Chapter 24

Chapter25

DRAKE: “Graduation is a week away, your mother and I have decided to keep it a small affair, as we will be hosting a mating ball for your 18th birthday, so think about who you want to be at your graduation, other than pack members. Also, keep in mind that whoever you choose will more than likely be traveling twice in a very short amount of time."Dinner was being served during this conversation. “Mimi and Papa Sutter for sure." Jessie pipes up. “Adrian and Kina would be nice." James says.“The Alpha and Luna from High Crest pack, Lukas and Jewel with their,two kids.Josh and Leasha," Jessie chimes in. “What about Alpha Ty,and Luna Tara from Cold Moon Pack with their twins, Blake and Blane." Lissa says. The twins nodded at her suggestion. “There's the Alpha and Luna from Dutch Wood Pack, Shane and Avery with Colton and Janica." Liam puts his two cents into the mix. Again, the Twins' nod.

JESSIE: “Good. I think that is a good mix of people. Nobody is fighting with anybody in that grouping, so it should be fun."

CARLA:“Keska, is there someone you wish to add?" I watch as she looks at me like I have two heads. "No, why would I? This is for James,Jessie,Wyatt, and Star. If anything, you should be asking them who they want,it has nothing to do with me." She says with no emotion in her voice at all.

JESSIE: I make a sour face at Mother's question to Keska, and I feel a link push at me from James. *"Stop it, Jessie, everyone else has added someone,leave it alone." “This is for us, not her, she shouldn't get to have a say."* I close the link.

LIAM: *"Kes, what's wrong?"“Ever since you and Lissa were 5, they have ignored me, and now suddenly, they want my input? Why? It's goingto take more than asking me who to invite to something that is clearly set for

James and Jessie. No, thank you." “You can tell me if there is someone you want invited.”“Nice try, Liam, and thank you, but no, if they can't think of one of the most important people that should be at this event, I am not going to tell them."* She closes the link to me. I opened a link to Mom. *“Mom, what's going on with Keska?” “Dear, there is an issue between Jessie and Keska, and it's not good. Why is she being mean or rude to you?”“No, just not her usual self is all." “Sorry, dear, just give her some time."“She did say that you're missing someone important from the guest list,though.”“Did she say who?"“No."* I closed the link.

LISSA: I opened a link to Liam *"Why is Keska being such a bitch!?”“She isn't being a bitch, but if you had to put up with Jessie dumping all her shit on you how would that make you feel? And Jessie has been getting away with it for years, Keska is just standing up for herself finally and you are calling her a bitch for it? What's wrong with you?”“What are you talking about? Jessie hasn't done anything!”“No? Then why does Keska have to do a week of hard training with the elite warriors, and Jessie got off easy with no cheerleading? Does that seem fair to you? Or weren't you paying attention? Plus, Kes loses a week of summer break to have to do that hard training, and if you think that Jessie hasn't done anything,go hang with Jessie for that week and see what she does." “You're just being mean towards Jessie and sticking up for that brat."“And what you just said about Kes constitutes as bullying, but you don't bully, right?”* I just closed the link and glared at him.

KESKA: "May I be excused? I am done." I had to get away from the tension-filled atmosphere in the dining room. I felt like I was choking.I noticed that Lissa was glaring at Liam, I opened a link to him, *"Liam don't fight with Lissa; she will take Jessie's side of things, and you will end up on everybody's shit list."* I close the link. I know that there was a lot of linking going on at the table, but I was keeping my mouth shut, I wasn't

going to be the reason that Jessie and James were going to protest about me wanting someone at their graduation party, plus I was trying to figure out how I was going to survive the night in question without any issues with the twins' in question.

DRAKE: I am watching the linking going on at the table, but I am not going to interfere with any of it. Then Keska asked to be excused.“Yes."Is all I can say to her. I just don't know how to reach her right now.I watch as she gets up with her dishes and heads towards the kitchen. I feel exhausted from the day's events, and I just don't know where to turn, to even start to get a handle on things.

KESKA: I wake up the next morning, go to my bathroom and do my business, then head downstairs for breakfast. "Good morning, Sarah," I say as I enter the kitchen. "Good morning, Kes."“I was wondering, do you have the menu worked out for the twins' graduation?”“Not yet, I don't know how many extras are coming." “Oh, I thought they would have given you that last night, they were discussing it at dinner, but anyway, I am here to offer mine and Mackie's services to be kitchen help that day and service help for the evening.""And how does Mackie feel about you offering her services without her knowledge?" Sarah asked,raising an eyebrow at me. "She won't mind, it will keep us busy and out of sight for the most part of the party goers, you know, out of sight,out of mind."I quipped at her. Just then, the kitchen door opens,and Mom comes in.

CARLA: "Sarah, I would likce to have breakfast in the family dining room this morning."“Yes, Luna.”“Keska, what do you have planned for the day?" I asked her. "Well, Mackie and I were thinking of going to do the rounds, checking on the seniors, and then maybe head over to Nana's to run the obstacle course,""What do you mean, check on the seniors?" I asked her, a bit confused. "Mackie and I run errands for the seniors who are housebound, and those who don't necessarily want to do the errands

themselves."She says with a nonchalant tone in her voice, like she has done it for years. "How long have you been doing that?”“Since we were 9and could handle a shovel." Then she turns and takes the juice pitcher from Sarah and walks out of the kitchen. Leaving me staring at her back,shaking my head in wonder.