Chapter 4

When I put my phone down, Alex and Zach are at my bedroom door. I asked, “What do you want? Never mind. I already know. You want me to go to campus for classes. I am not changing my mind. I’m telling you one last time before I start kicking asses. I am not going to tell you again. It is time for you guys to start doing things for yourself. I will not baby you anymore. You will start paying attention in class and learning your shit for yourself. Trust me, you’ll feel smarter when you learn it the first time it is explained to you.” Alex looked at the floor, “I’m sorry, sis. I know why you want to do it, but we just have always been together. I know we will all feel incomplete without you here.” I sighed, “Guys, mom needs me more than you do. You know that.” Zach sighed, “We know that we just don’t want you to be away from us. It’s our job to protect you. That’s always been our job.” Just then, Micah walks in, “Forget about them sis. Mom does need you. If these idiots need help with homework, I can help them. I know you need to do this.” I sighed in relief, “Thanks, Micah. I will spend the next two weeks trying to get them used to paying attention in class.” Alex keeps staring at the floor, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how badly we were hurting you.” Zach added, “It was Alex’s idea to keep nagging you until you gave in.” Alex sighed, “I never thought that you’d get this mad at us. I never thought that it would push you farther away from us.” I laughed, “You guys are idiots. I feel sorry for your mates. Do us all a favor. No more trying to manipulate anyone. You’re not good at it at all.” Alex and Zach nodded, “Okay.” Micah smiled, “We’ll see if that works.” I laughed as I shook my head at them.

The next day, grandpa went to question the rogues who were captured. The fact that they wouldn’t fight me disturbed me. Why were they just standing there? It made me wonder if they were trying to warn me instead of killing me. But why didn’t they just shift to their human forms? I really hope grandpa finds out something. It’s bugging the crap out of me.

While they were gone, grandma asked me to help her clean the kitchen. As we were rinsing dishes and placing them in the dishwasher, grandma asked, “How are you feeling, sweetie?” I smiled, “I’m okay. Sometimes it sucks be a part of multiples.” She chuckled, “Your grandmother said the same thing when she was a teenager. Nico didn’t make life easier for her. He was extra protective too.” I shook my head, “I have three of the things.” Grandma laughed out loud at that. I sighed, “They’re such a pain, grandma.”  Grandma laughed, “And they always will be, sweetie. But they will also always be there for you if you need them. That’s just the way it works. I wasn’t blessed with a brother. Just two annoying little sisters. But they will always be there for me, if I need them.” I shrugged, “Lizzy and Emily are awesome little sisters. I just wish my brothers weren’t so annoying.” She chuckled, “That’s their job. To annoy the crap out of you.” I smiled, “Then they are excelling at it.”

It wasn’t long after we were finished cleaning the kitchen that grandpa came in with Uncle Nico and my brothers. Grandpa sighed heavily and sat down hard. He wasn’t a bloody mess, so I am assuming he didn’t have to get into any of the bloody torture. That may or may not be a good thing. I sat down next to him and let my waves flow a little more than usual and I could see him and Uncle Nico relax. Uncle Nico sighed, “Thank you, little one. How are you doing today?” I shrugged, “I would be better if I knew why there are rogues on my way home every time I’m coming home from a run.” He smiled, “Well, we can help with that. The rogues were very willing to talk as soon as we used the alpha command to make them shift.” I asked, “So, what did you find out?” Uncle Nico explained, “They were there to warn you. Nothing more. I used the alpha command to make sure they could only tell me the truth. They were there to tell you that there is a warlock/werebear coming after you.” I asked, “Do you have any idea who that is?” He replied, “They don’t know his name. He swears you are his mate though.” I furrowed my brows, “I haven’t felt the mate bond pull me to anyone.” Grandpa sighs, “It could be someone who is just stuck on you and he thinks you are his mate. The rogues don’t know anything about the guy. He used magic to get them to hunt you down and tell you that your mate is coming for you.” I sit back and try to figure out who could be doing this. I could care less that he is a werebear. Hell, all of my brothers and my father are werebear/warlock hybrids. The only difference between us and dad is that we each have wolves too. I just use my wolf more. My bear helps me with my magic. All of my brothers use their bears more than their wolves. We have a lot of warlocks in my family, but something is telling me that I’m not dealing with an average warlock. Grandpa then sighs, “Baby girl, I need to make sure you know that there is no way I can let you run alone anymore.” I nodded, “I understand. I would just rather run by myself. Can we keep the warriors to a minimum?” Grandpa replied, “I think two would be okay. Just give me a minute to get them before you take off each time.” I nodded, “Okay, grandpa.” I lowered my gaze and grandpa lifted my chin with two fingers, “Hey, sweetie, we are only doing this because we love you. I know you don’t like this, but we have to do it this way. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.” I sighed, “Grandpa, if something happens to me, it would be on me. Not you. You are doing everything you can to keep me safe.”

I stood up and walked to my room. I sighed as I sat at my desk and pulled out my chemistry book. I had been working on my homework for a while when my phone rang. Looking at the caller I.D., I saw that it was my mom. I answered, “How do you always know when I need to talk?” Mom laughed, “Well, hello, my daughter. I really didn’t know you needed to talk. I just felt an overwhelming need to hear your voice.” I laughed, “I appreciate your instincts. They’re always spot on.” Mom asked, “So, what’s up, my sweetie?” I sighed, “You know how I told you about the rogues that just stand there and block my path?” Mom sighed, “Yeah. Grandpa said they captured some. Did they find out anything?” I answered with a prominent sadness in my tone, “Yeah. Apparently, they were just there to send a message. The message was from an unknown person to tell me that a warlock will be coming to me soon. He feels like I am his mate.” Mom asked, “They don’t know who told them to send this message?” I replied, “No. It was a spell that told them to do this.” Mom hummed, “Hmm. This worries me. Be careful. Okay? I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.” I sighed, “I will be home for good in less than two weeks. Okay?” She smiled, “I can’t wait. I love you!” I smiled, “I love you too, mom.” I ended the call and put my phone down.

I started my homework again and pulled out my laptop to work on my English Literature final project. It’s a five-thousand-word essay on our favorite author and I am particularly excited about it. As I started writing, it just started flowing and, before I knew it, I had it done. I was so satisfied with that one getting done, I saved it on my laptop to proofread later, then I saved it onto a thumb drive to be sure I didn’t lose it. I then started my psychology paper that I needed to write. I guess that must have been my day to write because every paper I started was finished on the same day. It was really nice to feel like I had accomplished so much. I went ahead a proofread that paper, saved it, then printed it out to turn in at class tomorrow. I don’t want to lose it before I can get credit for it.

I’m so ready for this semester to be done.