Page 234 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Channing told me, “Shara is upset too.” Emmett and Malachi went to check it out with Keith. My instincts screamed to go with them, but I wasn’t the one that did that. I always stayed behind. Odette encouraged me to go though.

I stared at my mate in surprise, looking for any sign that said I shouldn’t actually go. Only Odette’s eyes were completely sincere. She had no doubt I could handle whatever wolf was out there. Even if Odette didn’t know what I did or who I was. It made me feel taller that Odette had that confidence in me.

Her belief was what got me moving. Kreed ran outside with me, “Damn, she’s good for you.” I agreed, “I know.” We shifted and searched the area. We met up with Emmett and Malachi. My brother’s Beta was annoyed.

I asked, “What’s wrong?” Malachi snorted, “Some not rogue we can’t find is upset my sister is fucking some dude, and you want to know what’s wrong?” I asked, “You think that howl was Jag?” Malachi huffed, “Thinking is for Alpha’s, I know that was Jag. I just don’t know why he was butt hurt about my sister having a fuckboy. God, I can’t believe I just said that sentence.”

Emmett smiled at me as Keith flashed in. My twin clapped me on the back, “The Katie magical vajayjay juju continues. You’re out here with us.” Everyone smiled at me. I snorted, “Of course I am.” Kreed snickered, “Odette told him to come.”

Emmett smiled declaring, “I like her.” It settled a piece of me hearing him say that. Emmett growled, “I can’t believe we can’t find one lone wolf.” I asked, “So you think he’s a lone wolf instead of a rogue? He attacked Justin, Isla, and Odette.”

Malachi said, “Yes, but he stopped when Odette told him to. Almost like he was commanded to attack her before. Now, he’s trying to help keep Odette safe.” I frowned, “What do you mean?” Keith sighed, “Jag was at the scene of your accident, but Odette told him to run from us. We tried to follow him, but the man is fast. He lost those I sent after him and has no scent, so it’s not like I can be mad at them.” I growled.

Kreed said, “Jag cannot feel the same way about you that you do him, Keaton.” I asked, “What the hell does that mean?” Malachi pointed out, “Jag fought with Odette while you were unconscious. He could’ve hurt you, instead Jag helped. It’s like she’s his new leader or friend.”

Keith and I shared a look knowing that Odette was a Royal so that could factor in. Malachi asked, “Ok, what was that look?” Keith said, “Nothing.” I repeated, “Nothing.” Emmett snorted, “Oh, goodie my siblings are keeping more secrets. You guys keep so many secrets. Do you know what I tell myself at night?”

I answered, “No.” Emmett said, “That my siblings keep secrets, but they aren’t holding the secrets the techy Luna holds. Poor Tristan McAlister, he has my sympathies.” I chuckled, “Not Jason?” Emmett snorted, “It’s an oldest sibling thing.” I laughed.

We rejoined the party a little agitated because we didn’t find what we were looking for. We set that aside and had a great time. Odette actually ran from me causing my jaw to drop. Emmett wiggled his eyebrows then I was off in a flash.

I couldn’t stop myself from needing to taste my mate. Keith linked me, “Uhh super hearing here.” I snorted, “I’ve heard you do this a lot.” Keith said, “Yeah, me. No one has heard you do this so people are taken aback.” Whatever.

When we had cake, everyone was giving me looks. Some were impressed; some were shocked. Annie winked at me. Emmett linked me, “You just…” He stopped talking. I replied, “Was that the end of the sentence?” My big brother just stared at me until Alexandria elbowed him.

Odette was moved by the entire party. I wondered if anyone ever sang her happy birthday on the day before. Channing growled in my head because my wolf didn’t like that anymore than I did. I told him, “We will give her everything. Mom will love her when they meet. She says she does, and mom has never lied to us. Mom would be that mother figure for Odette. Just like Matt and Ted are dads for Adlee. Odette will fit into our family.”

Channing agreed. Maybe I could manifest my family and Odette getting along like Beta Dylan could. I wanted it all to work out so I could have my family and mate. My Hood cousins walked in. Emmett linked me, “Don’t be mad at Immy. Jules wanted to come, and I told Joe he could come and bring everyone.”

I replied, “I’m not mad, but I don’t want to overwhelm her.” Emmett pointed out, “Your girlfriend doesn’t look overwhelmed. In fact, Odette looks happy.” I glanced at my mate and realized my big brother was right.

Jasmine of course was too excited to be contained. Where Joe was stoic Jasmine was bubbly and relatable, just like Aunt Allie. I was nervous when we got to the presents portion. Odette was visibly moved by each present.

Alexandria linked me, “Odette is adorable, Keaton.” Annie linked me, “Keaton, she’s just amazing. I love everything about you two together. She’s sweet and somehow innocent. You stand tall with her, I love it so much.” She fanned her face as Kreed nuzzled her.

I nervously gave Odette my present. My mate teased me, which eased some of my tension. Emmett linked, “I love this girl. Woodland creatures, that’s funny. More than she knows.” Everyone was smiling at me. Jasmine actually wiped a few tears away.

Odette loved her gift. I was beyond relieved; I couldn’t help but kiss her. I was teased get a room. That was easily doable since Adlee had a soundproof office. I picked Odette up and threw her over my shoulder. I knew everyone was stunned. Kreed of course recovered first to make cat calls with JJ.

Keith linked, “Did you really just do that?” l linked Channing, “Block everyone out. It’s time we spent our mate’s birthday how we wanted.” I took her over and over. I was going to have to replace things in here.

I linked Clara, “Expense everything from my accounts to replace Adlee’s things. Odette wants the floor deep cleaned too.” Clara linked, “Uhh ok. Is this the type of thing I can expect from my Alpha now that you have your mate? Because I was told to expect that, but you were always so reserved with Lisa. Hence I was not prepared for this.”

I told her, “You should prepare to be in their shoes. I’m sure that will make Trey happy when you can reach him. Since I think we can all admit now, he escaped to Europe to get away from my ex and her crazy.” I felt a little bad my future Gamma took such measures.

My Beta replied laughing, “I’ve never been more glad to need to prepare for something. It’s damn good to see you like this, and Trey will agree. He more left to wrap his mind around Lisa possibly being his job to protect.” One could hardly blame Trey for not wanting to do that.

Odette and I teased each other. I was certain my mate thought I was teasing her about marriage, but she was mine. My mate had marked me, and when she understood everything I was marking her. We were forever.

When we joined everyone else, they stared at us. I linked my family, “Stop staring.” Emmett replied, “You just…” He trailed off. I retorted, “I’m aware of what I just did. You do it a lot. Finish a sentence, big brother.” Emmett gaped at me until Malachi hit him across the chest.

JJ muttered, “That’s nothing. There was lighthouse fucking people. LIGHTHOUSE.” I glared at my cousin, but he winked at me. The rest of the day was perfect. Emmett linked me, “Let’s go for a run, little brother, we need to talk.” I groaned, “Fine.” Channing grumbled, “Everyone cockblocks us when we never did that to them.” No joke.

I dropped Odette off, met up with my big brother and shifted. I knew we were searching for Jag a little bit, but for the most part we were having fun in our wolf forms. We ran the whole territory until Emmett shifted back and I followed suit.

My big brother commented, “Odette’s good for you.” I smiled, “I know.” Emmett added, “I’ve never seen you happier.” I smiled, “I don’t think I have been. I feel like I can breathe again with her.” Emmett snorted, “You fucked her when we all were around.”

I shrugged, “You all have done that around me.” Emmett nodded, “Yes, we have. You never did that until today.” I replied, “I was with the wrong girl.” Emmett laughed, “No joke. Was Odette sad when you left her?” I scoffed, “Odette was calling her ‘mob brothers’ so she was fine.”