So Not Normal #14
I snorted, “The family business is murder? I KNEW you were the mob! I totally called that.” Caspian asked, “You heard that? You know what, not the point. What happened?” I whispered, “That wolf, from the school attack that I told you about showed up.”
I paused then added, “Also, Luke’s Uncle was insane. I mean I kicked him in the balls, but he was trying to get to the pond. As a rabid rabies wolf, that is apparently my new guard dog, circled him.” Caspian asked, “Did he make it to the water? Do you think he drowned?”
I snorted, “No. The wolf ripped his throat out. Oh god, I saw a murder. Why didn’t I call the police? Why am I calling you? What’s the matter with me? Why am I not more upset that I just witnessed a murder? I mean he was a bad guy. Clearly, I…”
Caspian cut me off, “Odette, there’s nothing wrong with your reaction.
Tell me where you are and I’ll fix this.
” I asked, “Why would it matter if that guy got the pond? Wolves can swim. Of course you’ll fix it, you’re IN THE MOB!
No, you’re the head of the family. Oh my god. ” He was totally the Don.
Caspian sighed, “If Luke’s Uncle wished to go to our home he could get there that way. I’m still not in the mob.” He was so in the mob. Also, wishing to get somewhere didn’t get you there. So, that explanation made no sense whatsoever.
I snorted, “I’m in shock.” My phone beeped, signaling an incoming call. It was Keaton. I said, “I have to go, my song boy is calling me.” Caspian yelled, “Don’t you dare hang up on….” I hung up. I winced, “Stop pissing off the mob, Odette. They have a family business and Caspian is the Don.”
Keaton answered out of breath, “Hey, Katie.” He must be around other people. I clutched the phone in my hand. I deleted the picture of me off the dead guy’s phone. I checked it seeing only messages to Luke’s number.
They were complaining about Luke’s dad while letting him know I worked at a bookstore. Nothing about Keaton though. I powered it off and took out the SIM card. I wiped it off with my shirt. I found a trash can and threw the SIM card away.
Keaton asked, “Katie, are you ok?” I found another trash can and dropped the phone in it.
I said, “There was a bad guy from the bookstore and he saw us, Key. He had a picture.” Keaton growled, “WHAT?!” I explained, “I deleted the picture, I should go to the police. Why haven’t I gone to the police?
A red eyed wolf killed him and dragged him away. ”
Keaton yelled, “Where are you?” I wiped away tears, “I don’t know, I just ran away.” I looked around me answering, “I’m by a gas station. I suppose I could ask where I am.” Keaton told me, “Don’t move or go anywhere else. I’m on the way, Ken might beat me there though.”
Ken? How could he find me? I found a tree and climbed it. Melanie always said if wolves were around, go to the trees, they didn’t look in trees. Which seemed odd, wolves could definitely look up in a tree. The red eyed wolf clearly didn’t want to hurt me, but one could never be too careful.
There had been more of them at the school, and that was the only one who didn’t want to hurt me. After I told it not to. Ken and Keaton got here at the same time. Sweat was dripping off of Keaton. He looked mouth wateringly good. I shook myself.
Keaton yelled, “KATIE!” I was about to climb down when he sniffed the air. What? My boyfriend took off in my direction. His adrenaline had to be off the charts because he was under the tree before I could comprehend that he’d moved. Keaton looked up and relief colored his expression.
I climbed out of the tree and hugged him. I cried, “I don’t understand.” Ken asked, “Katie, did you call the police?” I shook my head, “No, I’m such a bad person. I called Key then…” I trailed off. I didn’t know how to explain Caspian.
Keaton assured me, “My brother is going to handle it. You won’t have to talk to the police.
Ok? Just tell me what happened?” I wiped away my tears.
I told him, “This guy came out of nowhere and told me he had that picture. We argued. He was here because he was keeping tabs on me for my stalker ex-boyfriend.”
Keaton growled and pulled me against him. I buried my face in his chest not caring that he was sweaty. Seriously? How did sweat make him smell better? That was unfair. Do NOT taste his sweat, Odette. No licking. My song seemed to think licking him was excellent idea. NO!
I continued, “He said I had to do him a favor to keep him from letting Luke know about us, or the picture. He started to,” I cried, “undo his pants.” Ken whispered, “Oh fuck.” Keaton let loose a terrifying sounding roar of anger.
Ok, we had to talk about the growling. It was animalistic and so hot. Keaton gripped me tightly to him. I whispered, “I kneed him in the balls and started to run away. Then the red eyed wolf from the school came out and ripped out his throat. It was like it wanted me to say good job or something.”
I admitted, “I know that’s crazy, but I swear it did.
The Rabies wolf dragged the body away. I took the dead guy’s phone, deleted the picture, and threw it away.
Why did I do that? The police need it.” Keaton jumped in, “My brother will handle it. I promise. How do you know it was the wolf from the school?”
I winced, “This is going to sound crazy.” Ken interjected, “It won’t.” I snorted, “Hold onto that thought. When I was fighting this one wolf tackled me, but I told it to go away or help me.” I waved, “To my shock, it started attacking the other ones.”
“Once everything was over, I told it to go and then it ran off. It was that same wolf, I’m absolutely certain. This is just so great. I’ve got some rabies riddled guardian wolf.” Keaton roared in anger again.
Ken grabbed his shoulder and yelled, “Keaton!” Keaton’s eyes turned black.
My boyfriend growled, “Ken, leave.” Ken actually turned and left. What the heck? Keaton turned back to me growling, “MINE!” He slammed his lips on mine. That was weird, it was weird. Right? Find this weird, Odette.
Instead, I melted into him. Keaton pulled back, “That wolf is not your guardian, I am.” I snorted, “Well, you’re not a wolf.” Keaton gritted his teeth. When my boyfriend opened his eyes, they were back to their normal color.
Keaton hugged me tightly saying, “I’m so glad you’re ok.
I’m going to get you back to your place, then go help Emmett.
Do you know where this all happened?” I nodded, “About five miles that way. There’s a pond in the forest area.
I’m sure all the blood will make it hard to miss. The wolf ripped out his throat.”
Keaton nodded and led me back to my apartment. My boyfriend kissed me then asked, “Are you alright?” I nodded, “Yes, but that’s weird right? I saw a man’s throat ripped out. My first reaction was to call you.”
Keaton pulled me into him whispering, “That’s normal.” It wasn’t, but I was going to let it go. I asked, “Are you coming back to my place?” Keaton told me, “When we’ve figured some things out I’ll be back, I promise.” I nodded and he left.
I showered and changed. I thought about calling Caspian back, but he was probably mad at me. I owed him an apology since I was the one who called him this time. My brother helped me, and I hung up on him. I looked around my apartment, it was lonely.
It hit me exactly what I needed to do. I went to my computer and pulled up a search engine. I found an animal shelter not far from here. I grabbed a jacket and went downstairs. Ken wasn’t in the lobby, which meant he was probably still with Keaton.
I stepped outside and saw a figure in the tree line. I wasn’t scared though because I knew that face. I wondered if he knew I’d seen him before I called out, “Mr. Daniels?” My boyfriend’s dad came out from the tree line with a sheepish look on his face.
Chase greeted, “Hello, Katie.” I smiled asking, “Did Keaton ask you to stay here and watch me?” Mr. Daniels said, “Not exactly.” I laughed, “Well, I’m heading to the animal shelter if you’d like to go with me.”
He looked surprised but looked around then nodded, “Let’s go.” I asked, “Is this another one of our secrets, Mr. Daniels?” Chase laughed and told me, “Call me Chase, and if you wouldn’t mind.” I smiled, “Not at all. What brings you out here?”
Chase answered, “You. Keaton was worried so I wanted to make sure you were ok. I’m sure that situation was very frightening.” I muttered, “It was strange. I’ve never seen anyone die before. I feel like I should be more upset about it. I’m probably in shock.”
Chase offered, “Maybe a little bit, but I don’t think you should be more upset if you aren’t. What’s normal to others, isn’t the same for everyone. You have to trust your gut.” I smiled softly at him, “Thank you. I often tell myself to be more normal, but it’s not working out for me.”
Chase laughed asking, “Is that so? What else are you not normal about?” I admitted, “Your son is very growl-y and possessive. I should probably be upset about that but I’m not.” Chase’s lips twitched into a smile.
My boyfriend’s dad asked, “How do you feel around my son?” It was nice to talk to someone about this who wasn’t going to tell Keaton. His dad didn’t want him to know we’d met yet so he wouldn’t tell him.
I answered, “At first, I thought we were shocking each other every time we touched, but it’s not like a painful shock. You raised a great man. I want to punch his ex in the face though.” Chase laughed admitting, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never wanted to punch anyone more than that girl.”