NOT EDITED

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“So, nothing went wrong with you and Weston?” Beau asked for the thousandth time. He sounded surprised, looking at me over his sunglasses with skepticism. “So how come the two of you disappeared after your grappling session?”

“Nothing,” I lied smoothly, feeling guilty for hiding things from Beau. Hey, they do say that ignorance is bliss. “He had a date with Hayley and I called my mom.”

I wasn’t completely lying. Weston did have a date with Hayley and I did call my mom to vent out everything that happened. My mom just sighed, telling me that we wouldn’t be able to fight this any longer.

That hard truth scared me.

“Right,” Beau said with disbelief, leaning back in the passenger seat. “Whenever you’re comfortable enough to stop lying to me, I’ll be here.”

I gulped, staring hard at the road in front of me. Good thing we decided to discuss this while I was driving. It gave me a distraction and he didn’t have to see the guilt in my eyes.

“So, what do you think this boss guy is like?” I asked, digressing from the previous topic.

I didn’t feel like talking about Weston today and I didn’t feel like dealing with him. I was lucky that we didn’t bump into each other in the kitchen as usual because I knew he wanted to talk about what happened yesterday. Weston was one to look for closure and to clear everything up.

I was one to run away. Beau was right after all.

“He’s probably some bald headed man who wears Yankees caps and still lives with his mother,” Beau said with disgust. “What vile humans. They attack those who didn’t even do anything in the first place. Haven’t they heard of animal abuse?”

“You do realize you called us animals, right?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“You know what I mean,” Beau muttered. “I just can’t wait to figure out this whole case, find out what to do, and bring down the people who hurt Aunt Ella.”

“Revenge is not the answer.”

“Aren’t you angry at the people who hurt your mother?”

“Yeah, I am angry,” I stated the obvious. “But I never see the point in revenge. All it does is prove who the biggest immature one is. I want to end this fight, not give them any other reason to get back at us.”

After a couple of seconds, Beau said, “I guess you’re right.”

When we pulled up in the familiar parking space, I stared at the small red and white building. It’s sign was worn out, peeling red paint. The glass windows and doors showed the interior of the store, empty guns lined up.

“Who the hell names their store ‘The Big Shot’?” Beau scoffed. “Show offs.”

“You’re just biased because these people are trying to kill us,” I laughed, slightly cringing at the thought. “Come on, drama queen. It’s show time.”

When we entered the small store, a skinny man with a faded blue cap looked up from his book on the counter. “Kids, I knew you’d show up,” Ron called out in his raspy voice.

“Of course,” Beau said, plastering a fake smile identical to the one on my face.

“How are you kids today?” Ron asked as if he knew us for a long time. “How are you liking Huntstown?”

“Huntstown is interesting,” I said, examining a picture of Ron near a dead elk.

“Sure is!” Ron noticed me scrutinizing his photo. He smiled at me, obviously proud at his accomplishment. “That was two weeks ago. I shot it with my rifle. It was huge! It was the biggest dear Huntstown men have ever hunted. I was proud of myself for taking down that monster.”

“Like I said, something must be in the water here. These animals are huge,” Beau joked, before getting back to business. “So, is your boss here?”

“Yeah, he’s just in the back. I’ll get him for you,” Ron said before disappearing into the back hallway. “Henry, the kids I was telling you about are here,” we heard him say.

When Henry came out of the hallway, the first thing I noticed was the long scar across his cheek. No doubt was it from one of his hunter endeavors. His smile was big and friendly. You’d think he was one of those car sales person who tried to convince you to buy the most expensive car in the lot. His brown and white hair was cut short and tidy. When he smiled, the corners by his brown eyes crinkled. He had the hunters built.

“Hello, I’m Henry,” He said, sticking his hand out.

“Beau,” my cousin introduced with a smile, shaking his hand firmly.

“Danny,” I simply said, giving his hand a timid shake.

“So, Ron here tells me that you’re looking for a gun because you’ve spotted huge dogs around your house,” Henry says, making it sound like a question.

“Yes, that is correct,” Beau confirmed.

“Where do you live?” Henry asks casually.

When Beau doesn’t answer, I pipe in. Beau doesn’t know Huntstown like I do and I knew he would stumble upon that question. “In Bello Avenue, near the forest.”

“Oh, yes, there has been sighting there,” Henry says, still smiling. He turned back to Beau, patting a hand on his shoulder. “You look like a strong man, son.”

My eyes widened, knowing exactly what he was going to ask Beau. It was written over his prideful face. Ron was literally jumping in excitement, smiling brightly.

‘Shit,’ Beau linked.

‘Just keep calm, Beau. Refuse the offer like a normal person would.’

‘Even if I were a normal person, I wouldn’t join their group! They hardly know me!’

“I will sell the gun to you for five hundred, but on one condition,” Henry continued. “We need a young man on the group who’s strong and healthy. Since you’ve seen the special guns down in the basement, we figured you’d be a great addition. The Huntstown men would be honored if you decide to join us.”

“As much as that sounds like a great offer,” Beau says, pretending to think hard about the proposal. “I’m not daring enough to take on a responsibility like that. I have two sisters to take care of because my father is hardly around. I’m sorry.”

Ron’s face fell completely, looking like a lost puppy. Henry’s smile dropped slightly, but he still smiled nonetheless. “You could take care of them by taking those dogs down,” Henry reassures Beau, trying to convince him.

“Actually,” I say, bringing the attention towards me. “We just came here to share our gratitude towards the brave men who protect the community. Ron told us about your massive attack a few days ago. We only noticed now that we haven’t seen the dogs around.”

Gag.

“I guess you scared them away,” Beau smiles, patting Henry’s shoulder this time. “So we thank you and we just dropped by to tell you that we don’t need the gun anymore because we have brave men already. Thanks again for the offer.”

After a couple of minutes of contemplating, Henry smiles. “We do what we can, right Ronnie?”

Ron nods his head hard, like he’s afraid to disappoint his boss.

“If you ever change your mind,” Henry persists, taking out a small white card from his pocket and writing something down on it. “Feel free to call me.”

Beau takes the paper, stuffing it into his wallet. We mutter our goodbyes before shuffling out of the suffocating room. Piling into my Land Rover, we both sigh simultaneously.

“That was unexpected,” Beau finally said. “I was afraid that if I decline their offer, they were going to figure out I was a werewolf. Thanks for saving me back there.”

“Beau, don’t be afraid,” I told him although I was scared myself. “Everything will turn out alright.”

“You don’t know that.” When I don’t say anything, he adds, “What do we do now?”

“I don’t know, cous,” I whisper. “I don’t know.”

***

“Hey, best friend,” I say, plopping down on the couch and ruffling Jarred’s blonde hair.

Jarred lowers down the volume to his horror movie while I throw my feet over his lap. When he pushes them off, I bring it back up. “You’re irritating,” Jarred jokes, poking my side.

“You’re just jealous that I’m cooler than you,” I smirk, grabbing popcorn out of his bowl.

“Says the girl that was too scared to skip on Senior Skip Day.”

“Hey, there’s a difference between being a delinquent and being cool,” I defended.

“So, what happened with you and Weston yesterday?” Jarred smirks. “Don’t lie to me either. Your scent was so strong on Weston when we had our Alpha discussion.”

“J,” I rolled my eyes, trying to push down the blush that dared to color my cheeks. “We were grappling. Of course my scent would be on him.”

“Yeah, that’s what Weston said,” Jarred waved off. “You grappled with me, Jade, and Eli. Your scent wasn’t as strong as it was on him. He was also distracted, looking like a lovesick puppy.”

“You’re imagining things,” I muttered, sure I was as red as a tomato now.

He was distracted?

“Ha! You’re blushing!” Jarred yelled, pointing his finger at my face. “Spill.”

“You’re such a gossip girl.”

“No, I just care for my best friend.”

“Fine,” I huffed. “WealmostkissedandthingsweregettingprettyintensebutHayleycameinwhichisprettygood.”

“What?” Jarred smirked, obviously catching what I said. “I didn’t understand you.”

I sighed. “We almost kissed and things were getting pretty intense. I blame myself. I initiated it. Hayley interrupted our almost kiss, so it was perfect timing.”

“I knew it,” Jarred smiled.

“Why are you smiling? Aren’t you supposed to be angry or something?”

“No,” Jarred said, shaking his head. “I have a mate and I’m kind of hoping you two will forgive each other like normal mates do.”

“Whatever,” I wave off, trying to change the subject. “Why are you by yourself?”

“Jade went somewhere,” Jarred said, a frown replacing his smile.

“Where did she go?”

“She and Weston went to visit their dad at The Cell. The Experts permanently locked their dad’s werewolf abilities and he’s going to be locked up for life,” Jarred said, clutching his hands into fist.

My eyes bulged out of their sockets while my mouth flew open. Their dad – previous Alpha – was in jail? My heart pounded, remembering what Weston told me about the man.

He used to abuse Jade because she reminded him too much of his deceased wife.

I knew how much Weston was hurt because of his dad’s doings and it pained me to know I didn’t know that his dad had went to jail. It pained me to know that something tragic must’ve happened that caused their dad to end up where he is now. Did he beat up Jade? Did Weston have to call the Experts on his own father?

Right when I was about to say something, I heard the front door open and close softly. Jarred got up to hug Jade who sobbed softly into his gray sweatshirt. Weston walked past the living room and out onto the porch with his head hung low.



Before I knew it, I found myself sitting next to him on the porch steps.