Not Mates #3
I huffed, “I’m not a pup anymore, Emmett.
” Emmett said, “No, but you’ll always be my little brother.
You deserve better than what Lisa gave you in that relationship, Keaton.
You tried to give Lisa the world, all the time, and she constantly spat at your attempts.
You have a heart of gold, and you are fiercely protective. ”
I sighed, “She’s upset we aren’t mates. Lisa doesn’t want us to break up.
” Emmett rubbed his temples, “Of course she doesn’t.
She wants you to be her chosen mate, I heard her say as much.
” I shook my head, “No, we’ve both said we want our mates.
She’s just reacting in the moment to this blow of not being mates. Lisa didn’t mean that.”
Emmett disagreed, “I think she very much meant it.” I admitted, “I’m not going to decide now what we should do about our relationship. My mind won’t change about wanting my mate though. I need time to breathe. Is there anything you need done in a different pack where I can get some space?”
Emmett nodded, “Of course. Alpha Mike McDermont in Gray Stone asked me for someone to lead some training exercises. I think you and Keith would be perfect. To be blunt, I was going to ask you anyway. I’ll have mom get your assignments for the rest of the year from your school.
You and Keith can finish the year outside the pack.
I think the distance would be good for you. ”
I agreed, “Yeah, I think it will be good. Do you think the school will agree?” Emmett snorted, “Of course they will. Dad donates money for everything they have. They have a new football stadium because of our family. The administration, mom and dad will make this happen.” I hugged him.
I said, “Thank you, big brother.” Emmett said, “I’d do anything for you Keaton. ” I knew he would.
Someone cleared their throat. I shook the memory of that night off. I stood and saw Keith. My twin said, “We need to get to Alexander and Melanie’s mating ceremony.” I nodded. I asked, “Who is popping us in?” Keith said, “Annie is coming for us in five minutes.” I smoothed out my shirt.
I asked, “Will she be there?” Keith snorted, “Will Lisa be at a mating ceremony she wasn’t invited to after avoiding all the Conners like the plague since she joined our pack? No, little brother, she’s not coming.”
While that was a relief, I was a little nervous Melanie would confront me about some things though.
There was no doubt in my mind Alexander’s Luna was in the Resistance, but everyone was giving her space. The odds Melanie knew I was quasi in the Resistance was high. The complex emotions I had around getting that note from their Leader could not be overstated.
Flashback
Keaton made it back into his room. The stillness of it told me that something was wrong. I wished I had my wolf so he could agree. Then I saw the tip of an envelope. I flashed over to my pillow and pulled it out. My eyes widened when I saw the Resistance Circle on the front. Holy shit.
My hands shook because everyone and their brother, including my own, wanted the Resistance to talk to them. Yet of all people they’d come to me. Sure I’d thrown a body on them, but this was a quick turnaround for them to figure that out.
I inhaled knowing they weren’t here to say they were pissed because someone would still be in the room if they were. Just in case I closed all the blinds, so they didn’t fire a shot. The note indicated they weren’t mad though.
My heart felt like it was in my feet because if this was blackmail, I was screwed. I was helping my family how I could, which was in the background. That’s where I was good and they couldn’t notice my failures as an Alpha. I ripped open the note.
Keaton Daniels,
We were monitoring the man you killed. He was on our list because of your sister in law. I understand why you used the Resistance circle as a cover. Well…. kind of…. you could totally get away with killing him, but it’s not like a big deal you blamed us… we were watching him anyway.
Feel free to use our circle if you want…..I guess. I don’t know why you do, but that’s fine. I know you won’t kill anyone bad. Just know we will be backing you up.
Well, you won’t see us, but we will be there ensuring your safety… not that we think you can’t do that. We do it for everyone… it’s kind of our thing… so… yeah…
The Resistance Leader
I pocketed the note and paced around my room. I had to tell my dad and Emmett about this, I didn’t have a choice. They wanted to talk to these people, and I’d inadvertently opened a line of communication. Lisa burst into my room sobbing, interrupting my thoughts.
I caught her asking, “What’s wrong?” Lisa whispered, “The Silver Blade is so scary! One of the Hood members talked about his kills then they glared at me. I’m so scared he’s going to kill me.” I smirked as pride lit through me because I was the Silver Blade.
I assured her, “He won’t do that.” Lisa snorted, “You don’t know that. You’ve made them all hate me which is very unbecoming of an Alpha. I heard your brother talking about giving you an assignment. You can’t take it.” I asked, “What? Of course I can.”
Lisa whispered, “You know you can’t keep up with Emmett. You’re working on it, but they will notice how far behind you are.” I deflated. Lisa wiped her tears and touched my lip. I could taste the salt of her tears in my mouth.
Lisa said, “You’re just not up for those tasks yet, Keaton.
Keep working with me and we will get you there.
You can’t help your family right now though, you’d get them killed.
” Like I’d been about to get them hurt handing over a note from the Resistance.
Lisa was right, I was useless and I’d get my family hurt or worse killed.
Flashback Ends
Channing brought me to the present, “The Resistance Leader doesn’t think we are useless.
We hide in the shadows, just like they do.
They were happy to have us as a quasi-member.
They gave us tips and had our back. They never had to step in either.
” I’d tried to meet one when I realized they were there, but they had a holoport get away.
Honestly, I nearly told Emmett and my dad a thousand times about it but then Lisa would remind me that I was weak. I couldn’t get my family killed. They were safer with distance from me. It was hard to disappoint them from a distance.
I asked my twin, “Is Lisa ok?” Keith sighed, “Only because I love you do I know she’s fine. More than fine really.” I stiffened, “What does that mean?” Keith winced, “Lisa’s been seeing a Warrior.” I yelled, “We aren’t even broken up!” Channing snorted, “We basically are.” Ok, that was true.
Keith said, “Well, maybe she thinks you are.” Channing was annoyed. Before we left, Lisa gave this big speech about how much she loved me. Not to mention how much Lady loved Channing while claiming she didn’t want us to end. Then she’s been spending time with someone else.
I asked, “Who?” Keith gave me a look, “You know who.” I did. Any time Lisa would break up with me she’d flaunt her best friend, and my brother’s former friend, in my face. Justin Herford. She never cared about my feelings about them hanging out.
Lisa told me I was being possessive. I’m pretty sure it’s not possessive and the ‘we are just friends’ excuse doesn’t fly when they’ve hooked up several times.
I felt foolish for even caring about how Lisa was doing.
Of course she was back with Justin. They were together even when Lisa and I were an ‘exclusive’ couple.
Annie popped in, grabbed us both, then popped away.
My mom saw me first and hugged me tightly before saying, “I’ve missed you boys.
Allison is losing her mind. Ok, Arden is sad too.
” Allison and Arden were our youngest siblings.
Allison already had her mate, TJ Conners. We’d known since mom was pregnant.
I asked, “Where are they?” Mom answered, “They both already had play dates set up with other children in our pack. I didn’t think they should have to cancel.
This night isn’t going to end until well past their bedtime anyway.
TJ is pouting.” I snorted because that made two of us.
Except somehow, that pup had more of a reason than I did.
Even though he was significantly younger than me.
We took our seats for the ceremony. I couldn’t help but be happy for Alexander. He did seem to be in a much better mood. I still couldn’t believe what had happened to Melanie. I would be keeping a very close watch on Allison now that I knew Alexander’s Luna’s story.
My little sister wasn’t going to fall out of my life and relegate our relationship to phone calls and emails. Nope. I’d never eat a cookie again so I couldn’t be spelled by a dessert to be convinced to leave Allison alone. Thank god TJ wouldn’t let that happen, because they’d already met.
I glanced at Jason and Tristan McAlister.
I couldn’t imagine how guilty they felt.
I really didn’t want to either. I’d failed enough as an Alpha, I couldn’t lose a sibling to a plot like this.
I knew it would crush me. Channing growled, “Allison is fine.” Yeah, and we were never eating a peanut butter cookie again despite the fact I did love them.
When we got to the reception, I just looked around. Would I ever have this? Channing answered, “Of course we will. We will find our mate, and our mating ceremony will match her dreams. We just turned eighteen.” I sighed.
I saw Emmaline Lyons alone at the drink table and walked over to join her. Emmaline smiled at me greeting, “Hello, Keaton.” I answered, “Hi, Emmaline. I was just wondering if you knew who my mate is.” She frowned, “I’m sorry Keaton, but I don’t.” I nodded, “That’s ok. Thanks anyway.”