Chapter <b>24 </b>– Hyper–Awareness
“He must have felt a disturbance just beyond the boundless world his eyes perceived. Maybe like dogs we know when we are being hunted.“–Garth Risk Hallberg
Kiya
I need to get Odessa out of her mind. She’s driving me crazy!
A lone thought of her sends my fury into a whirlwind of crimson. It’s fast, unmistakable<b>, </b>and demands destruction. I can’t have this. This is setting me up for a dangerous dance and I need to stomp it out.
Breathe in, breathe out. The all–toomon mantra.
Bury the anger and conceal its leftovers behind a mask. Don’t show or tell. My fingers tremble as I stuff it back to where it should be; aching to wrap themselves around Odessa’s throat as she’s done to me many times. before. And squeeze as her brown eyes turn a dull grey upon death.
No. Calm down, Kiya. You’re okay. You’re fine. I cannot let her words dictate my actions, no matter how much I want to punch those pretty teeth clean out of her mouth. I inhale slowly and exhale in kind, feeling the simmering heat die down to chill. As for Darien, I understand why he’s saddened at the newest discoveries of Odessa’s treachery. It’s his mate–someone who’s meant for him is betraying him in the most intimate of
ways.
He doesn’t deserve this. Figuring out how to save him will be one of my top priorities.
With a steady hand over my heart, I gait down the stairs to meet Neron at the front door. He invited me to go to the mall and since I had nothing better to do; I agreed. No training equals <b>me </b>time. And time away from <b>this </b>house. Too much has happened in the past weeks <b>and </b>I need fresh air.
“Hey!” He grins as soon <b>as </b>I’m spotted. Noticing he’s dressed in casual jeans <b>and </b>a buttoned–up blue shirt, he looks like a <b>normal </bmoner. No one would guess that he’s an alpha werewolf. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah. Ready as I’ll ever be.” I nod. Before I walked out, his hand gently grabbed my wrist. Looking back, Neron’s face held concern.
“<b>Are </b>you okay?” He <b>asks</b>. “You seem…off.”
Damn him <b>and </b><b>his </b>perception. Putting forth my best smile, I nod again. <b>“</b><b>I’m </b>fine. I just found out a few things. I’ll tell you in the <b>car</b>.” I’m not in a hurry to leave, but to stop <b>this </b>potential line of questioning. The <bst </b>thing <b>I </b><b>need </b>is for my anger to brew again. Semi–satisfied with my <b>answer</b>, Neron released my arm and we
exit the house <b>in </b>silence.
“So,” I spoke. The <b>breeze </b>picked up, so I tied my hair in a ponytail. “Why did you invite me to the mall?”
“There are some things I wanted to take care of and…” Neron suddenly looks sky, brushing the back of his <b>hair </b>nervously as mellow pink painted his cheeks. “I wanted to spend more time with you, away from the craziness, for sure. I know it’s selfish of me but—”
I chuckle. “It’s fine. At least you told <b>me </b>the truth, but I <b>had </b>my suspicions.”
“I can’t <b>get </b>anything <b>past </b>you, <b>huh</b>?”
1/5
“You can, <b>but </b>you must try harder.”
“Auntie!!” Without warning, one–hundred pounds of little boy barreled into me in a fit ofughter. It’s a good <b>thing </b>I have good reflexes or else Adonis and I would mimic a chopped–down tree! My nephew’s arms are around my neck and his tiny legs around my waist. Laughing, I hug the child and adjusted him slightly for support. “Where <b>are </b>you going with Uncle Neron?”
“Hello to you too, little prince.” Adonis batted my hand away when I yfully ruffle his hair. Raina <b>and </b>unfortunately, her parents walked toward us. “Your uncle and I are going to the mall.”
“Are you going to get <b>me </b>a present?”
“Present?” I questioned. Raina shuffles over to me nervously, twiddling her <b>thumbs</b>.
“Adonis” birthday is this Saturday and we’re throwing him a party.” She gazes at her son warmly with all <b>the </b>love a mother can hold. “He’s been asking everyone if they’re getting him presents. I warned Val about spoiling him too much for this exact reason!”
Adonis is turning six! How exciting! I shined a big smile at the innocent boy wrapped around me like I’m his birthday gift, his green eyes shining with <b>pure </b>light and innocence. Gazing into those big emeralds caused tears to form in my eyes because…that’s the light I want to protect. The light I wish I still had. The light too bright for this dark world.
My nephew reminds me so much of how I was <b>as </b>a child and it hurts.
<b>“</b><b>Are </b>youing to my party?” Adonis squeezes me tighter. “Please, Auntie Kiya! <b>Please </b><be</b>! It’ll be fun and there will be cake!”
“It’d be great If you were toe, Kiya,” <b>Steven </b>spoke, earning a scowl from me. “It’d be the first time he’d celebrate his birthday with you<b>.</b>”
“And he likes you a lot, <b>see</b>?” Ashley added. Another scowl. “Will youe?”
“I assume you both will be there?” They nodded. Disgusting. Being in the same room with my sperm and egg donors is <b>repulsive</b>, but I didn’t give a shit about them. I cared about the little boy regarding me with a loving look. Sighing <b>heavily</b>, I grinned at Adonis. “You had me at the cake. I’ll be there, Donny.”
“Yay! I can’t wait!” As <b>soon </b>as he utched himself off me, the young pup ran inside the pack house in <b>a </b>flurry of excitement. My heart thuds in happiness for him but quickly stilled when looking back at the three people in front of me. <b>Raina</b>, smiling small, closed the distance between us.
“I’m thrilled you’ll being, little sis.” Her voice is full of hope and happiness. “It’ll be great! This party will be a memorable one, I’m sure<b>.</b>”
“Right.” My reply lost its luster but only because I’m standing around her parents for longer <b>than </b>I need to. “I’ll see if I <b>can </b>get him something at the <b>mall</b>.”
“Coming together for the joy of a little boy is a wonderful asion, isn’t it, Honeybee?”
That infuriating nickname! Ashley pressed her hands together like she’s praying. I don’t <b>know </b>why she’s happy about this. “It’ll also <b>give </b>us <b>a </b><b>chance </b>to talk…maybe?”
“I’m going to the party for Adonis. No one else I snarl. The three of their faces deted to sorrow, but I couldn’t care less. Turning on my heels, I strode away and hopped Into Neron’s mustang <b>without </b>looking back.
Chapter 24
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A few minutester, Neron hopped into the driver’s seat.
“You should try talking to them. It wouldn’t hurt…” He suggested in a small, fearful whisper as the car roared. <b>to </b>life and rolled out of the territory. I give him a look of disgust. Neron slightly winced.
They aren’t my <b>parents </b>and there’s nothing to talk about.” I crossed my arms as the trees whizzed by us
a
blur. “I won’t waste my breath on people like them.”
Right…it’s your choice.” He whispers again, almost ashamed for bringing the subject up. There’s no ce in my heart for Steven or Ashley. No love or forgiveness. What they’ve done to me is beyond redemption, and I’ve made peace with cutting those cords long <b>ago</b>. I feel nothing toward them, and It’ll remain that way.
Their presence reminded me all over again why I need to tread with caution. To be careful who I put my into. Those two will earn my trust when hell freezes over.
faith
Wanting to change the <b>subject </b>because <b>the </b>silence is annoying, I filled Neron in about what’s happening with Darien and all he told me, including Odessa’s influence over him. He listened intensively, his finger rhythmically tapping on the steering wheel. With the sun glittering on the road, we made our way through humannds.
“Thank you for telling me.” He responds with gratitude. “I’ll keep this in mind. One of my guards is both monitoring and is reporting her actions to me. Over the past few days<b>, </b>she’s been chatting with random pack members and keeping thempany. I don’t believe it’s from the kindness of her heart.”
“A guard?” I asked curiously. “Who is it?”
“Tristan. <b>He’s </b>one of my best who gives me 110% every time.”
My voice hitched in my throat, and ice immobilized my spine. Fear engulfed me and I felt incredibly ufortable. I try my best to smile and nod, but I’m internally falling into chaos. Why does that name <b>have </b><b>a </b>profound effect on me? I never met Tristan, but his name sends my heart racing. I rolled down my window in hopes the wind will help <b>calm </b>me down.
I don’t like this feeling.
Once we entered the overcrowded mall, it became a flurry of activity. There were <b>so </b>many things to do, but in <b>so </b>little time. And this moment granted me a chance to <b>see </b>Neron when he runs errands–or what I think are
<b>errands</b>.
First, hair business. He cares a lot about his hair, so he dragged me to <b>what </b>he insists is the best hair salon for werewolves and humans. Hair salons <b>are </b>typically a woman thing, but it’s nice to <b>see </b>him break that gender barrier given <b>he’s </b>the most masculine–looking person I’ve met. I sat in the guest <b>chairs </b>as I watched another werewolf from a neighboring pack give him a needed trim.
But the sight of a six–feet–five, two<b>–</b><b>hundred</b>–something–pound skyscraper in a salon chair with <b>a </b>cape and a lopsided grin is <b>photo</b>–worthy. Holding in myughter <b>as </b>I <b>secretly </b>snapped a picture of him was so hard, but damn, I’m enjoying this. He’s like a child! I’ll <b>never </b>have the confidence to let anyone else besides Jackie, <b>Abigail</b>, and Violet touch my <b>hair</b>.
But, hey, I <b>have </b>the <b>ammo </b>to tease <b>him </bter!
Chapter
Hyper Awareness
Secondly, we scoured the Toy Zone for Adonis‘ birthday presents. What would a six–year–old boy want? They hate clothes and <b>love </b>staying up all night, but I can’t exactly gift wrap insomnia. A plethora of toys of all shapes, sizes, and colors made it impossible to choose from. Even Neron is having a tough time, and he knows Adonis better <b>than </b>I do.
“What about this?” He gestures to the Avengers toy set. It had all the major characters from the superhero
And my heart knows Donny <b>would </b>love this!
“It’s perfect!” I eximed, pulling out my debit card. In seconds, Neron and I fought over who’ll pay because he <b>didn’t </b>want me to spend my money, but I insisted since it’s my gift to my nephew. After our mini verbal battle, the Alpha gave up and brought a Spiderman toy set. We got our bags and left the store.
Then, we hopped to Party City, Nordstrom, and Lush before we decide to take a break. Our arms are full of shopping bags and my stomach was growling for sustenance. As much as I enjoyed spending this time with Neron, I felt eyes on me the entire time that isn’t his. Like I’m being watched from afar. I looked over my shoulder every five minutes to <b>see </b>if anyone <b>was </b>ogling me, but <b>there’s </b>no one from the bustling crowds stood
out.
It worried me. Being hyper–aware <b>is </b>a curse, sometimes.
But since <b>Alphas </b>are naturally perceptive, my actions didn’t escape Neron’s <b>eyes</b>. “Are you okay?” He asks me as we head toward the food court. “Is something bothering you?”
“I–I’m fine.” I <b>nod </b>vigorously. “I just thought I felt someone watching me, but maybe it’s all the stress getting
to me.”
“Maybe some food will do you good.”
Oh, he has no idea.
Because by <b>the </b>time <b>we </b>sat in our seats, I’ve already ordered <b>food </b>from four different restaurants and began devouring them in front of him. Fries<b>, </b>pizza, chicken sandwiches–all the good stuff. And don’t forget <b>water </b>for the bnce! While he simply has a burgerbo, Neron watched me with his mouth agape as I ate more <b>calories </b>than he did in his entire lifetime.
“I–I…” He stammers. “Can I say something, Kiya<b>? </b>And please don’t take it the wrong way.”
I quirk an eyebrow as 1 stabbed my cheese fries with my fork. “Do I reserve the right to kick your ass if I do?”
“Yes. It’s not like you haven’t done it before.” He smirks.
I smile at the thought. “Alright. Speak.”
“You cat like <b>a </b>fucking horse.”
“Correction: I eat like three fucking horses. Get it right.”
Neron blinked once. Twice. Thrice. Then heughs as he gently shook his drink. The sloshing of ice is heard. “My mistake. I knew you’re a big eater from the rumors, but I never <b>have </b>seen you in action like this, especially at dinner.”
“I’m sure you eat <b>more </b>than me.” I gesture to his bulging muscles. “There ain’t no way you get that big by eating only three meals a day.”
Chapter 24 – Bipper AwareneLK.
“What can I say? I eat a lot of protein.” My <b>eyes </b>involuntarily rolled when he started flexing his arms.
“Nope. You just got <b>an </b>advantage because you’re an Alpha.” I scoffed yfully. “Plus<b>, </b>muscles are hereditary.”This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.
“You also <b>have </b>an advantage because you’re a Beta.”
“Nope.” I shake my <b>head</b>. “Well…that’s partially true, but I think my body ispensating for years of missed nutrition. And I have a ridiculously fast metabolism.”
There’s that feeling again. Of <b>heavy </b>eyes piercing at my back, eyeing my every move like a hawk. I turned. around again to see if any human or werewolf is paying special attention to me, but once again, I see no one of interest. I shouldn’t be this worried, but, with Osiris out there and the Odessa disaster waiting at the house, I couldn’t catch a break.
I want to believe <b>this </b>feeling is a <b>fluke</b>; an urgent reminder that I need to rest.
But I can’t.
Because I know this isn’t normal.