Filed To Story: Secret with Betas Daughter: Skylar Story Series
She giggles at me and I can’t help but crack a smile, knowing full well there wasn’t a fight at all.
I just roll my eyes and get back to my leg workout. An hour later, Sierra and I emerge from the dungeon of the packhouse to find all the guys conveniently hanging around the island of the kitchen as we come out. Sam and Mateo make eye contact and give mea half smile, the other three just stare, no expression on their faces. Oliver slides a shaker to me full of a dense brownish concoction without a word or a second glance then heads out of the room. A few minutes later I hear the soft whoosh and snick of the front door opening and closing.
He had to get to his patrol shift.”
Sam says by way of an explanation. “He said you still need to put some meat on your bones.”
I take the shake rolling my eyes and head upstairs. I don’t bother going back to the Beta house tonight, I have an early morning, and I am going to need plenty of rest to deal with these as*holes all day tomorrow.
For the first time in a long time, Sierra doesn’t follow me. Maybe she thinks I’m safe here in the confines of the packhouse. And since there is no other babysitter following me, everyone else is in agreement that I’m not a flight risk and need to be monitored.
I showered and spread out my books to make sure that I am as far ahead as I can be on my work, since I know I won’t be getting anything done this weekend.
I woke up early, well, my usual time and was both relieved and lonely finding my room completely empty of my friends. The revolving door of protectors the last few weeks with everything going on meant there was a constant presence, whether outside my door at the Beta house or camped on the sizable couch that showed up in my packhouse bedroom after the threat was delivered last week and everyone stayed with me.
I’m still trying to wrap my emotions around my friend’s behavior. They know very well that I ama great fighter, but treat me like a porcelain doll. They claim to trust me, but have secret conversations without me over their mindlink. I know they care for me, but the looks of fear and uncertainty thrown my way make me anxious.
I shower quickly and head down to grab a bite to eat before my patrol shift starts. I’m met with Gamma Brett and Oliver standing at the island having alow conversation that quickly stops once they notice my presence. Oliver hands me another shake but walks away. I reach for his arms as he walks by me. He stops but doesn’t turn his head.
“Thank you.”
I whisper, indicating the shake.
He takes a deep shuddering breath, then steps out of my grasp and heads for the stairs, clearly just off his shift. 1 take my own calming breath before turning to Gamma Brett who just watched the whole situation in silence.
“Ready?”
Is all he asks. And I nod in response.
If that interaction is any indication of how tonight is going to be, then I may skip out on the ball all together. Sierra would understand, hopefully.
Especially if the twins are similar. | Patrols were the same. We have found nothing out of the ordinary along the coastlines and the doubled up patrols across the isthmus that connects our territory to the mainland. Everything and everyone that comes and goes is now thoroughly checked and vetted before coming onto our territory.
I think best when I run, and I have found that even actively participating in patrols and concentrating on what we are being taught, my brain processes information so much better and I have come up with a theory as to why we haven’t found anything yet, but the threat wasn’t clear and there wasn’t any indication that whoever sent it would even be back. I just don’t understand what the severed fingers mean and what is the significance of the silver?
What are you thinking so hard about over there?
Gamma Brett asks, a little amusement in his tone.
Theories.
Really? Care to share?
Not sure they are worth sharing, honestly. Just jumbled thoughts. Probably things everyone else has already thought of and planned for.
I don’t know why I am being so vague. It’s weird talking to him when normally I would be hashing my ideas out with the guys. They are my equals, I’m just a kid to Gamma Brett. He’s more than likely just asking to help me learn a lesson of some kind, like any trainer.
You know you can talk to me right? Or Kyle or Gwen or Ava. You seem to have shut everyone out, not just the boys.
I take a deep breath, knowing he’s right, but too stubborn to admit it out loud.
I don’t think we are going to get anything until after the guys leave for training. Even with all the extra training and patrols, we are losing five of our best fighters when they head to the Royal Pack. Whoever is behind this has to be waiting for something.
That’s the next big transition for the pack, it’s logical. But I also feel like it’s too obvious at the same time. Maybe tonight at the mating ball? There are a ton of people from other packs that are here, maybe then? But’ I’m sure that you have all thought that through and taken precautions, otherwise we wouldn’t be having the mating ball.
Unless you’re using the ball as bait to get the culprits out into the open. Which is sketchy by the way. And what is so special about the two fingers that were sent and the silver powder that was clearly the weapon. It kind of makes my brain hurt.
I snort an unamused laugh and get a strange look from Marnie. She must have just realized she’s being left out of the conversation.
“You know it’s not fair to give inside information to her just because she’s the favorite and can shift and mindlink right?
“I wouldn’t dream of doing that, besides…
I have the ability to link both of you even though you cannot respond Marnie. Please be careful of your accusations before you start letting them fly out of your mouth without any real thought. Gamma Brett links both of us. Her eyes go wide. I don’t think she has ever been called out like that before, so used to getting away with flippant comments like that. He was far more calm than I would have been after days of her holding us back. She’s trying, but it’s not any less frustrating.
Sky to answer your question, we have started to think of those possibilities and work through them, and no, we would not use anyone as bait unknowingly.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.