Page 146 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Channing was proud of our mate for acting like a Luna already without knowing that’s what she was. She was just naturally doing it. Channing and I took turns taking Odette over and over. I could tell our newfound confidence was making its way to the bedroom.

When we woke up, Odette informed me about Valentine’s Day plans. She wanted to cook. Channing answered, “That’s what mate said.” I shouted, “SHE wants to cook for ME? No, that is a trap. Right?” Channing replied, “I don’t think it is, but I am also confused.”

I couldn't believe she didn’t want something fancy. Like even a little bit fancy. Valentine’s Day was huge, and she wanted some low key thing. Odette even wanted to have sex. Actual sex? Valentine’s Day was just supposed to be about her pleasure, not mine.

When I got home, I threw my truck in park and went to the dungeons. I nodded to Kreed and Killian. I asked, “Is the guy from the dance down there?” Kreed said, “Both of them are, yes. Why?” I charged down and grabbed the one who threw Odette over his shoulder.

I slammed him into the silver bars. I snarled, “Do you enjoy putting hands on what’s not yours?” He coughed, “Seriously? This is over an unmarked girl? The Beta’s daughter, fine. The hot chick? Come on!” I snarled and grabbed him by the throat and held him up.

I said, “You had no right to touch her.” I threw him, grabbed a sword, and cut off his hands. He screamed bloody murder. Channing huffed, “Whimp.” I said, “Agreed.” Channing shifted and bit his arm nearly clean off. I shifted back, grabbed some shorts, then wiped off the blade.

I told Kreed, “You might want to get the pack doctor over here should you want him to live.” Kreed stared at me. Killian snorted, “I already contacted the pack doctor.” Kreed looked at his brother, which was when I saw his mark.

I congratulated him, “Nice mark, Kreed.” The man smirked, “Thanks, Keaton.” I told him, “I’m really happy for you guys. You should’ve been with Annie all along.” Killian agreed, “No joke. That bitch didn’t deserve my big brother. I’d have killed her and buried the body if I had known she was his fated mate.”

Kreed laughed, “Which is why I didn’t tell you, little brother.” Killian rolled his eyes, “Please, a little tiny part of you was pissed the goddess paired you with that thing and didn’t want people to know. The second you knew Annie was yours, the whole pack knew.” That would suggest it was a large part, not a small one.

Kreed acknowledged, “I didn’t want Lisa as a mate. I agreed to give her a chance for Lady and Torque. Torque was really on the fence about it. You know he loves Annie, but he and Annie talked while my wolf blocked me out. Only then did he wanted to give Lady a chance.”

Killian sighed, “God, my sister in law is such a good person.” Killian laughed, “She will officially be your sister in law soon.” Killian teased, “It’s about damn time. She’s always been like family. I told you to just take her as your chosen mate. Don’t you wish you had listened to your little brother?” Kreed admitted, “Yes, as does my wolf. Lady only ever felt like a friend to him.” I laughed and left the dungeons.

My family all gave me looks throughout that day. I’m sure they heard I took off that guy’s hands. Channing offered, “I nearly ripped his arm off. I feel I showed great restraint, Lightning does not agree.” I ignored most of the looks.

I was actually looking forward to my session with Leon because I needed his opinion. Odette kept insisting she was fine with our Valentine’s Day plans. I’d convince myself she was being sincere then question it all over again at night.

Today, I’d overheard some of Lisa’s friends talking about my epic Valentine’s Day plans with my ex last year. What if Odette heard that? Would she think I cared about Lisa more than her? Channing replied, “We aren’t planning anything, but I agree I’m also worried.”

I walked into Leon’s office and sat down bouncing my leg. The man stared at me, “Keaton, what’s wrong?” I blurted out, “Valentine’s Day.” Leon frowned, “Ok, I’m going to need more than that.” I sighed, “I had to do all these extravagant things for Lisa, and….”

Leon interrupted, “The whole pack knows about the somewhat insane Valentine’s Day things you did with Lisa. You took her to Paris for a meal, we know.” I sighed, “She hated that.” Leon frowned, “No, she didn’t. Lisa told everyone it was amazing.”

I frowned, “Well, my ex told me she hated it. What’s new? It wasn’t good enough, but people are talking about that today.” Leon again said, “Ok.” I explained, “Katie doesn’t want any of that. The plan she came up with is literally not even remotely fancy. My girlfriend wants to cook me a meal, watch videos, and have sex.”

Leon replied, “That sounds like a nice Valentine’s Day.” I asked, “Does it? It’s totally wrong though. Valentine’s Day is about her pleasure, not mine.” Leon stared for a few seconds before saying, “That’s not true. Valentine’s Day is not about your partner’s pleasure over yours.”

I argued, “Yes, it is.” Leon rebutted, “It’s a made up holiday that has been turned into a giant day of spending. It’s about money at its core, but we will all keep doing it. My mate and I have a low key Valentine’s Day too. We make each other things instead of buying them, that’s us though.”

“Some men like buying their partner flowers. Kincade Farmer buys Carry Farmer flowers every week. He just gets some ridiculously huge display on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is many people’s excuse to do over the top gestures and act like assholes the rest of the year until some other holiday comes around. Do you want to make plans and stress about whether they are good enough?”

I sighed, “No.” Leon said, “Then maybe Katie taking control this Valentine’s Day to plan something for you both is for the best. You need time to get over that fear. Katie is not like Lisa, and only time can prove that to you.”

“Lisa’s actions have essentially formed a muscle memory for you. Things will trigger those stressors for you, and Valentine’s Day sounds like it is one. I will say, I’m not the only person in the pack who took a quarter of your Valentine’s Day setups for Lisa over the years and did them for their mate.”

I asked, “You did?” Leon nodded, “Yes, you are quite the romantic. Do what you’re comfortable with. Go with what your instincts tell you to do, Keaton. When you second guess that, just know it’s a stressor. Trust your instincts and let Katie surprise you with her response.”

I asked, “How do you know she’ll surprise me?” Leon answered, “I observe people. Katie will love anything you do because she’s in love with you. That girl looks at you like you’re the only person in the world. Lisa never looked at you like that, and you didn’t look at her that way either.”

“You look at Katie the same way she looks at you. I’ve heard rumors Katie doesn’t have a loving home life. That girl would not know how to handle a Valentine’s Day planned by you. One, because I think in love you’d go crazier. Two, because it’s not her normal. Again, I find the way you two look at each other quite telling.”

Leon gave me a knowing look. I wasn’t going to confide in him about Odette being my mate. I told him honestly, “I have this block about my family and Katie.” Leon frowned, “Why?” I sighed, “What if they don’t like Katie? They hated Lisa.”

Leon sat back then pointed out, “Keith likes Katie, and so do all of your friends. I know for a fact, they did not like Lisa.” I ran a hand through my hair, “I just can’t have my family dislike Katie.” Leon gave me a measured look, “You’re not giving the majority of them a chance to like her.”

I explained, “I feel like I just got them back in my life. It feels like there was this disconnected between us that’s gone. I missed them and how we were. I don’t remember why I let it get that far. Hell, I don’t remember ever really liking Lisa.”

“I remember being with her, but not why I dealt with all of her bullshit. It’s still affecting me, and I actually do not understand why at all. Katie has never lied to me. Why do I have this worry in the back of my head that it’s a trick? She’s not like that.”

Leon hummed, “Yes, this is quite the interesting situation. Your brother checked the surveillance at Katie’s apartment.” I asked, “Huh? When?” Leon answered, “The night you went over then came back acting like Lisa was wiped from your memory.”