Four Alphas and Me

Chapter 3 : Things Don’t Add Up

I clung to Kain for a little longer than I should have, listening to the strong and steady heartbeat beneath his shirt.

He hesitated for a moment and then cradled my head to him, smoothing my hair over my head.

“You are in such an odd mood today," Kain told me and I forced myself to let him go.

“What do you mean?"

I knew exactly what he meant. I wasn't the Livy he was used to, and he was sharp enough to notice. I just wanted him to keep talking.

“I mean, who are you and what have you done with my Livy?" he joked lightly as a humored smile spread across his face.

He patted my hand as he sat down on the edge of my bed.

I watched as a penetrating look I'd never seen before crossed his features. I felt a slight blush tint my cheeks as he examined me, trying to understand what had come over me.

I realized that this sudden onslaught of emotions from me must have made him feel uncomfortable. I had always been just a spoiled little sister.

“Can I not be sentimental once in a while?" I replied.

“All right," he chuckled after a short pause. Then his expression turned serious. “Don't worry, Livy. I promise that I will never leave you. You and I will be stuck together forever."

His gaze fixed on me again. This time, the look in his eyes was warm and deep, as if there were more he wanted to say but didn't know where to start. I waited patiently for him to continue, but after a while, all he did was give my hand a gentle squeeze.

I gripped his big hand wrapped around mine and leaned on his muscular arm. I was comfortable sitting in silence with him, and he didn't seem to mind either.

I turned my attention to twiddling my fingers and thinking again. Would it be a good idea to tell him that I had been reborn from the future?

I quickly vetoed the idea. Judging by both William's and Kain's concern over me already, and the present look on Kain's face, I didn't think that would be the right thing to do.

I could end up confined to the house under constant supervision, and then there would be no way for me to save William and change my future.

I pushed my hair back from my face as I let out a long breath. I was determined to save all of us and change our future. It was a formidable task and it seemed that I only had myself to rely on for this life-or-death mission.

First thing first–to keep William and Kain from looking over my shoulder, and put their concerns for me to rest, it was probably a good idea for me to remember what it was like to be seventeen and start acting that way.

I stretched my memory to see what my relationship with both of them had been like. So many times before, Kain had repeatedly complained to our father that I was a spoiled baby and whined too much—although he usually said that with a doting smile, and as soon as I gave him a hug, he would shake his head and relent.

Whining and complaining… it was going to be a bit challenging now. How could I whine or complain about anything when I was so happy to be back with the two of them?

Still, it had to be done. My illness was a good cover and excuse for now, but they had to see that I was well and back to normal as soon as possible.

When my father entered the door, I dramatically cleared my throat and Kain became attentive.

“Is everything alright?" he asked.

I turned a sneaky eye on Kain and began.

“Kain, dearest brother, my throat is feeling so dry." I let out a dry cough to demonstrate. “I really, really want a drink of coconut water. Could you please be my hero and get it for me?"

Kain looked startled and blinked at me twice before shaking his head and smiling.

“Coconut water?"

I batted my eyelashes and flashed him a cheesy grin. Coconut water was not sold in the vending machines in the hospital. He would have to go outside to get it, which, hopefully, would give me enough time to talk to William alone.

“Alright, I'll be your hero today," he said kindly. “But don't get used to this."

As he stood to leave, I felt my heart smile to have my family back.

Kain walked to the door and then turned around as he thought of something. “By the way, Cecilia is still waiting outside. She seems to be worried—"

My face dropped and I interrupted Kain.

“Tell her I don't feel well and have fallen asleep." Both of their eyebrows shot up at my abruptness. Realizing my tone was rough, I added, “Please?"

Kain paused for another second, but he didn't ask any more questions and headed out. I let out a long breath.

“Are you alright?" William asked after Kain walked out. “What's going on with you and Cecilia? She has been here trying to look after you the entire time."

I shook my head, wishing I could tell him what Cecilia had done to me in my past life. I didn't like holding hack something so important.

“Daddy, I'm fine. Cecilia… she will understand. I just want some quiet time before the end of the night. Plus, it's getting late. Her parents may be worried."

“Well, you're right," he said, and then he paused for a second before looking back at me. “I've mindlinked Kain to take her home. You know, it's not safe for a young girl to go home on her own at night."

I bit down on my bottom lip to avoid saying what I was thinking.

He was worried about Cecilia, but Cecilia was one of the culprits who had caused his death! My father was so kind and caring. I didn't want him to be suspicious of my angry face, so I lowered my head for a moment to calm my fury.

It took a few moments of steady breathing in and out and focusing my mind on the most important task ahead of me–preventing his accident.

By the time I looked up at him again, I had come up with a plan to pry into his personal life. I needed to start my investigation somewhere.

In my previous life, his autopsy had found that he was intoxicated and had been driving under the influence of drugs when he died.

Even though I'd had to accept it and there was nothing I could do about it, I could never understand it. William had always been good and upright. The thought of him driving under the influence didn't make sense to me.

The only logical explanation was that the accident had been planned or staged to cover up his murder.

“Daddy, you must be tired after these past few days too, taking care of me and all that. How are you feeling?"

“I'm doing well," he answered, seeming a bit surprised to hear the question coming from me. “What makes you interested in my life all of a sudden?"

I sighed inwardly and regretted how self-centered I had been in my last life. I felt very selfish. Had I paid more attention to my family, would some of our tragedies have been prevented?

“Sorry, Daddy...." I lowered my voice, and as expected, he was immediately concerned.

“Honey, what's going on? You're really worrying me now."

I looked up tentatively and said, “I was wondering if you knew anything about… dreams?"

“Dreams?" he asked, puzzled.

“Yes, dreams. I had this awful dream the other night, and I'm not sure what to think of it."

“Okay, tell me about your dream."

“I had a dream that there was a bad witch chasing our family. You knew her and she even cast a spell on you."

“A witch and a spell?" he repeated, stroking his chin. “Well, I certainly don't know any witches."

I scanned his face to see if it was true, and it seemed so.

“Okay, good. But, then there was another part of my dream, and you were surrounded by bad people, who may have used drugs."

I held my breath and wondered what he must be thinking of me after hearing what I just said.

“Drugs!?" He shook his head, clearly baffled. “Of course not, I would never know anyone that uses drugs. I have always told you to stay away from people like that."

I nodded my head in agreement. He had always cautioned me about the types of friends I made and what company I kept.

If he didn't choose to use drugs, then the only way it would have gotten into his system was through something he ate or drank that was drugged. Who would have had the opportunity to do that to him?

“I know. I am just trying to think about whether you might have some enemies or people who would want to hurt you."

“Livy, where is all of this coming from all of a sudden?"

“Daddy, I told you… I had bad dreams. I don't want to see anything bad happen to you."

His expression softened again as if he understood.

“Losing your own parents was hard. I know that. But I promise I am fine. I can't promise you that I will be with you forever, but there is no need to worry yourself about me."

His reassuring smile was kind as he patted my hand. I looked into his caring eyes and held back the tears that threatened to come through.

“You're a beautiful young lady with the rest of your life ahead of you. Relax and enjoy this time of your life."

I gave him the best smile I could, knowing just how little time we would have left together if I didn't get to the bottom of who could get close enough to him to set him up and kill him.

The accident would happen in a month, after a dinner party. Before the party, and even in the days leading up to it, he seemed completely fine and was normal. I couldn't remember much other than that.

Since he couldn't think of anyone who might want to hurt him, I would have to do my best to investigate the people around him.

I had to look into my adoptive father's circle of friends and associates on my own somehow, but I was now only seventeen years old, just a child really. How would I be able to interact with them to see who were the most suspicious ones?

“Do you feel a little bit better now?" he asked, bringing me back from my thoughts,

“As long as you are safe, Daddy, everything is wonderful. Just promise me that you will be careful. Watch what you eat and anything that you might drink or put in your mouth."

“I promise," he said.

I wasn't sure if he was just saying that to keep me calm or placate me. But as he looked at me his expression turned sincere and it seemed as if he would take my words to heart.

“Please, do not worry about me anymore, and get a good night's sleep. You will feel much better in the morning."

“But I don't want to sleep, Daddy. I want to talk!"

He leveled his gaze at me.

“All of this wouldn't happen to be about getting out of school, would it?" William chuckled. “Are you pretending to be more upset in order to miss more of your classes?"

Classes? I closed my eyes and palmed my face. That's right, I was in school… high school. I had always hated going to school and might have used every trick possible to get him to let me stay home. They almost never worked.

I was going to deny those intentions, but he wagged a finger at me before saying, “The doctor said you can be discharged tomorrow. You will need two more days of care at home and then you have to go back to school. It doesn't matter if you don't feel well."