Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 181

"That's what they think," he says.

She shakes her head. "At least he's not a gang leader. Count your blessings." She looks at me. "I'm just glad that you brought him home. It feels nice to be included."

"Have you lost your mind?" Dad asks. "You're thanking the burglar for sending us a warning before the robbery."

Michael claps. "Exactly. Say it again for the people in the back."

Dad gives him a firm nod.

Mom shakes her head. "Oh for pete's sake. Come on Charlie, Megan. It's time for bed." She leads them up the stairs. I follow to get away from Dad.

He continues to rant to Michael. They plan and plot on the same spot where Onai's blood littered the floor not too long ago. "I'm gonna light that boy's..." He notices Charlie's still around. "Butt on fire. Just mark my words. Next time I see him, Mia won't have a boyfriend."

"You're the best, Dad," Michael says. "It's time for Asher to go."

They chuckle to themselves, patting each other on the back for a job well done in the making.

I rub my forehead.

After Dad comes in my room to talk about how the birds and the bees aren't even an option in this house-or anywhere else we might try to "pollinate"-I stay up all night considering what to do... Not about the birds and the bees of course! But about my actual problems.

Mixed in with flashbacks of Carson's eyes on me, hands on me, lips on me, I try to focus on the fact that not even he is someone I can trust right now to tell me the truth. I don't doubt his loyalty, or his feelings, but I do doubt the story he and his brothers are telling me. There are too many loose ends when it comes to the "Silvermoon Pack," and not enough for me to go on in figuring it out.

Same goes for Onai. I can trust him to be honest enough, if he hasn't been told to tell me otherwise. But knowing Axel... he's probably been told to tell me otherwise.

That means my only option left in the world is Ethel.

Hm... I roll onto my side. I consider it for a second, and although he wasn't my first, second, or third choice, he might be the best choice after all. He's proven on numerous occasions that he can disobey orders in the name of honesty. The only question left is... when exactly does his watch start?

I sigh, rubbing my forehead, regretting not getting the information sooner. I know it's crazy to try to talk to Ethel right now, like... right now, but I can't ask him in the middle of school with all those prying eyes-and ears, and it's not like I have his number, so this is the only time I have to talk to him in private, with him standing guard outside my house.

But it's so risky!

I run my fingers through my hair, sitting up. If I go out at the wrong time, I'll risk running into one of the other betas and then game over. That's it. There's no possible explanation as to why I'm talking to Ethel alone in the middle of the night outside my house in the dark with no one else around. That's just sketchy.