SWNOVELS Chapter 16 ~ Is Derek in on it!?
All the way to the room, Angel argued over taking all my stuff.. and by All my stuff, that referred to my bottom drawer.. where all my pretty underwear and sleepwear is! And, I want Kendrick to see me in it.. but I know I am barely holding myself back from humping his leg.. so, I know it’s more difficult for him!
I start packing my clothes, when Ella and Anna knock, asking if I could use some help.. I nodded and Kendrick kissed my forehead, saying he would be with the guys. I nod, and turn back to finish up. Ella tells me quietly “I am going to miss you!” I hugged them both and said “I’m less than an hour away on paws.. but, this pack and Harvest Moon share a border. It’s the lake..and we can meet whenever you want.okay?” They both nod..at the same time..in the same way…. And that’s shit’s just creepy!
It took a little over an hour to pack my stuff up. I hadn’t unpacked my art supplies so that was just carrying boxes outside. The guys were waiting by the door, when I came downstairs and they clung to me… I hugged them both tightly and said “I will tell you, like I told the girls.. I am less than an hour away. And we can meet at the lake. If you need me just echo.. I will come running! I love you.. don’t you dare make me cry! We have been apart before. We are still..and always will be… The Three Musketeers!”
Kendrick had loaded everything as I spoke to my guys. He came up behind me, before clasping forearms with, first, Alexander..and then Baron “ I will look after her. I love her as much as you both do! I won’t hesitate to call you for help, if needs be.. I will do you one better! We will FaceTime every night, by nine.. If we miss that call.. then come running… because something will be up!”
I smiled at how thoughtful he was being of my twin. Then it dawned on me he just committed to a definite time.. every day! I’m going to have to set an alarm.. I have a lousy sense of timing, anyway! And if I become engrossed in my art..then time has no meaning. Crap!
Once in the truck, Kendrick asked if I was okay. I smiled “I am okay… I will be okay. It feels….hollow!? I think that fits. Not empty, but hollowed out. I know my parents adore me. And I know they believe, in their heart of hearts, they were protecting me. I am ill-prepared now. I would have known my enemy. Instead of protecting me, they have left me vulnerable. And I don’t DO vulnerable, with anyone but you! And that’s where I am struggling. Well, that and knowing my parents have lied to me, essentially, my whole life!”
He pulled me into his arms..and whispered “Don’t judge your parents too harshly. They have lived every day, since you were rescued, praying it never happened again. You grew up happy and carefree…and they lived under a cloud! That’s not to say you have no right to be pissed! You have every right. I just don’t want you to let it eat at you”
I smile “I have already forgiven them. This is to make them see me, as an adult. This is about them treating Alex like a boy..and not the Alpha he is! My parents believe they are still protecting us by not giving us any real information… treating us like we’re still just their children!”
We arrived at the pack house a short while later. A man ran up to Kendrick, halting us.. Kendrick says “Derek? What’s going on? Why are you here?” The guy was catching his breath a minute, when he spoke, I don’t think it was what Kendrick expected the news.. “My sister.. My sister..is she here? She went against Alpha Command and said she was going to kill your mate.”
Oh Goody! Another player for the Russian Roulette game my life has become! So, I ask “Dude..who’s your sister?” He looks at me.. his eyes get wide..and he says “ Amber.. Luna” I look at Kendrick “ Is she dumber than you thought? Because…that girl coming at me, right now.. in This mood…would not bode well for her health!”
Then Derek tells us “She should’ve been here. She left three days ago. I haven’t found trace of her from about fifty miles east.” Kendrick looks at him “So, you came looking..why? She wouldn’t have returned home from here. For all we know, she hooked up with some wannabe Alpha and ran off with him”
Derek tries arguing saying he’s worried she’s in trouble.. and Kendrick mutters “Trouble there..or trouble here.. same difference.” I touch his arm to calm him a little bit. I ask “Derek.. I believe you have a story to tell. Let’s get you inside and cleaned up.. then, we will sit and have a nice dinner while you tell your tale.”
As I am walking him through the door, I hear Jaxson ask “What just happened “ to which Kendrick replied “I’m not really sure.. but I think we’re having a dinner party!” Men!
I lead Derek inside and ask Jake to show him a room, and get him some clothes. Kendrick wraps his arms around me and grins “You can’t Not help, can you!? It’s adorable.. you like to fix people.” I snort at him “I’m not fixing that fool! We need to know what Amber is really up to. That girl was never going to try and kill me. She might break a nail or pop a boob, or something!”
Trying not to laugh at my little rant, he asks “So…you think she broke Alpha commands for someone else? That would make sense!” I nod…”I don’t believe in coincidences.. stupid things keep happening around me.. and someone is pulling the strings!” Jaxson agees “That’s actually pretty smart.. the question now is ‘Is Derek in on it!?”