about who you really are, that information has spread to every other werecat, and they expect you to be like us. Except you invited werewolves to live with you, which makes everyone wonder if we’re going to open up friendly relations. That’s not the point, though. You’re a member of the family, so you need to know what’s going on.”
“Stop rambling, Jabari. I get it. News received. Thank you. I’ll make sure not to die any time soon like those other werecats, and I’ll make sure to continue to leave a good impression on the rest of werecat society.”
“Good impression? Jacky, every werecat who’s contacted us thinks you’re an impulsive youngling who needs to be dragged home by Father and corrected. You let wolves move into your territory, an Alpha at that, without consulting anyone. You made a major political move without telling anyone until the news had already broken.” I could hear his impatience and condemnation.
“I didn’t know everyone felt that way…” I whispered. “Be safe in Washington.”
“I will. Keep your nose out of any more trouble.”
I hung up first, reeling at the sting Jabari had just given me. I was a shut-in. I kept my head down. I got roped into one damn werewolf turf war, had to protect one little girl, and I was an impulsive youngling? Me?
I growled at my phone before shoving it back into my pocket. Was that why Hasan was barely calling me now? Was he actually furious with me? He’d been shocked about Carey and her family, but I didn’t think he was angry, not when I told him.
I walked back in slowly and stared at Carey, Heath, and Landon without approaching them. I considered Jabari’s words for a minute before slowly walking toward the group, acting like nothing happened.
I’m not letting some old ass rivalry stop me from having some damn friends. They all need to get over themselves, and Jabari can shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.
“I heard pizza before stepping out. What did you order?” I leaned on the table, grinning as Carey pushed a drink in front of me.
“That’s lemonade because I know you like it. Dad got two large meat lovers and a small cheese. The small cheese is for me, so don’t even think about it. You have to share with them.” She pointed at her family, both doing well to look innocent. That was how people could tell Landon was Heath’s. They didn’t look alike, not in the slightest, but Landon picked up some very obvious expressions from his father. The fake innocence was one of them.
I wonder if Richard looked like his father when they hung out as a family like Landon. I can’t imagine being Carey and having to deal with three of these wolves.
I wasn’t sure where the thought came from, but I let it pass, trying to not think any more about the fourth, very dead member of the Everson family. He was dead because I killed him, and for some unknown and illogical reason, they didn’t hold it against me. Carey acted like that day had never happened, like her brother never tried to kill her over petty jealousy, fighting for their father’s love.
It was odd, to say the least, but they never brought it up, so neither did I. It haunted me, though, seeing them over the holidays and remembering how I killed one of them.
On bad nights, I remembered the blood in my mouth every time I’d had to kill a wolf during that entire affair. I remembered the blazing pain of being shot with silver bullets. I remembered the wide, scared eyes of Carey and the clear snap of her wrist breaking.
I was never one for violence, and it had left its mark, even if I never told any of them.
“Jacky?” Carey’s voice was soft and concerned. “Are you going to eat?”
I blinked, nodding quickly. Shit, I can’t zone out like that around her.
“Yeah. Where’s a plate?”
One was dropped in front of me with three pieces of pizza. Heath stood near me, watching carefully, close enough I could guess who had dropped the plate. Landon was across the lane on a bench, already munching on his share. He watched me just as carefully, though, with a hint more wariness than his father, a hardness in his eyes that made me stiffen slightly. Instinct made me recognize I had killed the weaker son. Landon was much more dangerous than his brother and maybe even his father.
“Calm,” Heath