My key 59

Posted by AdminH, ? Views, Released on May 10, 2025

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#Chapter 59: A Birthday Celebration Spoiled

The next morning, the air in the house feels cool. I should have taken that as another sign. I wake up early with the anticipation of telling Alex happy birthday.

I know his parents are planning a small, intimate breakfast celebration in spite of his wishes to be left alone. I helped them put up a few balloons the night before, and I hope this will lighten his mood a little.

Honestly, I was surprised they thought to ask me to help, especially Mr. Hewlett. It made me feel included, like maybe they don’t disapprove of me being here after all.

I was surprised to see Rita in the kitchen this morning, arranging plates on the table, a birthday breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, and biscuits and gravy spread across it, as if omitting cake made it a little less of a celebration.

I made Alex a card last night…after we hung balloons. If we are celebrating then I want him to have something from me, and even though a homemade card feels a bit silly and childish, it’s all I can do on such short notice.

However, I didn’t bring my card out; I want to give that to him in private. Now that Rita is here, I may not give it to him at all.

If she got him something, my card won’t even compare.

I can’t help but wonder what happened with the other pack, but Rita doesn’t look the worse for wear. In fact, she looks like she rolled out of a beauty magazine. She doesn’t suffer a single blemish and her hair is immaculate.

Now I’m really starting to dislike her.

Alex must smell the food, because he walks out of his bedroom in a better mood than I expected.

His hair is rumpled, and his pajama bottoms are resting low on his hips, slipping a little further as he stretches his arms high above his head, revealing the musculature of his core in a teasing way.

He’s obviously unaware of the breakfast’s implication. “Wow, Mother–it smells so good…”

Then he sees the balloons in the kitchen and his face drops.

Then it grows dark. “What is this???” he yells. “I told you I’m not celebrating!!!”

“This is a big day for you, Son,” his father says. “Your brother would want you to celebrate it.”

Alex rushes over to the balloons and begins ripping them down. “Why is it no one cares what I want???

He stomps them, popping and deflating each one. “No one listens to me! I told you I don’t want to celebrate my birthday! I want to help my brother–to find out what’s wrong with him! And I don’t want to get stuck in this shit hole because everyone is too afraid to face the truth and deal with it!!!”

He sees Rita and stops. They look at one another, and some understanding passes between them.

He calms down a little, and I see him shift his head around as if he’s popping his neck. While looking straight at her.

Now I can’t breathe. All I can do is stand there watching, afraid to move or say anything. I don’t even think Alex has registered that I’m in the room.

If Alex’s mother and father notice what I am, they don’t say anything, instead standing their ground, indignant.

“We listen to you,” Tala states calmly. “That is why you have been allowed to stay away so long–but do not

forget we are your pack, and this is where you belong.”

Alex growls, only this sound isn’t the passionate purr I’ve become accustomed to. It’s raw and angry. “I know

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#Chapter 59 A Birthday Celebration Spotted

where I belong you wont let me forget that!”

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“Don’t forget you were told to stay away,” Alex’s father adds, “You were the one who insisted on returning”

That’s the final straw, Alex flips over a kitchen chair and storms out of the room.

No one follows.

I don’t see Alex the rest of the morning, I don’t see Rita either, which bothers me.

I stay in my room for a while, thinking about Alex, He has atemper, and I don’t know if it’s the wolf in him, in this place, because I’d never seen it before. Not like this.

Then there’s the Rita thing…and now I know. So do they. I mean, I saw it! Now my heart is shattered, and I don’t know how to act around anyone. I was starting to feel comfortable with Alex again, even if he only kissed me once, and even if it was secret, in the dark.

I can understand why he wouldn’t want the others to think he’s romantically involved with a buman. Although, I guess he isn’t now. Not anymore.

So I have a good cry.

When I finally emerge, Tala is sitting alone at the kitchen table. The breakfast has long been cleared away, though I don’t think anyone ate it. Tala, gentle and soft–spoken, looks sad.

When I ask about Alex and Rita, she says they went to spend the morning with Michael.

‘I sit at the table with her, in the chair to her right. I figure we can be sad together.

“Did ssshe learn. Anything?” I ask, nervously. I want to know, but I’m afraid I won’t like what I hear.

“She was able to meet with the Alpha, but he didn’t have anything to tell her. Apparently, they’ve also had a few run–ins with rogue werewolves, but nothing like we’ve had Their Alpha doesn’t think the rogues are organized

“Do you agree?”

Tala looks away, searching for her answer somewhere in her mind. I know that look; I’ve made that look.

“I know something is going on.” She turns back to me. “I also know it has something to do with you, only I don’t know why.”

“Me neither.”

She studies my face. “There’s something familiar about you, but I can’t put my finger on it. Some familiarity…like I’ve met you before.” She shakes her head. “You’re important to the rogues….and I don’t feel it was an accident you met my son.”

Maybe it wasn’t an accident, I think to myself, but it may have been a curse.

“Ssso, what do we do now?”

“We’ll have to figure out another strategy, I’m afraid. The Council is meeting later today. Rita will give a report on what occurred, and we will…try to find another way.‘

མ་བ་

This is all starting to feel hopeless. I was certain the Malkeye pack would know more. I mean, I’m not the only one being targeted. Look at what happened to Michael and the pack members with him!