Chapter 7: Standoff

Wyatt looks from Kalen to me, then to the bags in my hand. His eyes narrow, "Where are you going?" He asks.

"I can't stay here. You took my Dad so being here hurts. I can't be in this empty house." I set my bag down. It's obvious he wants to have a conversation.

"You're being a brat. It's for his safety." Wyatt says.

"You think I would hurt him?" The pain in my heart only grows. "I'm the only person who was there for him after mom died. Why would I ever hurt him?"

He doesn't answer, he just looks at Kalen who's matching gaze with one of disdain, "Who are you?"

"Doesn't matter to you."

"She's a monster. You know that right? She went out and got herself bitten so do you really want to put yourself in that position?" If Wyatt's trying to intentionally hurt me it works.

Kalen smirks. His normally blue pupils slowly turn red, "Who do you think bit her?" Wyatt takes a step back. Kalen can be intimidating, and my brother who normally does the intimidating has met his match.

Wyatt looks back at me. "I came to tell you that I listed the house. Dad's not going to get any better being here and you're old enough to live on your own. They're giving me until the end of the week to clear the place out."

"I'll pack my stuff." Before he can answer I'm out the door. It takes Kalen a moment to get in the car with me but when he does he takes my hand.

"I'll buy it back if you want." He says, "If your house makes you so happy I'll buy it right now."

I lay my head on his shoulder and sigh, "No. I can't say yes to that. I just hope someone else loves it as much as I do." He nods and instructs his driver to drive, "what were you talking about in there?"

"It may not seem like it but I'm doing what's best." Wyatt looks Kalen in the eye. He's never been one to take judgment lightly.

"From where I'm standing you seem to be doing everything to make Alana unhappy." Kalen shrugs, "For someone who's never done a thing to help around here you don't have much ground to imply that you know what's best for anyone but yourself."

"Don't talk like you know what's going on. What happens in my family isn't your concern."

"Don't interpret this as me caring about your family issues. If it upsets Alana it is my concern" Kalen leaves him standing in the living room. Wyatt is right. Kalen has no interest in Alana's family problems. He intends to be her family, which means he can only worry about making her happy. He doesn't plan to let Wyatt win though. He has a plan.

"So Kalen really dragged you back here huh?" Nathan smiles at me as soon as I'm through the door.

"Yeah. He did a good job of convincing me. I hope I'm not intruding." Kalen takes my bags and takes them upstairs, leaving me with Nathan.

"Nah. Believe it or not Kal has always been very mean. Since he kidnapped you he's been a lot nicer to everyone. You make him happy so you're welcome here." Nathan throws his arm around my shoulder. "We had a room prepared for you just in case you decide to come back."

"She's staying with me." Kalen stares down at Nathan from the top of the staircase. His lip lifts into a sneer, "You wasted your time doing something like that. She was always going to stay with me."

"What about when she gets dressed? She's not that comfortable with you yet to dress in front of you. Let her breathe a little Kal she's not going anywhere. You have plenty of time to convince her you're worth it."

"Don't say it like that. That's rude." I look at Nathan. I can see why Kal says Nathan sucks. He just says whatever he feels. "Kal I would like to sleep in my own space for the time being. Just until I'm more comfortable with you. You're still a stranger."

Kalen clicks his tongue and walks away. Seconds later he comes back down the stairs with my bags and puts them at Nathan's feet. "Show her to her room then."

When he's gone I look up at Nathan, "How old is he?"

"Surprisingly he's 233. He still acts like a kid though. He's impulsive, jealous, and an asshole. But that's why we love him." Nathan grabs my bags and gestures for me to follow him.

"Where did Spencer and Adrian go?"

"Food shopping."

"You mean for...people?"

Nathan laughs, "No one here drinks directly from people. Their smell makes Kal gag so he prefers bags or sex. Adrian and Spence like meat. And I like to fuck."

I blush at his vulgar way of speaking, "So where do you get bags from?"

"Blood drives or hospitals are preferred because they're better quality. And any butchers shop will do for prime meat." He drops my bag in an all white room and smiles at me. "You have a lot to learn but you also have a lot of time left. Just try to enjoy yourself. If you do you'll have no problem adjusting."