Chapter 21

KESKA: "I am not trying to do anything. so don't threaten me. Keska!"“I am not threatening anyone. I am just informing you of the consequences of the situation, and the fact that there are witnesses to the crap that you are pulling to keep Jessie's attention on you, she already has a punishment that she has to do, because she was caught bulling a student. and why?Because yougot too close and put your arm around her, and Jessie saw it.That's on you." I tell him. "Just be mindful of what you are doing."I turned and started to walk away from him. He grabs my arm hard,and I know it's going to leave a bruise. “You are just jealous of me and Jessie.because I picked her instead of you.""Ha! I could care less who you date Seth, it makes no difference to me. but what does matter to me is the fact that between the two of you. you have put the pack in jeopardy of being given to someone else, and how do you think James will react when he figures all this out for himself?" "As I said. I couldn't care less who you date. I just care about the pack, and my home, now let go. before you get embarrassed." I tell him. "What are you going to do? Beat me up?""No.but I will put you on the floor if you don't let go." I hiss at him,with a bit of anger in my voice. He let go, and I returned to the front check-out desk to wait for Nana. "Oh, thank you so much for your help this evening."I hear her say to the librarian. "Are you ready, Nana?" I asked,"I just need to check this book out, and then we can go." I waited for her to finish, and we left. "Did you accomplish what you set out to do?”"I hope so, Nana, I hope so."

KESKA: The next day, Nana showed up in my history class to set Mr.Greyson straight on who killed the rogue Lycan, how it was done is a family secret, and will not be revealed to anyone but family. The rest of the week flew by without any more issues from Seth or Jessie, thank the goddess. Mackie and I kept up our training with Nana. Now, we need to

get through the next 6 weeks without issue. That's a lot to hope for, I know.but one can still hope.

KESKA: Two weeks before graduation. Jessie did make her apology to Betsy; she did it in the lunchroom in front of everyone there and the few teachers who monitor the lunchroom. She stood on a chair and got everyone's attention. "Excuse me, but I need to have your attention,please!I have an announcement I need to make." Everyone went silent. “I, Jessie Sutter of the Alpha family. do apologize to Betsy Wright. Omega.Freshman class." Typical Jessie, even her apology sounded like an insult.but at least she did it. (*Now you can go tell Beta Pierce I apologized in public.") I just turned to go to my table after she made her announcement.so I could finish lunch and be ready for my next class. "'Hey Keska! Don't ignore me!" I heard Jessie say from behind me. "I'm not ignoring you.what do you want. Jessie?" "I just sent you a link, and you completely ignored me!""I didn't ignore you. I did not get your link, what did you want?""I told you to tell Beta Pierce that I made my public apology."She sniped at me. "And what do you mean you didn't get my link?" “I didn't get it, and I was not the one to tell Beta Pierce anything in the first place."I tell her. "So, no, I will not be the one to tell him that you apologized.May I go have my lunch now, or is there something else you wanted?""You're lying, you had to of gotten my link!" "I thinkyou are confusing me with ***your*** friends Jessie, I am not lying. I did not get your link." I say to her. "Keep this up, and I am going to tell Mom and Dad." She spouts. "Go ahead. I didn't get it." I say to her. Her eyes clouded over.and the next thing I know, James is linking me. **Now, what is going on with the two of you?" "Don't ask me. I just want to go eat lunch, and Jessie is griping about me ignoring her. I did not get her link."“Well,try to link her and see what happens." "James, I don't have time for all this nonsense. I'm hungry. I'm going to get my lunch, eat it, and then get to class."* “Jessie. I'm hungry. I'm going to get lunch, excuse me." I moved

past her and went to my table to finish my lunch.“What did Jessie want?"Mackie asked. "She said that I was ignoring her, and that she linked me.but if she did, I did not get it. And now she is throwing a fit about it."“What if she did try to link you?" "Still. I did not get it."“Do you think it might have something to do with what happened a month ago?"“Well,if it does, then that's on her as well, and she threatened to tell mom and father,won't that go over just great. give her enough rope, but of course I know that I will get blamed for that too." "Let's go to class and forget about all this until it becomes an issue." She says.

KESKA: Last bell rings. "Yeah! Only 2 more weeks!" I say to Mackie as we head over to our bikes. "Hey. Kes, do you think we should try to get real jobs this summer?" "Sure, what did you have in mind?" I asked her.“You know that human town about 2 and a half miles away? Maybe we can go there and see if there is anything available." She says. "Ok, sure.but we will have to figure out a schedule that we can both work so we can go together." I tell her."We will need transportation, other than our bikes.though.""I know, but if we pool our money. I might be able to get the shortfall from Nana, as long as I promise to pay her back, we should be able to get a decent used car." She nods her head. "We will have to get our driver's license as well." I say. "I will start a search for a vehicle after training tonight." I nod my head.

MACKIE: After we finish our homework and our training with Nana, I set up my laptop and start a search for used vehicles on the Wolf Web. Kes is talking to Nana about helping us pay for it if needed. We both have continued to help the senior population of the pack and have earned more than I think she realizes. "Hey, Kes, I think I found one. It's a private owner, and they are asking $8,000 for a 2022 Toyota; it says it has under 40,000 miles on it.""What's wrong with it? That car should be more than that.""I will message the person and ask." I sent a message to the person.

and kept looking, not expecting to get a response right away. So. I was surprised when I got a message back. (Thank you for your inquiry,the car belonged to my late wife, she passed away from cancer two months ago,and I have no use for the car, and keeping it hurts, due to the memories.There is nothing wrong with it. I just wish to have it gone. H. Night. Dark forest Pack.)"He says that it belonged to his dead wife and wants to get rid of it."“Wow, if it's true, we just hit the jackpot. Do we have enough to get though?" she asked.