Bloodlines

Anna

The chocolate fills my nostrils. I don't know where Bennett keeps getting his donuts, but I happily indulge in one this time. We're one of the last to arrive in the office. Dean's Uncle Warren is the very last.

I sit next to Bennett and and Matt. Sara and Katie sit on either side of Dean. Dean won't even look at me. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday. My neck already feels naked without the ring there. I had really gotten used to fiddling with it at school. Daphne and Darryl stand at the back of the room, poised on either side of Dean. And Warren, well, he sits the farthest from any of us. His hands are laced and his back is straight. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was about to be exiled. But I know that his disappearance is suspicious. And Sean isn't even here.

Warren, with his fat face and bristly chin, looks from me to Dean. "I would have thought you to be sitting beside your mate," he says, looking at me.

I stop mid chew. I didn't think he'd be the one to start the talking. Him and Dean have been staring each other down the whole time, unless they were speaking wolf. I narrow my eyes at Dean.

My cheeks are swelled from the donut and the situation just brings heat to them as well. Bennett smiles at me with a mouth full of donut. His teeth peek from his lips. I suppress a laugh.

All eyes are on me and with all the saliva buildup I'm able to swallow the donut. Why do I have to answer? Why can't Dean?

I take a second to compose myself. I sit forward and press my arms into the table. "I thought I would be to, but seeing as he's not here..." I shrug.

All eyes go to Dean. The only ones in the room that don't know it was all faked is Daphne, Darryl, and Warren.

Warren speaks to Dean this time. "I don't understand. There were rumors that you two were," he waves his hands around, "mates."

"I was just dancing with my sister's best friend. Rumors are just that, rumors," Dean says.

"And what about the burial?" Warren stares at Dean. "You and Anna went together. She was seen by your side."

I stare at Dean. Not even I know what to say to that one. But Dean doesn't miss a beat.

"Because of Anna's history, she wanted to see Julia and give her the help she didn't get."

His words sting. I look away.

"How were you able to hear of all this? We weren't even able to get a hold of you. I wasn't able to get a hold of you." Dean keeps his eyes steady. I shrink back in my seat, unsure if its just me seeing the challenge in his eyes. Why is he acting this way?

"I have ears everywhere."

Sara furrows her brows and Katie fiddles her pen between her fingers. Matt doesn't do much. He's always the observer.

"Where's Sean?"

"He's doing business."

Dean takes a breath. He closes his eyes. "What is he doing?"

"That isn't important—"

"I'm the alpha and I need to know where my uncle is. Where is he?" Bennett nudges me. His eyes are wide. I don't think he's ever seen Dean like this. I know I haven't. Sara hasn't moved a muscle. Something is going on here. Why are we all here if Dean and Warren are having a two-way conversation?

Warren opens his mouth. His chin jiggles as he forces it shut.

A long silence passes. Eyes dart all over the room, but Dean's are unmoving. He's being strong but almost overbearing. Did Eve and Emily's death push him over the edge?