Chapter 10
The Boys- Lucian
The weekend flew by, Callyn spending my birthday with us, was more than I could ask for. Her card is standing up on my desk in my bedroom. I smile thinking about it. Teaching her how to play video games was entertaining. Let’s just say, not her forte. She rage quit so many times. My Grammy doted on her the whole time. Callyn met my grandfather. He seemed to like her, but she was a little standoffish. I can understand, she doesn’t know him or know who she can trust. She must be scared. Callyn met one of the Elders, her fate rest in his hands…their hands. The sad thing is, she doesn’t even know it. It’s hurting all of us, not telling her. It’s a secret that I hope she can forgive us for keeping.
Everyone has been on edge since the Elder Council visit. If Elder Greaves has his way, he will keep us from claiming our mate. In the current state of the shifter world, I can’t believe he would deny any shifter their right to be with their destined mate. Regardless of what the Elder Council rules, I won’t be giving up my mate. I’m more than positive the others feel the same way.
Speaking of the guys, we are currently walking to Callyns locker. Rounding the corner, we stop short, she is her bobbing her head. I look closer and see that she has in one of her headphones. I instantly want to know what kind of music she likes. We walk over and Max leans against the locker next to hers.
“What are you listening to?” he asks, beating me to it. She jumps.
“Jesus Max. Really? A little warning next time. But, to answer your question it’s “Devil’s Backbone” by The Civil Wars. Though I generally listen to everything. The next song on this playlist is “Diamonds” by Slim Thug.” She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal.
“Can I see,” I ask as I hold out my hand.
“Sure.” She tugs on her headphone, then hands me the phone.
I start scrolling through her playlist. “This is pretty eclectic.” Rob Zombie, P!nk, Rag’n’Bone Man, Colt Ford, Temptations. There is artist from every genre and era.
“I like what I like.”
“Do you mind if I make you a playlist of my favorite songs?”
“Go ahead. I like finding new artist and music. It helps keep me sane.”
I create a new playlist and label it Lucian. I start adding songs as she finishes up with her locker. The bell rings and we start walking to our classes. Max and Graydon go their separate ways, as Callyn, Zeke, and I walk to chemistry. I pay attention enough to make sure I don’t run into anything. When get there I take my seat, at the end. We switched Callyn to the middle seat after the first day. I’m engrossed in making the playlist, I don’t realize that they were including me in their conversation.
“Earth to Lucian,” Callyn says with a giggle.
“Sorry, what did I miss.”
“I asked Callyn to come to my game on Friday night. She was asking you if she walked to your house if she could get a ride with you guys,” Zeke states.
“Of course. I could just pick you up at your house, so you don’t have to walk at all.”
“How about, I’ll let you know. It depends on the mood my father is in that day.”
“No problem, just throwing it out there.”
I finish up the playlist as the teacher is walking in. I hand Callyn back her phone and she quickly shoves it in her back pocket. I can’t help but look. She has a nice butt, but that’s not what catches my attention. It’s the partial bruise I see on her lower back when her shirt raises up from her movements, that does. I frown, looking back to Callyn’s face. She turns and the smile that’s on her face quickly disappears. I glance back down to her back. It takes a second, but she quickly figures it out because she tugs the back of her shirt down.
“What happened,” I whisper.
“Nothing, I just backed up into the table at home,” she whispers back.
It’s a lie. She couldn’t even look at me as she said it. Zeke looks over like he senses something is wrong. I mouth later over Callyn’s head. He gives only the slightest of nods to let me know he understands. I let it drop, for now. We both tried to pretend nothing happened the rest of chemistry, but it was awkward. The second I was out of Callyn’s sight, I pull up a group message with the guys.
Me: I saw a pretty nasty bruise on Callyn’s lower back.
Zeke: Is that what was going on in chemistry? You guys were acting weird.
Max: Are you serious?
Graydon: Did you ask how she got it?
Me: Yeah Zeke. And of course, I did Graydon.
Me: She said it was from hitting her back on a table.
Max: Maybe she did.
Me: No, you didn’t see her reaction to when she figured out what I saw. If it was from a table, why try to hide it? She couldn’t even look me in the face when she told me.
Zeke: Could you be overacting?
I shake my head, even though they can’t see me.
Me: No, her eyes got real big and she yanked her shirt down so fast and hard.
Graydon: You know she isn’t going to say shit. Even if she didn’t get the bruise the way she said, do you really think she’ll admit to anything?
Max: No.
Zeke: So, what do we do? Nothing? The Council already has us doing that.
Graydon: Any word yet from the Council? It’s been a week.
Me: I don’t like it, but probably. We can’t help until she tells us. And no word from the Council. I have a feeling Elder Greaves will stall for as long as possible.
Max: I got to go she keeps giving me weird looks.
I put my phone in my pocket. Callyn is so infuriating. I know she was lying, I know it.