Chapter 12 Won't Go Home Without You

SIAM’s POV

After Eric’s sudden outburst of excitement and laughter last night everyone was in a better mood the next day. In fact, they were all at the Johansen’s indoor pool- indoor due to security purposes.

We had been there pretty much since breakfast- but we were one character short.

I opened the music room’s sliding door and saw Eric sitting on the floor one leg stretched other leg bent, knees bent up to his chest, leaning on one of the grand piano’s legs. He looked up at me, his face still reflects the same excitement from last night, and was surrounded by what looks like music sheets and a notebook propped on his knee.

“Hey.” He said.

I grinned, “Hey back.”

He then looked back to the music sheet on his free hand then turned to his notebook.

“Ok, as much as I don’t want to pop your little bubble of happiness, you have to join us for a swim.” I said.

“Ok,” he said as he scribbled on the music sheet, then he looks up at me, “I’ll be there as soon as I’m done.”

I chuckled and shook my head, standing over him now. “That’s the same thing you said for breakfast and lunch.”

He grinned up at me again and sighed, “Sorry. I’m just...” he looks around and sighed making me laugh.

So I did what seemed to be the most natural thing to do, I sat across him and picked up a music sheet checking it out.

I nodded as I read through the words and imagine the music in it.

“Impressive.” He said.

“Thanks,” he says, sounding relieved, “your sister’s a great writer.”

I raised a brow. “She wrote this?”

“Yeah.” He said and handed me the notebook, “I found this in her room.”

I frowned and pushed the notebook back to him, “You went through her writings?”

He frowned and pulled the notebook back near him. “Yeah.”

I shook my head, “Don’t worry, I have no plans of taking that away from you.” I said, “You have to understand that Serenity will get you for reading her diary.”

“Her diary?”

I pointed at the notebook, “If I am not mistaking that’s Liam’s latest gift to her.” I said, “And she started writing already?”

He chuckled, “That’s an understatement,” he says, “she used half of the notebook already.”

“You’ve read through it?” I asked.

“It was hard not to.” He said, “She’s quite a writer.”

“She is.” I agreed, “So, anything good in there?”

He laughed, “So much about not wanting to have anything to do with it.” I laughed along with him, then he shrugged, “It’s about all of you guys.”

“About us?”

“Yeah,” he flipped through the pages, “it’s like she’s keeping track of the reasons what makes you guys special to her.”

“You mind if I ask what she wrote about me?”

He smirked and handed me the notebook, “Read it.”

I raised my hands on the side, shook my head and moved away, “No way.”

He rolled his eyes and pushed the book nearer to me, “Believe me, you’d prefer to read it yourself than have me read it to you.”

I gave him a look, which he returned. So I shrugged and took the notebook and saw a page with my name on top and began to read.

Siam Clarence Grey is the all American boy- sport buff, a jock and all time jerk. Can’t last a day without a girl tuck under his arm, nor can’t go anywhere without his boys *roll eyes here*. Overprotective, overbearing, has the tendency to over react and often a hypocrite about what he says regarding other guys.

I guess he knows best, what’s that they say? Experience is the best teacher?

Yeah.

He learned from the best.

Especially when it comes to girls, urgh!

He also has tendency of being unbearably crazy and unreasonable.

I should know, with all the times that he had ruined things for me, I don’t have friends cause he thinks they’re all a danger or cannot be trusted.

Human and shifter alike.

I stopped and frowned, was that what she thought about me? All this time?

I know I was often time irritating her whenever I tell her that she can’t do something, but to be unbearable to her?

That sort of sucks and hurt.

I mean, I chose her over my mate... my mate!

Where’s the gratitude?

“Continue reading Siam.” Eric urges, obviously seeing the internal debate I was having. “It isn’t the end until you actually reach the end.”

I sighed and did as told.

I don’t know what his issue is with making friends, but her seriously need to loosen up or he’ll end up just like dad.

I scrunched up my nose, no way. I thought.

When we were younger mom always told me that sooner or later I’d grow tired of Siam’s presence and I remember shaking my head harshly, pouting and shouting no.

But seeing how we are now, I guess I understand why mom said that.

I would admit, there are moments where I would push him away, blame him for being so pathetically weak against other people, or double guessing of what to say to people who are outside our circle.

It’s probably even safe to assume that he- and Liam- is the reason why I hate socializing.

But then again....

Siam is not your regular American boy.

His love for sports shows his passion.

Him being a jock shows his ability to make a name for himself.

Being a jerk makes him imperfect, something to stay thankful for as it makes him more human.

The girls who surrounded him experienced nothing but special attention from him, making them feel special and loved- even if it was just for a moment, maybe just over night. *roll eyes again*

His boys showed how he had gained their trust and loyalty when they choose to stand by him, and he does the same for them.

He is overprotective because he sees that he needs to be.

Him being overbearing wasn’t just him being bossy, it was him making a point of what he believes is right and true. And with our stubborn attitude- thanks to dad’s genes- he had to do it I guess.

He over reacts cause he wants me to understand his point and shows his persistence of getting what he wants.

As for being a hypocrite... I know I shouldn’t be reasoning out for him for being a man whore or something like that. But guess what? He chose to be a hypocrite to protect me from jerks and douche bags.

Who am I to argue?

And if my mom was still here to tell me the same thing, I’d probably sighed and shake my head still disagreeing.

Cause deep inside, I would always want to have my big brother teasing me and making my life hard.

It’s a job requirement of a big brother to do that, isn’t it?

As I’ll be there to be the irritating, loud and whiny little sister he loves.

There is nothing normal in my life, I learned that before I even learned to walk.

But Siam makes me forget that.

I may be a representation of our deity, but to him, I am his little sister first.

Maybe nothing more; and surely not nothing less.

And I’d always love him for that.

By now, I was sporting a huge smile on my face as I reread certain lines that had left a sweet taste of words in me.

“I’m guessing you like the conclusion?” Eric breaks into my thoughts.

I chuckled again, “Yeah, yeah...” he grins and flipped through the pages scanning it. There were stories of us as kids, some during high school. “Anyway, what are you working on exactly?”

His smile grew and he blushed a bit, “A poem she supposedly wrote for me.”

“She made a poem for you?”

“I guess you can say that,” he shrugged, “she said she didn’t know what to say about me. That there were no words for me except those she wrote in that poem.”

“And you’re making a song out of it now?”

“That’s the plan,” he said looking around, “but I don’t know where to start.”

“Well maybe I can help...?”

“Its cool, you should go back to the gang,” he says shaking his head, “it seems today is one of our good days, and Anna would like that with you.”

“And he’d like to share that with her best friend’s mate as well.” I reminded him as I stood up and brushing my palms together, dusting off whatever dirt from it, and gestures toward the piano, “C’mon Eric, let me hear it.”

“No.” He shook his head not moving from where he is and started gathering the music sheets.

“Don’t make me make you do it.” I said.

“I’ll tell Serenity that you are bullying me.” He teased.

“Oh c’mon Eric,” I groaned, “I want to hear it.”

“And you will when I’m done.” He says, “And I’m guessing you have an idea of what it sounds since you know how to read music sheets.”

I gave him a look which he just brushed off. I shrugged and let my head hang, “You’re selfish.”

He laughs and stood up, “I want Serenity to be the first to hear it, Siam. Don’t be such a baby.”

“Fine.” I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest “You do know this make you almost like a dork, right? A cheesy dork at that.” Eric responds with a laugh.

“You’d do it for Anna.” he says. “I’m betting it was her constant wondering of how I’m doing that made you come here?”

Darn, he’s right on that one.

“I’d take your silence as a yes.”

He set down the notebook on top of the piano, suddenly he reaches for his chest and had his thinking face on.

“Eric?” I stepped up to him, he looked back at me but his gaze was almost empty. Slowly it reflects anger and pain. “Eric!”

He leaned forward, resting his forehead on his arm that was set on top of the grand piano as if fighting off the pain. I hear him gasp and stomped one foot.

“Eric what’s going on?” I reached for his shoulder but he shrugged off my hand and stepped away. “Eric-“

He looked up at me and i caught tears on his eyes as it reflected fear.

“I... I think...” he start to say in a raspy and breathless voice, “I think they just k-killed again.”

I frowned as I watch Eric cry out the emotion that Serenity sent to him.

I sat at the head of the table and returned the looks of the alphas who were able to come in such short notice.

“Are you sure about this?” one asked.

“Yes.” I said, “We’ve been tracking her emotions, seeing that that is the only one connecting her to us.”

“What about George?” another asks. “Has he returned with news yet?”

“No.” I shook my head, “He requested for a week, his instructions were to message us first before acting.”

“What if it was him and his men who were slaughtered this time?” another alpha asked.

From behind me I hear Eric hiss, it was the first thing we thought of when he was all calmed down, as always, he feels guilty about it.

“I have reasons to believe, as I am also hoping that it isn’t them.” I said, “They set off to follow a strong scent of Serenity that has been the only real lead we have since her abduction, I don’t want to have any more deaths of those who are close to the family.”

“What do we plan to do now?”

I sighed, I’ve spoken with the boys and Uncle Luke about it, and we had agreed to one thing.

“We will attack now.” I said. “High level and aggressive.”

“How is that possible if we don’t even know where they are.”

“All the best trackers of nearby packs had been requested to come.” I said. “Also a dozen of their best fighters. We will attack once the location of the hunter.”

“We won’t win that way,” one argued. “with the sound of your plan, our fighters would be too tired to fight.”

“That’s why we have been sending out people all over the place, to rile them up.” I pointed out, “I believe that someone had been keeping an eye on us, as much as I don’t want to believe that there’s a rat in our midst, I still believe that all of your loyalty is with our kind.”

They exchanged looks but remained quiet.

“We’ve sent out men to run around to make them think that there is something going on.” I continued.

“Well there is something going on.”

“Exactly, we will give them a gist of what is happening.”

“I don’t think I follow this plan of yours, King Siam.”

“The men who had left are now stationed in areas wherein the population of hunters are high, and in case that they are called to their base, then we’ll just have to follow them, the rendezvous point is surely where Serenity is.”

“But what if-“

“There is no place for doubts now Alpha Lucas.” I cut him off. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the rat, and I’d be happy to bite off his head.

“Are you sure that this could work?” another asked.

“It has a big chance to work,” I said, “if not to get Serenity back, at least to weaken them by attacking their hide out.”

Slowly, one by one, they nodded.

“Very well.” Alpha Henry stood up, “You have my pack’s word that we will help.”

I tipped my head as thanks and soon the other alphas agreed as well and we adjourned the meeting.

I turned to the others and caught Eric with his face on his hands, leaning forward, his elbow leaning on his knees.

“We’re good to go.” I said. “Eric?”

He shrugged and looked up at me. “I don’t want this to be a half way plan Siam, I don’t want to just weaken them, I want Serenity home and those hunters dead.”

“I’m with Eric with this one.” Jake says, “If we fail to do any of that on this attack, it would be hard for the next attempt.”

“I know.” I sighed, then I turned to Aaron who was standing in front of the map with his head tilting from one side to another. “What’s up Aaron?”

He jumped and turned to us, “Huh?”

“What are you staring at?” I asked.

“Just the location of the deaths.” He said looking back at map.

“What about it?” Jake asks as we stood behind Aaron.

“We never looked at it at this point of view,” Aaron explained.

“And?”

“There’s a pattern.” Aaron says, he walked up to it pointing at the first area of death, “First... second... third... fourth...” he pointed at all twelve places and I caught on to the pattern that he was saying.

“If there was another kill then it would be within this area.” Jake says pointing at the same spot I assumed it would be.

“Aaron have the alpha on that area scan the place for any missing or dead shifter.” I said.

“Yes, highness.” He says pulling out his phone.

“Wait.” Eric says, then he walked up to the map as well, his finger continue to trace the spiral pattern that Aaron has started. And when we stopped we all stood there quietly and stared at Eric’s finger.

It was pointing exactly at the Crescent Moon Pack’s Territory.

“We should be moving away-“

“No.” I said. “That will make things look too obvious.”

“Obvious that they can kill us if they think of skipping those other areas and just go straight here?” Jake argued. “I don’t care, we should move to a safer location.”

“No.” I said.

“Think if Anna Siam.” Jake says, “She’s carrying your unborn child, for Christ’s sake.”

I stared at him.

Does he think I never considered that? It was the first thing in my mind, but I just can’t leave, not yet.

“No.” I said.

“What’s wrong with you Siam?” Jake snapped, “Are you delusional now that you are willing to put your mate in harm?”

“Jake...”

We turned around and saw Anna and the girls step into Eric’s office where we continued our meeting.

“Jake calm down.” Anna says.

“No.” Jake says. “Think of what Serenity will say!”

“She’d like to leave.” Anna says.

“Exactly!” Jake snaps, frustrated.

“But not until all of us are together.” Anna says. “If you ask me I wouldn’t want to leave either.”

We all stood there watching her, she then reached for the top of her baby bump.

“Serenity knows we are all here.” She continues, “If she gets the chance to escape this is the first place she’ll go to.”

Jake shook his head, “As your security, I will not agree to this Siam.” He says, “My priority is to keep you safe, and it’ll take more than a very angry and pregnant Anna to make me think twice.”

“Jake is right.” Eric says, “I can stay here and wait in case she does arrive, but you have to go to a safer place.”

“No.” Anna and I said in unison.

“We will succeed in this attack and get Serenity back.” I said. “She will be taken home and those hunters punished and dead.”

“But-“ Aaron starts.

“That’s my final decision.” I said and faced Jake and met his gaze, I knew Jake was being hard headed, he was worried for us and his mate. But I don’t want to run away any more.

I want to fight for Serenity and get her home.

It’s the least I can do for Eric for being a good support after everything that had happened- Serenity’s abduction , his adopted father’s death, my parents’ death- he never showed a moment of faltering, well, as long as Serenity wasn’t sending out her emotions at him.

Jake shrugged, giving up. “Fine, we’ll stay, but if the fighting moves near here we will move.”

“Fair enough.”

“Good.” Jake says, “Besides, Serenity would probably kick your asses when she gets back for not listening to me.”

“Yeah right.” Anna rolled her eyes.

“Believe me I am right.” He says cockily, “You’re are carrying her nephew, she’d be furious if she finds out that you were a state too near the rendezvous point.”

“Well, it’s my decision, and unfortunately, where I am so is this nudger.” Anna says with a pout and crossed her arms over her belly making us laugh.

Our laughter was disturbed by Aaron’s phone ringing. Aaron checked on the screen and put on his serious face.

“You got news?” he says instead of greeting whoever on the line was. “I see… ok… are you sure?” he glanced my way, looking questioned. “No, no, that would be unnecessary. Yeah, stay there and wait for my call.”

“Who was it?” Jean asked.

“Hugh,” he says, “I sent him to personally over see the search of the area of the supposed next point of kill.”

“And?”

“They found nothing.” Aaron says.

“What about missing shifters?” Eric asked.

“None.” Aaron shook his head as well, we all shrugged. Another dead end. “But…”

We all looked up at him again.

“The area does have a couple of rogue shifters as of the moment.” Aaron says.

“Rogue living in a pack territory?” I asked.

“What do you mean as of the moment?” Jake asked.

“Well, apparently it isn’t just any rogue shifter.” He says, “We have ourselves a circus act.”