Chapter 5

(Kaeleigh’s POV)

I applied the last of my makeup in the mirror while Tatum sat on my bed watching me. I glanced over at her and frowned.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” I asked, and she grinned.

“Nope,” she said, “So when will we get to meet this guy?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Why would you meet him?” I asked, “I told you, it’s nothing serious. And even less serious now that we will be moving pretty soon,” Tatum pulled a face. She hated moving around more than the rest of us.

“Tell me about it, I just want to put down some good roots you know,” she said with a sad look on her face, “I’m just hoping dad finds somewhere with a garden this time, my plants are dying out on that balcony.” Tatum was such a green thumb, she had been since we were young. Tatum filled the apartment with plants, each one cared for by her.

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed,” I said, and she smiled.

“So back to the Beta babe,” she said, and I groaned, “do you think he will ask this time?” she asked and I pulled a face.

“I sure as hell hope not,” I replied. Whilst I had been spending time with Jensen over the last few months, I was very aware that he seemed to have changed somewhat. He seemed more demanding for my time and quick to defend me when that bitch friend of his started with her shit talk.

“He said he wanted to talk to me about something important,” I said with a frown, and Tatum scrunched her face up.

“Yeah, that sounds like it won’t be fun,” then she perked up. “But what if he asked you and then you could put down some roots yourself?” I shook my head. I had a strong feeling that Jensen wanted more than the arrangement we had, and he had alluded to me joining the Dark Moon pack before. I, of course, had no intention of doing that.

I hated packs and their structures, and wanted absolutely no part in them. Whilst we still considered ourselves the Scarlet Circle pack, our pack was long since dead. You can be the biggest pack in the world, but if you don’t have your own territory, then you were a rogue pack, and they were considered less than the omega rank in an established pack. The standard on rogues is that we were all loners, thieves, murderers, and traitors. It wasn’t true. Some were, but some of us just didn’t want to be ruled by one small group of people who seemed to inherit their rank and not earn it.

I sighed. I knew that the conversation was coming with Jensen, and when he brought it up, well, then I would have to permanently end things with him. I was kinda just hoping that it would be after Ezra found us somewhere new. Or at least I was now. Telling Jensen that I was leaving town would have been significantly better than outrightly turning him down. But in true sod’s law fashion, he would want that conversation today. I was seconds away from cancelling on him, but I knew he would then attempt to come and see me at home, and I really couldn’t have that happen.

I looked at Tatum and smiled weakly.

“Aw, don’t worry about it,” she said and jumped up and gave me a hug. “I mean, what’s the worst that can happen, right?” I hugged her back, and I guessed she was right. I had been mentally preparing myself for this for weeks. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care about Jensen, but I had to keep myself at a distance. It was better for everyone. There was a knock at my bedroom door and I looked over to see Luke standing in the frame. Luke was as big as Tatum was tiny. That they were twins was crazy.

“Hey,” Luke said with a smile, “I’m heading down to the pool to do some laps. Do you want a lift to your friends?” I smiled back at him.

“That would be great, thank you,” I replied, and picked up my bag from the desk.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Tatum called after me.

“Yeah, like that would cut much out,” Luke said with a laugh.

“Hey!” Tatum exclaimed from my room and he just laughed harder.

Luke and I headed down to the underground parking lot. I had my own car but rarely used it since I didn’t really go anywhere that wasn’t within walking distance. But Luke had to drive further a field for the good pool. I jumped into the passenger side of his car and pulled on my seat belt. Luke pulled himself into the driver’s seat and began cursing to himself while trying to adjust his seat. He shared the car with Tatum and they constantly bickered about each other messing with the seats and stuff. They had begged their parents for their own cars, but the only response was to get a job and earn the money for one. That was the only reason I had my own car, because I bought her. Luke finally started the car once he was settled and pulled out of the garage.

“What do you think of moving again?” he asked as he drove up the ramp. I shrugged in my seat and looked over at him. I could tell from his expression that he wasn’t so happy.

“It doesn’t affect me much, there are plenty of bars around,” I said, “But I’m guessing you aren’t so happy about it?” Luke glanced my way and sighed.

“I’m just tired, Kae. I don’t know if I am actually happy or not. But we haven’t had a home since I was two years old. I barely even remember the old place, just snapshots. But I’m afraid to make friends, especially if they are going to be ripped away after a year.” I nodded. I could understand what he was saying. It was hard to make connections. I thought about Jensen and what he meant to me. Would I really be upset to leave him behind? I think I would.

Luke and I sat in silence for the next few minutes as he navigated his way through the streets towards Jensen’s apartment. He had dropped me off more than once, so he knew it well. He pulled into a side street nearby and parked up.

“Do you need picking up later?” he asked, and I smiled and shook my head.

“No, I will be okay,” I said. “I can walk if needed,” and Luke nodded. He acted like such a big brother despite being three years younger than me, but I loved him for it. I reached over and gave him a hug.

“Go swim, little fish,” I said, and he grinned at the old nickname. He had always been attracted to swimming and at one point, you couldn’t get him out of the pool.

“I like to think of myself as more of a shark now,” he said, puffing out his chest, and I laughed.

“Yeah, but little fish is cute,” I replied, and he scoffed.

“Away with your insults, woman,” he said, and I laughed again. I unbuckled myself and jumped out of the car, closing the door. I waved as he drove away and waited until he was out of sight before I headed round the corner and to the front entrance to Jensen’s place.