Sage is bringing positive changes and helping my brother to not only see reason, but also understand life is more than he sees it to be. He is getting better and truly trying to become a better person. I hope this new side of him remains and doesn’t fade in time.
Andrei deserves to be happy. It’s about time he lets the past go and focuses on the future he can share with Sage. But for that, of course, both of them have to take the steps to actually live long enough to share the future. They’re so close, I hope, I so so hope, they will get there.
I almost lose myself in thoughts again, but the hum from my mate brings me back to reality just in time for me to hear Ezra speak up. “Ah, yeah, that makes things tricky without parental or guardian consent. Has he checked the blood database?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s why he rang. Can you see if Mathias or someone can take some blood samples for him?”
“Yes, I will organize it. Have you taken your meds?” As the question escapes Ezra’s lips, I suddenly feel irritated with myself. I should have seen this coming. It’s so typical of him to change the subject to something that concerns him more than it could concern me.
I glare at Ezra. He knows I hate those damn things. They make me feel airheaded.
“No, she hasn’t,” Mateo snitches as he walks inside the office with a glass of water in one hand and my antidepressants in the other. That bloody traitor! Can he call himself my mate after betraying me like this?
Ezra growls and glares at me as Mateo stalks closer. “You have no excuse, Kat, you aren’t breastfeeding anymore,” he scolds as he passes me the glass of water and mimics the judgemental facial expression Ezra is giving me. I can’t believe this, both are working against me.
“I don’t need them,” I object, shaking my head and turning my focus back to the computer screen. I don’t have to look at my mates to know that they are seething as I place the glass on the desk. Their gazes heat up my skin, but I ignore it.
“Kat, there’s nothing wrong with needing medication. It doesn’t make you weak,” Ezra lectures yet again, taking the pill from Mateo’s hand.
I know he is switching tactics just to make me drink them. First comes the feeble attempt to intimidate me, then it’s the care and gentle words to assure me, and then there will be anger.
An idea pops in my mind, and I turn my gaze to Ezra and wiggle my eyebrows. “Then you take them,” I challenge.
“Don’t make me force it down your throat,” he growls.
Ah, there it is, stage three – anger. If anger is what he wants, anger is what my dead mate gets. “You can fucking try, Ezra, and I will put you in your place real quick,” I warn him, and he snarls deeper.
“Don’t make me bring Maddox forward, Kat. Take them. Mathias said your psychosis will get worse without them.” Ezra tries to threaten me.
Look at this, the big bad Alpha can’t take me down on his own. He needs to run to his wolf. “I will just shift, I have been shifting, and I am fine,” I stress.
Why can’t they understand that I’m so damn sick of everyone at this point? I’m sick of their attempts to stuff medication down my throat. I hate it. Those pills stunt my aura and weaken me. Everyone claims I need those pills. But on them, I can’t fight off Ezra’s commands. I hate that it makes me unable to put my walls up and shield myself.
“You have three seconds,” Ezra warns, but all I do is roll my eyes at him.
I try to feel out for my severely muted aura. The meds have ruined it, but since I haven’t taken those pills, at least for a day, I can feel my aura, if only a little. I don’t want to lose it again. I’m tired of trying to reach out in the dark and not finding anything I seek.
“We have this stupid Alpha meeting in two days. I don’t want to be weak when we go to it,” I point out. This should be a convincing argument for my mates to understand that I need to be able to protect myself if anything were to go wrong. I refuse to rely on their abilities to protect me.
Besides, I think it is fucking stupid that we even have to go. I don’t want the title of Queen of Alphas. Why can’t things just stay how they are? I have enough shit going on with the twins and our pack. On top of everything, we are still dealing with Jackson’s old pack that needs to be moved and re-housed into new packs.
Most packs are still reluctant to take in new members, and the rogue populations are growing out of control. There are so many more important issues to focus on. I don’t see a point in attending an event while so many shifters are out there, suffering and fighting for their survival.
“Kat, please don’t do this now, just take the damn thing.”
I turn in my chair and look up at him.
Mateo shifts his weight from one foot to another, visibly nervous. I know he hates when Ezra and I go toe to toe, but I am sick of him treating me like a child. I swear he likes me being on meds because it gives him control over me.
“I said no. I will take them after the Alpha meeting.” I stand my ground. Ezra has to learn how to listen to me. But more than that, he has to learn how to let go of the crazy control he wants to have over everyone, including me. I’m done.
Ezra growls at me, about to stand up, but Mateo stops him by gripping his shoulder. “Maybe she is right, you know her walking into that meeting will cause an uproar.” Mateo reminds him.