Page 41 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Immy answered, “Definitely. Our families are not blood related, but we are family. Keaton’s locked down tight though. He used to laugh a lot, but not since he was thirteen.” I gasped, “He hasn’t laughed for five years?”

Immy shrugged, “Not much, honestly.” That was sad. I muttered, “I could make him laugh.” Immy elbowed me and wiggled her eyebrows. I blushed, “I mean probably. I’m funny.” Immy took out her phone and dramatically flipped it around.

My eyes were stuck on the hazel eyes that seemed to look into my soul. Immy proudly said, “That’s Keaton and his twin Keith.” There were two of them? My eyes reluctantly left Keaton. I could see subtle differences between Keith and Keaton.

No wonder Lisa was so crazy over Keaton Daniels. He was hot. Immy sang, “SOOOOOO, what do you think?” I laughed, “They are good looking, but I’m not focused on boys right now.” Keaton was hotter by far. Immy smiled, “Enter Immy. I make everyone have fun.” She winked at me, and we got to work.

After a few hours, I was putting some books on the shelf when I bumped into someone. I turned and saw an older man smiling at me. My head hissed, but I kept it inside. I asked, “Hello, how may I help you? Are you looking for a book today?”

The man replied, “I’m just checking on you, my dear. How are you doing here?” I frowned, “Are you related to Immy?” He snorted, “Heavens no.” That didn’t make sense given Immy’s family owned this place and no one else should be checking on me.

I asked, “Are you sure you’re looking for me then?” He leaned down closer and I heard a hissing in my head again. The man smugly said, “I am in fact looking for you, Odette.” I gasped and jumped back. How did he know my name? He moved closer to me, but I backed up again.

Immy called, “Katie, are you done with….?” She trailed off when she saw us. The man said, “I’ll just be going.” He quickly left the shop. Immy asked, “Are you ok, Katie? You look pale.” I clenched my hand into a fist so she wouldn’t notice it was shaking.

Immy asked, “Do you know that creepy guy?” I shook my head, “No.” So, the question now was how did he know me? Immy frowned, “He was whatever you are, partially anyway.” I asked, “Huh?” Immy laughed and skipped away. What I am?

I slapped my head when the answer came to me. Immy obviously meant someone from out of town. I went back to the front. Immy asked, “What are you doing for New Years?” I shrugged, “Nothing.” Immy frowned, “That won’t do. Why don’t you come to our house for New Years?”

I laughed, “I’ll think about it, but I don’t know where you live.” Plus, Thanksgiving went poorly. Immy replied, “That’s easy enough to resolve.” She texted me and I went back to my apartment. I had an email waiting which had me squealing.

There was a Lux that had emailed me back for an appointment. His office was just three hours from here. The appointment was on New Year’s Eve. I quickly looked up ticket prices for the bus and purchased one with the money I’d made from the bookstore. I texted Immy.

Me: I’m not sure about coming over on New Year’s Eve now. I have an appointment.

Immy: BOOOOOO! Appointments are boring. You can come over at any time but if you don’t, I’ll track you down the next day.

Me: That sounds exactly like something you’d do.

Immy: Because it is.

The days passed slowly until I boarded the bus. I was beyond excited. What if this guy was my Lux? What if it wasn’t? Would my big brother be excited to see me? Would he be mad that I was intruding on his life? What if he was? Could I handle his rejection a second time?

These thoughts swirled until it was time for me to get off the bus. The driver gave me an odd look. It was then I noticed my hands were shaking. I sighed and forced myself to walk down the steps out. I walked a few miles to the office building.

There was a woman at the front desk who looked at me as I walked over. I told her, “I have an appointment with Lux Vennox.” She asked, “Are you Katie Karlton?” I nodded. The woman handed me a visitor badge, instructing, “Take the elevators down the hall to the tenth floor. His office is on the right.”

I nodded because I couldn’t form words. My mouth was suddenly dry, and my body moved on autopilot. I hit the elevator button somewhat detached from reality. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. The elevator doors opened and I walked down the hall into the office.

The secretary smiled, “Ms. Karlton, go on in. Lux is expecting you.” She inclined her head to the door.

Could I do this? I took a deep breath and opened the next door. The man behind the desk looked up smiling while my heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt like I could actually feel it breaking as tears filled my eyes.

I whispered, “I’m sorry. I’ve wasted your time.” Mr. Vennox stood, “Nonsense. Do you have legal matters to discuss?” I shook my head, “No. I thought…” I couldn’t stop my tears. Mr. Vennox called, “Beatrice, grab some water.”

Beatrice entered the room and helped me to a chair. Mr. Vennox asked, “What’s going on, Ms. Karlton?” He handed me a tissue as his secretary gave me some water. She looked worried. I cried, “I’m sorry. I just thought you might be my brother.” That seemed to surprise them.

I quickly explained, “I haven’t seen him in years, and I don’t know his last name. I just know his dad used to live in Tennessee. So, I looked up the Lux’s in this area. Not all of them responded, but you did and I just hoped you were him.”

Mr. Vennox looked sad and even apologized, “I’m very sorry Ms. Karlton but I’m an only child. You look very familiar though. Do I know you?” He hardly needed to declare he wasn’t my Lux. I knew he wasn’t my brother the second I saw him.

I snorted, “No, you don’t know me.” Mr. Vennox frowned asking, “Your brother’s name is Lux?” I nodded. His eyes narrowed, “And you’re Katie?” I shrugged, “It’s complicated.” This was another situation where I was feeling completely at ease with people. What was WRONG with me? I did NOT know these people.

Mr. Vennox sat forward inferring, “So, your name is not Katie. Lux is a very old, honored name in my family.” I smiled, “I always liked it.” Mr. Vennox asked, “Where are your parents? How old are you?” I whispered, “I’m sixteen. I don’t know my dad, but my mom is traveling with her new boyfriend.”

Now Mr. Vennox looked angry, “Who is your mother?” I looked up at him surprised. I stuttered, “I should go. Yeah, go. I’m sorry I wasted your time. My mother would kill me if she found out I was looking for Lux.” I stood.

Mr. Vennox yelled, “Wait! Tell me about your brother. What happened to him? Why haven’t you seen him?” I frowned, “His dad filed for custody. Lux left and never came back after that.” My voice cracked as I cried, “I never got to say goodbye. He was my constant, you know? Then he was just gone.”