“Are you seriously asking me that right now? Like a real question?” “Sure, what do you think?”
“That you’re insane. From what everyone says, you have been beast moding it out of necessity since forever. You didn’t have to get stronger, that’s what you chose. Many people in that situation would have caved into the depression and wasted away. Not you, Midge. You just keep blowing everyone out of the water. That’s the kind of competition you are to Kaley. You are hot and strong and can defend yourself. You aren’t waiting to be saved. But, you are also a good leader, you listen and try your best to help. All things I don’t think she is even capable of.”
I think that is the most words I have heard out of his mouth, ever, that didn’t have to do with programming or surveillance. And I am speechless.
“That’s new. I don’t think you’ve ever not had a come back or answer to something. It’s all true though. You walked into this pack, covered in blood, fresh from a fight, after disappearing..” He gives me a look. “I do want that whole story, by the way. And just started giving orders like you weren’t gone for two years and you own the place. Even your Alpha and Luna just took direction from you. That’s impressive.”
I rolled my eyes again, and then deflected. “When are you done? I want to show this to Elena and Gentry and see what they think about this and the pentagram, cause I have a feeling we don’t stand a chance against Mike, let alone the Rogue King, with that thing actively working against us.”
“Lil is on next, then Jena. I don’t trust anyone but us in here right now. So it’s just the four of us running overwatch.” I nod my head in agreement.
“Did you check this office for secret little bundles of herbs?” I smiled at him.
“Of course I did. There wasn’t anything here and that makes me think that whoever is setting them is very limited in their thinking. They didn’t target the Luna, only the Alpha, probably assuming that he would control everyone. All these little things are to try and control you, but no one is coming after you directly, not yet anyway.”
“I guess I never really thought of that. But why would they want to control me? I’m nobody to most people here.”
“I really want to hit you right now, but I like having all of my teeth.”
“Why are we hitting Midge?” Lil asks, walking into the room.
“Because she thinks she’s ‘nobody to most people in this pack.”” He air quotes at her.
“Yep, smack her.”
“Not a chance, I like living and having the use of all my fingers. Do you remember the guy in Arizona who tried to touch her ass? His hand will never be right again.” He looks terrified and Lil is openly laughing. “That guy had it coming. Nasty p*dophile deserved it thinking he could take her on ’cause of her size.”
“Still in the room, assholes. Let’s go find Gentry and Elena and ask about the shimmers on your screen.”
“Is there something I need to know Nathaniel? I mean it’s okay if you’re into glitter and rhinestones. I just need to rethink what I’m going to get you for your birthday.” She laughs.
“Possibly, but we have more important things to do right now than discuss your nonexistent birthday shopping habits.”
She keeps laughing for a second, then scooches him out of the chair. “Alright, tell me what you really found? A way to end this whole sh*tshow maybe?”
“Not quite, but hopefully to even out the battlefield.” I start telling her what we have noticed, letting Nathaniel answer her questions.
“Yeah, let’s bring in the big guns… Big casters… They need a nickname. And you’re right we need to be able to do a magic sweep, this sh*t is getting old. Go see what Gentry has found after your revelations this morning. I’ll be here spying on Kaley, because at this point I really don’t give a sh*t about anyone else.”
Nathaniel and I walk out laughing at her, saying we’ll be back soon.
“Ah, good. I was hoping to find you together. Elena is waiting for us.” Gentry walks down the hallway, through the kitchen and onto the patio, then turns towards the ever burning fire pit. What I don’t expect is Nikolas and my dad sitting there too. What is he doing here? He’s never around, at least not when I am. My confusion must show on my face.
“Don’t look like that. I hate it when you look at me like that.” He says and I all but combust.
“Umm…I try not to look at you at all. It used to get me smacked and sent to my room or yelled at. It for sure would have cost me a meal. What are you doing here? Are you lost?” Yep, my filter has been inhabited by Sierra, Jena and Lill all at the same time today. Like all three have possessed my vocal chords.
Elena whips her head towards him, while Nathaniel moves to my side, standing shoulder to shoulder. “You never said you laid a hand on her! How could you do that?! You starved her?” Why does it sound like she is taking this personally?
“It’s…hard to explain.”
“Oh for f*ck’s sake. It’s not.” I grumble. “My mom died giving birth to me since no one thought to explain the whole ‘having a girl might kill you’ family trait. You hated me for killing your mate. I knew it, the whole pack knew it. You encouraged people to ignore me and for my training and discipline to be more intense for that very reason. I was not important enough to be spoken to unless it was to criticize. I only attended functions where it was general knowledge that you had two children, and I wasn’t allowed to speak or interact. Should I go on?”
Elena stood up and came to hug me. I was a little frozen at the gesture, her fiery locks swarming me. “Well that is something we will have to work out. And I plan on revisiting this abuse.” She turns her head, I assume looking at my dad.
“Why does this matter at all? I really don’t want to talk about any of that. We’re supposed to work out this pentagram thing.”
“It does matter since we will all be a part of it. All of the mates will.”
I think my brain short-circuited. “What do you mean ‘all of the mates will?’ And what does that have to do with the Beta?” I don’t know if I have ever called him ‘dad’ or any variation of that out loud. “Because Daniel is my mate.” She says calmly, not letting go of me.
I can feel the color drain from my face along with the rest of the feeling in my body. Then I hear a bang and loud thumping then two arms are wrapped around me, pressing me up against a hard chest and keeping me up right.
“What the hell did you do to her?” Oliver snarls. It’s the only thing I can clearly hear, every other voice sounds like it’s underwater.
More stomping and then I feel warmth in both of my hands.
“Tiny what happened?”
“Breathe, Smalls. We need you to breathe.”
