Chapter Twenty-Three

Dylan

"I thought this whole yall catching the Dark Tribe thing was supposed to make life easier," I complain, falling back onto the loveseat in Dean's old room. His dad wasted no time turning it into his man cave.

"They're called the Dark Wood Tribe," Connor corrects from his seat on the floor in front of me, "And it has made things easier. I feel safer already." He's being sarcastic and we both know it.

I nudge him with my foot and he groans. As if it actually hurt him.

Dean has hardly been home since they brought back the damned Dark Wood members they caught a few weeks ago. They were able to round up fifty of them with only a few casualties, all from Dark Wood's side.

Dean's been so weird about who gets to question them and who can be around and all of that so Connor and I have both been confined to babysitting each other. It isn't terrible seeing as how we've gotten pretty well acquainted with each other, dare I say we've become friends. I did just kick him with my bare foot a second ago.

Andrea still doesn't trust him because she can't read his thoughts. She won't come around him so she hasn't been here in weeks. I keep telling her if she would spend time with him she'd be able to get a read but she says it's like he's putting up some sort of shield in his mind whenever she's around. I laughed at her and told her it served her right for trying to poke around in people's brains uninvited. I'm sure if she got to know him he'd let his guard down just like he did with me.

"How come you haven't made friends with any of the shewolves here?" Connor asks, leaning back against my knees.

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck, "I don't think they like me much."

He cocks his head up at me and holds his chest feigning shock, "How could they not? You're the most awesome, beautiful, coolest Luna there ever was."

I push him off of my legs and swat at him.

"And how could I forget your gentle nonviolent nature?" he continues, rolling out of the way of another hit.

"Keep it up Kiddo and I'll skin you. I could make a nice rug out of your fur," I threaten, narrowing my eyes.

He laughs, holding up his hands in surrender. The sound of the movie on TV is the only noise in the room for a while as I collect my thoughts.

"Really though, I don't get how they couldn't like you," Connor explains, sitting down across from me on the rug, "You're perfect."

My eyes connect with his before he looks away, a tinge to his cheeks.

I feel the flutter in my chest at his words. My nerves are alert and my palms sweat slightly. As cute as I think it is that Connor has a little crush on me, the feelings aren't mutual. Dean's the only one I want, Connor is more like the little brother I never knew I wanted until I got him.

"Con," I start, trying to let him down easy.

"Relax Old Lady," he laughs, "I didn't mean that the way it sounded. As perfect as you may be you're not my type."

My cheeks flame and suddenly the ends of my hair are extremely interesting.

"What I meant was...you're the only friend I have."

My heart melts at the timid reluctance in his voice. "Aww Con-Con," I squeal, jumping over to him with a hug.

He whines about the girly nickname but hugs me back anyway, kissing the side of my head before letting me go.

I don't want to misread him, especially after what he just said, but I could've sworn I saw lust in his eyes when I pulled away.

Shaking away the thought I lie down on my stomach and place my head across my folded arms. "Why don't you have any friends?" I flip his earlier question around on him.

His brow weaves together before he sighs his answer. "I used to, but that was before Derek died. After that," he stops to readjust in his spot beside me, "nothing was the same. I didn't want to do anything besides train to fight so that what happened to D wouldn't happen again to anyone that I loved."

My smile tickles my forearm. "So you're a bad ma'am-a-jam-a is what you're telling me? Because that's what I heard," I joke, trying to lighten his spirits. He always looks so distant when he talks about Derek; it makes me so sad for him.

He laughs loudly, making my insides shake, the corners of his eyes creasing as if he's much older than his twenty years. "First off, who says that? But yeah I guess so," he replies, shrugging at the end like it's no big deal.

"Are you a better fighter than Karter?" I ask, raising my eyebrow, challenging him.

He gives me a look as if to say, "What do you think?"

I smirk at his nonverbal reply but don't push it any further.

Noises from downstairs distract us. We both hone in on the sounds trying to decipher what's going on but the racket ends faster than it started.

"So what's up with your mom?" Connor asks after we both stop being nosey, nudging my arm to get my attention.

I sigh, hiding my head in the open space between my folded arms and my shoulders. The air in my self-made hiding space feels thinner. I can feel the condensation forming against the wood floors as I speak. "We're in the same spot we were the last time I told you about it Con. I don't know how to talk to her or what to say. The fact that she never told me I'm basically the Holy Grail to a group of ravenous vampires is kind of a big deal. Not to mention she lied to me my entire life, leaving me completely unprepared for being a werewolf let alone a Luna. How are you and your mom?"

"Calm down Dylan I'm just asking a question. No need to bite my head off," he replies, slightly offended.

Annoyance rattles it's way through my body, for my mom, my anger towards her, and most of all for myself at how I just snapped at Connor. He's a good friend regardless of everything and he listens to me. He's been a major factor to me adjusting to life here with the pack and he doesn't deserve to be treated that way.

Just as I look up to apologize, Dean's scent hits my nose sending my heart into overdrive. Excitement runs rampant inside me and with a knowing look from Con, I shoot up from the ground and to the door.

I'm preparing to descend the dimly lit stairwell when I hear commotion downstairs. Tiptoeing to the top of the stairs, I listen.

"You need to leave," Dean growls out, "Stop fûcking coming around. You make her uncomfortable and I've got enough on my plate to deal with right now."

"Oh please, like you really care about if I make her uncomfortable. You're just afraid I'll tell her about what we did!" the voice I recognize as that bịtch Zoe yells, "That's why you don't want me around! That's why you moved her out of the pack house to that fûcking shack in the back! You think I won't grace those steps and tell her everything?"

I hear Dean eating up the space between him with his heavy boot covered feet.

"Keep your fûcking voice down. You know my team is in my office, any one could hear you."

She sucks her teeth, "Right, anyone like that little bịtch, wherever she is."

"Watch your goddḁmned mouth Zoe," Grey says from out of nowhere. "It's probably best you leave."

I can only imagine the stern look he's giving her, the look he normally only reserves for Denise when she's finally gone too far with him.

The front door closes soon after and I hear someone punch the wall.

"What the hell man? What is she talking about? What did you do?" Grey asks Dean.

I wait on baited breath to hear it for myself.

He sighs before he speaks softly, almost too softly. "She," he stops, sighing again, "She sucked me off on my birthday."

I gasp but cover my mouth hoping not to be heard.

Grey gasped at the same time as me hiding my slight sound with his own louder one. I hear him let out a shaky breath. "Karter," he starts in a wary tone.

"I know Grey," he says quietly, then again, louder this time. "It wasn't a big deal. An accident really, I don't have a clue how I'm going to explain this to Dylan."

I hear a slap and can only hope Grey slapped the wolf shịt of Dean but it sounded more like a slap on the shoulder.

"Come on man, let's just get back to work. The sooner all of this is over, the sooner I can help you figure out how to tell her and how you can make it up to her." Grey says softly, as if he's disappointed.

The word doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel. To know that that slût had been with him before me was one thing but to hear that she's touched him recently has me boiling. Betrayal and seething raw emotion, runs thick through my veins. My heart pounds in my ears so loudly it's the only thing I can hear. I feel like I'm going to faint or throw up or both.

Turning around, I'm directly faced with Connor's open arms.

He strokes my hair as I breathe deeply trying my best not to cry. His chest is firm and warm and comforting against the chill running through my body.

A rogue tear escapes my eye but I wipe it away before it can wet the chest of his shirt.

"Let's get out of here," he whispers, kissing the top of my head before linking our hands.

*

Cynwulf is one of those one horse towns with no other major shopping in it aside from a mall. It's slowly growing but everybody still knows everyone's name and their business. It's a sleepy little town in between the more major cities in Texas but it's a nice place to live if you don't mind the nosey neighbors. I actually was pretty surprised a pack of werewolves would settle somewhere with such a small population but I guess hiding in plain sight is always the best way to hide.

After driving around listening to Connor's terrible covers of Taylor Swift songs I'm feeling better but so desperately ready to get away from his singing I practically jump out when he parks in front of the mall.

I loop my arm around his as we walk towards the entrance, the chill of the night getting to me. He wraps his arm around my shoulder in response and we both walk a little faster.

We walk around for a while before Connor leaves me on a bench so he can go to the restroom. Normally I wouldn't wait, sitting on a bench alone like a punished child, but I didn't bring my cell phone with me, it's still on the charger back at the house Dean and I share.

Watching the people passing by I try to figure out what it is about the mall that calms me down. It's not that I enjoy shopping that much, that's more Andrea's thing. I think it's more of the anonymity of being in a crowded place where no one is paying any attention to you or what you're doing or what's on your mind. Everyone is so consumed in getting into the next store or rushing to the food court. It's the perfect place to come and get lost but yet still be surrounded by people.

I watch the security gates get pulled down as most of the stores start to close. A balding man wearing white pants that make his pale skin look even paler pulls down his gate, placing a padlock on it. He's the owner of a comic book shop I frequent, since it's the only one in town. When he spots me on the bench he waves but doesn't come over, leaving soon after he makes sure the lock is secure. I laugh to myself knowing the junk he has in the store wouldn't be worth anyone picking the lock.

"What's going on?" Connor asks, looking around.

"You're like an alien I swear," I laugh, grabbing his forearm, "The mall's closing. Let's get out of here and go get some ice cream."

He groans something about ice cream ruining his boyish figure, making me laugh.

Another T-Swift rendition later and we're seated at the bar inside the ice cream parlor in town. It's the same parlor that's been here since the town was founded back in 1919. Every mayor of the town has had ice cream there and even President Kennedy stopped in to have a milkshake. The original owner Bill, the white headed plump ball of wrinkles that he is, will happily tell you each and every time you come in thanks to his Alzheimer's. His son, Bill Jr., always lovingly coaxes his father back into the office then profusely apologizes to the patron who got their ear talked off. It's been that way here since I can remember and tonight is no different.

"So sorry about that," Bill Jr. sighs, his black hair greying on the sides. "What can I get you two?"

Connor looks like a fish out of water and it strikes me that he's never been here before. I won't mention it but grief runs through me at the isolated nature of pack life. It brings me back to my feelings of resentment towards my mother. Maybe she was right for keeping me away from it all.

Knowing the silly names for things on the menu make it a bit hard to read, I order for us both. "I'll take a tutti frutti, oh Rudy and my friend will have a mud slide jive."

Bill Jr. nods and walks away to make our orders while Connor gives me with an inquisitive look.

"I got a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry and I got you the same but chocolate," I explain with a laugh, relieving the tension from his shoulders.

"Thank goddess you've been here before," he says quietly.

I ignore his inadvertent confession, looking out the window across from us. The streets are so empty and it's only half past eight.

"Karter's been looking for you all night," Connor admits, "I told him you left your phone but you're okay. Every time he asks to speak with you I tell him you're in the restroom. Is that bad of me?"

I shake my head no, unable to speak. The fact that he's been looking for me is comforting but the idea of him finding me is overwhelming. I don't know what I'll say or do or if I even want to see him right now. It's so much easier to just ignore him and hope the ache in my chest goes away. To hope that I'll be able to look at him again without seeing the mental image of him and Zoe together.

"Here you are," Bill sits our drinks down on the counter, the noise bringing me back to the present.

"Thanks Bill," I reply, grabbing the cherry from my milkshake and popping it into my mouth.

Connor does the same and then putting the empty stem down he stops, "Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue?"

I raise an eyebrow at his odd question but proceed to place the stem in my mouth and try anyway.

Five minutes and too much drool later and I still can't tie the dḁmned thing.

"I give up," I groan, causing him to laugh and shake his head, "You do it then oh mighty cherry tying expert."

Seconds later he has the stem in his mouth tied in a perfect knot, displaying it to me proudly on his bright pink tongue.

"Show off," I grumble and dig into my shake before it melts completely.

He laughs and finishes off his shake, slurping loudly at the last bits in the glass.

I can see him watching me from my peripheral vision and I can't decide if he's eyeing me or my milkshake.

Turning to him he smirks and digs into his pocket, pulling out a small rectangular box.

"I got you something," he says, placing the box on the counter.

I put my shake down and he immediately grabs it. I'd normally complain but I'm dying to know what's in the box.

Opening the black cardboard lid, I'm surprised to see a cute, all be it cheap, bracelet inside the box. The band is a braided light grey and white string, the cutest part is instead of a regular closure, there's an anchor made of some type of brass.

Noticing I haven't said anything Connor speaks up. "I have one too," he lifts his arm to show me, "Girls like this kind of stuff right?" His bracelet is just like mine aside from his dark and light grey color combination and a slightly larger anchor.

A smile spreads across my face, "Thanks Kiddo. I've never had a friendship bracelet before."

He tries to hide his smile in my milkshake glass as he guzzles the last of it but I saw the pride in his expression.

He helps me close the bracelet and then pays for our milkshakes, leading me out to the car.

As rotten as our outing started thanks to Dean and his secrets it ended on a good note.

********

Hello my good people!!

I hope yall enjoyed the double update! They aren't the longest chapters in the world but the story is winding down and for those of you that have been waiting (like me) #Kylan SEX is coming :)

BTW the photo is of the bracelets Dylan and Connor have!

I'd also like to know how most of you are reading the story. Via Phone? Computer? Tablet? I took a look at a couple chapters via computer and the spacing of dialogue and such is no bueno! Let me know!! :)

I'm not here to say much except...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Don't worry if you don't have a valentine, neither do I btw, it's not that big of a deal. Relationships only have as much weight in your life as you put on it. Instead of focusing on being alone focus on doing something you love to do (here comes the shameless plug) like READ.

I've uploaded the first chapter to something new of mine that I'm a bit nervous but definitely excited about. Now don't judge before you read but it's a Harry Styles/1D Fanfiction called Weightless [it's in the external link as well as my published works].

If yall didn't know I'm 1D af lol And more than anything I've always wanted to read a coherent fanfic that was interracial (involving Harry) with an actual plot and character depth and yadi yada (yall know how fanfics are for the most part on this site, no tea no shade.)

Please just give it a chance and don't prejudge just because it's a fan fic. If you like my writing here just know that it won't change in Weightless and I've worked pretty hard on it so far. I want this story to do great things so any support you could show would be appreciated!

Well this ended up being a lot longer than I intended lol I just want to end by saying thank you and if no one else seems to care or love you in your life, I do (in the most non creepy non sexual way possible)! You guys and your comments make me laugh, I love getting engaged in conversation with yall. I don't have any friends (literally none; separating after highschool and life's drama will do that to ya) and for a long time my only companionship were vloggers from Youtube and my characters in stories. But now I have you guys!! :) So again thank you!

You are all my Valentine *insert kissy face-cheeks only* lol

Until Next Time,

WBN