Chapter 45

Chapter46

KESK A: After Mackie linked her mom, and my mom left Mackie, and「got up. freshened up, and went down for dinner. It was nice sitting down to dinner. I felt that I didn't have to try and hide for once, and with no sibling drama from the older two, sittingat the dinner table was rather nice.“Remember, Liam, tomorrow is pack duty day." I tell him. “I know,I just wish you were coming like last time." "Sorry, little bro, I wouldn't be able to do anything to help anyway." “It helps that you are there even if you don't do anything." He says. "Kes, what are you talking about? What pack duties?” Mom asked. "Liam said that he would like to take over doing the small tasks and errands that Mackie and I have done since we were 8 or 9. I told him I didn't care, but he has to be consistent with them.and not go running off to go play." "So, he and Betsy are going to be doing those, and earning the money from them." I tell Mom."And what will the two of you be doing instead?" Father asked. "We were hoping to find jobs, but now with this, (I wave my hand to my right side.) I don't know how well that will work. Sorry Mackie." I said. “We will figure something out." She says. Turning back to Liam, I say. “How about I sit at one of the picnic tables at the park, that way you can see me while you do the yard work, ok?" “Ok, it's not perfect, but I'll take it.” He says. Mom gives me another Pain pill after dinner. "I won't be very good company this evening guys." I tell them. "It's ok, I am going to stay anyway."Mackie says to me. "I will link mom and ask if I can stay too." Demi says.

KESKA: The weekend passed in a drug-induced haze for me, and I hated every minute of it. I slept more over the weekend than I probably have in my entire life. Nana, Stephen, Frank, and Pete went to the Dark Forest pack to get the car. Mackie and I were waiting for them when they got back. "Stephen, will you teach us how to drive?" I asked him. "It would be my honor to teach you how to drive Miss Keska." "Thank you, Stephen."I

tell him. "Nana, can the car stay here with you for right now? I don't trust Jessie not to do something to it." "Of course, dear,and I completely understand." “Thank you, Nana." “Stephen, can we start our lessons next week? Hopefully, I will be off the pain meds by then." “I believe we can arrange that."

KESKA: Great Uncle Carson came on Tuesday, and I was ecstatic to have him here. The Sutter Gene was strong, because he was a bit greyer at the temples, but his hair was still as black and shiny as Adrian's, and his eyes were still so sharp and blue you could drown in them. It made me wonder if Father would be the same when he reached 75. I was the first one at the front steps to greet him. I took my usual place at the back, though I wasn't going to change my place just because the older twins were not home.“Carson,welcome back." Father said, extending his hand, “Thank you,Drake, it's good to be back." He said, shaking hands with father. "Carla,good to see you too." He stepped up to give Mom a hug. "Lissa, Liam,you two have grown so much since the last time I saw you." The twins step forward to give him a hug. "Keska, come give me a hug, it's your birthday tomorrow, what would you like?" “Just having you here is present enough,Uncle Carson." I say to him. And he just chuckles at me. "I hear that you are going to host a mating ball along with the twins' birthday." He says,looking at Mom and Father. "Yes, it is our hope that one or maybe both of the twins will find their mate." "Do you have the guest list made yet?"“We were going to go over that today or tomorrow." Mom tells him. “There are a couple of Packs that I would like to see on the list, and a couple that,if you do invite, will need to be watched." He tells both mom and father."Let's go inside, instead of standing out here on the front steps." Father says. "By the way, where are the older twins?" Uncle asked. "They are reclprocating graduation ceremonies with a couple of nearby packs and won't be back until the weekend," Mom tells him.

CARSON: "Why didn't you two go?" I asked them. "There was a training accident, and Keska was stabbed; we didn't think it prudent to leave her alone." Carla tells me. No wonder Kes looks a little pale. "I hope you are investigating what happened." “We are, but we just keep hitting dead ends." Drake tells me. The pack looked good, and it felt good too, to be back home. Even though I am not in charge anymore, it is still my home and my pack. I missed it. I am looking forward to catching up with my old Beta and to seeing if my nephew was keeping his word. But the kids look good, though. I amn a little pissed that they didn't. or rather it's. couldn't.wouldn't let me know that the twins were graduating. I would have made sure to have been here for it. Oh well, what's done is done. But I am here for Keska's birthday. and I will stay through both the twins' birthdays before I go to see my brother and nephew. "So, Kes, who is coming to your party?" I ask her. "I am keeping it small, Uncle." She tells me. “Ok,but still, who is coming?" “You, Nana, Beta Pierce, Mackie,Lissa,Liam,Adrian. Kina. Mom, and Father.""I would like to ask Alpha Camron, but it would be too long for him to be away from his pack." She tells me.“Who is this, Kina? You mentioned." I ask her. “She is Adrian's mate.”“Wow. I have missed a lot." I say.