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"Are you sure that Easey-Peasey's okay with me going?" Thorton asked, his tone went up a slight octave. He winced a bit. "With you?" 

I glanced at him, seeing how uncomfortable he was as we were walking towards Dennison's car. His posture was stiff and he kept telling me that maybe this wasn't such a good idea. 

"Relax, Thorton." 

I leaned a little towards him, shaking my head while trying to calm him down that there wasn't an issue with him tagging along with me. 

"Easton's completely fine with this."

Thorton's green eyes locked with mine, his face scrunching into a scowl. 

Okay. So Easton's not completely fine with this. 

As a matter of fact, not at all. And I only know this because he told me so.

"Hell... to the fucking... no." was actually what Easton had said when I informed him that I'd be bringing Thorton along on the short trip out of town.

I rolled my eyes, sighing as Easton went off that he didn't want Thorton alone with me. That he didn't trust him one bit and that he was not allowed to touch me. He kept pacing back and forth, raking his fingers through his hair and growling in between the grumbles. 

Scoffing, I shook my head and shrugged, "It's not a big deal, Ease. It's just a short trip."

"Then why can't I go with you instead?" he asked with a desperate tone. 

I was not allowed to tell Easton what the short trip out of town was really about. All he was explained to was that Dennison and Thea had to return to the Alliance to inform the others of the situation. 

They were hoping that they'd be able to speak with Azkar, the Alliance leader, about the situation with Eli. It was hopefully a way that would require the Alliance's assistance---should it come down to it---that they'd be making a trip to Blood Moon Falls to fight on Eli's behalf. 

To do so, however, they would need for Eli to remain in Blood Moon Falls where he'd be safe with those around him. Eli was to be on someone's watch twenty-four-seven by those who could protect and fight at the same time.

Which is where Easton's role comes in.

"Thea specifically named you as the main protector for Eli, Ease," I pointed at him, reminding him of my cousin's request.

Easton's nose scrunched, growling through a curled lip. 

"Don't know why? I'm not that damn special!" 

I grinned, moving closer to the Moody Asshat looking away. His blue eyes glanced a second at me then turned away again. 

"C'mon, Ease..." I cooed, raising my hand to tug lightly at a wavy strand of his hair. I tilted my head, trying to catch his gaze. "You're special to me." 

Easton sniffed, growling as he turned further away. He childishly shrugged his shoulder by his ear to block my hand. I smiled more, shaking my head. 

Sighing, I shrugged, "Why are you being such a baby?"

"I'm not being a baby!" Easton snapped, his blue eyes back to mine. "I just don't see why I have to be the one who has to stay here and fucking Roman gets to go! Why can't it be the other way around!? Better yet, why do you have to go at all!?"

"Because Thea asked me to go. This whole situation with Eli is making the mother inside Thea fragile, okay?" 

I could see that his face was slowly losing his frown. 

"She just really needs that comfort that someone will always be here to protect Eli. Her son is important to her, as well as his younger brother. But right now... Right now Thea needs to be guaranteed that while she is gone---unable to protect her son---that you and the others will."

Easton's eyes narrowed, sniffing again as he looked away. 

Smiling again, I reached up to take hold of his chin and turn his face to mine. Raising my brows I reminded Easton that the world did not revolve around him. That this was not about him, but Eli. And that Thea was counting on her dearest friends to help her. 

"That includes you, Easton." 

The Moody Asshat shook his head, looking upward and sighed out real slow. He stared down at the space between us then placed his hands on his hips. My eyes glanced at one of his biceps then frowned at myself before looking back up at him to ask if he was okay now. 

"Not really," Easton scowled but admitted that he wouldn't ever want Thea to feel she couldn't count on him. That he owed her a lot from those years ago.

I swallowed hard, grinning weakly and nodded before trying to go back to what I was saying before.

"Okay then... So there's nothing to worry about, okay? Thorton and I aren't even going alone. We are going in a group..." I raised my brows at his narrowed eyes, "With Thea, Dennison, Mr. Dennison, my Dad, Thatcher, and my Aunt Emeel." 

With his eyes narrowing further, Easton mumbled, "Where are you sitting?"

I threw a flat look his way when I replied, "On Thorton's lap."

That made Easton turn away, throwing his hands up in the air and growling, "That's it! You're not going!" 

I rolled my eyes, letting out a small huff. 

"I was kidding! And if it makes you feel any better we have a bag of fruit and other snacks that my Aunt Penny packed. I'll place that bag between Thorton and I in the backseat. Okay?"

"No. Not okay! I don't want to have to stay here and think about that damn jock-head feeding you grapes!" 

I stared at Easton pace again, and my brows furrowed again.

"Wow... That's... That's a very intimate thought, Easton. And as you picture us in the backseat feeding each other grapes in this nightmare-fantasy of yours," I shot him a look when he growled in my direction. "Was I perhaps slipping my pants down so that I ride on his lap like a rocking horse?" 

"Don't... do that," Easton growled, pointing his finger at me. 

"Do what?" I prodded, "Give you images of what could possibly go on in the backseat of the fucking car that I'll be in with my cousin and her husband!?" 

Easton's face started losing its tension, his blue eyes blinking a few times while I shook my head at him that he was a moron if he really thought anything would be happening in that backseat. I had to explain that, first of all, what Thorton and I had was friendship. He and I didn't see each other any differently than yesterday. 

Second, I reminded my Moody Asshat that I was pretty sure I fucked Easton---as he liked to say---not that many hours ago so that I was pretty sure I'd be good until I got back. 

And third, that I had been convinced that what Easton and I had was officially a monogamous thing.

"But if not... then tell me now because that'd be a fucking kick to the balls to know that you were lying about how much you loved me back when confronting you in front of Leo!" 

I raised a brow, tilting my head, "So what? Are we going to keep doing this---this---" I waved my hands between us as I was frazzled with my thoughts. "This fighting shit or are you ready to act like a normal person whose boyfriend is going to go help his cousin while taking a friend who is nothing of his type?"

Easton's jaw clenched, his eyes lowering.

Taking a deep breath, I watched him a moment. I was actually surprised by his silence. He usually had something to fire back with. 

Easton raked his fingers through the front of his hair, shaking his head and grumbled that he was sorry. That he didn't mean to insinuate things about me or what I was to Thorton but that he was still pissed about what happened when he was younger. He was also a little worried that me spending time with Thorton would steer me to him instead because Thorton would somehow look like a better choice and that I'd forget what I felt for Easton altogether.

We stood quiet for a moment and it was actually nice to hear the guy's thoughts for once. It was nice to know that he was trying to voice them more. 

"I understand that it's going to take some time for you to work out things with Thorton, Ease." 

He nodded, not looking at me. I placed a hand on his shoulder, his gaze still on the floor. 

"But you have to understand that Thorton's my friend. And he needs me right now with what he went through with his brother. And I am not going to stop being there for him because you have issues with him. He was a kid just as much as you were. Innocent kids."

Easton's brows furrowed but I kept going.

"So I need you to trust me. Trust me that nothing is or ever will go on with Thorton. He's as close to a best friend as I could get now that---" I swallowed, a bit of guilt storming in my chest. "That Maddox, Sr. isn't around."

Another pause.

"Besides," I grinned, dropping my hand and stepping a bit closer to him. "I've spent plenty of time with Thorton before you and I happened, and I can guarantee that not once was I thinking about being with him in any kind of intimate way. If anything... I think he was far from what my feelings were harbored for since he's not my type at all."

Brushing my nose against his jaw, I leaned a bit closer so that I could place a small kiss on it. 

"He's not moody..." 

Easton narrowed his eyes off to the side and I grinned, placing a small kiss on his chin. 

"Or possessively hostile..." 

Another glare was shot my way and I raised a brow before leaning to him and kissed the side of his jaw again. I barely lifted my lips off his skin and whispered, "He knows how to share his thoughts and feelings..." 

Easton's brow shot upward, rolling his eyes. 

"He's not hot and cold every five minutes... And doesn't get mad when I'm talking to some other guy."

The Moody Asshat sniffed, glancing at me before turning away with a pout. Obviously not hearing what I was trying to tell him. 

I grinned, leaning closer to kiss his jaw again. 

"Thorton doesn't know how to make my skin crawl with kisses down my spine...  or make me feel like a fucking girl when being man-handled."

Easton's brow rose again, his ice-blue eyes shifting to mine. He seemed to be picking up what I was doing.

"He wouldn't know I---as a 'pet parent'---appreciate the warnings given to Bodhi to 'look away' when something hot is about to go down..."

It was working. I knew it was because the corner of Easton's lip twitched and his eyes squinted slightly. 

I tilted my head, raising a brow while using my thumb to trace his bottom lip. Flicking my gaze up to him again, I smirked.

"But I think what I love the most about Thorton not being my type..." I paused, seeing that Easton was slowly starting to smile. I turned my head to whisper against the Moody Asshat's ear that I felt him shiver for. 

"Is that he can't make my first after-sex-banana pancakes taste so fucking good." 

I chuckled lightly, hearing the Werewolf growling and I wasn't actually surprised when I leaned back to look at him to find those ice-colored eyes of his now hidden behind the gold of his wolf. Easton gave me that slight moment before taking the sides of my face to pull me to his so that I could taste that hungry desperation from him. 

My feet stumbled a bit when he was moving me backward. I didn't stop making out with him but I did have to place my hand out behind me in case I bumped into something. When I did which was against one of the spare sofas in the room, Easton's hands dropped to grab my hips and direct me to sit on the arm of the sofa. 

He kept me sitting there, taking his time with this fiery kiss of ours, but in between it Easton mumbled that I was so lucky that we were at my Aunt's house and not his. I tried to laugh but he was so persistent to keep kissing me. That is until I felt his hand slipping just under my shirt to let his thumb caress the side of my skin, just above my hip. 

I swallowed when I pulled back a bit, not bothering to open my eyes, just to warn him that he was going to have to wait until I got back. His mouth caught mine again, still feeling his caresses with now his fingers. He kept switching between keeping his mouth to mine and seeking other places to set fiery kisses to. 

He'd be lip-locked with me one moment then broke away to let his hot breath kisses trail down the side of my jaw and down my neck. Leaning my head back, I moaned that I seriously couldn't do this right now. 

Of course... I was ignored. Because... you know... Easton.

I tried to halt our makeout between another lingering kiss but my breath was caught mid-way in my throat with a long groan thanks to Easton's hand down the front of my pants. I pulled back a bit, breathing hard as I looked down to confirm, in fact, that Easton had expertly unbuttoned my jeans and his hand was full on at work. 

"Oh, crap..." I groaned, nose scrunching as my head rested against his chin. I could feel him smirking as he asked if I wanted him to stop. So that I could head out now. 

My fingers clenched his sleeves while my hips pushed more against his hand. I was now the desperate one to pull his face to mine to try and distract myself from the overwhelmingly, fucking-glorious sensa---

"No, don't stop," I groaned, totally determined to abandon the plan from earlier. 

I could do without knowing where Maddox, Sr. was for maybe a few more hours. Better yet, Thea and the others don't need me. I'm insignificant. I would do more harm than help. I'd be a terrible person to take on this trip. Staying here is better. Because I really needed Easton. Like, needed right now. 

 Easton was in the middle of biting my lip that added to the overpowering feeling his hand-down-my-pants showdown that I was not expecting for him to stop and step away. My eyes snapped open, blinking a few times while panting heavily. My heart was pounding wildly as I frowned at him.

"Wha---What are you doing?" I whined, frustrated that I didn't get to complete that overwhelming feeling. 

Easton's brow rose and asked what I meant. 

Narrowing my eyes at him, scanning his blank expression, I huffed out my annoyance, "What do you mean 'what do I mean'!?" 

I motioned to my unbuttoned jeans and shook my head while scoffing, "I wasn't done!" 

Easton smirked, lowering a brow while glancing down at where I had indicated for my sudden sexual-frustration. Then the asshole had the nerve to look up at me again to shrug a shoulder and sigh, "Guess you'll have to wait until you get back."

What. The fuck!?

I could feel my jaw clenching so tightly that my teeth were threatening to crack. I couldn't tell if I was more pissed or sexually-deprived at this moment. Maybe both. I don't know. I couldn't think straight with my sexual arousal having sky-rocketed and was now plummeting. 

Standing up and stumbling to fix myself up, I was cursing Easton out that he was a total Shithead---

"That's new," Easton mumbled.

---and that I didn't appreciate his little whatever this was---

"Teasing," he supplied. He shrugged his shoulders after crossing his arms in front of him. "Usually that's referred to as 'teasing'."

---but that I was not going to let him touch me for, like, a month! Just to see how he'd like it---

"I wouldn't," Easton honestly answered, glancing to the side. 

---And that he was so looking for a reason for me to kick his ass.

"But I mean... Who really loses if it comes to that, Red? We'd just end up making out. Like always."

Curling my fists, I lifted them up between us and let out a strange attempt at a growl that made Easton's brow quirk up. He lowered his chin, eyeing my odd posture and then asked if I was settled now. 

"No! No, I'm not settled now, you GOD DAMN MOODY ASSHAT!"

"Aaaaaand there it is..."

We probably argued for about another five, ten minutes? And when I mean arguing, I mean me snapping at Easton while he retorted dumbass sarcastic comments my way. By the time I ran out of things to get upset about, I was breathing hard and my face felt hot. 

It was then that the door opened and Thea poked her head in to let me know that we were leaving now. 

Her brown eyes glanced between us and frowned, "Is everything alright?" 

"We're fine," I grumbled, turning away to look at Easton who cheekily beamed at me. 

He's such a child...

Thea shifted her gaze again between Easton and I before nodding in understanding and waited patiently at the door for me. I took my fist and quickly punched the Werewolf next to me on the shoulder that made him yelp. He glared at me, rubbing a hand on the spot I hit him. 

"The fuck, Red!? That hurt!" 

"Good," I snipped back, nose scrunching as I walked towards the door. I raised my brows, pointing at Easton as I lowered my chin. "When I get back... You and I are having it out!" 

Easton grinned, crossing his arms and lowered a brow. 

"I look forward to it." 

Taking a look at my cousin, I chuckled nervously at the brow-raised grin she was giving me. 

I shrugged a shoulder, mumbling that it wasn't what she was thinking. Thea raised her brows, nodding slowly, "Uh-huh..." before turning to lead the way down the hall. When she was a few steps ahead, I widened my eyes as my body leaned more into the room to grab the handle of the door and sneered at the amused Ass-hat. 

Because Thea was still at a distance to hear me, I whispered harshly, "Don't be saying shit like that in front of her!" but Easton brought up a good point that if I'd rather him say 'shit like that' than show 'shit like that'. 

Squinting an eye at the 'now-chipper-than-usual' Werewolf, I glanced away to think about what he was saying then muttered, "Point taken," before slamming the door shut. 

I looked over my shoulder once we reached the car. Easton was standing on the back porch with Aunt Penny and Alice standing beside him. The remaining Six were there too. Jonah was holding the hand of one of his daughter's while his wife side-hugged their other daughter. But it was the two boys standing in front of them that made me look over at my cousin and her husband. 

Thea was in the middle of telling Dennison something, her hand comfortingly on his arm. I couldn't really hear but I did see the way my cousin shook her head and motioned in the direction of the others at the house. 

I'm guessing it has to do with the awkwardness still lingering between Dennison and Eli.

Since that night Eli got upset with his dad and said those hurtful words, Dennison didn't seem to bounce back from that. It was weird seeing Dennison having that ability to feel vulnerable. I know he is when it comes to his family, but this was different.

I think a few times Dennison tried to speak with Eli and the twelve-year-old would turn his gaze away, a silent tell to the dad that his son wasn't able to face him. Either because Eli was still upset or he just didn't know how to apologize. He was just like his dad that way, I guess... 

You could tell that it was hurting Dennison to not have that same bond with his son as before. A man who disappeared from our lives years ago was standing between father and son and I don't think Dennison could help feeling guilty. 

I only know this because Thea shared with me that she caught her husband hovering over the laptop for many nights to do constant research on how to find Maddox, Sr. and bring him back home. My cousin's face faltered a little when she mentioned how Dennison and her argued about Eli. 

Thea frowned, eyes watering as she looked up at me and tried to explain to her husband that Eli still loved Dennison to which made the man looked away. Thea sighed to him that Eli didn't mean what he said that night. That their son could never want Maddox, Sr to take Dennison's place as his fath--- 

"Yes, he does!" Dennison shouted, slamming his fists on the desk. 

Thea said she'd never seen Dennison look so destroyed. Even with what happened back then. Instead of the strong, emotionally-masked man she was used to, Thea saw someone else in her husband's place. The tears welling up in Dennison's eyes made Thea fall silent. 

Dennison shook his head, dropping his gaze as he clenched his teeth and spoke through a broken voice, "For all these years I've wondered how Eli truly felt between Maddox and I and... and... It hurts, Thea... to finally know that my son would rather me be buried six feet under." 

When Thea tried to reason with her husband that Eli didn't mean it, that he was just a kid who was emotionally driven that night, Dennison nodded slowly but she knew he didn't believe her. The man just sat there, my cousin said, and sighed that he was going to bring Maddox, Sr home. That all he wanted was for his son to smile at Dennison again.

Dennison sniffled, frowning away from his wife, "Even if that smile isn't really for me."

So it made sense of Eli's recent behavior towards his dad. He never really had a conversation with Dennison anymore. He'd still sit at the table with everyone but after so many tries, I think it was really hurting the former alpha that his son didn't love him as much as Eli loved Maddox, Sr.

At first, I figured it was just that both Eli and Maddox, Sr had a different type of relationship that was nothing compared to a love between father and son... but when I talked to Eli once when we were sitting down for lunch about how I didn't see him hanging around his dad as much I immediately saw the scowl etch onto his face.

Eli shrugged a shoulder, using his spoon to stir the steamy soup in front of him. He didn't look at me when he muttered that he just didn't want to. 

Mirroring his stirring, I glanced up at the boy across from me. 

"It's okay to miss him, Eli," I tried to speak as quiet as possible that made Eli's brown eyes lift to mine. "Your dad, I mean." 

Eli's frown returned, blinking a few times before scowling at his soup again. 

"He's here," came out as a grumble. "I don't have to miss him since he's not gone."

"And is that what you want?" I asked, lowering a brow. 

When he looked up at me, I clarified, "Would you rather your dad not be around anymore? To not be here where you can see him? Laugh with him? Hug him?"

The twelve-year-old's scowl deepened, shifting his gaze to the side before shrugging. 

"I just want Maddie back, Kale. I miss him more. I miss how he'd give me raspberries when I didn't want to go to sleep or how we used to color a page together and he'd let me color outside of the lines because he said it always made it look better."

I remained quiet, watching the way Eli frowned at his soup again.

"Maddie used to promise me that when I was older he'd teach me how to use his crossbow. He'd let me hand him the arrows because Mom wouldn't let me touch the crossbow itself. Or sometimes... sometimes when I was sick he'd tell me that if I got better soon he'd stay out all night to help me catch fire-flies."

Eli swallowed, his chin and bottom lip trembling. His eyes blinked repeatedly, trying to keep his tears at bay.

"We were supposed to collect jars of them! Lots and lots of jars!"

The boy looked up at me, whimpering, "I just want him back!" then shoved his soup away, dropping his spoon and hid his face into his arms he brought on top of the table. His shoulders shook as he cried and I just sat there, watching him. 

It wasn't that I wasn't going to comfort him... but I had to ask Eli something and I wouldn't be able to if I was distracted by crying with him. 

"Eli..."

I waited a bit longer, seeing that Eli was really upset. Leaning forward a bit, I reached over to place a hand on top of his head. I caught Eli's hand come up to try shoving off my hand but I grinned a little, keeping it in place until he sat up and scowled at me. 

Tilting my head as I tucked my arms underneath me at my weird angle, I asked Eli something that made his crying halt suddenly and his brown eyes widen. Those big teary eyes of his blinked once... twice... then he answered.

"Yes."

I sat back then, letting myself lean against my chair. A small breath of air was let out and I raised my brows as I stared at the table. 

Eli was just a kid. They say that kids say things they don't mean but then why did Eli's answer hurt so much more... and it wasn't even a question about me. 

"I'm sorry, Kale..." Eli whispered and I nodded, not saying anything. I couldn't. I didn't know what to say really.

I stood up, not bothering to pick up my bowl that I knew would get me a scolding by Aunt Penny later, and started to take a few steps away from the table. When I paused, I frowned and asked Eli if he remembered anything else from seven years ago other than Maddox, Sr dying. 

"Um... Not... Not really, no."

That irritated me. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I felt obligated to come to Dennison's defense with all that had happened those years ago. Everything that Eli would have been too little to remember---let alone understand. 

"I have to admit, Eli, that I can't help but being a little mad at you."

"Why?" 

He sounded genuinely confused and so I turned to face him. Eli frowned, shaking his head that he didn't understand why I was mad at him. Why I was getting mad about what Eli said. 

"Because Eli..." I sighed, closing my eyes and mentally thought about how Dennison might kill me for telling his son a little about what happened those years ago. "Your dad would have done anything for you---"

"So would Maddie!" Eli argued, his brown eyes darkening that I saw a glimmer of the wolf in him.

"But Maddie didn't sacrifice himself for you!" I shouted back, making Eli's eyes widen. "Maddie didn't cry so hard from having to give you up! Just so that he could prevent himself from trying to kill you!" 

Eli's wide eyes rounded more, brows furrowing and his voice faltered and shook as he asked, "Wh---what are you talking about?"

My fingers raked through the front of my hair. I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath. I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have told Eli about what was supposed to have happened to him. He wasn't supposed to know what happened to Dennison when he was genetically altered. 

"Kale! Kale, what do you mean!?" 

I opened my eyes to find Eli standing on his chair, that worried frown on his face and I sighed again, shaking my head for him to forget about it. That I was just being dramatic. 

"You're lying..." Eli frowned at me. His eyes narrowed. "And I will find out why too."

He hopped off the chair, lip curling as he was walking past me and finalized, "You can't make me change my mind! I want Maddie here more than my dad!" before storming out of the kitchen. 

Now that I see Eli standing by his little brother, arms crossed, he had little interest in seeing us off. His eyes were on Maddox bouncing a large colorful rubber ball, giggling as he hopped around. 

As I watched Eli, I knew that he was going to have to learn the hard way that not everything was as it seemed. He was going to have to learn that his words were hurtful and that he'd regret them somehow. 

I don't wish bad on the kid. I really don't. But I do want Eli to understand that he was out of line and that he had no right to take out his emotions on Dennison as he had. It wasn't fair to the father who gave up a lot for his boys. 

"Maddox! Eli!" Thea smiled, "Come give Mommy and Daddy a hug goodbye!" 

Little Maddox beamed, tossing the ball aside and ran over, almost tripping on his untied shoelaces. The only reason Eli followed was to half-scold his little brother about his laces and was needing to tie them for him. 

Maddox jumped into his mother's arms, giggling when she gave him a bunch of little kisses on his face. He turned, smiling, "I'll miss you, Mommy!" 

"I'll miss you too," my cousin sighed, kissing her son again for good measure. 

The boy turned, beaming as he reached for his father who gladly took him in his arms. Maddox took hold of his father's face, leaning so close that their noses touched and practically crossed eyes. 

"I'ma miss you too, Daddy!"

Dennison laughed lightly, turning his head to kiss his son's cheek. He smiled at the boy, nodding that he would miss Maddox too. 

"But I'll only be gone for a little while... Okay?" Dennison raised his brows, assuring his son of his return.

Maddox mirrored his father's face and grinned, "Ya promise, Daddy?" 

The former alpha nodded silently, lowering to place Maddox back on his feet. He lifted his gaze to Eli who was doing everything to keep from eye contact. Thea saw this too and kissed her son's forehead before motioning to her husband, "Don't forget to say 'bye' to your dad, Eli."

Eli's jaw clenched, frowning as he turned his head but kept his gaze down and shrugged a shoulder, "Bye..." before leaning down to grab his little brother's hand.

"C'mon, Maddie," Eli muttered, walking away. 

"But Eli!" Maddox whimpered, his gray eyes tearing as he looked at his parents. "I wanna say bye to Daddy! And Mommy! And Cousin Kale!" 

"You already did. You'll get sadder if you do it again."

"But---but Eli!" 

Eli stopped, sulking his shoulders before turning around and waved, "Fine... Go ahead. Go say goodbye one more time."

Maddox beamed, hugging his brother who grinned down at the boy's head. The younger boy spun around and ran over until he collided into my side. I laughed lightly, patting Maddox on the back when he muffled into my shirt that he was going to miss me too. 

"Same, little Buddy." then I knelt down to look at those gray eyes of his. 

"Do me a favor, Pal..." I sighed, tugging playfully on Maddox's earlobe that made him laugh and shrug his shoulder. "Watch Uncle Easton for me until I get back... okay?"

Maddox smiled, lifting his chin and nodded, "Uh-huh, I will!" 

"I knew I could count on you," I leaned forward to hug him and then lifted my gaze to see that Eli was staring at me. I raised a brow, silently questioning his next move before Eli lowered his gaze and walked over to stand in front of me. 

"I'll help Maddie watch Uncle Easton for you, Kale," Eli grinned. 

I placed my hand on his head, nodding, "You better," which made Eli laugh a bit. He shoved my hand off his head and held out his hand for his brother to take. Once Eli stepped back a bit with Maddox securely beside him, we all piled into the cars and started heading out.

I turned to look out the window and could see little Maddox running after the cars. Easton and Eli were behind him just in case and I glanced at the rearview mirror where Dennison was looking through. Not at me... But at the boys.

My cousin placed her hand on her husband's arm, nodding as she whispered that everything would be okay. Dennison nodded, frowning as he stared forward and I turned back around to see Maddox happily climbing on the fence and waving his hand frantically in the air while shouting inaudibly. 

Eli and Easton were next to him, with Easton holding Maddox so he wouldn't fall off. I smiled, facing forward and looked over at Thorton who offered a small smile and a handful of grapes. 

And I couldn't even get past my sudden laughing to tell him why. 

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Thorton sat up, leaning forward a bit more as he frowned with a scrunched nose. 

"This... Doesn't look anything like what I thought the Alliance would..."

We'd been driving for what felt like days. I lost count of how many hours after the first eight and with the few pit stops that were needed, I kept wondering if we'd ever get to our destination. It seemed like we were just driving endlessly and I was getting kind of restless. It didn't help that Thorton and I finished the bag of snacks between us. 

Then when asked how long we'd been on the road, Dennison's grumbled, "Thirty hours" made Thorton and I groan. And when we asked how much longer, Thea gave us a small pitied look and replied, "Eight hours," we groaned even louder that irritated Dennison so much that he warned us he'd leave Thorton and I on the side of the road.

Without food.

When no answer was given about the eerily pale white homes we were passing where patches of green trees were settled in between each, Thorton turned his frown to me. His green eyes filled with caution as he practically whispered, "We're not... going... to the Alliance... Are we?"

I shook my head, watching how my friend closed his eyes and sat back with a small groan. 

"We're going to find Maddox, Sr, Thorton. We might have an idea who knows where he is."

"And you didn't tell me this before!?" Thorton panicked, looking more nervous now. 

I shrugged that I couldn't bring Easton because there was a possibility that this person we were going to visit could possibly know where Easton's sister was too.

Thorton's brows furrowed, blinking a few times. "Langley? She's... she's alive too?"

"We think so... otherwise her coffin wouldn't have been empty."

"You opened her coffin!?" Thorton's voice went up an octave as he stared in panic. "Easey Peasy's gonna flip his shit, Kale!" 

"Not if he finds out she's alive," I pointed out. 

My friend sighed, rubbing his temples before trying to relax against his seat. He stared forward, asking Dennison and my cousin if they knew where we were going.

"Sort of," Thea replied, her face scrunched a bit. 

She explained that her husband was able to find out through the publisher of the book I had who the agent of the author was. She added that it was going to be talking to the agent that was the hard part; trying to convince this person to give them the address to the writer.

"And if he doesn't?" Thorton inquired. 

Dennison grunted then assured us, "He will." like there was something he would be doing to "convince" this agent to talking. 

Thea raised a brow, looking at Dennison and reminded him that he was to be on his best behavior. The driver scoffed, muttering that she must have thought she married someone else. Thea rolled her eyes, pointing out that she needed one less person to worry about if he could control his temper.

"My mother is a different story," Thea muttered. 

Point taken.

With my Uncle Thatcher driving the truck in front of us, we followed closely behind a few more winding roads and more of the eerie looking houses. They all looked the same, identical even. I was hoping that maybe the decor inside was different. 

"This place is kind of creepy..." Thorton mumbled, staring out the window. 

He turned to me, raising a brow. "Where exactly are we?"

"According to the signs, I saw us pass," Thea answered, "We're in North Carolina now. Close to Charlotte actually."

Thorton blinked hard as he faced me. 

"We drove... clear across the country in only thirty-eight hours? Shouldn't it have been less?" 

I shrugged, muttering that I could not answer that since I've never left California. Ever. 

"But where are we going?" I asked that made me lean back quickly when Dennison slightly turned his face to growl at me to shut up. He even went as far as to grab his empty bottle of Gatorade and threw it at me. 

It bounced against my head before I could block it and frowned, glancing at Thea who shrugged with a small smile. 

Thank you, Thea. So helpful.

"Seriously though... how much longer?" Thorton asked and Dennison shifted his gaze to him now.

"You're next, Roman. I'm warning you." 

Thorton's wide green eyes looked at me and I raised a brow. 

"He's not kidding," I affirmed so Thorton fell silent. 

About fifteen minutes passed before Dennison parked behind my uncle's truck. Thorton and I could not have jumped out of the car any faster. It felt so good to stretch my legs and I sighed after taking in a deep breath of the fresh air. 

My uncle and the others walked over to where Dennison and Thea stood. They all looked around at the surroundings before Mr. Dennison nodded with a finger pointing up a dirt road leading to a two-story home at the top of the hill. He mentioned that we needed to go up there to speak with the agent. 

Uncle Thatcher nodded in agreement then added, "We don't know how he'll take us asking for Evan so we need to be cautious. It could go smoothly or he could think we're crazed fans."

"Fans?" my Aunt Emeel sneered. "Of a book with a bunch of crap lies?"

Uncle Thatcher shrugged, reminding my aunt that this agent didn't know about the Supernatural world. My aunt rolled her eyes, turning away to start leading us up the hill. 

As we were walking, I noticed how green everything was. The grass was this vibrant color and it was freshly cut. The trees surrounding the dirt trail on our way up were tall and they were all separated a good distance from one another. 

The house, once we stood in front of it, was really huge. It was such a pristine white too that I got a weird feeling about it. I think Thorton did too since he stepped a bit closer to me. He glanced at me shrugging and I nodded in understanding.

My uncle was the one who walked up the porch and knocked on the door. He even rang the doorbell before stepping back a bit. 

It was quiet as we waited for a response and once we heard the locks turning on the opposite side, we all tensed a bit. The door swung open and the inside of the home looked a bit dark. Light-wise I mean. 

Someone was clearly standing at the doorway and my uncle cleared his throat, apologizing for the intrusion but that he was hoping that he---we, when he motioned to us behind him---were looking for the homeowner. An agent for a writer we were looking for. 

Nothing was responded and I could see my uncle squint a little as he asked, "Sir?"

After thinking no one was actually there, a voice broke the silence. 

"I'd been wondering when you'd finally show..." 

My uncle frowned, looking over his shoulder at us before facing the door again. He squinted a bit, asking for clarification.

"What do you mean?"

My uncle stepped back again, frowning when the man at the door moved forward to come out into the light. The face we saw was identical to that belonging to the author picture at the back of the book. Even from here I could see the missing tip of the man's ear. 

"Evan..." my uncle frowned, blinking repeatedly. 

The man straightened, placing his hands behind his back and raised a brow as he bowed a bit. 

"In the flesh."

My aunt narrowed her eyes, growling under her breath as she tried to go forward but Mr. Dennison and my dad held her back. This wasn't missed by Evan Gallagher though. The man's eyes shifted to our group and the corner of his lip twitched up into a smirk.

"Emeel and Vincent Ray... Been quite a long time since the last I saw of you two." He looked at my uncle, raising his brows, "Any of you, actually."

We all stayed quiet, unsure of what to do---or say---next. But Evan smiled, nodding as he gestured for us to follow him inside so that we could discuss the reason for the surprise visit.

"Though it wasn't really a surprise since I'd been expecting you," Evan chuckled. 

He was the only one going into the house before returning outside and frowned a bit.

"Do you all plan on staying out here?"

"Yes," my uncle nodded, pointing out that we had no reason to trust Evan at all. Not after realizing that he was alive all this time. "For all we know you have something up your sleeve if we all go in there. And I'm not putting my family in that danger, Evan."

"Family?" Evan raised a brow. 

He blinked, looking around my uncle to stare back at us. His nose scrunched when looking at my uncle again. 

"You... You had a family with... Emeel?"

My Uncle Thatcher shook his head, frowning that he and Emeel were not together but that was not what he meant. Evan nodded, still looking unsure before placing his hands behind his back again that reminded me of the same posture as my dead grandfather... and sometimes my dad.

Evan walked towards the edge of the porch, pursing his lips as he scanned each one of us. His eyes settled on someone between Dennison and my aunt which made Evan grin before looking at my aunt.

"She's the spitting image of you, Emeel." He raised a brow, letting his grin falter a little. "I'm sure Daven was heartbroken seeing her being the daughter to someone else other than him."

We all frowned, glancing at one another but my aunt huffed, stepping in front of Thea and made it a point to tell Evan that her daughter was no concern to him. Even if she was wondering how he knew Thea had a different father than the link assigned to my Aunt Emeel. 

Evan tipped his head a bit and nodded, "Ah. Yes. Well, about that..."

He smiled that Thea looked nothing like Daven Hollow who was bound to have gotten something from their old Societal companion. Evan chuckled, shrugging a shoulder, "Course... Neither did the child that beared his name."

Now it was my cousin's turn to get defensive. She was already shoving through her husband and mother to stand at the front. Thea's eyes narrowed, jaw clenching while trying to keep her nerves. Dennison was close by her, holding her wrist to remind her of keeping calm.

Evan raised a brow again, pointing out to my aunt that her daughter got a little defensive faster than necessary. He scoffed out a small chuckle, "She really is yours, Emeel."

"We're not here to discuss what my daughter did or didn't get from me, Evan. We are here about something else entirely different."

"Is it though?" Evan frowned, tilting his head a little. He looked at my uncle who distanced himself a bit. "Your reason for being here couldn't be any different to my pointing out how much Emeel's daughter looks just... like... her." 

My uncle seemed to be picking up on what Evan was doing and slowly nodded, "Then you do know... know why we're here."

Evan frowned, nodding to the side, "Course I do. It was what I was expecting. It was the only way I figured you'd three figure it out and come searching for me. Just to get answers."

Thea swallowed, looking between the two men and then asked, her voice quivering, "You sent the book to Blood Moon Falls? On... On purpose?"

Evan looked at my cousin and his face softened. Whether it was because of how vulnerable Thea looked or something else, the man momentarily lost that macho-facade of his. He nodded once, confirming to Thea that he did send the book he wrote to Blood Moon Falls. On purpose.

"Why?" my cousin asked with so much desperation.

The man beside my uncle stared a bit longer at her then took a deep breath before letting it out slow.

"Well because I knew that'd be the only way you'd come looking for him."

Thea's short intake of breath was out loud compared to the rest of us holding our breath internally. We all stared at the man who'd been turning away towards his doorway. He stopped and then spoke louder to our group.

"So... Why don't we all go inside and have some coffee to settle the nerves you all have before we settle this matter? Hm?"

Thea swallowed, frowning, "Him! You said 'come looking for him'!" 

Evan turned slightly, his eyes settled on her. But Thea wouldn't let herself hold back as she asked, "Do you really know why we're here?"

The man's gaze lifted from Thea to the rest of us. He carefully studied us, contemplating his words. His brow rose and the corner of his lip curled up a bit. 

"Of course I do, Thea Saranto."

Every one of us stiffened other than a low growling Dennison who reached over to grab his wife's arm and pull her closer to his side. 

The man knew my cousin's name. Not once was her birth surname mentioned. Yet Evan Gallagher knew it. He wasn't even "alive" when my aunt married Thea's father. So how the hell did he know her name?

Evan could see how startled we all were and briefly smirked at this before relaxing his expression and raised his brows while motioning to the house.

"Now... Why don't you all come in? Then, and only then---" he held up a finger at some of us moving to speak again, "---Will I explain my reasoning for sending out a crack-pot book to Blood Moon Falls where I knew, at some point, you'd all come looking... hoping... to find me."

Evan pursed his lips a moment, looking upward and hummed, "Or... to be more accurate... that it wasn't me who you were really searching for..."

His gaze gleamed with mirth as he looked at us and corrected,  "But more for my son... Maddox."