Page 75 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

I interjected, “Lisa, go sit down and stop making a scene.” My ex warned in a shrill tone, “Isla, this is not over. You’ll get the beating of your life at home.” Odette gasped in shock. I growled, “Now, Lisa!” My ex took off, but several teachers descended on her taking her out of the lunchroom.

I linked Isla, “That won’t happen.” Isla replied, “Lisa couldn't beat me up if her life depended on it. It’s not her style to directly do anything.” I actually knew that. I was more worried about Lisa having her friends gang up on her sister to hurt Isla.

After lunch, I walked Odette to her class. My mate was biting her lip. I asked, “Are you ok?” Odette looked up asking, “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine, just worried.” I kissed the top of her head. I whispered, “I’ll bite your lip if you don’t stop.” Channing offered, “That’s the best idea you’ve had all day.”

My mate’s jaw dropped and I took advantage until someone cleared their throat. The teacher was looking at us with amusement. Odette flushed. I said, “I’ll see you later, Katie.” My mate nodded and walked into class.

I went to my guidance counselor's office and sat down. Leon greeted, “Good afternoon, Keaton. I hear you had a date that went well.” I snorted, “The pack link is the biggest gossip of all time.” Leon agreed, “It is. It’s how everyone keeps up. I have a question, why isn’t it official that Katie is your mate?”

I stiffened, “I didn’t say she was.” Leon snorted, “The students seem to think she is.” I shrugged but didn’t say anything else. Leon cleared his throat, “Ok, let’s talk about your date.” I asked, “Why?” Leon shrugged, “I don’t mind silence, but it will be a slow way to pass the year. I figured we can talk about something you’d want to talk about. Hence the suggestion of your date.”

I smiled admitting, “It was great. I took Katie ice skating. We actually like the same kind of candy.” Leon commented, “I haven’t seen you eat candy for years.” I frowned, “Well, I bought Katie candy and she likes the same one I do. She’s a natural skater and even wanted to see me do a routine. It was nice being back on the ice.”

Leon nodded, “Yes, you were quite competitive in the sport until you turned thirteen. I remember you were quite good. You placed first in a lot of those competitions. Your mother bragged about you often.” I nodded, “Yes.” Channing huffed, “I feel he has a point lurking. His wolf is talking to me too.” Of course he was.

Leon asked, “Why did you stop?” I shrugged, “It’s….” I trailed off. Then evaded, “Katie asked the same question.” Leon pressed, “Did she?” I nodded, “She told me I was really good.” Leon said, “You are but that was never in question.”

I continued, “When we left, Katie saw the diner my dad owns. She wanted to stop there and eat. I hadn’t been there in a really long time. It was good. I’ll be taking Katie back as much as she wants. Her mom wouldn’t let her have milkshakes. So, I want her to try them as much as she wants.”

Leon nodded, “That’s nice. My mate and I love the food at that diner. Your dad takes your mom there a lot.” I acknowledged, “The whole family usually goes.” Leon frowned, “I haven’t seen you there with them in years now.”

I shrugged, “I was trying to stay in shape.” Leon asked, “Do you think your dad and brothers are out of shape?” I rebutted, “Of course not.” Leon reasoned, “With our DNA being what it is, it’s actually impossible for us to be out of shape, particularly an Alpha. Even if you didn’t train, you’d be formidable. You train more than you need to really. Over the summers it’s borderline unhealthy.”

I countered, “Alexander Conners barely leaves his gym. Well, he does more now because of his mate; however, they both spend a lot of time in the gym.” Leon conceded, “Sure, and he eats like a bear about to go into hibernation. You don’t.”

I frowned, “I was eating more when I was away this last semester.” Leon nodded, “And you look much better. You didn’t look bad before, but you’ve filled out. Don’t you think so?” I nodded, “It’s weird but I do.”

Leon frowned, “It’s not weird at all. Werewolves have a high metabolism, you know that. You’re not an exception.” I shrugged, “I’m not a full blooded Wolf though.” Leon snorted, “The Hood have a metabolism better than Wolves. You know that too.”

I shrugged, “Yes, but a partial could have differences.” Leon stared at me before asking, “Did Lisa tell you that?” I nodded, “Sure, all the time. We don’t know all there is to know about partial Hood’s. Or as Dylan calls us Holves.”

Leon challenged, “Name one partial in our pack that has a problem with their metabolism.” I immediately answered, “Me.” Leon questioned, “Did the pack doctor say that?” I shook my head, “No.” Leon asked, “Then what proof do you have of that?”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Leon added, “I think the evidence speaks to the contrary. You were in shape before you left the pack. You had muscles, but you were thin for an Alpha wolf. Now, you come back filled out exactly like an Alpha wolf. The difference in your schedule there and here was how you ate.” I sat back.

Channing linked, “He’s right. We weren’t just eating proteins and leaves. We ate carbs, proteins, leaves, fats, and desserts.” I said out loud, “Well, I guess I’ve been eating like I did since I’ve been back.” Leon told me, “I want to see you keep doing that. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. If I see you start to slim down again, I’ll be taking notice.” Uh what?

Leon continued, “We will talk about it too. If I have to, I’ll go to the Alpha. What you were doing, now that I have a fuller picture from speaking to you, was not healthy for an Alpha wolf. I thought so before, but I figured you were eating more at your home than I saw at the pack house. I definitely didn’t know your ex-girlfriend was fueling those thoughts.”

I shot back, “You said what we talk about stays here.” Leon countered, “I said as long as you are not in danger. An eating disorder is dangerous.” I growled, “I didn’t have an eating disorder.” Leon sat back disagreeing, “You seem to have had body dysmorphia and an eating disorder. You were eating, but not enough.” I stared at him.

Leon sighed, “Ok, if Allison was working out day and night only eating enough to keep up her tone. What would you say to her?” I frowned instantly replying, “I’d tell her to eat more and want to know why she wasn’t.”

Leon nodded, “And if she said TJ told her that her body had put on weight you would…” I roared, “He wouldn’t DARE!” Leon agreed, “No, he wouldn’t because TJ is her mate and he loves her. Allison needs to eat, and honestly until recently it sounds like she ate more than you.”

Leon observed, “You did this very stealthily for your family not to catch on. I won’t tell your family or the Alpha. You might want to talk to them though. Unless the pattern picks back up, I have no reason to. I won’t let you starve yourself or your wolf.”

I instantly stilled then asked, “Channing is ok, right?” Leon urged, “Ask him, Keaton. I’m sure he’s fine. You’ve noticed he’s stronger though, right?” I nodded, “My wolf started feeling better when we were away. We’ve both felt more confident.”

Leon concluded, “Then your wolf is fine. I’m sure he didn’t even notice. Or he thought it was because you were younger. Channing would’ve told you if he knew you were weakening you both. Like I said, it’s not like you weren’t eating. You just weren’t eating enough for your body chemistry. Now that you are, you’re coming into your own.” The bell rang.

Leon declared, “I think this was great progress.” I shrugged, “I guess. I didn’t think I had body issues before I sat down today.” Leon argued, “That’s not true. You didn’t like how you looked, and you knew that.” I acknowledged, “I guess that’s true.”

I was in a daze the rest of the day. Did I really let it get that bad? I asked Channing, “Are you ok? Did I hurt you?” Channing immediately answered, “No, I was never hurt. I won’t deny I felt better when we left and started eating more, but if I knew I would’ve told you.”

It still felt like I hurt him. Channing growled, “That’s not true. We were still fast, strong, and could do everything Alpha’s do. We protected the pack from attacks. We could spar and fight and best most everyone here. We just weren’t filled out yet. We were still eating a lot, just not enough. Now we know.”

I apologized, “I’m so sorry, Channing. I’ve been holding you back.” Channing scoffed, “Nonsense. We were still one of the strongest and fastest Wolves in the pack. You didn’t hold me back, because now we have more meat on us in wolf and human form. Please, don’t feel bad Keaton. Mate is worried.”