Page 22 of Bitter Discord

“That wasn’t the first, either. When you brought down the Russian pack, werecats from Siberia to South Africa were calling Mischa, Jabari, and me… mostly me. They all wanted to know if this was a change in the family’s position on fighting with the werewolves. Every one of us had to explain that the pack had taken your human family hostage, thanks to something your idiot twin did.” Zuri scoffed.

“Consider it further. One of the reasons Lani felt so betrayed by you and ran off to help the assholes who wanted to overthrow father? You lied to her for six years. You came out to the world and told no one who Changed you. Looking back, I bet they had the impression you wanted to avoid responsibility. Then we threw it on you and had to save you from it. They called and offered their loyalty because they didn’t want the rest of us to kill them.”

“I see,” I mumbled. “Accept the young one who doesn’t really want it. Bother her family. They’re still the important ones.”

“Exactly.”

“So, I don’t get to cancel.”

“Nope. This might be a bad time. The family is having… internal issues. Mischa hates you. Father wants you and Heath to fall apart and the pack to leave. Jabari is getting to know a new son, and I have a baby under the age of two. Davor is depressed and potentially suicidal if I’ve learned anything in the last several months from Jabari. Niko’s son is a werewolf…” I could hear her teeth grinding. “But we have a responsibility to the werecats of the world to be there for them. Jabari and I are going public with our witch heritage. We might as well do that with you as well. You’re the first sibling I ever told.”

“And Jabari?”

“Hated doing his magic so much, he tried to convince Mother or me to train Makalo instead. He didn’t want to tell hisson,so why would he tell anyone else? He’s warming up to it now because it’s one thing he shares with Makalo that no one can take away from him.” Zuri’s smile was sweet. “That boy is so good for him.”

“Anything else you want to talk about?”

“I just got off a long plane ride, and you dropped Dirk on my head. If it’s not everything, it’s all I can think about right now.” Zuri sank in the seat, looking very unprofessional. “Tell me, little sister, is Dirk happy as a werewolf?”

I thought of the day he Changed and the long weeks after. I remembered all the things he said about Niko, Changing into a werecat, and supernaturals in general. Even the education he received growing up was something to take into consideration.

I saw him holding hands with Landon at Carey’s birthday party.

“He’s adjusting to being a werewolf, which is something I don’t think you would understand since you were born a werecat,” I said carefully. Zuri nodded, not showing any offense. “Adjusting is hard. I wouldn’t say he’s happy being a werewolf right now, but I think if we give him time and support, he’ll thrive. He did say… he was okay with it. He never wanted to be a werecat. Werewolf seemed better to him, even if it wasn’t his plan.”

“Well, that’s better than nothing.”

Zuri and I were mostly silent for the rest of the drive. I sent a text to Heath, telling him Dirk was safe for now. He didn’t reply, but I knew Dirk would beat Zuri and me there. When Kick Shot came into view, his truck was already there, beside Landon’s. Seeing those trucks reminded me that Zuri still didn’t know about Dirk and Landon.

“You didn’t care to hear, but I really should tell you who Dirk is seeing,” I said as I turned into the parking lot.

“Is it Carey? She’s a minor. Niko will kill him…Iwill kill him.”

“He would already be dead,” I said, wondering howthatended up as her conclusion. “No, it’s not Carey. Are you serious?”

“Then who could it be that would surprise anyone?” Zuri asked in return.

I hit the brakes before reaching my designated parking spot.

“He’s seeing Landon Everson. They live together.”

Her expression made me laugh.

9

CHAPTER NINE

My sister didn’t speak again until I pulled the keys from the ignition after pulling into my parking spot at Kick Shot. It had an Owner sign and everything.

“No,” was all she could say.

“Yeah.” I nodded, not getting out as she processed this.

“Another Everson?” she said, looking out the front window, shellshocked. “No, not another Everson.”

“You asked if it was Carey, and Landon is the surprise?”

“I didn’t know Dirk was interested in men,” she said, looking at me finally. “Or… Landon? I’ve been in the same room as Landon Everson. He…”

---