Not Mates #5
I continued, “No, I’m serious. Preston pointed out some things to me.
If you were in the situation I am, I wouldn’t have been as nice.
” Keith asked, “So are you finally done with Lisa?” I snorted, “Preston also pointed out I’ve said I’m done with her before.
I just feel really bad when she cries. Lisa doesn’t have many friends, and that’s my fault. ”
Keith gaped at me before asking, “Do you actually believe that?” I shrugged, “Some people are jealous.” Keith said, “No, that’s complete bullshit.
That’s not how it works in our pack. Lisa doesn’t have friends because she’s not a good person who is very rude to people and cuts them down.
Did she tell you it was your fault she didn’t have friends? ”
I lied to defend her, “Well, no. Lisa never said it that way. She has cried that she can’t have real friends because of our relationship. Or people wanting to be close to her because of who we are. That happens to us all the time.”
Keith snorted, “For the record, I know that was a lie. Lisa clearly said it the way I did. Lisa gets worse the more I learn about her. You are not why she doesn’t have friends.” I reasoned, “People make fun of her voice too. That’s part of why she doesn't have friends.”
Keith argued, “That’s not Lisa’s real voice. I don’t know why she sounds like that, but she sounded perfectly fine until we turned thirteen.” I frowned, “She was ambushed by rogues.” Keith retorted, “And you saved her. Lisa’s vocal cords weren’t damaged in anyway.”
Keith paused then added, “After that, Lisa clung to you. Until then you were nice to her, but you weren’t friends. Then you became protective of her, and you’ve basically been her protector ever since. I’m not saying that’s bad, but she doesn’t need you to protect her anymore.”
I pointed out, “Lisa’s not a fighter.” Keith shrugged, “She makes excuses for that. It’s not her passion, whatever. Lisa should be better at fighting than she is. She gets you to make excuses for her.” I growled, “No I don’t.”
Keith said, “You do. With her level of fighting skills, Lisa should be an Omega. There are Omega’s that are better fighters than her. She’s a Warrior’s daughter, but she didn’t earn the Warrior status she has.” I frowned because I knew it was important to Lisa to have the same status as her dad.
In truth, status didn’t really mean much in our pack.
I argued, “I didn’t excuse her from Warrior training.
” Keith said, “No, but you put her in easier level classes. Emmett lets it go because it’s important to you.
Lisa’s on patrol schedules, but no one is counting on her as a Warrior.
” I sighed, knowing I’d royally messed up then.
I admitted, “I haven’t seen Lisa fight much.
We’ve sparred, but she said I was too rough.
” Keith rolled his eyes, “You’ve never been too rough with Lisa.
I know she’s saying that you’re taking space to the pack.
That you know you have an end date, or that you’ll be each other’s chosen mates. ” Channing growled, “No.”
Keith continued, “Which I find odd, since she’s fucking a Warrior while you’re gone. Which again is odd because she throws a fit about how close you and Clara are. Yet she makes you feel bad when you get jealous of her and Justin.”
“The stark difference being you and Clara are like siblings and have never liked each other. Lisa has had sex with Justin a lot. Sometimes while you two were together. According to you, you’re still together which means she’s flaunting it to the whole pack she’s cheating on you.”
I sighed, “I don’t really even care anymore.
I used to but this time is different. Plus, we’re kind of in limbo.
I said she wasn’t my forever, but I think I implied a break up she argued with.
” Keith said, “I hope so. If I were actually worried you’d take Lisa as your chosen mate, I’d tell you that you’d never know if your pups were yours or not.
The woman has cheated on you so many times there is no indication she’d stop. ”
Everyone only knew about the first time that happened, but this time she was apparently not hiding that she was with Justin. Only my family and Clara knew she’d cheated more than once. Lisa’s parents told me she just needed to sow some wild oats. That she was young and would settle down.
I was young, but I didn’t cheat on anyone. I did take someone back who had several times though. I honestly didn’t know why. Preston wasn’t wrong. I had great examples around me of what love was. Being away from Lisa over break made me realize what we had didn’t even come close.
I told Keith, “Being away has made me see that we didn’t have what I thought we did.” Keith snorted, “You mean all I had to do this whole time was get you away from her for a couple of weeks? Damn. I wish I would’ve known that. You deserve better.”
I shrugged, “I used to think you didn’t get it because you don’t do the relationship thing.
” He was in love with May, dad’s Gamma’s daughter, but he wouldn’t admit it for some reason.
Keith said, “I don’t get my heart broken.
I’m also not out there banging every girl I meet.
I have friends with benefits. We end before feelings come into play. ”
I asked, “Are you still friends with Justin?” They had been close when we were growing up. Keith answered, “No, of course not. The first time Lisa cheated with him we were no longer friends. You can’t fuck over my twin and be my friend.”
Keith paused then added, “Plus, that Justin consistently does it shows both their characters in my opinion. Had they turned out to be mates that would’ve been one thing, but they aren’t. If anyone should be chosen mates, it’s them because they deserve each other.” Maybe my twin was right.
Justin and Lisa were better together than she and I were. She didn’t question every little thing he did. She’d even tell me about the things he would do for her and how they were so much better than things I would do.
I asked Channing, “What did we see in her?” Channing seemed stumped. Finally, my wolf offered, “Lady is nice. She’s a pretty color too.” Great, her wolf was nice. That didn’t erase that Lisa herself wasn’t.
Well, at least Lisa wasn’t nice to me when I really thought about it. She was loving and caring with her family. Even Justin and his friends. I never measured up though. What have we been doing together for so long? Why would she want to be my mate? I only ever disappointed her.
Out loud I said, “Let’s get back to Gray Stone.
Maybe I can keep my head on straight.” Keith snorted, “Your head is on straight. The question is will it still be on straight when we go home.” I didn’t have the answer to that question.
We decided to shift and run back to Gray Stone instead of being popped.
The next day, we were in the gym when the call came in that Black Mountain was under attack. I nearly shouted, WHAT? Who in their right mind would attack them? I told Channing, “We have to get there and help.” Channing agreed, “Of course we do.”
Keith and I ran in wolf form with several Gray Stone Warriors to help them. We ended up finding several Black Mountain wolves tracking something. I linked Keith, “Let’s stick with them.” The wolf leading the trackers stiffened.
We split up and ambushed those he’d sniffed out.
I linked Keith, “Weretigers are real?” Keith replied, “Evidently.” One engaged with me and Channing, trying to get past us.
Channing ripped him to pieces. These guys were not surrendering.
They were dying for some cause they were holding dear enough to die for.
I shifted back once we’d taken them down. I asked, “Who the hell were these Tigers?” They all shifted back. Black Mountain’s group leader said, “Our Luna adorably pointed out they are Bengal Tigers.” I asked, “Is there a difference?” The guy nodded.
I asked, “Which Luna?” Even though I was pretty sure I knew the answer already, Melanie. Their leader answered, “The Muffin Luna, Melanie Conners.” I nodded telling Keith, “We’ve got to get ahold of these muffins. He’s the fifth guy I’ve heard talking about them.”
Keith agreed. I held out my hand in greeting, introducing myself to the Black Mountain Leader, “I’m Keaton Daniels.” The guy paled before saying, “I’m Bradford. You should, umm go see your brother.” Keith and I stiffened.
I asked, “Did something happen to Emmett?” Bradford answered, “No, nothing happened to Alpha Emmett.” Keith asked, “Who? Our mom or dad? Collin, Carter, Allison and Arden are too young to fight. Oh shit! Don’t tell me Carter and Colin got out there!”
Carter and Colin were older than Allison and Arden, but at thirteen years old they shouldn’t be fighting. Bradford said, “No, they weren’t there.” I asked, “Well then…” I trailed off and whispered, “Wait.” Because there was one sibling that would be out there that we hadn’t mentioned.
Keith asked, “Was Blue Moon there? Did something happen to Emma?” Bradford urged, “You really should talk to….” I growled at him interrupting, “TELL US WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SISTER!” Bradford cringed then said, “Beta Female Emma was injured, but I don’t know what happened.
We split off to find their backup. The link only said Emma and Dylan Frost were wounded.
I’m sure they are fine now, but I know you guys are close. ”
I shifted and took off for home with Keith right beside me. I could see our patrol was running our borders. They let us pass without saying anything. I heard Lisa yell my name, but I ignored her. I had to see my sister. I shifted and grabbed a pair of shorts and ran into the house.
I yelled, “EMMA!” I heard a snort, “There is no need to shout, I’m right here.” I walked in and found Emmett, Finn, Emma, Colin, Carter, Allison, Arden, and our parents. I ran straight to Emma and hugged her, looking her up and down.