All Her Secrets

Out the Door - Tyler

    It was a quick drive to the house from the overhang. Taking the back roads was actually faster than trying to get here from the highway, just because of how hidden it was.

    Dad had designed the new Pack House and our home. The older house had been falling apart and in serious need of updating. With the help of the Pack, Dad leveled it and rebuilt it from the ground up. New everything- kitchen, three living rooms, a gaming center, two conference rooms with state of the art projection and audio. There was even a completely new floor with five small suits for the new members of the Pack who hadn't found a proper place to live yet.

    When Dad decided to build an entirely new Alpha Home, Grandpa and Grandma moved into the old family house, the three bedrooms perfect for them- just not for a growing family that already consisted of a Mated couple, twins, and another pup on the way. 

    Personally, I liked this house- the Montana house- the best. Our central community was only a few hours away by car, about three by wolf. It was nice, that way we could visit essentially whenever we liked, but we're also far out enough to be forced to self-govern. It was trusted to the highest-ranking wolf living in the house to make sure everyone stayed in line- no rule-breaking, public intoxication, or arrests for any reason. 

    Well, at least, no getting caught doing those things. My policy is don't get caught and don't tell me. What I don't know about, I can't punish. I'm lucky though, none of my people have ever done anything outside of the rules. 

To your knowledge.

I love having people who listen to me- it does come handy sometimes.

    Bounding my way up the steps, I stopped to take a moment to admire the large wraparound porch. It was a truly beautiful house, and I was going to miss it when I graduated in a few months. Two rocking porch swings in the front, two in the back, wired-in speakers all around. I had big plans for the annual graduation party that we hold every year. 

    Unlocking the red door, I walked in and could already hear the sounds of video games from below, showers running, Val cooking, and arguments over a homework assignment coming from the living room. Frowning slightly as I took in the messy foyer, I sent out a quick Link to all the members here:

Keep your Sundays free. 11 AM, we clean this place top to bottom.

    Collective groaning sounded all around the house and protests started pinging me, but I placed my blockers up. I shook my head as I saw the clothes and shoes strung around the spiral staircase that connected all three upper floors and the basement- or the guy's "cave" as they called it. The girls' floor above me was buzzing with noise, and I was already getting a headache.

    Instead of going up to the attic, where the Alpha's quarters were, I walked through the large arch into the lively den and waved to a couple of the guys who were studying. "Ooh, Tyler, go take a shower man! You smell like the woods!" Parker yelled out from his position on the couch. 

    I rolled my eyes before yelling back, "And you would too if you were putting in your required training hours! Don't meet 'em again and you'll be getting another demerit!" as I jogged into the bright kitchen. He groaned, shouting after me, "Dude! If I get another, I'll be on probation!"

    Slapping the wall, I turned and smiled back at him, Linking a simple I know. Better get to work. and walking into the kitchen. Flinging my lanky body onto a barstool, I poked around the fruit bowl for the best apple. Val, who had no less than five pots simmering on the stove, whipped around and smacked my hand with her spatula. "No spoiling your appetite!" 

    I laughed and took a bite out of the apple under her glaring eyes. "Sorry, Val, but I'm starving and I'll be gone before dinner's done." She furrowed her eyebrows at me, turning around to stir a whistling pot and waving her free hand at me. "You don't eat enough dear! You've either got to eat more or train less." 

    She was technically our chef, but she was really just a more permanent part of the Montana Tech family. "Oh, but Val, I don't think that's possible!" I whined before taking another bite out of the apple and heading toward the stairs. She smacked my shoulder as I passed, and I smiled at her before taking the steps two at a time.

    In the attic, there were two bedrooms, one for the person living there and a guest room, two full baths with those, and an office with a half bath attached to it. It was pretty simple, just for function really, but it was nice to get away from the crowds downstairs every once in a while. The girls' floor had two bedrooms, each one with four beds, and two large bathrooms, along with a communal room, and the layout was the same for the guys' cave.

    Swinging around the stair railing, I slid into my door. "f**k, oww. Why do I do that?" Taking a step back, I unlocked my door and took a sigh of relief at seeing my room. It was so nice to get away from the crowds sometimes, even if it did come with the added responsibilities of being in the Alpha's family. Pausing, I saw that I'd left the news running on my TV, and that my normally neat stack of books was toppled, my copies of my favorite books spread all around my chair. 

I know for a fact I didn't leave that like that...

    Jackson was on high alert as he picked up a scent that wasn't mine, and I recognized it immediately. Sighing deeply, I took a breath before calling out her name. "Asa! Get your ass out here!" Coming out from my bathroom, she smiled broadly- not even the tiniest bit ashamed of being caught. "What the f**k are you doing in my room? You aren't even supposed to be on this floor! You'd better have a damn good explanation."

    She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans and took a step too close. Stepping back, Jackson growled, impatiently awaiting her answer. Asa ducked her head in submission, whimpering. "I-I I had questions on the homework assign-" "Asa, you may be an excellent hunter, but you are a shitty liar. Tell me the truth, now." Jackson growled again as I spat the words. 

    "I just wanted to talk to you again... Alone.." Asa's voice broke as she whispered. I stepped around her and sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, I leaned against my window to put space between us. "Asa, listen, this- this little crush you have on me, it's not going to work out. We aren't Mates- and you know that I see no purpose in pursuing a relationship where we are just going to get hurt when we do find out Mates." 

    It was harsh, but what she needed to hear. I knew she liked me, back from high school. She invited me to her big eighteenth birthday party last year, and I went because her father is a highly respected warrior in the Pack. I knew from the moment I got the card what she wanted- she was hoping that we'd be Mates. 

    But we aren't, and she has been extremely annoying about trying to bond with me after deciding to come here for college. I can understand why- being Mated to the future Alpha is a honor, but her behavior was bordering on stalker. "Asa, listen, I like you- as a friend, and Pack Member. I don't want to report you for this, and you know I am in my full rights to. I keep my door locked, and you have no reason to be up here anyway. There are things up here- in my office, plans, do- do you realize the danger you could have put the Pack in?"

    She shook her head firmly, the repercussions of her decision slamming into her. "Listen, I won't report this to the council. But you cannot do this- ever. I am going to give you three demerits, and tomorrow I'd like to talk with your mentor about what you can do for the house to get those taken off. And, Asa?" She looked up, meeting my eyes. "Yes, Tyler?" 

    "You're going to find your Mate. It just takes a little longer sometimes. Now, you're dismissed." I followed her to the door, locking it firmly behind her before turning back to take my shower and get ready for the party. 

    Forty minutes later I was sliding into my tennis shoes as I ran down the steps. 

Shit, s**t, s**t! We're so late! Donny's gonna kill me!

The party doesn't start for like two hours! What do mean you're gonna be late? 

He asked me to be there early to help set up. 

So?

It's an hour away with traffic. 

Still not seeing an issue. 

    I rolled my eyes and slid into my jacket, holding my keys with my teeth as I stumbled down the front steps. Jumping down the last two, I ran to my truck before I realized why I was actually anxious- 

    I wanted to know if Pigeon would be there.