Page 118 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Tatum happily came in after me almost prancing with delight. No, that’s weird Odette. The puppy is just happy. I went over to the condom aisle. There were a lot of them but one caught my eye. Aunt Nova had mentioned if I was super lucky, I’d need this brand. It was called Alpha. I grabbed the large size.

I heard a chuckle and turned around. A guy with red contacts was standing behind me. He told me, “You need these.” Then leaned over and grabbed a different package. I took it noting he’d grabbed the extra, extra large.

I asked, “How do you know that?” He winked, “I’ve seen you with the guy you’ve been walking around with at the gym. Showers and all. This is the size you need.” I blushed, “Oh, gosh. This is awkward.”

He asked, “Is it?” I sighed admitting, “No, but it should be. I don’t know you, but you feel like a friend.” He really did. Sassy wasn’t hissing and in fact she seemed happy this guy was talking to us. He felt like someone I could trust. He tilted his head, “Yes, isn’t that interesting.” I shrugged, “I guess.”

I put my hand out, “I’m Od…Katie.” Stop almost telling people your dang real name Odette! He shook my hand, “Jag.” I complimented, “That’s a nice name. Do you play baseball?” Jag asked, “Huh?” I explained, “I’ve known some baseball players who wear red contacts like you do.”

Jag laughed, “Good to know, it’s a Witch thing.” I told him, “Halloween was a while ago. Are you getting ready for next year? Were you a Vampire or something?” Jag howled with laughter, “You’re funny.” Ok.

Jag changed the subject, “Do you know the Conners family?” I shook my head, “Not personally, but I know of them.” Jag frowned, “They look similar to you. Though, I guess it makes sense you don’t know them or you’d know about these condoms. Eric Conners owns the company that makes the Alpha brand.” I shrugged again feeling a strange sense of longing in myself.

I asked, “Are you from around here?” Jag answered, “No, but I plan to stick around. My home life wasn’t great.” I touched his hand and squeezed “Neither is mine, but this place has changed everything.” Jag smiled “Same. What’s your story?”

I shrugged, “To sum me up would be to say people abandon me. I’ve got some possible family that seems really nice. I want to trust them, but they are possibly dangerous. I’ve got a new boyfriend. Not like the last one that hit me.” Jag growled.

I laughed, “You’ll fit in great around here. They growl a lot. My mom is absent most of the time, and she’s verbally abusive. What about you?” Why was I telling him this? It really felt like Jag was meant to be my best friend.

Jag sighed, “I’m from the wrong side of the sheets and my stepmom hates me for it. She has a position of power that she uses to do bad things. My dad feels bad about me, so he just lets her do whatever he wants. He honestly has no idea what all she’s doing.”

“My stepmom thinks my dad cheating on her gives her free reign. To be fair, it has. Nothing she does gets punished. My older brother is nice. I should probably reach out to him, but my stepmom sent me here. Forced is the better word to use, actually. You won’t understand but she literally forced me with a command to be here.” He looked away.

Forced with a command? Was his mom a Governor or some shit? It could be the military. Maybe he was from another country and she was a Queen. Jag shook himself, “I think she meant for me to die.” I gasped because that was awful.

Jag continued, “Either way, whether I lived or died didn’t matter to her.” I asked, “What about your mom?” Jag growled, “My stepmom had her killed. It was written off as an accidental death, but my stepmom told me the truth of what happened.” My god this was horrible.

Jag added, “My dad didn’t believe me. He thought I was in shock and lashing out. Anyway, the command my stepmom used can drive people crazy. You literally can’t shake it, but then someone helped me by breaking the command. I’m certain my family thinks I’m dead, and I find I don’t want to correct them. I’d rather stick around here.”

I told him “That was awful of your stepmom, I’m so sorry. I’m happy someone was able to help you though. Will I see you in school?” Jag smiled, “Nah, I’m nineteen.” I told him, “Well, I’m going to grab one more thing then we could go get dinner if you like.”

I clarified, “As friends. Everyone, well ok everyone but this one bitch, was super nice to me here when I showed up.” Jag said, “I did eat a little bit ago, but I’m always hungry. I prefer picnics though. I’m not trying to be seen around.” I slapped my head.

I realized, “Right. You don’t want your stepmom to know you’re still here. I could grab us some burgers and meet you somewhere.” Jag said, “Sure, here’s some….” he started to take out his wallet. I told him, “Nope. This time is on me, just think about what you want on your burger.”

I grabbed several more boxes of condoms then I walked off to the costume section. Jag snorted. I squealed a little when I found a mermaid costume. Sassy hissed in my head though. I frowned and picked up the costume again.

Sassy took over and made me drop it, hissing. Ok, then. No mermaids, whatever. I squealed when I found two outfits I loved that Sassy didn’t hiss about. Sexy Deadpool and the replica of Padma’s Star Wars outfit. I loved both movies.

I purchased them both and made my purchases. I walked outside and found Jag waiting in the alley. Ok, that was weird. Sassy still wasn’t hissing and Tatum liked Jag too. So, it must not be that weird. Jag asked, “Do you have a phone?” I nodded, “Yeah, I do.”

Jag handed me his, “Put your number in mine.” I did as he instructed then he texted me his order and a place to meet. I left him and went to get us food. I was happy no one commented on Tatum coming in places with me.

I followed Jag’s directions. Without them, there was no way I’d have found this place. It was a secluded area, but there was a picnic table. I sat down and handed him the food. I told Jag, “This is a beautiful area.”

Jag nodded, “Yeah, I really like it.” I asked, “Are you close with your brother?” Jag sighed, “Yes and no. I haven’t told him how awful his mom really is. It’s hard though because she’s his mom, you know?” I admitted, “Yeah, I do.”

Jag smiled saying, “My younger sister is the light of my life. She’s nothing like her mom. She’s sweet as can be and probably missing me. I do feel bad about that. What about you? Any siblings?” I answered, “I have a half-brother for sure, but I haven’t seen him in a while.”

I paused then admitted, “I’ve been trying to find him which led to a catastrophe of epic proportions. Or it was great, I can’t tell.” Jag asked, “What on earth does that mean?” I blurted out, “My family might be the mob.” I clapped a hand over my mouth.

Jag snorted, “Ok, now you have to explain why you think that.” I groaned, “So, I was trying to find my half-brother. I found someone else I’m apparently related to and he told my other half-brothers that I had never met before about me.”

Jag asked, “Mom or dad’s side.” I winced, “I don’t know who my dad is. Supposedly, I have like a lot of other brothers. We email and talk over the phone sometimes. My oldest brother, though, he’s denying he’s a mob boss. I’m pretty sure he is lying though. He offers people protection, and things like that.”

Jag shrugged saying, “In your shoes, I do suppose that’s a logical conclusion.” I asked, “What would you think?” Jag smirked, “I appear to know about things you don’t.” I frowned. What the hell did that mean? We ate our burgers quietly.

I added, “Yeah, well I’m semi convinced I’m going to get wacked by the mob. My ex sucks and I think I dated a member of rival mob that my mom arranged a marriage with because she doesn’t care that he hit me and I broke up with him.” Jag snarled, “Your boyfriend from here cannot know that part.”