Date: 2-28-17

Chapter 36: Cares in Code

"What do you mean, John doesn't have any sisters?" Lena says suddenly to break up the silence.

"He has two younger sisters. One is a year younger than him and the other is two years younger than him." Lena says, as if knowing these facts will convince Adrian that he's wrong.

"Well, if that's true then his family has been hiding them. I guess we'll just have to find out." Adrian says with a shrug.

Lucas is pretty sure that this is the first time that he's ever known Adrian to be wrong. There's no way that this doesn't bother Adrian.

But Adrian isn't showing any signs of discomfort, so Lucas decides to just let it go and focus back on the conversation at hand.

"I may have a way to find out the truth on that, but first, my plan." Adrian says with a pause, waiting for someone to speak up.

"Plan?" Lucas asks with a sigh, not bothering to waste any more words than that.

"I'm glad you asked!" Adrian says with a very sarcastic sneer. "But I was going to tell you anyway."

Before anyone could retort something to get back as Adrian, he started talking again. "So, I want you to invite Johnathon to that teen club in town tomorrow at 4 pm."

"And why would I do that?" Lucas questions Adrian suspiciously. He doesn't want to endanger John any more then he already has.

"Don't worry, it's just to talk. I want to get a little more information about him before I decide what to do in the end." Adrian explains like that'll fix everything and make Lucas trust him.

Just so you know, it's not working on Lucas.

Lucas raises an eyebrow at Adrian to convey his want for answers. "Okay. So you just get him over there and tell him you miss him, you wanna hang out, whatever." Adrian waves his hand dismissively in the air to show that he doesn't care how that gets done.

Adrian continues on in a bored tone. "Then you tell him that your cousin is in town and he wants to meet your friends. Sorry, friend." Adrian says this with an emphasis that's obviously supposed to be rude.

Lucas frowns at Adrian but decided to ignore his comment. Lucas has friends at school from the football team, he just doesn't hang out with them unless it's an after party for a game.

"I don't have any cousins. John knows that." Lucas argues with Adrian.

Adrian grins in a sinister way and replies, "Tell him your cousin's from the wrong side of the family." Lucas can't disagree with that idea because Adrian certainly could be that kind of guy.

"Fine. But what are we going to do when John gets there?" Lucas questions anxiously, trying to keep his eyes from glowing in frustration and what Lucas thinks of as "protection mode."

"You don't need the details. I'll take care of it." Adrian glares at Lucas, practically daring him to challenge that.

Lucas opens his mouth to do just that when Monique walks in with Ivie, distracting everyone.

"Adrian! Don't tell me you're trying to leave me out of the plan!" Monique says sternly.

Adrian rolls his eyes dramatically at his younger sister. Of course she was listening. Adrian expected that.

"This could potentially be dangerous. I don't need you there in the way if something happens." Adrian says with his eyes narrowed, but there's no negative emotions in his eyes.

Monique hears Adrian and knows his words are in code. She's heard this multiple times and definitely understands it. "I don't need you there in the way" really means Adrian is worried Monique could get hurt.

What Ivie makes out of the chat going on is completely different than what Monique is hearing.

Ivie can't believe that Adrian could be so self centered and full of himself. Ivie can admit to herself that Adrian is hot, but the way he's acting ruins it all. Like he can't care about anyone besides himself because no one else is good enough for him.

Ivie glares at Adrian, but nobody notices because she's standing away from everyone. Ivie decides right then that she hates Adrian.

"You're just talking with him, right?" Monique says with a hint of attitude in her voice so no one thinks Adrian is caring. He doesn't show nice emotions to anyone but her, so Monique respects Adrian's code.

"The most dangerous thing that'll happen is me having to keep you in check." Monique teases.

Mason stares wonderingly at Monique. He's admiring the way she stands up to her brother, and she looks good doing it too. Monique's mouth is worked up in a teasing manner.

Monique's eyes shine playfully and Mason longs for some time alone with her. To Mason, it's like he's just meet his soul mate. His heart beats fast as he so,sets what he'd say to her.

Adrian grins and lets go of the argument he was having with Monique. "Fine. But stay out of trouble."

"I should be saying that to you." Monique retorts. Adrian grins proudly and shrugs as if to say, "guilty as charged."

Lena, Jerica, and Mason are pretending they aren't hearing the family discussion, but Lucas is clearly paying attention.

Lucas notices how quickly Adrian gave in to what Monique wants. He would never do that for anyone else without a big fight.

"I'm going to work some overtime before we go hunting tonight." Monique says calmly as if it's normal to be talking about hunting the girl who's standing next to her. But Ivie doesn't show any sign of being bothered by it.

Monique turns to Ivie just then. "Bye Ivie! See you tonight."

"See ya!" Ivie calls after Monique joyfully.

Monique leaves, gently closing the front door behind her as Ivie waves goodbye.

Lena stares in shock at the exchange that just went on. How could Ivie act as if being hunted is a normal thing? It seems like she is actually happy about it!

From Lucas' seat in the armchair next to Lena, he sees Lena frowning at Ivie in concern. Lucas reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Lena looks up when she feels a warm pressure on her hand, and sees Lucas' eyes shining his regular brown for with concern. She sends a tight smile his way to convey that's she's fine. Or at least will be.

But Lena isn't so sure that's true because so much is going on. She has to tell herself that it won't last forever.

From Lena's smile Lucas can tell that she doesn't like being stuck with all of this crazy stuff. She's probably getting really sick of it all. Does that mean Lena will get sick of Lucas too since he's a major part in this?

Lucas lets go of Lena's hand to leave her with her thoughts. Lucas wonders what he'd do if Mason was the one who was going crazy and attacking people in the woods late at night.

"I better get going now." Adrian says slowly, as if he's reluctant to leave.

"So the woods, same place, right?" Adrian grins humorously.

Lucas gives a short nod, noticing for the first time that Mason is staring off in a daze, lost in his thoughts.

Lucas wishes that one werewolf power would be mind reading. Then Lucas remembers that after his first shift, he'll be able to sense other people's emotions.

Adrian walks out of the door while Lucas is thinking, stuck in his own mind just like Mason.

"Lucas?" Lena says questioningly, trying to pull him out of his head.

"Hmm?" Lucas mumbles in response, his eyes becoming focused on Lena's face. She's leaning forward and reaching toward him.

Lena stops her hand midair when Lucas responds. Lena goes to remove her hand but Lucas grabs it. His eyes are shining at her, and for the first time, Lena realizes how attractive those chocolate brown eyes really are.

Lucas hears Lena's heart start to beat faster when he squeezes her hand in his. His heart picks up the pace to race with hers.

They both hold the stare for at least a full minute before Mason clears his throat. He's obviously not as thrilled as Lucas is to be sitting in perfect silence.

Jerica scowls at Mason for ruining her best friend's moment with her brother. It was adorable and Jerica was silently wishing they'd kiss already. It's completely obvious that they want to.

So Jerica decides to give them a little push. "I need to talk to you Mason." Jerica says quickly. "And you, Ivie."

Jerica isn't excited about that last part because she still hates Ivie, now more than ever, but Jerica wants Lucas and Lena alone to work out their blooming relationship.