounds. The real ones. We’d found her blood at places. Theo was in the gym more often with me than he ever was before. The only good news was we were finally on their tails. I needed to see Melanie. I locked my door and watched her dance. As soon as the dance ended. My email dinged. I smiled when I saw Ashley’s email address. I read the first line.

 Alpha, 

I snorted. No matter how many times I told her to call me Alexander. Ashley called me Alpha. I started to get hard and cursed myself. I kept reading. 

I am in a band. I thought you knew that. We are kind of popular. Well I mean...pretty popular. Obviously not like crazy popular if you don’t know us. I mean you guys know everything. So probably not super popular at all. We do ok. We sound good if I do say so myself. I mean my bandmates are talented. That’s what I mean. Not like I sound good….I’m not bragging I swear….My bandmates though…. They are great. More like family. I don’t think we’d be Elise’s style. I mean we play a broad range of music. I could send you an audio clip of us performing. I could do that. That’s a thing I could do. Does that work as a compromise? Please say it does. I don’t want you to be mad….Our shows are fairly private and the band...is particular...me...well...all of us...mostly me...Just. I’m weird. Let’s move on.

I don’t really remember the accident. I remember there was one, but not the accident itself. I get flashes. My doctor said that was normal. My friend was UNHAPPY. So very unhappy. My friend wanted more details. I wished I had them. I’m trying to piece together what happened. None of my other friends are talking about it. So, it’s probably bad...I mean it’s fine...totally fine…..Why would I say bad? I don’t know….talking crazy over here. They probably don’t want to push memory issues… Yup that’s totally it. Nothing bad. 

I’m not marked so there is no need to sharpen your broadsword or anything. Or I mean….any type of sword you want. You could obviously use any type of sword that would be fine. You can do whatever you want. I don’t want you to get in trouble for me. I couldn’t live with it if you did. You’d hate me once you knew and I can't do that. I can’t….not you. I know you love your brother and your dad. I can’t let you do that for me. I’ll be ok. I can handle stupid jerks. I’ve been doing it my whole life. I’ve got a system.

I’m very sorry about your brother. I cannot imagine his pain. I’m sure you will find the girls. Nothing can stand in your way when you set your mind to it. 

Ashley

I was a little sad because normally I got a P.S. She’d said broadsword. Did Cayden tell her about me? I did favor a broadsword. My email dinged again.