I’d even picked out a spot for a new King’s diner in Red Run. I just needed them to come with me. Without Hendrick and Mason… without my friends… I don’t know what would’ve happened to me here. These people believed in me. I had to stand up for what was right.
People were whispering, “There’s the family killer.” I didn’t let them see my hurt and despair over their words. Trevor whispered, “Even her own brother doesn't want her. Why do we have to have her here?” I’d tried to leave and go to college but they didn’t let me so that was on them.
One snickered, “I asked the Alpha if she could clean the sixth floor in the pack house tomorrow. We wrecked it. Let’s see how the do-gooder slave feels after that.” I yawned, “Just fine. I can clean all day long. You know that. You’re wrecking the floor routine is getting old and tired. Pick a new line, guys.”
Mason brought out my burger and growled at them. They went back to glaring and talking quieter. I could still hear them. Everyone here who wasn’t human could. Jerks. I hated it here, I really did. Slaves weren’t allowed but they called me one still. It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
I heard the bell ring indicating someone else walked in, but I was working on an old idea trying to map it all out. I wanted to give all supernatural’s a special antidote that would counteract silver, iron, and other things. I almost had that equation worked out.
I felt the booth I was in move. I glanced up startled then quickly shut my notebook, “Uhh Mic... M. Let’s just go with M. No one around needs your name… that’s not a thing peopleneed. So umm... you’re here. I did not expect you here...Why are you here? Where’s Ca… I mean C? What’s going on? Did everything not go ok? Oh gosh... Did C get hurt?”
Virgil said everything went fine, but the thought of getting the men that were supposed to be in my family hurt made me panic. Micah snorted, “Everything went perfectly fine. C did not get hurt. I’m actually here because C got you something.” I frowned, “Me? Why would he do that?”
Micah answered, “Because we do things for people. We saw that you have something glaring we could fix, and as you did a phenomenal job, beyond all our expectations, we have something for you.” I replied, “You didn’t need to do that. I don’t really need things…”
Someone coughed, “Family killers don’t deserve nice things.” My eyes dropped. Micah stood and walked over to the table. He crossed his arms saying, “I’m sorry. Did you have something to say? Or were you going to continue to pussy foot around it pretending you’re a big tough guy picking on someone whose family died tragically?” My jaw dropped.
He added, “I sure do hope nothing happens to your family. One never knows who could be lurking around the shadows. I’d hope everyone would be nice to you if someone were to break into your home and kill everyone except you. That is definitely something that I hope for you.” He slapped the guy's cheek twice lightly and let his eyes blaze gold briefly.
Micah came back to sit down across from me. Before his butt hit the booth cushion the pack members had scurried out of the diner, including Trevor who shot me an angry look, but I didn’t really care. He wasn’t scary because he never trained. He was just an angry hateful guy, and he hated me probably more than was rational. I’d never done anything to him.
Micah pulled my attention back, “Anyway. This is for you.” He took out a backpack, both light and dark purple blendedtogether and handed it to me. Tears welled in my eyes. The last time someone bought me a backpack was when my mom and I went shopping for school. My dad even came the last time before… for high school. Tears filled my eyes, and I couldn’t stop them from falling.
It was such a simple gesture, but it reminded me of being cared for. Of being home. I missed it so much. My heart ached at not being home. I’d gotten physically ill from how homesick I’d gotten. I didn’t understand why Beta Jason was doing this to me. He knew how I got if I was away too long.
Micah spoke, “If you don’t like it….” I shook my head shouting, “NO! I love it. It's perfect. Thank you!” I got up and hugged him on his side of the booth. I walked back over to my side. Micah asked, “Why didn’t you buy a new backpack? That one is on it’s... no, it’s past its final leg. It needs to be retired.”
I shrugged, “My money goes to more important things.” Like saving for the headquarters and my experiments. My heart tugged as I remembered my Grandpa Ben called them tinkering’s. He said I liked to tinker. Like “Tinkerbell” from the human storyPeter Pan.
Micah nodded, “I’ve got to get going. Are you going to be ok?” I shrugged noncommittally. Micah reached across the booth and took my hand, “Call or text me if you need help. I’ll come with Cay… C… or some other backup.”
I whispered, “Thanks M.” Micah laughed, “You’re welcome.” He clearly didn’t know why he felt so compelled to help me, but I did. I was his sister in law. It was also probably why they felt the need to get me a gift.
When he left I quickly checked out my new backpack. It was really nice. I transferred all my stuff over to it. Mason came out and sat down. He offered, “So, they seem nice.” I nodded agreeing, “They are.” Mason snorted, “You know howthey behave towards you is not unlike I’ve seen other mates of siblings behave. They had an instant connection to you.”
I told him, “They are my Xander’s siblings’ mates.” Mason nodded, “I know who they are, I’m just saying you could be right. Your Xander could be your mate.” I frowned, “I am right.” He laughed, “I’m beginning to think you are.” I sighed because no one understood.
They thought I was a pup with a crush, but Xander WAS mine and I was his. I just knew. I always had. I knew it was strange, but I did know. Mason walked away. I smiled at my backpack. I couldn’t throw the old one away though.
I’d keep at Mason and Hendrick’s house or someone would ruin it. I touched the backpack my parents had bought me. I couldn’t get rid of it, but I could use a new backpack. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply then got back to my notebook.
Before I knew it the next problem was on me. Bounty Hunters. AGAIN. This time I was leaving them a clearer message. I grumbled, “Not that they listen to my messages.” I left a message in BOLD, red letters to leave Xander alone. Ok, I put Alpha Duke Alexander but still. They would only guess at who I meant if I put Xander.
The message was at their main hub where they gathered to get assignments. The warning came with multiple heads on pikes. They’d think it was the Hackura, and if the Hackura knew they were headquartered here they might just give me a second with their taking bounties on Xander deal.
I was about to leave when I decided to spy on the meeting. What’s the harm? I moved closer and heard them groan, “Is that girl not dead yet?” Who me? Well, that was prideful. They didn’tknow me, so it definitely wasn’t me. They didn’t know I was a girl. Or the one leaving them messages because I was that good. That was a prideful thought too.
Someone snorted, “Where is the last group that went after the Demon/Angel girl? Do we have a name?” One guy stood, “I’ll take her out, that’s too much money to pass out. Where is she?” Seriously? He wanted someone to do his job?
The man with the assignment answered, “She’s in Arizona.” He put up the coordinates up on a screen. We had a safe house near there. It was where I’d put Kingsley a few weeks ago. I left and went through our holoports.
I found the place she was staying easily enough. I called, “Umm, hello? We need to go because there’s a Bounty Hunter who will shimmer in at any time and…” I trailed off when the shimmer started. I groaned, “Great. He’s here. Ok, just stay where you are, and I’ll kill him first.”
The man appeared and he stared at me. He said, “You’re not a hybrid.” I answered, “I mean… no. So that’s an odd statement.” He frowned, “Do you live here?” I snorted, “No… who could live here? It’s a decrepit old shack. Seriously, this is not an inhabitable building.”
He cut me off saying, “Leave wolf, I have business here.” I sighed, “So, that’s a problem. I’m just going to give you the one chance to leave. Which is SUPER nice on my part so…” He rolled his eyes and drew on his power.
I pulled my dagger from my shoe and stabbed him in the heart, twisting it. He gasped, “Why?” I answered, “You came here to kill someone who didn’t deserve it. I gave you a chance to leave. It was all very fair.” He scoffed, “You’re no Fairy.” I agreed, “I know that. Obviously.”
