We All Have Our Secrets #2
I went to say something, then paused because my wolf was right. I had done that. Channing snorted, “Of course I’m right.” We took off and I wrote up my report for Joe. I didn’t include what Andrew said about Odette.
My mate was becoming a woman with many names. Katie, Odette, and now Camilla. My mate’s mother infuriated me. What was she hiding Odette from, other than Supernatural’s in general? What was her agenda? How could she not protect her daughter from a predator?
Camilla, which I knew wasn’t her real name, kept Odette isolated. Why? More questions swirled about this than any answers I had. One thing was for certain, Odette’s mother wasn’t going to like me when we met. I had things to say to that woman about what she’d done to my mate.
The wheels bouncing on the tarmac brought me out of thoughts. Joe was waiting in the hangar. I laughed, “You want my report that badly, cousin?” Joe snorted, “No, I just wanted to see you.” I handed him the report.
I emphatically stated, “Andrew’s very dead. Also, he’s an ass. He spelled one of ours because she didn’t want to go out with him.” Joe’s face turned red as he shouted, “Are you fucking kidding me?” I shook my head, “Nope. In his mind, he gave her a month of chances.”
Joe snorted, “The world is a better place without him in it. Good job, Keaton.” I smiled, “Thanks.” I took off running with him. When we got to my Uncle Heath’s house, I ran inside to change back into my street clothes.
Once I got in my truck I saw my Uncle Heath in the window. He waved to me as I drove my truck away. I still hadn’t turned on my phone. When I walked inside my house I found my mom pacing while Dad watched her from his chair.
Emmett was glaring at me, and Keith was asleep on the couch. I said, “You all are up late.” Keith bolted upright. Dad’s head whipped to me, relief clear in his eyes. Mom flashed over to me and hugged me.
Dad pulled me into a hug next linking, “I’m glad you’re back safe.
” Emmett said, “A heads up would be nice, little brother.” I told him, “It was last minute.” Emmett muttered, “So I gathered.” Keith punched my arm, “Umm HELLO! I’m your twin, who is Crimson Doom for god’s sake!
I could go with you.” I shrugged, “I was fine.”
Emmett chimed back in, “So I’m guessing Andrew is dead.” I nodded, “Along with six of his guards.” Emmet smirked at me. Dad’s pride was in his eyes. I looked at the corner and asked, “Grandpa, are you going to come out?” He snorted and filled the doorway.
Dad teased, “And you gave me shit, dad.” Grandpa Frank winked, “I told you that you should get some sleep. I didn’t say I was going to sleep, he’s my grandson.” I laughed, “We should all go to bed.” Mom announced, “You’ll be sleeping in, Keaton. I will call the school and excuse you from classes.”
I was about to protest when mom said, “I know the crash you feel after a mission like that. You haven’t been out for a while so I want you to get some sleep.
” I wanted to see Odette, but I knew my mom was right.
I hadn’t been out officially, in over a year as the Silver Blade. I nodded my agreement.
Mom kissed my cheek and pushed me towards the stairs.
Channing growled, “Don’t agree to that! We went out and dumped bodies on the Resistance as the Silver Blade!
” I replied, “I know you heard me think the word officially.” Channing grumbled, “I want to see mate.” I reasoned, “We’ll go for the afternoon. ” Channing huffed.
Keith linked, “We are so not done talking about this.” I explained, “I had to do it. Andrew hurt Katie.” Keith replied, “Ok, I guess I get that. Still, you tell your twin when you’re going to go out and kill people.” I conceded, “Fair enough.” He was not going to take the Resistance of it all well.
I flashed to my room and took a shower. I knew the crash was coming, but damn if I didn’t feel amazing right now. Channing linked, “We feel like we should’ve all along with our confidence. Mate is good for us.” Yes, she was. I got out of the shower and grabbed some shorts.
I walked back into my room and found Emmett sitting on the bed. I asked, “Are you bunking with me tonight?” Emmett rolled his eyes and threw a pillow at me that I easily caught. Emmett said, “You know, I have a moniker too which means I can go out with you.”
I laughed, “You used to go out with me all the time, Black Knight.” Emmett sighed, “Well, I’ll rest easier if you go out more often than once every seventeen months. It’s nerve wracking this way, Keaton.” I teased, “You’re a worrier, Emmett. You’d worry about me even if I went out weekly.”
Emmett groaned, “Dear god don’t do that to me, little brother.” I smiled, “I don’t intend to. I do intend to go out more if Joe needs me, though.” Emmett smiled admitting, “It’s good to see you standing tall again. Joe sent me the mission report. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m proud of you.”
I snorted, “You all are a bunch of worry warts.” Emmett rolled his eyes and tousled my hair. I slapped his hand, “Hey!” My big brother smirked, “Listen here pipsqueak, it’s my job to worry about you. I’m your Alpha and big brother. So, I get to be double worried.”
I rolled my eyes at him. My adrenaline was beginning to fade. Emmett ordered, “Get some sleep.” I snorted, “Ok, dad.” Dad yelled from the hallway, “Your dad says go to bed too!” I laughed. Emmett flashed out of my room.
I laid down and dreamed of the day I saved Lisa from rogues. We were thirteen so I didn’t have a wolf yet. I was on my way back from the Shroud and had called mom to tell her. I heard someone screaming at our border.
I changed directions and was there in a flash. I grabbed a rogue as he went for Lisa and snapped his neck. Lisa screamed her head off as I took out two more. She jumped on me the second they were dead profusely thanking me.
I held her tightly and linked my dad. My family and Warriors come quickly. It was my first kill. Well, kills really. Lisa and I were always together after that. Justin ran up to us while Lisa screamed at him asking where he was. He’d been playing with Isla.
I woke up with a start and rubbed my face.
I hadn’t remembered that Justin came. Or that he’d been with Isla.
Channing snorted, “Or that rogues have lost it.” I asked, “What do you mean?” Channing answered, “Think about the rogue that was going for Lisa. It was going for her arm. Luckily for that rogue, she couldn't fight. Or our ex could’ve killed him and gotten away with a bite to the arm.”
My wolf was right. Rogues weren’t exactly the picture of sanity though. They’d been without a pack so long they went feral. They were more wolf than human. Wolves were pack creatures. It was really sad, but that was the situation.
I got in the shower, then made my way downstairs when I was done.
My parents were sitting at the table together.
They had a huge meal prepared. I sat down and started eating.
Keith linked me, “Are you awake yet?” I answered, “Yes.” Keith said, “Good. You need to get to school because Katie is pale. We knocked on her door for fifteen minutes this morning before she answered the door. She’s steadily growing more despondent. ”
I questioned, “Despondent?” Channing snarled in my head.
Keith explained, “She barely notices Immy beside her. Immy has been guiding her to her classes.” I asked, “What happened?” Keith sighed, “I don’t know, man.
I’m not exactly Katie’s best friend yet.
One day she and I will be thick as thieves, but that day isn’t today. We need you.”
“Katie’s lost all track of time. She thought it was two in the morning when we came to see her.
Then began muttering about songs, emails, and someone in the mob finding her.
Honestly, she was so tired that even with our hearing none of us caught it all.
Bryce and Lee thought she had some weird dream. ”
I frowned thinking my mate must be having trouble sleeping and something must be bothering her. Channing began pacing in my head. I told my parents, “I’m heading to school.” Mom quickly said, “Wait just a second, Keaton.” I sat back down.
Mom smiled, “I just wanted to say, while I would prefer more notice about you going out, I’m really proud of you.
I read the report and I know you previously did a threat assessment for Emmett on this guy.
You remembered it all and were extremely efficient.
You took a lot more time to question him than I think you needed. ”
I shrugged, “I haven’t been out in a while.
” Mom pursed his lips but nodded, “Anyway, you did good.” She flashed around and kissed my head, “I’ve got a meeting to get to.
I love you, Keaton.” I replied, “Love you too!” I was proud of my mom and her event planning business.
She’d probably pushed several meetings around to see me this morning.
When she left dad casually said, “You know, when your pups aren’t telling you the whole truth, parents tend to know that.” I asked, “What do you mean?” Dad replied, “I know that’s not why it took you so long to question that Warlock, and so does your mother.”
Dad gave me a pointed look saying, “There’s something missing from your report. It’s whatever made you so mad that Andrew was found cut by your blade repeatedly and beaten. You don’t tend to beat people up as your moniker. So, I’m guessing this has to do with Katie. How would she know Andrew?”
I shrugged then heard someone laugh. Grandpa came around the corner and nodded to my dad. Dad said, “I’ll see you later, Keaton.” I didn’t really question why he dropped the subject but I’d take it. I flashed out the door.
I got in my truck knowing it would be lunch time when I made it to school. Which was good since I was still hungry. I walked straight to the lunchroom after I’d parked my truck. My friends looked relieved to see me. I laughed, “You all knew I was home.”