Creepy Song
Keaton decided where he would take Odette on spring break. My family’s North Carolina house was perfect. I sat back, surprised I wasn’t nervous at all. Planning vacations for me and Lisa was nerve wracking, but I was oddly at peace with my decision.
I felt in my soul that Odette was going to love what I planned. Channing agreed, “Mate will.” I heard a knock on my door and opened it, surprised to find Immy. I smiled greeting, “Hey, Immy. What’s going on?” She came in and sat down.
Immy announced, “I’m worried about Katie.
” I asked, “Why?” Immy sighed, “Her aura has been slightly depressed unless she’s around you.
” I frowned, “Katie’s seemed fine.” Immy pointed out, “I did say unless she’s with you.
Katie’s fine when you’re around. When you’re not, something is bothering her. She feels rejected by someone.”
I snarled, “Who?” Immy gave me a look, “I don’t know who or I could fix the problem. I’m just telling you what I’ve noticed.” I nodded, “I’ll watch Katie closely. Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?” Channing snorted, “That wasn’t subtle.” Subtle was for Beta’s, I was an Alpha.
Immy squeaked, “Me?” I nodded. Immy frowned, “Why would anything be going on with me?” I laughed, “Your evasions don’t work on me. I’m immune since I grew up with you guys.” Immy pursed her lips, “I’m working through some things with Haley.”
Immy was going to therapy? I asked, “Do you need anything? Are people still giving you a hard time about those rumors? I’ll tear them to pieces.
” Immy actually laughed, “As if anyone was going to forget about the threat from my brothers. Malachi is their Beta, and he made training hell. I actually think it’s still hell.
I’m not sure though because I haven’t been paying attention. ”
I teased, “You’ve been secretive.” Immy sighed, “If you’ve noticed then my family has too.” I laughed, “I’m sure they have. They will give you some wiggle room though.” Immy nodded. It felt like she intended to be more careful instead of telling them.
Immy popped away from me, clearly deep in thought. At least she was working through whatever this was with Aunt Haley. I went to sleep. When I woke up, I went downstairs and found my parents. I told them, “I’m taking Katie on a trip over spring break.”
Emmett coughed, “Not Katie.” I rolled my eyes at him. I hadn’t noticed him and Malachi were in the room too. Dad said, “You’re an adult, Keaton. If that’s what you want to do on your spring break, that’s fine.” I smiled, “Thanks!” I gave both of them a hug and ran out to my truck.
Lisa was running over, but I gunned it and left. Everything in me brightened when I saw Odette. I studied her carefully the whole way to school. My mate seemed fine. When we got to school, I linked Immy, “Katie seems fine.” Immy studied her then nodded, “Her aura isn’t depressed anymore.”
I frowned, wondering if the situation with Lisa really upset Odette that much. It seemed strange to me that my mate would still be so bothered thinking we should’ve known each other our whole lives. I wouldn’t have minded that one bit if we had though. Channing agreed, “Me either. I wish we had.”
Emmett linked me, “Don’t forget we have plans tonight.” I replied, “I remember.” I was actually looking forward to spending time with him. Immy linked me, “Katie just asked about the white wolf.” I frowned.
I linked Emmett asking, “Was Melanie Conners taking a run in this area?” Emmett answered, “Not that I know of, but does anyone ever know what that girl is doing? I don’t think they do.
Why?” I replied, “Katie asked Immy about a white wolf.” Emmett snorted, “Malachi says no.” Then why was Odette asking?
Keith snorted. I asked, “What?” Keith answered, “The pack link thinks it’s funny that Katie met someone who is scared of a white wolf, so she wants a picture of one to scare them off.
” I growled, “Who did she meet?” Keith shrugged, “That information is not on the pack link. Might I suggest asking your girlfriend.” He said that because he was talking out loud.
May came up to him in the hallway and they started making out. I snorted then spotted Odette walking to her class. She didn’t seem upset at least. Channing agreed, “Mate is perfect and does not seem upset at all.” I teased, “Glad we agree.”
I spent time with Odette after school, until she had to work. Which was fine since I had to leave anyway. I drove back to my house and found Malachi inside. I asked, “Where’s Emmett?” Malachi inclined his head, “Follow me.”
We ended up deep in the forest in our territory. Emmett was waiting. I asked, “So what are we doing?” Annie popped in and snapped her fingers then popped away. I teased, “Hi and bye Annie.” Channing said, “Look at what Annie did.”
I did and saw a course in front of us now.
Emmett smiled, “Race me.” I snorted knowing I couldn’t beat Emmett in a race.
Malachi yelled, “GO!” We were off and running the second he said it.
There were several areas where we needed two people to get through.
I guess that was the point though, and it was a lot of fun.
When we finished, we sat down where Malachi was waiting with water. I admitted, “That was fun.” My brother smiled, “Let’s run in wolf form.” Channing was excited about that. We shifted and ended up running our whole territory. I caught a scent that surprised me.
I linked, “Scarlett Thunders came home?” She was always traveling and loved it. Scarlett loved being around the ocean because she felt the waves were calming. Scarlett had even studied abroad in high school. She was a couple years older than me, but rarely around.
Scarlett was a bit of a wandering soul, I liked her though.
She was nice and we were friends. Not that Lisa ever let us near each other if she was around, but we were still friends.
Emmett linked, “Teke brought Scarlett home after the situation with the scary techy Luna of Black Mountain.” That did make sense.
Emmett continued, “When Scarlett heard why Teke wanted her home, she realized her family needed some face time with her. Alexandria has been going to see her every week. I think Scarlett actually wants to stay home now.”
“My sister in law hasn’t met her mate in her travels. I don’t think she’s seriously on the hunt yet, but I think now she’s hoping he’s around here instead of abroad. Which Alexandria is also thrilled about and hopes her little sister is right.”
It would be a change to have Scarlett around more, but a welcomed one. Lightning and Channing were quite playful with each other after that on our run. I could admit it had been a while since they had run together for fun.
We ran back to where Malachi was waiting and shifted back.
Emmett sat down, “Alexandria and I are talking about having pups soon.” I commented, “You guys will be great parents.” Emmett looked away, “I’m worried.
This Melanie Conners situation has us all on edge.
Drake McAlister is a former Beta from a long line of Beta’s.
He’s not some weak wolf whose pup they managed to kidnap. ”
Emmett grimaced, “The Ring had us eating spelled cookies, and Drake was compelled. Peter was looking into specialists. He even brought one to their territory who found nothing wrong with Drake. He would get so sick though, and no one understood why.”
“To find out it was all some Vampire compulsion terrifies me to think I could fail my family in that way. I feel like enough of failure as it is.” Channing growled, “Why would Lightning feel like a failure.” I didn’t know.
I frowned, “Ok, I have a lot to say about all of that. One being now would be the perfect time for you to have pups. Melanie isn’t going to let anything happens to the pups in this area. Two, what are you talking about? You’re not a failure; you’re a great Alpha.”
Emmett snorted, “I missed so many things with my own brother. It begs the question, what else am I missing?” I blanched, “Emmett, that’s different. I didn’t want you to know.” Emmett said, “There’s a lot of people that don’t want me to know the things that I know.”
I asked, “Like what?” Emmett retorted, “Maybe I wait for people to tell me.” I asked, “Are you talking about Katie?” Emmett said, “Her name is not Katie and we all know it.” Malachi chimed in, “I’m pretty sure her name is Odette.
” I didn’t give anything away. Channing gently said, “Maybe we could just give them mate’s real name. ”
Emmett said, “We could talk about other things you do.” I frowned asking, “Like what?” Malachi handed the threat assessments I’d given Emmett. I quickly took them asking, “Was there an error? Did I mess something up?” Had I put my family at risk?
I quickly flipped through the files and understanding filled me. These were the files of the people I’d told him were mild threats, then killed. My big brother was letting me know he knew what I did. I looked up finding Emmett staring at me with a raised an eyebrow.
Emmett dryly pointed out, “These people all mysteriously died. The way they died though is what jumps out to me.” I closed the files, “I killed them.” My brother simply replied, “I know that. I’ve just been waiting for you to tell me you did.” He was?
Emmett continued, “It’s why when you said you belong in the shadows, I didn’t push you. I thought you meant doing things like this. Not that you couldn’t handle being an Alpha. Or that you thought you were weak. A weak Alpha could not accomplish what you have.”
“On that note, if you ever go off to kill someone without me or Joe knowing ever again you won’t like my response. You are done hiding who you are. Furthermore, don’t lie in my threat assessments, Keaton. I need to know where all the threats are.”