Silver Blade #5
“If you don’t want that to happen, well then be smarter. That’s the bottom line to it all. You don’t demand for us to go to war with our family. It’s not happening. You know our family is in the Shroud. I will never physically fight a single member of my family for you. Ever.”
“I, for one given all the shit we’ve gone through, am stunned at how bold you’re being. You’re normally much better at keeping secrets, aren’t you? Yet something has changed and all of a sudden you’re reckless and bold.” She paled.
Lisa’s dad stepped forward with a clear question in his eyes. Lisa linked me, “Thanks for that.” I answered out loud, “You should’ve asked your dad to leave if you didn’t want him to hear us. You’re honestly lucky I’m not a partial Hackura because you’d be dead if I were.”
I warned, “So stop demanding things and being a giant pain in everyone’s ass. You made your bed, so lie in it. And for god’s sake, just do it quietly. This is all your doing and fault. We all need a mental break from your constant shenanigans. So cut the shit.”
Lisa whispered, “Can’t you understand this is hard for me?” I answered, “Honestly? Not really. I think you stopped liking me when we turned fourteen. If you ever liked me in the first place. I’m not sure you ever did though.”
“You didn’t talk to me when I was gone. You’ve only ever acted into me when you’re jealous of another girl.
That’s not love, Lisa. I was gone, and you moved on.
Which is fine, but now you’re acting like my family owes you something they don’t.
Stop it. None of us owe you anything. We are done. Just stop.” I turned and left.
My family were all gathered in the lobby looking at me as if I’d grown another head. I took off running out of the hospital, ending up at the opposite border of our house. My cousin, Tyler Daniels, came running up in wolf form then shifted back.
I smiled at my oldest cousin and waved. Tyler was the Male Lead warrior because he didn’t want to be the Alpha. Which is why my cousin, Colton, was the Alpha. He was really good at it too. Tyler sat down beside me.
Eventually my oldest cousin nudged my arm, “You’re just causing all sorts of drama today.” I snorted, “I was minding my own business.” Tyler chuckled, “Yes, the going theory is the cookie detox gives us all life along with a certain someone else.” Channing purred, “He means mate.” I knew that.
Tyler teased, “So, the new girl….” When he trailed off, I asked, “The new girl what?” Tyler wiggled his eyebrows, “I hear she’s pretty. Does she by chance smell like cinnamon rolls? Or did you break into a cafe and eat the store out of them?”
I rolled my eyes, “Katie does smells like cinnamon rolls. Immy signed me up to give her driving lessons.” Tyler threw back his head laughing. I asked, “What?” My cousin kept laughing until I shoved him saying, “Shut up!”
Tyler said, “Oh god, little cousin. You know Ken is my friend, right?” I muttered, “Yes.” Channing said, “Then you know why he’s laughing. We reek like mate because we pulled her into our lap and made out with her. I want to do that again.” I did too.
Tyler told me, “Then you should know Ken told me he found you two dry humping in your truck. Your truck you let the new girl drive.” I said, “We were making out, not dry humping.” Tyler continued, “Your parents, and Emmett, came back this morning talking about how you declared you were going to date this girl. I myself had strange thoughts, considering this is a girl you’d met once. ” I shrugged.
Tyler laughed, “We see you, little cousin. You only confirmed it for everyone by going all Alpha wolf on your psycho ex.” I defended myself, “You said yourself you think that’s the cookie thing.” Tyler snorted, “I said with something else.”
I pointed out, “Everyone has wanted that to happen for forever.” Tyler said, “Then you meet this girl and bam it happens.” I frowned, “In case no one noticed, Lisa and I haven’t been on good terms since my birthday.”
Tyler laughed, “Oh, we noticed. Just like we notice grandpa watching the situation like a hawk. His wolf is constantly on the surface when she is around. Like he’s ready to shift, and attack her, to protect his grandpup.”
I muttered, “I can protect myself.” Tyler told me, “Yes, but I hope you know that you don’t have to.
We all love you. We’ll fight for you any time, any place.
” I said, “I know, man, the same goes for you.” Tyler nudged me, “I can’t wait to meet the new girl.
She’s making you stand tall again. I already like her.
Ken said she’s pretty. He also said she’s lonely, and that her mother is a piece of work. ”
I snorted, “She’s got a loser brother too.” Tyler sighed, “Poor girl. Luckily, now she has you.” We sat there a little while longer before I got up to go home. I ran back in wolf form. Emmett and Alexandria were in the foyer when I got back.
I cleared my throat, “Hey, Emmett.” He smiled, “Yeah, little bro?” I internally cringed before asking, “Can you close the ice skating rink down Wednesday night?” Alexandria smiled and buried her head into Emmett’s chest.
Emmett answered, “I can. Why?” I sighed, “You already know why, right?” My brother smirked, “Humor me.” I groaned, “I have a date.” Emmet raised an eyebrow, “And you’re going ice skating? You? Keaton Daniels are planning an ice skating date?” Alexandria hit him in the arm.
Emmett asked, “What? That’s the most teenage date my brother has ever planned.
I was beginning to think you didn’t know how teenagers did dates, little brother.
You’re always going to five star restaurants, renting limos, buying expensive jewelry.
Going to the ballet, the symphony, and taking trips.
Now you’re going to the ice skating rink. What’s next? The movies?”
I answered, “Maybe. I like movies.” Emmett snorted, “You used to.” I insisted, “I like movies. Keith and I watch them all the time. Lisa didn’t like the movie theater, she said they were dirty.
” Plus, I rented out one for a midnight showing and she threw everything she could while humans gave me pamphlets on abusive relationships when we left. Clearly, I should’ve listened.
Alexandria asked, “Does Katie like ice skating?” I admitted, “She’s never been. Katie seemed excited about it.” Now I was second guessing the idea though. Was this was a bad idea? Lisa would probably skin me alive if I’d planned a date like this for her.
I grabbed the back of my neck, “It’s a bad idea, isn’t it? I should plan a nice dinner somewhere and…” Mom cut me off, “It’s a lovely idea, Keaton.” She shot Emmett a look. Channing offered, “I think it’s a good idea too.”
Emmett held his hands up, “I think it’s great. I can’t wait to meet the girl who likes normal dates and is allowed to drive my little brother’s truck.” My brother linked me, “Who you made out with, in said truck.” Ken and I were going to have a chat about his loose lips.
Mom told me, “When you’re with someone who sees you, it doesn’t matter if you’re lying on a blanket watching the stars, hiding out from prying eyes in a Fairy charmed house, or at a fancy dinner.
It matters who you are with. I can’t wait to meet this girl when you’re ready for me to.
Immy speaks very highly of her. The pack was all talking about how pretty she was today. ”
I withheld a growl. Channing snarled to me, “SHE IS OURS!” I assured him, “I know that.” I asked softly, “You think the ice skating rink will be ok, mom?” Mom touched my cheek saying, “It’s more than ok, Keaton.
You have an amazing heart, and I bet this girl will see that.
Those that don’t, well, they deserve an arrow to the ass. ”
I laughed, “Mom.” She said, “I’ve wanted to do that for years. God, it felt good.” Mom kissed the top of my head, “I love you, Keaton.” Then flashed away. Emmett said, “Speaking of making out in your truck.”
I sighed, “Why is everyone so stuck on that detail?” Alexandria explained, “Because you’ve never done it.
” I snorted, “You two get caught making out everywhere.” Emmett agreed, “We do but you do not. You’ve had a girlfriend since you were thirteen, and not once has anyone talked about you two kissing. ”
I shrugged, “I like Katie.” Channing chimed in, “She’s ours, Keaton.” I replied, “I know that, but they don’t.” Channing argued, “Lightning has asked me like six times. They know.” I retorted, “They think they know.”
Emmett said, “Soooooo, tell me about Katie.” I snorted, “From what I hear, there was a background check done on her that the family all looked at.” Emmett replied, “A background check that was surprisingly sparse, and it’s not like I ordered one. Katie works for a business we own.”
I told him, “Well, she’s sixteen. It’s not like she has…
” I was about to say much work history, but she did.
Katie wasn’t her real name. Which meant she probably didn’t go by Katie everywhere she’d lived.
God. Was her mom having her change names in every town they went to?
That sounded exhausting. Was her mom running from someone?
I asked, “Where else has Katie worked?” Emmett narrowed his eyes, “Nowhere. This is her first job.” Channing growled and it slipped out.
Emmett asked, “Or is it?” I admitted, “No, it’s not.
” Emmett said, “With as young as she is, they might have paid Katie under the table.” He didn’t believe that, but I didn’t correct him.
I said, “Well, thanks for shutting down the rink. I’m going to bed.” Emmett called, “You know…” I interrupted, “I can tell you anything. I know, Emmett.” My big brother nodded. Channing asked, “Why aren’t we telling them?”
I explained even though my wolf knew the answer, “I’ve been having miserable arguments with them about Lisa for five years. Odette is ours. When we thought Lisa was ours, they hated her. What if they don’t like Odette? I’d lose my family because I’ll pick her.”