Chapter 15: Another Anomaly.

Chapter 15

~Adrian’s POV~

“You shouldn’t play with your food sweetie”

I looked up at him while I continued to move the food around in my plate with the fork. I’d lost my appetite.

“Are you always like this?” I questioned, not particularly wanting to know but I figured talking about something as inconsequential as his habits was sure to get my mind off things.

“Always like what?” Rivers questioned. His expression became guarded and his back straightened as if he was about to defend himself.

“All...motherly” I said after failing to come up with a better word for it.

He relaxed instantly and grinned, “Well I wouldn’t have to fuss over you if you’d eat the thing.” He said and I forced a smile for his benefit.

It didn’t fool him.

I watched as he pushed up from the counter and came to stand beside me where he held out his hand. I looked at it in askance and he reached over to pull the fork from my hand; it clattered to the plate and before I could question his actions he was pulling me from my seat and dragging me over to the living room.

Not a minute later we were both seated on the largest couch in the room and he was prodding me for information I didn’t want to share.

“You might as well just tell me, it’s not like I’m gonna go spill your secrets to the world or anything.”He said looking at me expectantly.

I shook my head, “No offence Rivers  but I’m just not in the mood for this alright?”

“I swear you’re always so grumpy, you need to loosen up.” He told me.

“Why are you here anyway?  You know nothing about me, yet you find every reason to be around me.” I said now genuinely curious.

“I don’t know, there’s just something about you that just screams be my friend.” He said and I raised an eyebrow.

“There’s something about an alleged drug dealer that screams be my friend?” I questioned in disbelief and he snorted.

“Yeah right Adrian, there’s nothing alleged about what you do.” He said knowingly, then; “Speaking of your evil deeds, what made you start?” he asked.

“My parents died in a fire when I was a teen, I had my brothers to take care of…the usual.” I said offering very little and he nodded.”

“It’s weird how you can just talk about it, aren’t you afraid of being arrested? I mean here you are admitting to me that you’re not exactly working within the scope of the law.”

“I haven’t really admitted anything to anyone, you’ve all just sort of figured it out and as far as the authorities go… they don’t stand a chance.” I told him confidently and he tapped his pinky onto his chin, his expression pensive.

“Lucas is better than I am, I don’t know if I’d be able to date a dealer.” He said and my mood soured even more. I turned away from him. I was getting really tired of everyone feeling the need to comment on my life and my relationship with Lucas but as I opened my mouth to say just that the front door burst open and Lucas came sauntering in.

He didn’t spot us immediately and it was only when Rivers cleared his throat to get his attention that he turned to look in our direction. I watched as his eyes flickered from Rivers to me before he lowered his gaze and mumbled a quick hello.

“Hey Lucas, come sit with us.” Rivers called out and when Lucas made to shake his head Rivers spoke once more.

“You guys don’t have much time here so at least allow me to enjoy your company before you leave.” He said and that decided the matter.

Lucas only hesitated briefly before making his way over to us and folding himself into the chair opposite me. His gaze was firmly locked on our house guest and the way he fumbled with his phone told me he wasn’t completely comfortable sitting there with us. I figured it had to do with my presence.

“I was just trying to get Adrian to open up to me, something’s been bothering him but he won’t tell me what it is.”

I groaned at Rivers’ words and Lucas’s gaze flickered over to me briefly.

I decided it was probably best to change the course of our conversation just so we could avoid any unnecessary tension. “What do you mean we won’t be here long? Did Scottie tell you we were leaving?” I asked.

“He didn’t have to, the Alpha ordered you to leave, it’s not like you have a choice.” He said and Lucas spoke up.

“Thomas said he’d talk to him for us, see if we could get an extension.”

“Honey you’re not getting an extension, the Alpha told you to leave camp in front of a couple dozen pack members, if you stay that’ll undermine his rule whether or not he suddenly has a change of heart.” Rivers said wisely and I scoffed.

“We were leaving anyway, there’s no reason to stay.” I said more to Lucas than to Rivers and he nodded reluctantly.

“Besides, the council knows you’re here, they’ve issued a warning to Carson so you’ll have to leave either way.” Rivers continued.

My brows furrowed. “Since when does a pack council make rules?”

As far as I knew the Alpha’s rule was absolute.

“They don’t really, it’s just best for everyone if Carson takes their advice.”

“And you know this because?” I questioned. Unless he had some kind of executive status I didn’t see how he could be so informed about inside matters. From my less than limited knowledge of the wolf hierarchy I knew that much.

“Well when you’re good friends with the Alpha, the Beta and their mates you’re never really out of the loop.” He said it as if he was proud and I shrugged. Like I’d told them, it didn’t particularly matter to me who wanted us gone because as soon as Marcus gave the word, we were out of here.

“Don’t worry guys, I’ll visit you sometime.” Rivers assured us, then he uncrossed his legs and turned to face me. “I just realized you’re leaving and I haven’t even met your brother. It’s crazy, does he ever just slow down?” He asked and I smiled in amusement at his horrified expression.

“It’s probably best, he hates you guys.” Lucas drawled in a bored tone and I shrugged in agreement.

“You mean he hates wolves? or people who follow the law because-”

“Wolves, and before you ask, I have no idea why, he just does.” I told him and he shook his head in disbelief.

“He hates wolves yet he’s crashing in a wolf pack?”

“He’s kind of insane.” Lucas commented and we looked at each other, grinning.

“I’m serious Rivers the man’s a beast, it’s a good thing you haven’t met him he’d probably tear your head off just for looking at him wrong.” Lucas continued, clearly enjoying Rivers’ discomfort.

“He could try. I may look delicate and completely useless but I’m still a werewolf I can take any shifter blindfolded.” He said confidently and I smirked. If he saw Marcus, he’d eat his words but who was I to burst his bubble.

Lucas laughed, “I’m serious bro, look what he did to my neck, I couldn’t even put up a fight. They might be twins but Marcus is the brawn in that relationship.” Lucas finished with a chuckle and my gaze flew to his.

“Marcus did that to you?” I asked in disbelief and Lucas’s eyes widened as he seemed to realize he’d admitted it.

I stood immediately, fully prepared to find my brother and have a ‘talk’ with him about putting his hands on my lover but Lucas stood with me and a second later he was pulling me back down into the chair, this time coming to sit beside me.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist Romeo, he was just trying to protect you.” He said and when I opened my mouth to object he cut me off.

“I’m over it so I’d appreciate it if you just let it go.” he said firmly, his hands still draped around my shoulders and I kept my mouth shut. We’d see about that.

“So…I’m guessing you and Marcus don’t have a good relationship then?” Rivers asked and Lucas shrugged.

“Marcus doesn’t have a good relationship with anyone so I don’t feel particularly special in that arena. Anyway, what’s that smell? I’m starving.” Lucas announced and Rivers eyes lit up.

“I cooked, I’ll get you some.” He said jumping up from his seat and making his way over to the kitchen.

It was only then that Lucas pulled his arm away from me and turned to face me on the couch.

“How are you feeling?” he asked a bit apprehensively and I imaged he was feeling just a bit guilty over our little argument earlier today. Truthfully my chest felt tight as hell and even a small amount of movement felt uncomfortable but he didn’t need to know that; instead I said;

“I’m fine, no pain; nothing.” failing to mention that the only reason I wasn’t writhing on the floor right then was because the doc had supplied me with enough pain meds to last me weeks.

“Look I’m sorry about earlier, I had no right to do that.”Lucas said softly, glancing back to make sure Rivers hadn’t heard him.

I smiled tentatively, “It’s fine, I needed to be sacked down a few pegs anyway.” I told him and he flinched.

“Where’ve you been anyway?” I questioned, not allowing him the chance to wallow in his guilt.

“Down by the lake, just went to clear my head. When do you think we’ll be leaving? Figured I should go apologize to Carson before we leave.” He said.

“I’m waiting on Marcus to give us the go ahead.” I explained and he nodded. After that an awkward silence fell between us and he grabbed up his phone again, turning it this way and that.

“I’m sorry.” I said simply and I knew that he knew that I was apologizing for my role in the whole mess with Carson.

“It’s cool.” He said with a small smile and when he reached over to take hold of my hand I let him. I wasn’t the touchy feely type but we hadn’t been on such ‘good’ terms in so long that I figured we needed this, but the vibration of his phone had us releasing our hold and moving slightly apart.

“Thomas what’s up?” Lucas answered then fell silent as he listened to whatever it was that the Beta was telling him.

“Scottie? Are you sure?” he asked, looking over at me, his eyes wide and froze, looking at him in askance.

“That’s fine, we’re on our way.” He said and then pushed up from the chair. I followed suit.

“What? What is it?” I questioned anxiously and he shook his head as if in shock.

“It’s Scottie, He…he’s been mated.” He announced and my eyes widened.

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-unedited.