Page 174 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I asked, “So if Luke takes me, or if my mom or grandpa hands me over to them, I’ll never meet you guys for real?” Serenity turned her head when we both heard things breaking. Serenity turned back to me saying, “If you end up here, nothing can keep Caspian from you because he knows about you. Even if you’d never gone to see Lux Vennox, my husband would find out about you once you were here.”

“You could’ve never been here very long without him finding out. Then the Merrick’s couldn’t keep him from you. Alon would never hand you over himself.” Interesting word choice, since that implied he could have someone do it. Alon just wouldn’t do it personally.”

Serenity continued, “He’s lashing out, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. If I were you, I would not trust him either. The men around here don’t seem to understand the end game, even though I clearly see it.”

I thought about what I knew. I asked, “Do you think my mom set this up so Caspian would come for me? Then she’d get the mob war she always wanted? That way she gets everything.” Serenity sighed, “You do know her well, I see.” I did. I also realized that Serenity saw my mom for who she was far more than most of the family.

Serenity conceded, “Yes, I think Morgana’s manipulating pieces around her. I think she’s being a manipulative, abusive bitch to you now so she doesn’t grow a conscience. She knows Caspian will hear about you. I’m actually certain she’d make sure he did.”

“Morgana knows the man she raised quite well. It’s not a secret that Caspian would come for you. Then your mom has what she always wanted. She can build a relationship with you while repairing the ones with her boys and Noxus.”

I snorted, “She and I will never have a relationship.” Serenity said, “I believe you, but Morgana wouldn’t see it that way.” I shrugged, “Then she’s delusional about our relationship, which I never considered her to be. There was once a time I would care about that.”

I admitted, “I wanted mom to like me. To be different with me, but I haven’t cared for a long time.” Well before she helped Luke lock me away but that certainly killed any torch I was carrying. Serenity said, “I wouldn’t in your case either. Be safe, Odette. We will find you; I promise.”

Remembering the man’s words from my dreams I whispered as I shut the computer, “Or maybe I’ll find you.” I sat there at my desk, chewing on a pen. I sighed and put it down. Why couldn’t I tell them where I was? I dropped to my knees in pain.

Tatum ran to me yipping. I shook my head, “Come on, let’s take you on a walk.” I grabbed her leash and ended up where my rabies wolf usually was. I took a muffin out of my purse and left it. I called, “I hope you’re doing ok, rabies wolf! I left you a muffin.” I turned and left with Tatum.

The next day Keaton picked me up. My boyfriend told me, “I’m actually having a good time making plans for our trip.” I smiled, “Good. I don’t want there to be any stress or pressure. I’ll be happy with whatever.” Keaton laughed, “I have plans with my brother after dinner.” I kissed his cheek and we went to school.

Immy commented, “You seem better today.” My friend was right, I felt better. Maybe I just needed to talk to my brothers all along. Who knows? Probably them but I didn’t think they would tell me right now. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.

I asked Immy, “Have you ever seen a white wolf?” She choked on her drink and several people looked at me. I frowned. Immy asked carefully, “Have you seen a white wolf around?” I answered, “No, but I know someone who seems scared of them.”

Immy replied, “White wolves aren’t scary.” I snorted, “Well, I’d like to scare this person in a way that I can barely express. So, if you see one send me a picture.” Immy laughed, “Uhhh well….” The bell rang before she could answer.

Keaton took me home and we hung out at my apartment until I had to go to work. He dropped me off then went home. Immy was waiting and even pointed to a customer. I approached, “Hello, can I help you?” The girl smiled, “Sure! I was looking for a good fantasy book.”

I nodded, “No problem! You’re just in the wrong section.” I led her over and gestured, “Here you are.” The girl studied me. I asked, “Are you ok?” She nodded, “Yes. Are you new around here? I’ve been friends with Rya Daniels for a long time, but I’ve never seen you.”

I answered, “I was born around here, but I just came back recently.” The girl hummed, “Sure. What do you think about Witches?” I snorted, “I think I dream about one.” I clapped a hand over my mouth. The girl’s eyes went wide. Oh, god. They were going to lock me up.

Hopefully, Keaton wouldn’t let them. I quickly said, “I’m joking, it’s just a dream. Witches aren’t my favorite in the books I’ve read, but they seem cool.” The girl asked, “What’s the dream about?” I shrugged.

The girl laughed, “I had a dream that there was pumpkin trying to eat me.” I replied, “Well in mine the Witch just tells me I can’t get around her magic. She calls me a child a lot and thinks I’m interesting.” The girl winced, “Oh.”

I snorted, “Yeah. Now, I get headaches which she finds fun. My subconscious is a barrel of laughs.” The girl looked worried. I told her, “It’s ok, it’s just a dream.” The girl smiled sadly, “Of course.”

I walked away, but she seemed to be hanging around because she was in the corner reading a book. Several other people joined her. They whispered and all came over to meet me one by one. Yeah, this was weird, and I didn’t even get a headache thinking that.

When they left, I told Immy, “They were interesting. I felt like I was their pet project or something.” My friend uncharacteristically had nothing to say about the situation and just looked worriedly at me. I told her, “I was kind of kidding.”

Immy just jumped up and hugged me. Sean walked in and she instantly brightened. Immy walked over to him, and I couldn’t help but smile. I urged, “Go hang out with Sean, I’ll cover for you.” Immy grinned, “Our shift is over anyway.” I laughed, “I know. I meant I’ll close up.” My friend nodded and left with Sean out the back.

I closed out the cash register, locked up, then went to the bank quickly. I bumped into someone on my way out. Sassy hissed in my head. I began to run without even looking up or saying sorry. I heard someone following me and ran into the woods where I normally saw my rabies wolf.

Jag hung out here sometimes too. Maybe one of them was around to help. The further away I got I could tell no one was following me. I turned around and took a deep breath. Things were crazy around here all the time. I was about to keep going when I heard a fight going on.

Oh no! What if Jag was in trouble again? I ran as fast as I could only to stop in pure disbelief. A woman in an all black outfit, with a lot of arrows in a quiver, was fighting some chick with really long nails.

The long nailed chick kept trying to scratch the woman in all back. The overwhelming need to help the woman in black flooded me to a point I was somewhat frantic. Where was her bow? I looked around, nearly groaning because I didn’t see it.

A glimmer caught my eye, and I knew I’d spotted the bow in the pond. I dove without a second thought, swam down to the bottom, and grabbed it. I came back up to see much of the same happening in their fight, but the long nail chick was losing.

I wasn’t sure why she was even fighting. Long nailed chick should run away, considering she was getting her ass kicked. I swam to the edge of the pond as a man in a hood flashed by me, grabbing the bow from me.

I yelled, “HEY!” He was crazy fast though. I rubbed my head. The Hooded guy yelled, “BA!” The woman in black caught the bow on reflex, loaded it so fast I could barely register it, then sank three arrows into the long nailed chick.