Tish POV
Much to my dismay, neither twin touched me all night. They both kissed me lightly and tucked me into bed. I attempted to toss and turn to get comfortable, but there was no space in the bed. Kaden is right; we will need a bigger bed if we will continue to have sleepovers.
Slipping from the bed, I pull on a pair of sweats and head out to the small kitchen. The sun is beginning to peek over the trees, and I gaze out the window while I wait for the coffee to brew. A dark shadow runs in front of the window, and a chill runs up my spine.
I run to the other window to see if I can see who or what is outside. A groan leaves my lips when I see a blonde ponytail running back to the pack house.
"Bitch," I hiss in frustration. I know it is the girl that was in the closet with Kai.
Opening the door, I lean against the doorway and watch her run away. I should have known she was going to be a problem. I wonder who she is to him and if he cares about her. When they came out of the closet, she looked pleased with herself, but he didn't. If anything, he looked annoyed. One thing is for certain: I can't wait until Monday for a bat.
I glance out back and see a bunch of fallen branches behind the cabin. I don't bother with shoes and step out into the dewy grass. It is surprisingly warm, and I wiggle my toes between the blades. I stomp toward the branches and look at them with my hands on my hips.
"Time to dig in," I sigh as I sort through the branches.
I weigh them in my hands and swing them through the air. None of them feel as good as my bat, and I am depressed that I left it behind. I am bent over the pile when I hear someone whistle from behind me.
Looking between my legs, I see Kaden watching me. I wave between my legs and get back to work.
"What are you doing?" Kaden asks while I swing a branch through the air.
"Looking for a weapon," I respond, not looking over my shoulder.
"Why would you need a weapon?" Kaden asks.
"Princess Blonde Hair, for one," I groan.
Kaden cocks his head to the side, and it is clear he has no idea what I am talking about. I pull a stick out of the pile and point it in his direction. My injured arm is starting to ache, and I drop it lifelessly to my side.
"Kai's girlfriend was snooping around here this morning," I huff. "I don't know what these werewolf bitches are capable of."
"Jessica was here?" Kaden asks.
"Yes, Mr. Questions. Now, will you let me get back to work," I snap at him.
"I didn't mean to upset you," Kaden sighs. "I was just curious. What kind of weapon do you want? I will get you whatever you want. Just stop digging through that pile before you get bit by a rattlesnake or stung by a scorpion."
A squeal leaves my lips, and I run to Kaden. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and jump off the ground. Kaden laughs as he holds me in the air.
"Why didn't you tell me there were critters?" I shout into his ear.
Kaden leans away from me and wiggles his finger in his ear. "You are in nature. I didn't think you needed to be warned."
A loud growl rumbles the tree leaves and Kaden spins us around to see Kai, foaming at the mouth. "What happened?"
"Jessica was nosing around this morning," Kaden replies. "Tish was looking for a weapon."
Kai throws his arms in the air and screams cuss words as loud as he can. He looks at the pack house and snarls. "Jessica," he yells as he heads toward the pack house.
I look at Kaden and open my mouth out to ask what is going to happen to Jessica. Then I realize I don't care.
"Carry me back to the cabin," I command.
"As you wish," Kaden laughs.
He walks me back to the cabin and tries to set me down outside the door, but I refuse and wrap my legs around him tighter.
"I can assure you there are no critters on your doorstep," he laughs.
"Inside," I demand as I point to the door.
Kaden walks in and sets me on the couch. Remembering the spider in the bathroom, I refuse to let my feet touch the ground and huddle onto a single cushion.
Kaden sits beside me awkwardly, and my eyes scour the floor for anything that might slither or crawl.
"Can I ask you a question?" Kaden says, tearing my eyes from the floor.
"Sure," I chirp.
"Why did you let Kai off the hook so easily? He hurt you. Physically hurt you," he says.
I am shocked at his question. I didn't think he would notice or care how quickly I forgave Kai.
"Are you jealous?" I laugh awkwardly.
"Maybe," Kaden mumbles.
I chew on my bottom lip while I think about why I forgave Kai or why I even owe Kaden an explanation. I look at his eyes; they are wide and waiting for an answer. I won't be able to tell him no.
"I understand him," I say. "We are the same."
"The same?" Kaden wonders. "You two couldn't be more different. Kai had the perfect upbringing, and no offense. You didn't."
"Are you sure?" I reply to Kaden.
Kaden snorts with laughter. "We have spent every moment of our lives together. I think I would know how my brother was raised."
I shake my head. I can't believe Kaden doesn't see it. "Kai has grown up in your shadow his whole life," I inform him.
"What are you talking about?" Kaden says awkwardly. "We are equals."
"You see it that way," I say. "But does Kai?"
Kaden is quiet for a long time. He is running every moment of his life through his mind. "You don't know what you are talking about. Kai is fine."
"One tortured soul can see another," I shrug.
"That's why you are gentle with him," Kaden accuses me. "Because he is a tortured soul?"
"I am not gentle with him," I snap at Kaden. "I just understand him."
"There is nothing to understand," Kaden snaps. "I am not what everyone thinks, and Kai hasn't been living in my shadow."
I shrug my shoulders and wiggle my toes over the edge of the couch cushion. One day, Kaden will see what I see, and he will know that Kai hasn't been living the good life. But I am not going to argue about it. Their family life is none of my business.
Kaden gets up without saying another word to me. He huffs and puffs on his way to the front door of the cabin. He swings the door open, and Kai is on the other side. Kai's jaw is tight and I prepare for them to have another fight, but Kaden looks him up and down before pushing past him.
"How much did you hear?" I ask.
"That I am a tortured soul," Kai says shortly. "Is that really what you think?"
"I don't know," I reply. "Yes, no, maybe. I have only been here for a few days. I could be totally wrong. Want to take a shower?"