Page 77 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Stephan paused then admitted, “I didn’t know you thought I quit, I just didn’t think you cared about anything involving me. Lisa is the one you care about. Isla and I have always known that. You’re incapable of staying mad at her, even when she does awful shit like threatening our baby sister. You don’t even punish Lisa because she cries. At least now, I can watch Isla in the pack house. Let’s go, Isla.” They left.

Isla’s dad asked Lisa, “Why would you tell us Stephen quit soccer?” Lisa shrugged, “His games were boring.” They gaped at her. Their mom cried, “They don’t think we love them.” Lisa started crying, “You’ve always loved them more than me.” She stood up and ran out.

Emmett said, “Oh no, by all means. Go. We were done talking. Mr. and Mrs. Kipner, please educate your daughter on pack rules. I’m tired of seeing her disrespectful, hateful self.” They both nodded and left, while Isla’s mom continued wiping away tears.

Emmett told me, “Mom is going to talk to them since Alexandria is helping with Isla’s move.” I nodded. My oldest brother asked me, “Can you talk to your girlfriend?” I asked, “About?” Channing growled, “Mate.” I reasoned, “Our brother doesn’t know that.”

Emmett sighed, “I don’t know, just tell her we have a system.” I told him, “Katie’s a Supernatural, but I don’t know what kind nor does she. Her mom has kept her in the dark. I can’t really break the ice about Supernatural’s just yet. Especially when I don’t know what she is.”

Emmett groaned, “That’s true.” He ran his hands over his face. Emmett sighed, “Lisa makes me feel like a terrible Alpha. Isla’s been worried her sister is going to hurt her in her sleep.” I told him, “We have hundreds of pack members, Emmett. You’re leading without us to help oversee everything.”

I paused then added, “Plus, I’m pretty sure everything Lisa is my fault. She was my girlfriend, and nobody wanted to talk about her because it always led to a fight.” Emmett frowned, “No, I’m the Lead Alpha. I should’ve done better. I will do better.”

I asked, “Where’s Colton?” Emmett snorted, “He wanted to tear Lisa’s throat out, so I told him I’d handle it.” That might not be my cousin’s worst idea. I told my brother, “You’re a great Alpha and so is Colton.” I walked over and gave him a hug.

I linked my big brother, “Lisa already had one of us questioning everything about themselves. Don’t let her do it to you too.” Emmett pulled back asking, “What do you mean?” I sighed, “One day we can talk about it. I’m honestly processing it all. Talking to Leon has made me realize some things.”

Emmett frowned, “You’ve met with Leon twice and already have things to think about?” I nodded, “A lot actually.” Emmett offered, “Well, whenever you want to talk; I’m here.” Channing linked me, “Talk to him, dad, and Keith. I don’t think we will backslide, but they can help us.”

I argued with my wolf, “That makes us look weak.” Channing retorted, “Yeah, that’s a lie. Haley always says asking for help is good.” Aunt Haley did always say that. She’d told me Eric had gotten help and I knew he was tough as nails.

I sighed and sat down, “Call dad in here, Emmett.” Emmett frowned and sat back down. Keith remained seated by me. Dad walked in instantly concerned. I looked down at the floor. Emmett asked, “Keaton, what’s going on?”

I sighed, “Just let me say it all at once.” Dad agreed, “Of course, son. Tell us what’s going on.” I put my hands over my face, “I didn’t even realize I had a problem. It…” I trailed off then groaned, “God, this is harder than I thought it would be. This is such a chick problem.”

Dad responded, “I assume you mean a woman problem and not a chicken.” I snorted, “Yes.” Keith urged, “Just get it out, little brother.” I explained, “I was eating, it’s not like I wasn’t. I just….” I trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Keith surmised, “You ate like me when we left though. Oh, son of a bitch!” He paused for a moment. “You were only eating protein all the time? I thought…” Dad interrupted, “Keaton, what are you saying?” I sighed, “I was just trying to stay fit and in shape. I thought I had an issue with my metabolism being a partial Wolf / Hood mix. Like Keith said, when we were away, I ate like he did.”

Emmett gritted his teeth, “And you came back filled out. Son of a bitch! How did I not see that?” I reasoned, “I didn’t want you to, and I wasn’t here a lot. I was with…” Keith snarled, “LISA! She fucking told you that you needed to eat that way?”

I rubbed my face, “Not exactly. Ultimately, it’s on me. None of the other partial Hoods have a bad metabolism, I should’ve known better. I don’t want to get back to that. So, I would rather have more than Leon watching out for me and Channing. You guys see me more than Leon, so you’d notice faster. I don’t want to hurt Channing.”

Channing linked me, “Channing was just fine.” Emmett told me, “Lightning said Channing insists he was, and is, fine. He’s just bulkier in wolf form.” Keith answered through a clenched jaw, “He is.” Dad told me, “That’s not a woman problem, son. That’s a very sexist and misogynistic way to categorize it.” He might be right.

Emmett snorted, “I doubt those are really his words or thoughts, dad.” I wanted to argue, but he was probably right. Channing agreed, “Lightning is right.” Dad apologized, “I’m so sorry I didn’t see you were going through this, Keaton. We will keep an eye out. We love you.” I hugged him, “Love you too, old man.” I sped out of the room and into mine.

Keith opened my door. I wryly commented, “By all means come in.” Keith snorted, “I will. You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about with us, Keaton.” I shrugged which had my twin punching me in the shoulder,

Keith insisted, “I mean it, I should’ve said more.” I told him, “You told me to eat more all the time, Keith.” My twin scoffed, “Yeah, but I didn’t think anything about it!” I told him, “I didn’t either. I thought eating disorders meant not eating or throwing up what you did eat. I hated my body and the fact that I didn’t look like other Alpha’s. I just didn’t realize that it was any kind of issue.”

Keith frowned, “I’m sorry, Keaton.” I told him, “It’s not your fault I was always with Lisa.” Keith growled, “Emmett said I couldn’t punch her.” I laughed, “You’d knock her out.” Keith snarled, “If only she went to training, then I’d get her on the mats.”

I told him, “My ex wouldn’t be in any class you would be in even if she did go. You’re worlds above her skills.” Keith sighed, “I hate her.” I admitted, “I think I do too.” Keith snorted and laid down on my bed with me.

We both fell asleep. I snorted when I woke up, “We haven’t shared a room since we were little.” Keith shrugged, “Sometimes you gotta twin it up.” I laughed, “I don’t think that’s a thing.” I got ready and picked Odette up for school.

My mate sighed in relief when she saw me. I asked, “Are you ok?” Odette nodded, “Yes, I’m fine. I just thought you were coming by and….” I groaned cutting her off, “Shit!” My mate said, “It’s fine. You didn’t have to, I was a little worried. It’s fine.”

I disagreed, “No, I had a family thing and Keith and I fell asleep in my room. I’m sorry.” Odette assured me, “It’s ok.” I insisted, “It’s not. I should’ve texted you, I’m sorry. You know, you can text me too.” My mate shrugged, “I thought about it, but it seemed crazy and fast.” I frowned assuring her, “It’s not. I promise.”

Channing growled, “I will kill her mom.” I agreed, “We can, stealthily.” Channing snorted, “That’s our specialty.” Yes, it was. Odette nodded and we drove to school. When we got out something made me tense, even Channing was on alert.

Odette asked, “Are you ok?” I nodded, “Something just feels off in the air.” Odette whispered, “Yeah, it does seem that way.” Damn. My mate felt it too. Most of the school was tense all day. After lunch I told Odette, “I’ll see you after school.”

Odette laughed, “Don’t you have practice?” I amended, “Ok, I’ll see you after practice since you’re not working today.” Odette teased, “Stalker!” I snorted, “Immy told me so it’s hardly stalking. She might be your stalker though.”

Odette sighed, “I have so many.” I growled, “What?” My mate rolled her eyes, “It’s silly. Go to class.” Channing snarled, “STALKERS?!” I replied, “You know what I do. Obviously her ex is one, but we can be ready for him.” Channing demanded, “Find the plural part of that statement AND KILL THEM!” I agreed, “We will.” I made it to my class as the bell rang.