“It’s normal for your wolf to try and create a bond with me, you’re a high ranking male. But as you know, I have no wolf for your’s to bond with. And I have no interest in creating a human one with you. So-”

“Wait no, that’s not-”

I raised a brow, “There’s no need to be embarrassed. I knew this would happen eventually. Just give me your wolf’s name, so I can deny the bond.”

As I waited for Otis to give me his wolf’s name, he stared back at me in a mix of horror and shock.“I-I don’t think I ever realized how confident you were.”

“I’m only speaking the truth. Now, your wolf’s name.” I furrowed my brow in confusion as he exploded into laughter.

Wiping the corner of his eye, he responded, “Oh Moon. I really needed that. Thanks, Kai.”

I just stared at him. I think he finally snapped, all the stress of being an Alpha finally caught up to him.

“Neither me nor my wolf have formed a bond to you, Kai. And we never will.” He was still chuckling softly as he explained, “That would be uncomfortable and to be honest...terrifying.”

I flashed a fang in annoyance at the way he said it. He made it sound like being mated to me would be devastating. Just because he was my Alpha didn’t mean I wouldn’t toss his ass off my porch. I could do it, it wouldn’t kill him or cause serious harm. It was a very fine grey area but he was tempting me to enter it.

Seeing the growing aggression on my face, he quickly went on, “Only because I see you as a little sister. A murdering, lock your bedroom door, hide the knives, kind of little sister.”

The snarl faded from my face as I searched his, “Sister?”

“Uh, yea. Ever since the day you came to us...like you did,” His eyes quickly glanced down to my scarred throat, “I’ve always tried to make sure your as happy as you can be here. My wolf feels connected to you, he considers you apart of our inner pack.”

A lump suddenly formed in the back of my throat as his words registered in my mind. I turned my head to sweep over the forest around us, desperately trying to ignore the warmth I felt inside my chest. A light sniff at the air told me he wasn’t lying and the tightness in my throat grew.

A shifters inner pack was very intimate because their wolves were the ones who picked who was allowed into the inner pack. It was normally just their mate and immediate family with a close friend or two thrown in. To be in one was an honor, because it meant that the shifters wolf trusted you completely. I’d never thought I’d be in one.

“Your like family to us, Kai. I thought you knew that.” Otis’s words came out gentle like he was trying not to startle me.

A strange pressing sensation started up in my chest and my skin felt unnaturally tight. It was abnormal and I wanted it gone. Now. Looking back at Otis, I went to speak but nothing came out. Clearing my throat, I tried again, “You said you needed to tell me things. Let’s go inside, my oatmeal’s getting cold.”

Twisting on my heel, I walked away from him to reopen my front door and rush back into the kitchen. On the way, I physically shook my head free of all the uncomfortable feelings and thoughts that the conversation with Otis brought up. I didn’t like those types of emotions. They made everything complicated and I didn’t know how to process them. Everything was much easier when I dealt with only anger, annoyance and general disinterest when dealing with others.

Rounding the island, I headed straight for the microwave and pulled out my bowl of oatmeal. Ignoring Otis for a moment, I grabbed the spoon off the counter and leaned a hip against the sink as I dug in. The oatmeal was lukewarm but still tasted delicious on an empty stomach. As I shoveled another spoonful into my mouth I looked up at Otis, who was standing on the other side watching me with a sorrowful look.

Narrowing my eyes, I snapped, “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Then tell me what you came to say, so you can leave.” I didn’t want him here any longer than he needed to be. His sandalwood scent always lingered in a musky unpleasant way, it irritated my extremely sensitive nose. I could only handle light or fresh citrus like scents in my home because there was no wind to carry away the heavier scents like out in the forest.

He hesitated before moving closer to the island, “Well, let’s start off with the easier of the two topics. I-uh, know about you and Jasper. He told me after we finished the meeting.”

“And what do you know?” I asked, while taking another bite.

“You know,” He cleared his throat before squaring his shoulders, “He told me that you two have a sexual history and I want to make sure that it doesn’t restart.” Huh. Not exactly, what I was expecting.

“Why?” I replied, dropping my spoon into the bowl and putting it to the side. Pushing off the counter with my hip, I moved to lean over the island towards him. I had no intentions of ever sleeping with Jasper again, but I wanted to know why that was any of his business.

Otis jabbed his finger down on the tabletop harshly, “Because Kai, you two sleeping together is going to hurt people and cause an utter shit storm. The pack doesn’t need that, especially not now.”

Keeping my expression blank, I scanned his face and hid the confusion I felt at his words. Hurt people? How could me and Jasper sleeping together hurt people? The most confusing thing about it all, was how angry Otis seemed to be about it. He wasn’t the type of alpha to over involve himself in his pack members lives. The only time he did was when they wanted him to or when it was necessary.

I stood up in alarm when his last sentence finally registered,“What’s going on with the pack?”

He sighed, hanging his head for a moment before answering, “I know you won’t appreciate anything but the blunt truth so here it is,” He looked up, piercing me with his light green eyes, “While you were away the pack has been receiving threatening notes about one member in particular.”

“What do you mean notes? What pack member and why wasn’t I told? Son of a bitch, you should have informed me the moment the first one arrived. No, the instant I arrived, that should have been the first thing you said. How long has this been going on?”

“Kai, calm down. They’re only notes and they started arriving the week after you left. We’ve gotten three so far and I didn’t tell you because the pack member wasn’t in any danger at the time.”

“Only three so far,” I snarled, the harsh sound filling the room, “It is my job to protect this pack from every possible threat. Even if that means protecting the pack from you. And it’s starting to look like I might have to.”

His eyes swirled black, showing his wolf didn’t take kindly to me questioning his leadership, “Watch yourself, Kai. I would never harm my own pack, it’s unthinkable.”

“No? Because that’s exactly what your doing. A pack member is in danger and you’ve kept their Omicron away. That’s what’s unthinkable, Alpha.” I paused watching as he fought for control, “Who’s the pack member?”

“I was keeping them safe by keeping you away from the pack.” He grunted, rolling his shoulders back as his eyes finally returned to their original color only slightly darker.

I bared my fangs and growled lowly, “Who is it?”

“You don’t understand, it was for their own go-”

“Do not make me ask again.”

There was a pack member out there afraid and in need of my help. Fury raced through my veins at the thought, no one under my protection should ever be afraid. My claws shifted and pushed slowly out of my nail beds sliding over my human ones. The slight burning sensation helped to clear out the thick anger making my mind hazy with bloodlust.

“Damnit, Kai. It’s YOU.” Silence filled my little kitchen and spilled out around the cabin immediately after his shout.

“Me?” I questioned, the anger I felt earlier deflating with his confession.

Otis released a frustrated sigh, “Yes, the threatening notes were made out to you. We thought it would be better if you didn’t know. You were safer with the other Omicron than were here.”

“I don’t need protection. If the notes were for me, don’t worry about it. Show them to me tomorrow, it’s probably just some rival pack causing problems.” I said, waving a hand dismissively.

He should have just told me that the pack member in danger was me instead of getting me all worked up. My fangs receded back into my gums and my claws were quick to retract into my nail beds.

“This, Kai. This is why we didn’t tell you because we knew you wouldn’t take it seriously. That you’d come rushing back to the pack in case they ended up getting hurt instead of you.”

“Of course I would’ve, it’s my job.”

“Moon, Ryan was right.” He ran a hand through his red hair before grabbing the back of his neck, “Look, I’ll show you the notes tomorrow but please Kai, be cautious when your out doing your duties.”

I looked him over, Otis really seemed to want me to take these threats seriously. I wonder what was written on them to make him and apparently Ryan so worried, “Fine. I’ll try to be cautious. If that’s all, you can leave now. I’ll see you tomorrow... brother.” I held my breath after saying the last part. I wanted to see if I felt the same things I did earlier when I was on the giving end of affection. The answer was yes, I thought as my stomach rolled. And they were so much more grossly intense. Never again.

He stared at me for a moment, his eyes flaring with a warmth that I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t lust or anger but something more that I didn’t understand.

“Good.” He walked backwards a few paces before asking, “Oh, and your history with Jasper isn’t public knowledge so let’s keep it that way. I don’t need Jasper getting killed on top of all the other shit we’re already dealing with.”

I cocked a brow in interest, “Who’d be doing the killing?”

He gave me his back as he headed towards the front door, “A very angry, very spastic, wolf.”

Right before the door closed behind him, I spoke up, “I don’t understand.”

All I received in return was a laugh before the door closed leaving me with a lot to think over.

————————————————————————

Soooooooo, what do you guys think? Why would Kai sleeping with Jasper again be a shit storm? What do you think the notes say?

Comment or like if you feel like it!

Smooches, Verbage💋