Chapter 143
1453words
"So you're telling me there is a possibility that Kate is receiving visits from my enemies on this pack ground?" I asked Jean on the phone. He had called about some suspicions he had toward Kate, and In as much as we worked together, and I took his word seriously, I still didn't understand how he could have known that Kate could have been receiving troublesome visitors without actually being here,
"yes. That's exactly what I'm telling you," he said simply. I walked toward my window and saw Kate standing in the same spot I had just left her, and I heaved out a sigh,
"Since you so happen to know such information that I doubt you should have any business knowing, any idea where she might be meeting the person?" I asked, but I think I already had an inkling. And if I was willing to accept it, I think I had already caught her at it twice now.
"could be anywhere. The forest leading to the abandoned cabin might be a good place to start." Jean said and I nodded slowly. I thought so too.
"I just might look into this one." I said sincerely, and watched as Kate finally turned away from the trees she seemed to be so charmed, "while you're still here, would you like to tell me how you began to think about this one?" I asked,
" A little birdie allowed me privy into their mind and I thought I should let you know," he stated lightly.
"Was It Ember?" I asked. Because for some reason, she was the only one I could think of at such a time as this. The only one whose identity he might want to and care to protect if ever such a situation arose.
"Now what business would Ember have to do with Kate to have such an information?" he asked and I narrowed my eyes,
"It's not impossible. " I said and I sighed, "but never mind who it is if you aren't of the mind to talk about it, I'll look into this and let you know."
"Also, I was considering getting into the whole investigation as well. But that would mean coming into your pack land. I wanted to do so only after knowing that such a thing is okay by you." he said and I thought about it for a moment,
"Does Ember know about this?" I asked,
"Your obsession with her even while we work together is somewhat questionable. And yes, I've spoken to her about this. She's all in, and would like to be kept informed."
Now that was definitely news that staggered me, "well now. That's an improvement. And yes, you're free to come in here, you just let me know, so we can align the time." I said,
"Then we are all set. Thank you, mate."
"yeah." The call ended, but my mind was still racing with a lot of thoughts, I suppose what was at the forefront was the fact that Kate was possibly communicating with our enemies under my watch, in this pack land, and definitely against me.
Was that why she kept staring into the forest just now? Was that the son of a gun she had cursed at? But then, she had said the person was her uncle. Did that mean it was actually her uncle that she had been seeing? But the bloke was in prison, was he not?
"Ugh!" I groaned. The whole thing was unbearably unclear and left me feeling very inept and angry. Even after nearly throwing her out of this place, she still chose to play me for a fool. She still chose to do all of the wrong things she wanted to do. Not really caring about the repercussions. The girl was absolutely something else to be very honest.
I could ask her once again about it. But what stopped her from lying as she had just done? Then there was this stupid mate bond that after all of this time had gone by, I could finally be sincere with myself, and the fact that I actually let all of the wrong things she kept doing slide simply because the bond didn't allow me to do the thing I know I'm supposed to be doing. And if I'm willing to be honest with myself, the only reason I had let her stay with merely apologizing to Ember, was because of the bond.
So in a way, perhaps it was a good thing that Jean wanted to come by and deal with things. But the million-dollar question remained. When all was said and done, and I had to let Jean take action because Kate was guilty… would I let him?
~~~
"I was just looking for you." my mother said, blocking me on my way to the stables,
"you've found me," I told her and she nodded slowly,
"that I have."
"Well, what's the problem?"
"I was just coming from the stables, and I suppose you might be going in that direction. I noticed a leakage in the roofs. I know that would probably affect the horses to a good extent when it rains. I've spoken to the stable hands about it, so he shouldn't have any issues showing you the place I'm speaking of."
"you would like to call in someone to fix it?"
"exactly that. Do you know someone who would come in right away? There's rain in the forecasts tomorrow." she said and sounded truly troubled.
My mother was many annoying things, but she was also a die-hard lover of the equine life. So her urgency did not surprise me.
It just so happened that I knew someone else who had a love for horses.
"Do I know someone? Yes, yes I do. Will they come if I explain the situation? Yes, most definitely."
"But?"
"but I don't know how you're going to handle the person's presence."
"handle the person's presence? What is there to handle? Isn't the person supposed to simply come and fix a damned leaking roof?" she asked, and narrowed her eyes, "who is this person anyway, that you're so worried that I might worry?"
"It's Ember," I stated point blank. And those narrowed eyes turned into slits, proving my point,
"I believe it's your obsession with that girl that has got you thinking that if it's not her, there can't be anyone else to fix a damned bloody roof."
"You want urgency, don't you? And I bet you want someone who will deal with that roof with as much passion as would be needed." I said, shrugging, "Ember will do just that. So put your animosity aside." I said,
"animosity, you say? That girl is a walking case problem. Did you know that girl had the audacity to attend your sister's banquet?"
"After you invited her, yes. I believe she was simply honoring your invitation. And for want of not arguing with you, I've decided not to speak to you about why you would do such a petty thing. But you can't fault her for attending the damned banquet if you are the one who invited her, whatever your reasons might have been." I said and my mother merely looked wounded.
She was so good at taking offense in nearly every situation and had taught her daughter to do the same. And neither of them was ever willing to take accountability.
Trust me, nothing was more tiring to deal with.
"I don't want Ember."
"Then you don't want a fixed roof," I said simply and she stared at me aghast,
"They are your horses as well." she pointed out and I nodded,
" I know that. Which is why I'm considering the best woman for the job."
"why can’t Kate do it?" she asked, and my brows came together before I chuckled,
"Kate?" I questioned with amusement. Nothing was more comical.
"What's so funny?"
"you are. You and your ideologies."
"It's not an ideology, the girl is quite handy." I nodded slowly,
"Sure she is. You can ask her though, let me know how that works for you." I said and turned away.
Kate was not handy. But I'm sure my mother already knew that. That was like saying Christina was a hard worker. The woman obviously just didn't want Ember to do the job.
I brought out my phone and dialed Ember's number. Because whether or not my mother agreed, a storm was coming, and I refused to let Ember's precious Equine life suffer. I knew, that even though she hated me to an extent, she would not refuse. After all, she was the reason those horses were there in the first place.
