Page 182 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Grandpa Frank sighed, “Lexi, I swear you take years off my life.” Mom laughed, “I have no idea what I did.” Dad growled, “How about not answering my link?” Mom smirked, “I was a little busy at that exact moment.”

I asked, “Did you run into a Mintor?” Mom asked, “How would you know that?” I answered, “My girlfriend said she saw a woman with long nails in the woods.” Uncle Heath asked, “Did not Katie say anything else?” I shook my head.

Mom snorted, “I met your girlfriend.” I asked, “In your BA gear? She didn’t look scared when we saw her.” Uncle Heath snorted, “Not Katie was not even remotely scared. She met me too as the Hood. When I got there, she was swimming to the bottom of that ridiculously randomly clear pond.”

“Your girlfriend has quite the impressive lung span and oxygen capacity. She got your mom her bow and was mad when I flashed away from her with it. She just HAD to help your mom. She felt it.” Everyone looked at me.

I growled, “Everyone needs to stop giving me that look.” Mom said, “I like not Katie. She’s very pretty, brave, and can also keep confidences. She could’ve told you she met the Robin Hood society.” I snorted, “Is that what she called you guys?”

Uncle Heath confirmed, “Basically. To be fair, she might have something on that. I could easily see where the comparison came in.” I hugged mom again. She told me, “I still want to meet not Katie as myself. We could have a small lunch, dinner, coffee, or anything. I’m open to any, and all, options.”

I smiled, “I’m sure we’ll make that happen.” Uncle Cameron snorted, “Yeah, she’ll have to be at his graduation since she’s his girlfriend.” That’s true. Mom groaned, “Why, Cameron? Why on earth would you even put that out there as an option? It’s March and May is so far away. Who knows what will happen between now and then.” Channing snickered in my head.

Mom turned to me, “Don’t listen to him, Keaton. You can bring not Katie by before graduation. Your dad and I would love to see her.” Grandpa Frank snorted, “Yeah, because now Chase and my oldest grandson are the only ones who haven’t met her.” No one said anything.

I asked, “When did Emma meet her? Or Colin and Carter.” Grandpa gloated, “Ok, so there’s a bigger list. The point remains I met not Katie, son.” Dad just rolled his eyes while Emmett didn’t say anything. What was their deal? I knew why Emmett wasn’t saying anything. He met Odette.

That didn’t answer why my dad so quiet. Mom was stoically ignoring the comments. Which means whatever they were not saying, mom knew about it. It amused me it didn’t appear they knew that. I swear dad never learned. Channing snorted, “You’re one to talk.” Ok, my wolf he had a point.

I looked at my phone letting Odette know everything was ok. She wanted me to get a key. I linked Ken, “Can you get me a key to Katie’s place? She wants me to have one.” Ken snorted, “Maybe I already have one waiting at the front desk for either of you to ask.” The man was good at his job.

I replied, “Thanks, Ken.” He said, “Anytime kid. Maybe do me a solid and keep the noise complaints down on occasion.” I nearly snorted out loud. My family stayed in the Shroud talking for a little bit. Emmett was having patrols running to make sure there wasn’t a Mintor problem.

I left and went back to Odette’s. I found her on the couch, picked her up, and carried her into the bedroom. I woke up to Odette flopping around and whimpering. My mate was upset about something. I began to stroke her hair which calmed her back down then pulled her into my chest.

Next thing I knew, I felt tingles stroking my face. I opened my eyes. I didn’t even need Immy to tell me something was wrong. Odette had been crying, which was easy to spot since my mate’s eyes were rimmed red.

I linked, “CHANNING! Our mate was crying and you didn’t wake me up.” Channing replied, “She wasn’t.” Odette clearly was though. Luke’s mate was apparently the reason for the tears. My heart went out to the woman in question. I couldn’t imagine her situation. Then Odette said they wanted her to have his child.

Channing roared in my head, “MARK MATE NOW! SHE WILL HAVE OUR PUPS WHEN SHE’S READY! THEY AREN’T GOING TO RAPE HER AND FORCE HER TO HAVE ANOTHER’S PUP!” I was trying to reason with him, but I was pissed off too.

Emmett linked me, “Umm what’s going on? I’m pretty sure I heard that roar that Ken linked was you.” Channing snarled back at him. I pulled Odette close trying to inhale her scent to calm down. Emmett linked, “I’m sending Keith.”

I didn’t care what he was doing. No one was taking my mate from me! The only thing that calmed me down was Odette’s song. Keith linked me, “Ok, so what the hell happened here?!” Dad linked, “We are outside, let’s go for a run.”

Everyone was just everywhere tonight. I was worried when Odette got a headache. This is what Giz was talking about. God, I needed to know that guy’s real name. I agreed to take the not dog on a walk. Keith linked me, “We can’t bring the dog.” I replied, “It’s not a dog.” Keith snorted.

We led the not dog outside where everyone was waiting. I teased, “The gang’s all here.” Grandpa Frank snorted, “Yes, the gang as you say show’s up when the windows are rattled.” Emmett said, “We can talk about that later. Right now, we need to run. Was bringing the little dog necessary?”

Tatum growled at my brother. I explained, “She’s not a dog.” Everyone stared at me. I insisted, “You’ll see but Tatum is not a dog.” Everyone snorted. We shifted and ran. Tatum kept up just fine which had Channing radiating smugness at the wolves with us.

We shifted back after several miles. Emmett snorted, “You’re right, little brother, this is definitely not a dog.” Tatum yipped. I retorted, “I know that.” Dad urged, “So tell us what we don’t know then. What the hell happened that had you growling so loud we heard in the pack?”

I growled, “Katie’s ex wants to fucking die, that’s what happened.” Emmett said, “Finally! Something that’s doable. We can kill an ex.” Grandpa Frank and our uncles looked at him. Emmett shrugged, “What? We can kill him. This is a fixable problem.”

I snorted, “Thanks, Emmett.” My brother teased, “I got your back, little bro. Killing someone, to make you less likely to wolf out, that is in no way, shape or form another Werewolf is easy. There’s not even paperwork to do. I can easily get behind this.” Channing growled, “Luke dies.” I knew that.

Grandpa asked, “What did not Katie’s ex do?” I growled, “He’s leaving her notes, and killing his unborn child with his mate because Katie is supposed to have his firstborn in his demented mind.” Emmett whistled, “Ok, I did not see that coming. I thought this was about a far more superficial reason. I feel everyone is about to get onboard with my agreement in killing this guy.”

Grandpa snorted, “Of course we agree. That’s sickening and disturbing on several levels.” Dad sighed, “Yeah, we all agree. We’ll run more patrols, those people won’t get not Katie.” I nodded. Emmett said, “So we agree about the ex dying. Lovely, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.”

I asked, “What?” Uncle Cameron groaned. Emmett said, “The fact that you’re so mad, you roared so loud we heard in the pack and shook the windows in grandpa’s building, about your girlfriend’s ex is because…” He trailed off intentionally again. Grandpa snorted. Emmett’s phone rang breaking the silence. My brother yelled, “OH COME ON!”

Uncle Cameron said, “Damn. No one can catch a break.” Emmett answered, “I swear to god this had better be good, and if someone starts to utter the letter L as the start to this explanation, I will lose my shit. I’ll go off the reservation….” He trailed off then told us, “I have to go.”

Keith asked hopefully, “To banish Lisa?” Emmett snorted, “Sadly, no.” Keith sighed, “Good because that’s my thing. You can’t take my first move from me.” Everyone snorted and Emmett left. Channing said, “I think we might have tried to say it.” Yeah, except it was hard for some reason to admit Odette was mine. Which was weird. I was proud I had my mate.

We ran for several more miles in both human and wolf form. When Channing was worn out and calm, I made my way back to Odette’s. I told Tatum as we walked, “Between you and me we will keep her safe.” Tatum yipped.