So Not Normal #3
“Haley thought you could use someone to talk to. You know I keep my word, I won’t tell your family anything you want to say. That goes for anything you ever want to tell me. You are always welcome to cross our border to talk, Keaton.”
I told him, “My girlfriend is upset with me. Emmett seemed to think the worst of Katie the second he had the chance. I’m tired of them not liking who I do.” Eric told me, “While I don’t think Emmett dislikes your new girlfriend.” He gave me a look. Jesus did the man ever not know something?
Channing snorted, “Girlfriend is offensive. Odette is our mate.” I rolled my eyes at my wolf. Uncle Eric continued, “I have dealt with that in my family. My mother was awful to Haley.” My jaw dropped. I asked, “She was?” He nodded.
Eventually he said, “Your family hasn’t met your girlfriend, well some of them have.
” I said, “Keith has, but that’s it.” Eric smiled asking, “Is that so?” I was getting the feeling he knew something I didn’t.
The man winked at me then offered, “I think more than Keith have met her.” Which means someone did.
Uncle Eric added, “Anyway, your family isn’t like my mom. She had her ideals and ideas for me. You have to decide what you want in life. Sometimes it’s hard becoming the Alpha. Your emotions are more heightened towards aggression than others.”
“That's just the reality of our blood. When we perceive someone to be offending our girlfriend’s,” He shot me another look then added, “it’s harder. Particularly you, because you have the background of the girl you’ve been dating since you were thirteen not being liked among your family.”
I sighed, “Lisa messed things up for me again. I fucked up by not being there for Katie when she needed me.” Uncle Eric said, “I don’t suppose you have a picture of this girl since I can’t find one.” I snorted, “Of course you looked.” He smirked at me.
I told him, “I don’t have her picture yet.” Uncle Eric laughed, “Of course not. I know you. So I know if you could’ve, you would’ve been there for Katie. She just doesn’t know you that well yet.” I sighed, “I’m not a good enough Alpha.”
Uncle Eric frowned saying, “You’re not an official Alpha yet, Keaton. We all make mistakes. Some are more costly than others, but we do the best we can. If you want to know who bad Alphas are, there are a few in my dungeons.”
“They whipped and abused my daughter in law. They let their pack be forced to mark people against their will, underage pups even. They also cheated on their mates and tried to drug and rape my daughter in law. Those are bad Alphas, Keaton. To err is human. I’ve made my fair share mistakes. ” I snorted.
Uncle Eric looked away then admitted, “Haley being kidnapped by Damon was my fault. I left her behind when I shouldn’t have.” I frowned. Mom had told me that a while before I was born Aunt Haley had been kidnapped, but not that it was Uncle Eric’s fault.
Uncle Eric rubbed his temples, “I made a tactical decision, and it nearly cost me the life I have today. I ignored my instinct that Haley’s Fairy brothers weren’t trustworthy, and it hurt her. I trusted my mother, and it again nearly cost me everything I have.”
“I made a mistake trusting another Alpha when I knew they were unlikely to follow through on their word. I relied on the fact that we were allies, and it nearly cost me some of my Warriors. Would you say I was a bad Alpha?”
I quickly said, “Of course not, you’re one of the best.” Uncle Eric looked at me and I realized his point.
He asked, “What’s this really about? Obviously, it centers around Katie.
It appears to be more than that though. Katie wouldn’t say you were a bad Alpha, considering she has no idea you are one. ”
I sighed, “I’m a liability.” Uncle Eric was startled, “To whom?” I snorted, “Everyone. I’m not good at anything. I’m a failure as a partial.” He growled, “Why the fuck would you say that? You’re very talented as a Hood member.” I shrugged.
Uncle Eric continued, “I’ve heard that from multiple people. You are efficient and you have a mind and talent for threat assessments. Alexander and EJ have both told me you’re the second fastest in your family. Emmett is the fastest, but you’re a close second.”
“Alexander has also told me he’s seen you fight and he’s impressed. I think we both know that particular son of mine is not often impressed. Plus, Alexander cannot lie. You’re not a liability and anyone who says you are, is lying to you.”
I asked, “What if they are the one telling the truth when everyone else is blowing smoke up my ass?” Channing snorted, “Thor never does that.” True. Uncle Eric replied, “Preston would tell you what I am, and he can’t lie. You full well know that I don’t pull punches.” I did know that.
He acknowledged, “I say how things are. You are going to a very good Alpha here in a few months. Will you make a mistake? Yes. We all do, but Emmett will be there for you. You have never been a liability in any fight I’ve ever read about or seen. Is this about Lisa?” Channing growled in my head.
I looked away but nodded. Uncle Eric sighed, “Haley is going to want to kill her. I won’t say anything about this conversation to anyone else like you asked. Like I have always said, what you tell me is between us unless you say otherwise.”
I actually laughed, “Uncle Eric, literally everyone knows Aunt Haley already wants to kill Lisa.” Eric smirked admitting, “Yes, well my Angel doesn’t call your ex Lisa.
You have to know that Haley loves you dearly or Lisa would already be dead.
The only reason she hasn’t killed her is because you like her. ”
I snorted, “If I can’t make things right with Katie, I won’t like her.
” Channing snarled, “MATE!” I barely kept it in my head.
Uncle Eric told me, “I’m sure Katie will come around.
It’s overwhelming being in our world sometimes.
” Especially since she didn’t know and Odette should since she was one of us.
Uncle Eric nudged me saying, “It’s even that way for those of us who know what we are. To not understand and consider yourself human; well, then our world is very confusing.” I nodded. We sat there for a while in silence.
Eventually I said, “Thank you for coming to talk to me.” Uncle Eric told me, “I’ll come anytime, Keaton. I’ve known you since you were born. You’ve grown into quite the young man. You lost yourself a little bit in a relationship, but that’s not abnormal.”
“I’ve seen plenty of young people do that.
Don’t ever let someone convince you the blood in your veins is a detriment to you.
You are a strong man with many talents, and I think it’s about time you showed them.
You’ve been in the background, and you don’t belong there.
You’re not a liability; you’re an Alpha wolf.
Never doubt that.” Then Uncle Eric stood and shifted leaving me to think.
I watched the sun set alone. Channing whimpered in my head. Emmett linked, “Where are you?” I answered, “In our territory, I’m fine.” I knew my big brother actually knew where I was. I told Channing, “I don’t want to talk to them, lock them out.”
I flashed away from the Warriors guarding me.
I went to my treehouse that Preston had conjured for me in our territory.
I linked Immy, “How is Katie?” Immy replied, “She’s sad.
I think she really misses you, and that makes her think she’s not normal.
” I yelled in frustration because if my mate’s mom had just told her about us then this would all be fine.
Mom linked me, “I convinced your brothers and dad you’re fine. So, tell me I’m not a liar.” I replied, “I’m still in the territory.” Mom snorted, “You’re in your Preston treehouse, got it.” I laughed, “I love you, mom.” Mom answered, “I love you so much, baby.”
I snorted, “I’m eighteen.” Mom replied, “You’ll always be my baby, no matter how old you get.
I’m here if you want to talk. I know a thing or two about teenage girls.
” I snorted, “What do you do when you hurt one’s feelings, but you didn’t mean to?
I was being an Alpha, but I can’t say that because she doesn’t know about us. ”
Mom advised, “Be as honest as you can. It’s cliche but actions speak louder than words. Keith said Katie thinks you’re going to abandon her like everyone else. Don’t. Keep showing up. Respect her boundaries while being there for her.”
“It might surprise you, but I took space from your dad once. I didn’t mean to take as long as I did, but I was popped to a different realm.
Your dad couldn’t get to me and when I came back, it was Sally and Derrick’s wedding.
I told your dad we couldn’t talk until afterwards.
He respected all of that even though it was hard for him. ”
I was absorbing that new information. I didn’t know mom ever wanted time away from dad. I linked mom, “You know lately, a lot of comments have been made that have me thinking you and dad left things out in the story of how you two met. We should revisit that whole story.”
Mom laughed, “Your grandpa is having fun teasing your dad about it. One day, we’ll tell you all about it.” I asked, “When? Are you going to say it depends on me?” Mom snorted, “The men would say that. Tell you what if things haven’t come out, I’ll tell you all this summer.”
I asked, “What things?” Mom shot back, “Are we talking about such things?” I replied, “Probably not tonight.” Mom replied, “Alright. Once you’ve settled from this fight with Katie, you’ll need to talk to your brother.
Emmett thinks you’re mad at him.” I winced knowing I did need to talk to Emmett.
My big brother didn’t do anything wrong.
As cliché as it was; it wasn’t him, it was me.