Page 51 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

“I’ve done my damnedest to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s been on my New Year's resolutions for decades now. I can’t go breaking those. Go try to catch Lexi yourself. Or let your wife do what she wants.”

“I think that particular plan works out best for you, but that’s just me; and I’ve been married longer than you have. I’ve also been alive longer, so take my sage advice on women I’m giving you. Maybe notice your brothers all the way over there staring at the sky doing nothing, like the smart men they are. But hey, what do I know? Probably a thing or two. That’s what Frank knows.”

I snorted and went into the house knowing Uncle Cameron and Uncle Ollie were definitely staring at the sky and hoping mom shot Lisa. My Uncles hated her along with everyone else. I heard Lisa the second I entered the house.

My ex was sobbing that something wasn’t fair. I sighed and used my speed to enter Emmett’s office. They all whipped their heads to me. Emmett took a whiff of the air and looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

Lisa shrieked, “HOW COULD YOU?!” Channing snorted, “How could we what? Show up? Isn’t that what she wanted?” Clearly Lady wasn’t giving him any clues then. Channing told me, “Lady is asleep.” Ok? Lisa got up and raised her hand.

I caught it easily and squeezed harder than I needed to. My ex shrieked in pain. I glared at her warning, “Don’t ever put hands on me again. Are we clear?” She gulped while Keith clapped. Emmett groaned, “Keith, that’s not helpful.”

I let go of Lisa’s arm and she rubbed it. My ex told me, “You need to talk to your brother.” Channing growled, “And say what? Thanks for the cockblock?! That’s all I have to say right now.” I told Lisa, “The only thing that needs to happen right now is you not telling me what to do.” Everyone was looking at me in shock. Channing agreed, “You’re right, they are being weird.”

Lisa threw her hands in the air, “What is the matter with you? You reek of that bitch!” I snarled at her. Channing warned, “I’ll rip Lisa’s throat out, Keaton.” I ordered my ex, “Do not EVER call her that again. The only bitch here is you!”

Lisa cried, “She turned you against me.” I snorted, “Oh, don’t blame her, you did a great job of that all on your own before Katie showed up. You made me a joke and toyed with my emotions. You even got off on my pain and lied to me. She had nothing to do with any of that. She’s actually nice to me, it’s refreshing.”

Lisa snarled, “I can smell her all over you. We all can!” I smirked, enjoying that. Channing started to purr. Lisa continued, “You just met her. She’s a whore!” Channing snarled in my head as fury overtook me. I felt fur on skin and forced it back, but barely.

Keith muttered, “Fuck.” I had Lisa pinned against the wall in a second. Channing took over, “NEVER SPEAK ABOUT HER AGAIN! DO NOT CALL HER NAMES EITHER! THE ONLY WHORE HERE IS YOU! YOU CHEATING SHE BITCH!”

Lisa let Lady come forward. I guess my ex woke her damn wolf up after getting her in trouble. Lady cowered and submitted to Channing. I dropped her then turned to my oldest brother who was looking at me in shock. Dad was standing by him now with wide eyes.

Grandpa raised his glass of whiskey to me. When did they get in here? Channing growled linking, “I don’t care. I WILL SHIFT AND KILL LISA FOR INSULTING MATE!” I replied, “I got that. I think our ex did too.” I wasn’t going to stop him, or try too hard to do so, since I wasn’t going to let people insult Odette.

I asked Emmett, “Why are we here?” Lisa sobbed incoherently behind me. I couldn’t be bothered to care after what she said about Odette. My mate was not a bitch or a whore. Emmett slowly answered, “It’s about the incident in school.”

I growled, “For god’s sake! I didn’t do anything so there’s no reason for me to be here. Lisa put this shit out there in front of humans. I was minding my own goddamn business!” Lisa cried, “You were looking at that girl and only her! It’s like she put a spell on you.”

I whirled around and snarled, “You hit me because I looked at Katie?! Newsflash Lisa, WE. ARE. OVER! Would you like me to take billboard out about that?” I linked Clara, “I need budgets on how much billboard ads costs.”

Clara said, “Ok. What business is it for?” I answered, “None. I want it to point AT LISA’S HOUSE, SAYING WE ARE OVER!” Clara replied, “Wow. Ok. I’ll check. Loving this though. I’m confused, but loving how good your mate is for you.”

I retorted, “No one said that.” Clara snorted, “Yeah, you didn’t need to. I’m your Beta. Feel free to confirm Katie is your mate though.” I didn’t reply. Lisa cried, “You’re kissing other people and…” I snarled, “So? You’ve been fucking other people. You even did that WHILE WE WERE TOGETHER! What the fuck does it matter if I kiss someone else?!”

Alexandria gently said, “Maybe you should take a run, Keaton.” Lisa cried, “No, don’t go. Please, Keaton. Talk to your brother because his punishment isn’t fair.” I snorted, “Talk to someone who cares. I stand by my brother and his decisions. Always.” It probably wasn’t harsh enough.

Besides, Lisa had disrespected Odette. My ex was lucky I didn’t rip her head off. Lisa cried and reached for me, but I backed away. Channing huffed, “I still want to kill her.” I knew that. Lisa sobbed, “You can’t say that, Keaton. You didn’t even hear what punishment he gave me.”

I snarked, “Did you lose your wolf hearing? I told you, I don’t care what Emmett decided. He’s the Lead Alpha, what he says goes. If I ever disagree with him, you will never know about it. We keep that in the family, which you aren’t and will never be. Are we done here?”

My cousin, Colton, laughed. Had he been in here the whole time too? He worked directly with Emmett, like the Conners worked with each other. Lisa’s sister Isla said, “God, please let us be done.” Lisa cried, “Shut up, Isla! He’s breaking my heart!” I snorted.

Isla jumped up, “NO, YOU SHUT UP! You broke Keaton’s heart a long time ago! You use everyone around you then play the victim and it’s sickening! You’re such a bitch! You don’t even like Justin! You went after him when you found out I liked him.”

“Then you kept saying you and Keaton were mates. Justin and I were growing closer again then you just LIED about being Keaton’s mate! Again. It’s like it’s all you can do now. Actually lying is all you’ve ever done. Anytime Justin starts talking to me you’re done with Keaton and you cry to Justin again. I told you I thought he might be my mate, and you still don’t care! I HATE YOU, LISA!”

Isla ran from the room crying while the whole room went silent. Channing snorted, “I don’t even find that hard to believe.” I asked, “What did Lady say?” Channing replied, “Lady didn’t know Isla liked Justin and she’s crying.” How much did Lady sleep? Damn.

Lisa’s dad asked, “Lisa, is that true?” Lisa snorted, “Sure dad, take Isla’s side. You always do.” I snorted, “What reality do you live in? Your parents always take your side over Isla’s.” Lisa’s dad gasped, “No we don’t.” I argued, “You do. I’ve witnessed it enough to confirm that as a fact.”

Lisa’s mother stood, “No one was taking sides, Lisa. Your father and I are always in your corner. Your dad logged a dispute with Alexandria for you over your punishments. You know we love you.” Lisa rolled her eyes. Channing huffed, “She’s an ungrateful brat.” I could see that.

Emmett said, “Alpha EJ Conners has offered to let you and your family stay in their pack for a while. I’m beginning to think that’s for the best.” Lisa’s mom sighed, “A break might be…” Lisa shrieked, “NO! I won’t go! I’m eighteen so you can’t make me. I belong here. I’m meant to be Lu…”

Alexandria growled, “Finish that sentence, I DARE you.” Lisa went deadly silent. Emmett sighed, “I can make you, Lisa, let’s be clear about that. Honestly, I don’t think EJ’s pack is far enough. You’re not reacting to Keaton moving on well.”

“You’re lashing out at everyone which is not healthy or productive. I got a list of therapists from Princess Luna Haley Conners. I want you and your parents to pick one you are comfortable with. We will cover the costs, but you’ve got to talk to someone.”