Page 111 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I smiled teasingly saying, “I’ll get you a best big brother medal.” Emmett winked, “I’ll be expecting it. Ok, so these things.” He opened the package. My brother studied it then opened the foil packet. It was a circle. Emmett sighed, “Ok, this doesn’t seem so complicated. Why is one side lubricated? It’s gotta be for her.”

I frowned asking, “Shouldn’t she be wet?” Emmett answered, “Well yes, but why would your dick need to be lubricated on the inside of a condom?” I shrugged, “Maybe it chaffs? I don’t know! Don’t ask me.” Emmett sighed, “Not even my Beta can help us since his mate is a wolf. God, being human is so complicated.” He studied the back of the package.

Emmett smiled, “I was right.” I nodded because I wasn’t overly surprised. My big brother handed me the condom and he held the banana. He instructed me through getting it on. We broke the first one, but we got it by the second.

I was actually glad I’d had him come back; this would’ve been embarrassing with Odette. I said, “Thanks, Emmett. That would’ve been awkward and embarrassing to fumble through with my girlfriend.” Emmett snorted, “Katie would probably have you go get tested.” I laughed, “Probably.”

Emmett said, “It’s good to see you smile and asking me for help with things again.” I frowned, “What do you mean? I ask you things.” Emmett snorted, “Keaton, if I’d asked you a month ago if you wanted help with something like this you would’ve shut down and said no.” He wasn’t wrong.

Emmett added, “I do like her, by the way. Katie’s pretty, and she suits you. I can’t wait to learn more about her.” I smiled, “Thanks.” We both flashed back to Katie’s apartment. Emmett assured me, “Go get some sleep, we have a gym date tomorrow. Don’t worry though, we will keep your girl safe.” I nodded wishing I knew what we were keeping her safe from.

I went back up to the apartment and climbed into bed with Odette since she was asleep. She was perfect. Channing linked, “I am sorry about earlier, Keaton. I can’t let them take mate though.” I agreed, “We won’t let them take her, and you have nothing to apologize for. We are a team. We both have instincts, and you were trying to follow yours. If Odette knew about us, I don’t know if I would’ve fought you.”

“Because the people like her hid everything from Odette, we will never know if she would’ve wanted to be marked right away. Maybe everything would’ve been different. This is our reality though. Our mate doesn’t know, and we can’t take that choice away from here.”

“Dad waited for mom to ask, we can do this. Once Odette knows, she might ask why we haven’t done it. If we do it, she’ll be pissed we didn’t explain. Her people have put us in between a rock and a hard place. That’s not your fault, buddy.”

Channing sighed, “I’m still sorry, I just want her, Keaton.” I replied, “Me too.” I held onto her tightly because there was no way I was letting her go. If they came, I’d shout it from the hilltops she was my mate. That brought all our allies, the Hackura, and Faerie against people because Aunt Haley and Uncle Eric would bring them.

I woke up to Clara linking me, “Because I’m the best future Beta, I’m waking you up for your gym time. I even did it in enough time for you to get here since you can’t roll out of bed and make it from Katie’s apartment in a split second.”

I snorted, “Yeah, I’m coming.” Clara snickered, “Yeah you are.” I rolled my eyes. I said goodbye to Odette then got lost in kissing her. Clara linked, “I even factored in you making out with your mate. Because if you weren’t, you’d be here but you’re not. I did NOT factor in sex so scoot on over here Alpha man.” I forced myself back and left.

I got home and told Clara, “Whatever Emmett wants had better be good.” My Beta shrugged, “Malachi didn’t say what was going on so I don’t know what we are doing.” I asked, “We?” She nodded. Keith was there with Tony Jr. along with our toughest Warriors.

Emmett announced, “We are having evaluations. We’ve brought in the future pack leadership for you to show off your skills.” Channing was waking up with excitement. Emmett usually asked if we wanted to do this, but I always passed because Lisa said it would be embarrassing for me.

We split up and I forced myself not to react. Dad had paired me with Killian Farmer. He was really good and had Alpha blood. Not as much as me, but Alpha blood all the same. Killian smiled at me, and we got into the ring.

After an hour we were sweating, but I was winning. Channing was jumping around in elation. I managed to pin him. Emmett called, “Good fight.” Killian smiled, “You have to come around more, Keaton. I’ll give you a better fight next time, I didn’t know anything about your fighting style.”

Killion was right, I didn’t fight with our elite Warriors. I often fought with Keith to keep up my skills. I won the rest of my fights. The smile was knocked off my face when Lisa linked, “They took it easy on you.” Emmett frowned when he looked at my face.

Lisa stormed into the gym pointing at me, “Keaton, you didn’t even come to see me! You don’t even care about me now!” I shrugged, “Nope.” Lisa started sobbing. Killian sighed. His brother, Lee, groaned, “Come on. We can’t go anywhere these days without Lisa drama.”

His twin Brian said, “The Fairies have got to nickname her.” Killian offered, “I’ve heard a few the Princess has, they are funny.” Lisa screeched, “Shut up! Keaton, punish them for talking about me like that.” I asked, “Are you high?”

Before she could answer Malachi cleared his throat, “Keaton, you missed a call.” I ran over and grabbed my phone, smiling because it was Odette. I immediately went on alert when I called Odette back she was out of breath.

Channing growled furiously because someone approached her and had a picture of us. Emmett was already on his phone with Ken. Odette was by a gas station. Emmett linked, “Ken’s on the way.” I started to run.

Lisa grabbed me saying, “It’s dangerous, Keaton, you should stay here.” I shoved her off me, my arm was slick with her tears now. I growled, “Stay away from me!” Lisa yelled, “Alpha Emmett, that girl is putting him in danger.” I snarled, “When I have time, I’ll explain again how you’re not supposed to talk about her. Katie’s just more important than arguing with you.” I took off.

I let Channing sniff the air. There were three gas stations she could be at. Ken linked, “West side, I’ve caught her scent.” He beat me by a few seconds. Odette was in a tree. Without thinking, I flashed to her. My mate was terrified and in shock. Channing was vibrating with anger.

I linked Emmett, “Katie didn’t call the police.” Emmett responded, “Thank god, since we’ve got a rogue attack. I don’t want to deal with cops.” I snarled, “Her ex is the one sending these people to follow her. THEY ARE STALKING HER!”

Emmett replied, “Well, this guy is very dead if that makes you feel better. We found him. Honestly, the rogue didn’t even try to hide him.” I didn’t care much about that. Ken linked me when Odette was talking about that trash trying to solicit her, “Keaton don’t shift.”

I replied, “If that asshole were alive, I would shift to rip him into tiny fucking pieces.” Ken replied, “Sure, but he’s dead.” Katie had thrown away his phone. I glanced at Ken who nodded indicating he’d have people looking. I wasn’t certain we’d find it.

If the rogue was watching out for her, he could’ve taken it. I lost it, along with Channing, when Odette said some rogue was her guardian wolf. Channing snarled, “MINE! KEATON, SHE IS OURS!” I was right there with him.

I ordered Ken to leave. He sighed, “I’ll be just back there, try not to wolf out.” Ken was being nice since I didn’t have the Alpha commanding ability yet he didn’t actually have to leave. Channing disagreed, “I think he did.” That didn’t make sense, Ken was being nice.

Channing grumbled, “Maybe we should just wolf out then mate would understand WE are her wolf protector. NOT A ROGUE!” I agreed but managed to calm down. I got Odette back to her place, leaving her safely in her apartment, then found Ken waiting in the lobby.

We walked out and easily found Emmett and Malachi. I asked, “Where is Zach?” He was Emmett’s Gamma. Zach yelled, “Over here.” Emmett said, “We have people looking for the phone, but we haven’t found it.”