Ember

For the sake of the pack, I spent the whole of Sunday pretending like there wasn't anything amiss between Kane and me- although I did go back to sleeping in my old room. To his credit, Kane didn't try to invade my space with his usual bulldozing behavior. Instead he gave me my space, occasionally bringing me snacks in a way that wasn't dissimilar to a wary villager presenting offerings to a deity they'd ticked off. The snacks pleased my stomach, but my mood stayed dark.

Because at the end of the day these were the facts: Kane had been too unconcerned during every discussion about the threat Light presented to his life. I'd been the one on the verge of losing it each time, having to tamper down on the anxiety just to keep myself together. His steely calm was actually the reason why I didn't let the worry overtake me, I thought the unshakable fortitude of his was a result of having the ring as a solid backup plan. I thought the progress he spoke of was enough to help him defeat Light.

I'd been completely and utterly wrong.

"So why the hell has he been so calm?!"

Kane's mom burst out laughing, using a tissue to dab at a stray tear before it smeared her eyeliner. "You're mad because you think Kane isn't valuing his life as much as he should, but that isn't actually the case, sweetie." She stole a pastry from Fred's plate, ignoring his protests and taking a huge bite that would've been less elegant if done by anyone else. "My son is very much concerned about his life, what he doesn't want is for you or anyone else to be concerned. If he shows that fear then you guys will only spiral further into instability. It's the same reason why you pretended you two were on good terms all day yesterday. Look at it this way: alphas are in charge of driving the pack mates safely along the ups and downs of life. The best alphas are adept at quickly throwing their darkest fears out the window in case someone in the backseat sees it, gets scared and ends up harming themselves by jumping out of the moving car. The ride is smoother that way, more in control."

When she put it that way... It's true I was more grounded whenever he was calm, but weren't we both supposed to be in the front seat, driving the pack safely along? He was always secretly taking up the bulk of the responsibility and I was sick of it.

"If all the other plans failed, he was going to sacrifice himself," I said.

May's expression grew saddened. "That's expected."

Not knowing what to say to that, I stared down into my tea and then let my gaze stray. The other people in the café looked too normal, their lives unfairly mundane considering the raving monsters searching to darken everything I knew.

A hand covered mine. May smiled, shaking her head a bit. "Don't let the fear overwhelm you and focus on achieving your goal instead. That's the best you can do for now."

"Alright," I agreed, picking up my cup and taking a swallow of the sweet drink. It had grown lukewarm but that didn't make it any less tasty. I smiled back at May. "No to worrying and yes to action."

"Good," she slid a sheet of paper towards me. "Here's my requirements for letting Kane join my lectures."

I read the first few typed lines and almost choked on my own saliva. "What is this?"

She smiled. "The first part of my own investigation. You'll be testing my son's character for me, the results will be used to decide if I'm capable of helping him change his bad habits or if a professional is needed."

"A professional," I echoed, eyes dropping back to the unbelievable list.

"I don't want to end up like those other clueless mothers who go 'I didn't know he was capable of this' when their sons finally lose it. But don't be mistaken, this is as much about you as it is about him, I promised to keep you safe. I've already spoken to Jett, he'll be nearby observing and ready to intercept if necessary while you carry out your tasks."

I wanted to tell her Kane wouldn't do anything to harm me again- but naivety and avoidance were things I had promised not to dabble in anymore. I was choosing a future partner, it was important to be a hundred percent sure no matter how much my instincts told me there wasn't anything amiss. I wanted to be fully confident about all my choices.

Although the 'tasks' were...

I cleared my throat, thumb stroking the bottom of the page. "These are..."

"Embarrassing?" Fred supplied.

May shot him a dark look. "Don't be ridiculous, this is based on valid data and research from Bluebell's failed relationships combined with actions that triggered the darker natures in seemingly harmless partners. It's the best guide to uprooting a bad character, Victor put it together for me."

I sucked in a breath. "Bluebell did this with her boyfriends?" I asked.

"At this rate you might end up single forever like her too," Fred said ominously from behind the brim of his mug.

May made a sound of protest but I couldn't help fear the exact same thing.

There was only one way to find out anyway.

***

Monday, 3:32 pm

1. Marriage proposal within a week of knowing each other. (Bluebell).

This first task was virtually pointless for two reasons, the first being that Kane had already proposed and I had rejected him, and the second being that we've known each other for several years already.

Still, I planned to carry out my commitment wholeheartedly.

This was for both of our sakes.

I kept repeating this to myself while I tracked Kane down to the greenhouse and while he stared up at me from behind the pile of papers on his cluttered desk. He appeared startled to see me, no doubt he thought I'd continue to avoid him for a while longer.

This was for both our sakes.

I cringed internally.

And then I slammed a hand on top of the table, sending a couple of papers flying. "Let's get married," I demanded.

His eyes widened, Adam's apple bobbing. Then he stood up and made his way over to my side. Slowly.

I held my breath.

The wrong reaction: Kane would do what Bluebell's boyfriend of a week did and run out of the greenhouse screaming about how crazy women were.

The correct reaction: he'd say yes and then I'd have to spend an awkward ten minutes explaining to him how I was only joking. It wasn't going to be fun doing-

"No," he said.

"Hmm?" I asked, dragging my thoughts away from how best to gently break the news to him. "What did you say?"

"I said let's not get married."

I blinked up at him, May's plan the last thing on my mind now. "Why not? You asked me before."

"I was scared you might ditch me before I had a chance to win you back. I shouldn't have done it, you needed to take your time to think about it."

He'd unwittingly given me a way out in the face of my deception, but relief was nowhere to be found in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I bit my lip, unable to meet his eyes.

He drew closer, hand reaching for me. "Maybe give it another six months before asking-"

I pushed his hand away. "I'm not proposing to you in another six months, douchebag."

I dashed out of the greenhouse like a veritable idiot, and ran right into Jett. Who had no doubt heard the whole disastrous conversation.

He held up a lollipop for me, expression thankfully- for him at least- grim. "My condolences," he said.

Maybe not so grim after all.

I scrunched up my nose and snatched the candy away.

I still had three more 'tasks' to carry out before this hell could end. Candy finding its rightful place in my mouth, I looped my arm through Jett's. "Let's go make dinner, I need my energy for the next round of torture."

His frown said what he didn't say out loud: Was I going to continue this madness?

I nodded at him. "Yep. Off we go."

***

6:46 pm, same day

2. Demand a break (liable to trigger violence in a murderous spouse).

I was contemplating murdering Victor the next time I saw him.

I pressed on nonetheless.

"We should take a break. I was also thinking of getting my own place after I get my first paycheck."

Kane had been holding a bowl over the open garage bin and prying used napkins off, but it slipped from his hands and fell right. He stood frozen for a beat, staring down at the lost container.

Correct reaction: he'll accept my decision.

Wrong reaction: he'll try to murder me, I'll try to escape and one or both of us gets murdered.

"Did you hear me?" I asked, peering over his shoulder.

He breathed out through his nose. Shut the garage bin. "I lied to you. I can understand why you don't want to live under the same roof as me." He went to the sink and washed his hands. "If you need me I'll be at Darius' place."

I watched him walk out with a grimace.

So far he wasn't reacting the way we'd anticipated, but he also wasn't failing.

Two more rounds of this unpleasantness to go.

***

Wednesday, 10:00 pm

3. Screw up while cooking one of his meals, either inducing a deep hidden rage or reveal a passive aggressiveness quality to his character (from cases of murderous spouses).

4. Be very clingy, like the crazy girlfriend meme (Bluebell).

I spent the entire day yesterday enacting the last two and all I got was massive confusion from Kane and amusement from Jett and Tyra. They found the combination of my humiliation and Kane's bewilderment very funny. I thought otherwise.

After kissing him in public, giving him random hugs and clinging to his arm all day, I was ready to hide under my bed for the rest of my life. Maybe then half my embarrassment would subside. It was almost as bad as getting turned red.

But when I was finally done and ready to throw in the towel and send my report to May, I was the one who got cornered. By Kane.

I was walking in the garden, grimacing at a grimacing statue when he appeared out of nowhere, stalking forward until I was pressed against the statue and caged me in with his arms at both sides of my head.

"I thought you were getting back at me for the ring, but there's something more to your strange behavior, isn't there? You're testing me."

Busted. Not good.

I glanced to the side, deciding to play dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He caught my chin and turned my head so I was looking at him again, into a pair of knowing blue eyes. "Are you pregnant, Ember?"