Not Mates #9
I asked, “Could having saved Lisa when we were pups have bonded us in some magical way? Or those cookies I ate bind me to her? I didn’t ask questions about Melanie when she was younger. Maybe the cookies affected me in some way that wasn’t intended.”
Keith’s eyebrows raised, “Maybe. You could ask Preston to look into it.” I admitted, “Dad has the Bishop’s looking.” Keith sighed in relief, “Then maybe that’s the answer. Dad ate those and so did Emmett but you consumed the most.” I knew that. We eventually left and went to bed.
The next morning, we left after checking Emma was fine and headed back to Gray Stone. I hated that it felt like a weight left my shoulder being out of my pack. That was my home. One day I would lead the pack with my brothers, but right now it felt like I was shackled with guilt when I was there.
Aria Lyons words repeated in my mind. Dark souls surrounded me. Was Lisa a dark soul? That seemed too far and out of bounds to consider. I obviously didn’t bring out a good side of her, and she didn’t bring out a good side in me.
I was the worst Alpha wolf around and my mate needed me to be better. I threw myself into training, knowing I needed to be stronger. I would protect the both of us from the dark souls Aria warned me about. No one would take my mate from me.
I left the guys in the gym and went back to my room. I was astonished to find Haley Conners there. I smiled greeting, “Hey, Aunt Haley.” We all usually called her aunt even though she wasn’t one by blood, but she was an honorary aunt to me. Not to mention my godmother.
Haley replied, “Hello, Keaton.” I asked, “What are you doing here?” Haley answered, “To be perfectly honest, I have no fucking idea. I have guesses. Your grandpa asked me to talk to you. I don’t know what you’re going through Keaton, but I’ll say this: there is no shame in getting help.”
“I don’t know why your grandpa didn’t want Eric to talk to you, but he asked me. I can guess that because Frank wants you to know that Eric has spoken to a therapist when things have been hard in life. My husband had moments where he’s felt fucking weak and unable to protect his family.”
“Eric’s been so fucking angry he needed to talk to someone about what to do with those feelings. I’m obviously a big believer in talking to therapists. Sometimes it is nice to have someone from the outside give their perspective.”
“I can guess this is about that girl I’ve never fucking met.
I’ve even stopped by your damn pack unannounced to try and meet said horrible creature.
It’s like that bitch can smell me coming.
Personally, I have only had the one romantic relationship, but I had plenty of toxic non-romantic relationships in my life.
It’s ok to cut those out of your life if they don’t enhance it. ”
I laughed, “Maybe Lisa can smell you coming. I’m realizing some things about our relationship.” Haley nodded, “I don’t know why you are determined to prove you are worthy, but you are.” I gaped at my godmother.
Haley admitted, “I watched you in the gym. You can’t hide your motivations from a Fairy.
Your motive is to prove you are a strong and worthy Alpha.
Which is odd because you already are. I don’t know who the fuck said you weren’t.
If it’s the L named she wolf, who might be getting a C nickname because I’m getting the sense she defuckingserves it, she’s wrong. ”
“I’ve watched you grow up. I have watched you become a kind, caring, and compassionate young man. Whoever says different is a goddamn liar, because I can’t lie.” She put a card down on my nightstand, “Eric talked to this guy and genuinely enjoyed talking to him. I’m also available to you.”
Haley winked saying, “I might have to kill a bitchy she wolf if you choose me. Which might touch a foggy area of patient confidentiality. I’d kill for you though, Keaton, in a heartbeat. I love you like I love my own kids.”
I snorted, “It’s called a gray area.” Haley tilted her head saying, “I assure you there would be nothing gray about any area. It might be a green area that gets some red stains from blood, but there would be nothing fucking gray. Maybe brown. I could rip her guts out, then shit would be everywhere.” I laughed, “Thanks Aunt Haley.” She nodded and gave me a quick hug before popping away.
I sighed and tapped the card. If Eric Conners got help, maybe talking to someone wasn’t such a bad idea. I’d call Eric himself after Thanksgiving. Between my homework and training I was actually really busy. Keith and I were having a lot of fun, and I’d put on a lot of muscle.
I felt more like me than I had in such a long time. I watched Keith at the bonfire Gray Stone was having. My twin was flirting with some girl. I glanced sharply at him when I could tell he was getting mad. We knew things like that about each other.
I walked over asking, “Brother?” Keith gestured to the woman he’d been talking to, “This chick was just telling me I failed the boyfriend test.” I laughed, “There’s a boyfriend test?” Keith growled, “Apparently. Get this Lisa messaged her and asked her to put Keaton to the boyfriend test.”
I reasoned, “Well, it’s understandable the mistake was made between us. We are twins, brother.” Channing huffed, “We don’t have a girlfriend. We have mate.” I knew that, but I knew that my wolf knew Lisa did not get that message. I was beginning to think she never would.
Keith shouted, “That’s fucking bullshit!” The girl paled, “Wait, you’re not Keaton Daniels?” I answered, “No, I’m Keaton this is my twin Keith. Lisa is also not my girlfriend.” Keith added, “Nor would she pass the girlfriend test considering she’s openly fucking someone else.”
I confirmed, “That’s also true.” The girl looked at me then stated, “You don’t seem to care that Lisa is having sex with someone else.” I acknowledged, “Because I truly don’t. She’s not my girlfriend or my mate. She’s free to do what she wants, as am I.”
I paused then added, “Feel free to message her back and say you have to have a boyfriend to do the boyfriend test. Also, if you feel the need to have some girl flirt with your boyfriend, maybe there’s a reason you don’t trust him.
I’m just saying. In this case, it’s because she’s untrustworthy.
I’ve never cheated on her, but she can’t say the same. ”
The girl’s jaw dropped as Keith and I walked away. Keith asked, “Are you really ok?” I nodded, “Yup.” I meant it too. Before I knew it, it was time for Thanksgiving. Keith and I decided to run home instead of drive. Our wolves were being pretty playful with each other the whole way.
Channing even felt more carefree than he had since he first came to me. When we got home, we went in the back door and changed into jeans and a t-shirt. The both of us came down the stairs together laughing. The tension hit us quickly.
I looked around, wondering what was wrong because my entire family was tense. I groaned, “Now what?” I was stunned when Lisa shouted, “Keaton, you’re home!” Then proceeded to jump on me saying, “I missed you so much.” Keith winced. Her voice was really high, but she couldn’t help it.
I asked, “Lisa, what are you doing here?” Emmett questioned, “You didn’t invite them?” I frowned, “Them?” Lisa said, “It’s Thanksgiving. Of course you wanted to spend time with me, and I wanted my family to come.”
Keith scoffed, “I’m sorry are we saying you invited yourself along with your family, to our family’s Thanksgiving lunch?” My cousin Joe Scott coughed, “Psycho.” Lisa scoffed at him. I took her aside quickly before she started an argument when I was having a good day.
I gritted my teeth asking, “What are you doing here?” Lisa slapped my arm, “Don’t embarrass me like this, Keaton.
I missed you.” I nodded, “Sure. That’s why you’re with Justin and why you’ve never even called or texted me.
I'm not sure if sending someone to do the boyfriend test on my brother counts as talking to me.”
Lisa’s eyes filled with tears as she whispered, “Are you really going to kick my whole family out of Thanksgiving?” I told her, “No, that would be rude. You’re already here, and my mom raised me better than that.”
I walked back into the room announcing, “To the Kipner family you are welcome to stay as there is enough food. Sally always makes extra; however, in the future it is customary to be invited over to someone’s home.
My mother always taught my siblings and myself that it was rude to invite ourselves places. I guess not everyone was taught that.”
Channing complimented me, “That was a good jab.” Well, I was furious. Lisa made some strange noise of disbelief while her parents were flushed red. I just didn’t care. Lisa shouldn’t have come here, and honestly her family should’ve known I didn’t invite her.
Lisa’s little sister, Isla, actually looked really embarrassed.
Isla threw a glare Lisa’s way which I found odd.
They used to be closer when they were younger.
Lisa said it was my fault they weren’t close anymore.
I was out of the picture now though, so why was that relationship still bad?
Lisa’s brother, Stephen, was glaring at her too.
Lunch was easily the most awkward meal I’d sat through with my family.
Afterwards I escaped into the game room.
Lisa of course followed to berate me, “You should probably skip desserts today. You look like you’ve enjoyed one too many parties over there in Gray Stone. They clearly aren’t a good influence.”
I just stared at her. Channing had other thoughts, “I’m going to eat an ENTIRE pie myself while staring our ex in the eye.
” That would be a little funny. Annie Miller spoke from behind me, “How odd. I was going to say the opposite. I was going to tell Keaton he seemed to lose about one-hundred and twenty pounds of dead weight.”