Page 5 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I whispered, “You lied to me.” Lisa cried, “No Keaton, I didn’t!” I argued, “You don’t smell nice to me. I’m not saying you smell bad, but my wolf doesn’t think your scent is anything special. You had me believing we were mates.” Lisa threw her arms around my neck.

I felt her tears on my neck and felt my anger softening. It didn’t dissipate like normal though, I was still pretty mad. Lisa said, “You do smell great to me and my wolf, Keaton. Lady is devastated.” Channing huffed unhappily in my mind.

Lisa begged me, “Please don’t end our relationship, not yet. We just know we have an end date now. I love you, Keaton.” I wanted to give in and say yes but the man who raised me taught me better than that. To stay with Lisa would give my mate the wrong impression and I wasn’t going to do that. Channing offered, “I agree and am with you wholeheartedly. We can’t hurt mate.” I knew that.

I emphatically stated, “We need some space for now. We can talk about this later.” Lisa clung to me pleading, “Please, don’t do that. We don’t need space, I just need you.” I told her, “I’m not saying anything other than it hurts because I thought we were forever.”

The woman I thought was my mate whispered, “We still could be.” Channing snarled, “No. I will not mark her when she’s not our mate.” I assured my wolf, “I’d never ask you to do that.” Hopefully. The hold Lisa had on me had me doing strange things, I could admit that. Asking my wolf to mark someone he didn’t want to would be too much.

I told her, “No, we can’t. I want my mate and you do too. You’ve told me so a million times. I need to go.” Lisa whispered, “Happy Birthday Keaton.” I snorted. Yeah, sure. Happy freaking birthday to me. I was alone and a shitty person. I argued with my family prepared for Lisa to be my Luna, except she wasn’t. I felt adrift, with no purpose.

Lisa linked me, “Keaton, I’m the one who will stick by you and not say a word to anyone else about what a disappointing and weak Alpha you are. You need me far more than I need you. I know you don’t want your family to be disappointed in you.” Her words grated and hurt. I did get more from Lisa being with me because no one knew what a disappointment I was to the Daniels name.

I ran away from Lisa’s house, shifted, and howled in pain. Mostly from being a disappointment to my family. My heart didn’t break like it should’ve over Lisa not being my mate. I was certain I felt relief. I knew there was a wolf coming up behind me, but I didn’t turn because I knew who it was.

I also knew if my big brother, Emmett, wanted to overtake me or catch up to me he could. Emmett and his wolf, Lightning, were the fastest wolf around. Clara Miller, who would be my Beta linked me, “I’m sorry about what happened. I know you liked her.”

I replied, “No one else did.” Clara conceded, “That’s true. I’m pretty happy Lisa won’t be my Luna because everyone knows she’d be a bad one. I am sorry one of my best friends is in pain though. Happy Birthday Keaton.” My future Beta closed our link knowing I needed space.

I shifted back calling over my shoulder, “You can come over here, Emmett.” My big brother shifted and grabbed some shorts before he threw them at me. I asked, “Shouldn’t you be in bed with your mate?” Alexandria was the perfect Luna and mate.

I thought Lisa and I would have what they and my parents had. Channing linked me, “Not really. Our relationship was never like theirs.” My wolf wasn’t wrong about that. I tried so hard to be the best I could for Lisa, but she always found fault in everything I did.

I didn’t stand up for her fast enough, I didn’t spend enough money on our dates. The most hurtful one was our first time together. I’d taken Lisa away and decorated up an old cabin we’d found together many years before. Lisa hated every single second of it.

My then girlfriend had wanted a presidential suite at a hotel to lose her virginity. I mentioned she’d never said that and boy did I learn about how I’d messed up. I stupidly thought it was romantic. I was never enough for her in bed either. Lisa had made that abundantly clear.

I still couldn’t think back to that day. I swore there were people around us dying. Lisa convinced me I was crazy and paranoid after I’d had a shake she made me. Then sometimes I think the papers of her report were sweating. Of course it was my sweat, because papers don’t sweat. I was being crazy. Lisa promised never to tell anyone that though. Thank god.

Emmett told me, “I’m right where I need to be. Hell, I’m right where Alexandria wants me to be. Are you ok, little brother?” I whispered, “She was supposed to be my forever. I feel stupid. Lisa lied to me, but that feels hard to say.”

Literally the words barely formed. Emmett bluntly stated, “Maybe she did. Or maybe Lisa didn’t want to admit it to herself since she’s had her eyes on you since you were pups.” Keith’s words came out of my mouth, “Then why wasn’t she with me when midnight hit? Why wasn’t she waiting in her living room like her dad? Lisa knew she wasn’t mine, and she hoped I would just go away when I figured it out.”

I continued, “Then she could talk to me today during my party or come over before it started. I don’t know. It seems like a dumb plan. Hell, maybe it wasn’t a plan like I’m thinking. Maybe she was just tired and wanted to sleep. Maybe I’m seeing things that aren’t there.” I did that a lot according to Lisa.

Emmett offered, “Alexandria always smelled good to me. I don’t think Lisa was the only one who knew deep down you weren’t mates. I had a party going the night of her eighteenth birthday, so when midnight hit everyone knew Alexandria was officially mine.”

I pointed out, “You knew because Emmaline told you though.” Emmett said, “I’ve also seen Emmaline’s face when you’ve mentioned Lisa is your mate near her. The Soul Searchers face scrunches up. Don’t tell me you didn’t see that.”

“I know, as you do, the only Fairy with a poker face is Haley. It was clear that Lisa wasn’t yours. You’re observant, so you’ve definitely noticed Emmaline Lyons’s face when you’ve said Lisa is your mate. You also could’ve asked her if you’d wanted to know.”

I muttered, “Lisa didn’t want me to.” Emmett’s eyebrow shot up practically into his hairline. I asked, “Why didn’t you say anything about Lisa not being my mate? Keith does all the time, but you never do.” Emmett said, “You didn’t listen to Keith on the topic, and he’s your twin. Like I said, I think you did know on some level.” Maybe.

Emmett added, “I’ll tell you that I’m sad your heart is broken, but I’m happy Lisa’s not your mate. I’ve never liked how she treated you. You are a fun loving guy, unless she’s around. Then you're defensive and you seem to second guess everything you are going to do or say.”

“I don’t agree with how everyone goes about talking to you about her. They’ve created this ‘you two versus everyone’ mentality, which pushed you two together. It’s a bonding experience to feel like it’s you against the world. I don’t have a high opinion of Lisa, but she is a pack member. I’ll always protect her from outside forces. I just wish I could’ve protected my little brother from her.”

I huffed, “I’m not a pup anymore, Emmett.” Emmett said, “No, but you’ll always be my little brother. You deserve better than what Lisa gave you in that relationship, Keaton. You tried to give Lisa the world, all the time, and she constantly spat at your attempts. You have a heart of gold, and you are fiercely protective.”

I sighed, “She’s upset we aren’t mates. Lisa doesn’t want us to break up.” Emmett rubbed his temples, “Of course she doesn’t. She wants you to be her chosen mate, I heard her say as much.” I shook my head, “No, we’ve both said we want our mates. She’s just reacting in the moment to this blow of not being mates. Lisa didn’t mean that.”

Emmett disagreed, “I think she very much meant it.” I admitted, “I’m not going to decide now what we should do about our relationship. My mind won’t change about wanting my mate though. I need time to breathe. Is there anything you need done in a different pack where I can get some space?”

Emmett nodded, “Of course. Alpha Mike McDermont in Gray Stone asked me for someone to lead some training exercises. I think you and Keith would be perfect. To be blunt, I was going to ask you anyway. I’ll have mom get your assignments for the rest of the year from your school. You and Keith can finish the year outside the pack. I think the distance would be good for you.”

I agreed, “Yeah, I think it will be good. Do you think the school will agree?” Emmett snorted, “Of course they will. Dad donates money for everything they have. They have a new football stadium because of our family. The administration, mom and dad will make this happen.” I hugged him. I said, “Thank you, big brother.” Emmett said, “I’d do anything for you Keaton.” I knew he would.

Someone cleared their throat. I shook the memory of that night off. I stood and saw Keith. My twin said, “We need to get to Alexander and Melanie’s mating ceremony.” I nodded. I asked, “Who is popping us in?” Keith said, “Annie is coming for us in five minutes.” I smoothed out my shirt.