I felt like a walking zombie the first days after my dad’s death. Oakley was by my side, offering help and the monumental shoulder to cry on. I told him I understood about him not being able to tell me about Parker, it wasn’t like he knew until they left on the trip anyway. I never thought in a million years they would come back so soon and I never thought my father would die at the hands of another wolf. It hadn’t been proven who had done it but we were sure it had something to do with the people that had been mauled. Parker was planning on leaving July 8th, he was determined to find the murderer and bring him to justice. Oakley stammered around when I’d ask him if he was planning on going, he denied it but I could tell he wanted to go. I know everyone meant well, but I was tired of all the questions. If I knew the damn answers I sure the hell wouldn’t be sitting here in the death house waiting for the world to stop revolving.
White French doors led to the back patio, a place I would sit in silence thinking for hours since my dad died. I’d been thinking about Chrissy and how it seemed like she would be a person I could be friends with. Obviously she grew up in a family that kept secrets from outsiders and she clearly cares for Abel. My mom told me how important her family was to my dad and how incredibly talented both her parents were. We’ve decided we’ll try to help her develop some of her abilities and maybe one day she will be able to heal with her touch. Shaynie has been so damned nice to me that I might hit her just to shut her up. She caused me so much increased anxiety that I added two more runs to my daily routine. Maybe I have a violence problem. No, my problem is my broken heart and too many unanswered questions. I promised my mom I’d try to play nice but I’ve never been known to play well with others.
I wiped the sweat from my glass that had dripped onto the patio table. The thickness of the humidity and how the smell of the honeysuckle lingered in the air reminded me so much of that first night that my father died and falling asleep in my parents’ bed. It had to have been close to dawn, I’d finally meditated into a relaxed state….. breathing in and out, I open my eyes and I’m outside.
No longer in my parents’ bed, instead I was at the creek in our backyard, skipping stones watching the moon reflection on the water. I hear his voice, sweetly and seductive, a hand is now on my shoulder. I turn around to face him instantly irascible.
“Hello Love,” he said softly.
“What the hell are you doing here? Are you crazy? Of course you’re crazy! You order a hit on my father and then you come and try to manipulate me. Go away!” I yelled as loud as I could.
“Love, you’re being dramatic.” He picked up a rock and tossed it in the pond making it skip causing the water to ripple making the moon reflection shimmer.
“Dramatic? I’m being dramatic? Up yours vampire. My father is dead, as in never coming back, and you have the balls to stand there saying I’m being dramatic. Fuck you!” I turned around and beat on his hard as rock chest with every ounce of energy I had.
“There, there Love, I’m so sorry about your father.” He wrapped his arms around me restraining my arms in his hug.
“You better let go of me or so help me I’ll shift and rip your throat out.” I struggled against him, but couldn’t break free.
“Prudence, you need to stop. I’m trying to offer my condolences and you’re acting like a spoiled little girl,” he said condescendingly. “I’ve told you before how to get rid of me, give me the goods and I’ll be gone.” He continued to hold me and started rocking from foot to foot swaying back and forth and he started humming “You are my sunshine.”
I tried and tried to wake up; no matter what I did I stayed asleep. “Arien, why did you do it?” I whispered, dropping my head in defeat.
“Ah, finally you lowered your voice. Me humming my special song for you helped calm my little love. Why did I do what?” His voice is ridiculously sweet.
“Dammit to hell Arien, why did you have my father killed? Who are the wolves that did it?” I pleaded over and over until my tears freely flowed.
He shrugs and still holds me up against him. “Oh that. That had nothing to do with me, not really my style love. I do my own dirty work.”
“Would you stop the rocking, I’m getting sea sick. If you didn’t have him killed, who did?” I stomped on his foot hoping he would let go of me, but he continued his patronizing dance. “Come on Arien, who did it.” I whined.
“Your father had his own enemies love, I’m sorry you’re being very narrow minded about this. I don’t know why you think I’d do such a harmful thing to you.” He giggled to himself, “Oh that’s right, because I’m a vampire. The big scary evil beast. I wish you’d just get over it already. I am not interested in your family, I want your special wolf. I will give you a piece of advice… you should be careful when you’re out being a vigilante regarding your father. Rumor on the streets is you’re on the short list of hits since you’ll be Alpha.”
I started to ask him who he heard it from and of course he was gone. I sat up, looked around the room, noticing my mom still hadn’t gone to bed but Oakley was asleep on the chair. It was just as well, I knew he was tired and worked up after such a dramatic turn of events. I vow to myself not to tell him about what Arien said.
I go over to the big double chair he is in and curl up on his lap, his arms went around me and for the moment I felt safe.
“You okay?” He whispered as he pulled the afghan up over both of us.
I reach up and briefly kiss his lips. “Yeah, I’m okay. Let’s get some sleep.” I whispered back.