*****Erika''s POV*****


    "What was that about?" Pa asked. Following me as she pushed Kat back into my room.


    "Nothing." I sniffled, taking off my clothes as soon as Pa wheeled Kat inside and locked the door.


    "It''s not nothing, Rika." Kat said.


    "We are way past this, Rika. Don''t tell us nothing." Pa''s tone was firm.


    Left in just mycy pant and matching bra, I copsed on the bed, covering my face as tears fell more.


    "Can you just say something?" Kat''s impatience seeped through her words.


    What do I tell them? How do I begin to exin what had happened? How had it gone from me being angry at Jace and giving him the silent treatment to us quarreling heatedly on our way back? I had not asked a bad question.


    I was just curious and I was honest with myself, I was also suspicious. But who would me me? I had every right to ask that question. I had to know, it was either that or I would just keep being confused. Why had he picked offense? If he had nothing to hide why did he not answer the question? And why had he not told me about it? He had said he had evidence but I did not think that was true.


    I did not believe him when he said he had evidence. But I did not think so, for some very strange reason. Was I being inconsiderate and too harsh? Was I being insensitive and crazy in my thoughts? There was a war going on. All these events were telltales that a war was brewing and to fight it I had to know who was on my side.


    The bed dipped beside me. From the scent, I knew it was Pa. I could tell my friends apart even blindfolded. I was not in the mood to talk to her or anyone. I wanted to be left alone.


    "What is wrong?" She asked again.


    "Nothing." I replied.


    "Do you want Kat and I to leave? Because we do have houses and even if I can''t go home, I will go stay with Kat." The annoyance in her voice was quite obvious.


    "Are you threatening me? The both of you?" I looked at them both.


    "It''s not a threat, Erika. But if you do not trust us enough not to tell us anything that''s bothering you, then there is no need overstaying or overstepping." Kat uttered. Lines of displeasure creased her forehead.


    "No one said you''re overstepping or overstaying." I told them.


    "Then what are we doing here?" This question was from a very upset Pa.


    "You''re... you''re..." Defeated, I sighed. "I''m sorry girls. I have just had a very strenuous day."


    "Now do you care to talk about it?" Kat stares pointedly at me.


    "I guess." I had no other friends apart them and it was true. The reason they were here was to support me and be there for me. Now that they were here, I should not be turning them away.


    "What happened?" This time, Pa''s tone was softer.


    "As usual, Elder Grigshade tried to stop me from bing the Alpha. He was angry and ranted, said that he wanted Jace. I stood up to him and Jace did too. But Jace made a statement."


    "What kind of statement?" Kat inquired.


    "He asked Elder Grigshade when he was standing up to him if he had ever visited him for that reason. Elder Grigshade could not reply, which obviously meant no." "So what is the issue?" Pa probed.


    "It means Jace had visited Elder Grigshade before judging from his statement. But I did not think much of his statement or rather question to theman before we left. It was in the vehicle that I had to ask what the question meant. He said he had visited Elder Grigshade before."


    Pa and Kat mirrored the same frowns on their faces. "Why? What business would he have with a man who surely and obviously does not like you and neither wants you as Alpha for reasons best known to him." Kat was surprised.


    "Exactly my thought. Why? And when I tried to ask him some questions, he got angry."


    "That does not sound like Jace at all." Pa stated.


    She was right That did not sound


    like Jace at all. That was not who he was, in any dimension. Jace always told me things. Before he did


    anything, he would tell me. Wolno


    would he not tell me of this one? Why would he not tell me about Elder Grigshade?


    "So what did you tell him?" This was from Kat.


    "Nothing. I just did not know what to think anymore, with everything that has been happening, I don''t know who to trust. And I want to know my enemies and those that are solidly behind me. I''m just..."


    "What did you tell him?" Kat cut me short.


    I frowned, fighting away guilt. Why should I be feeling guilty? I had done nothing wrong. I had only asked a question and then he just had to make it quite difficult. If he had replied me, all of this would not have happened.


    By now, we would have talked on what to do next, not having more space between us.


    "Rika?" Pa called.


    Why was I hesitating to say it? I had done nothing wrong. "I asked him if he was my enemy. I mean that is..."


    "You did what?!" The look of disbelief on Kat''s face made me blink.


    "Why would you do that, Rika? How could you ask that of your own blood?" Pa


    added.


    "Why are you guys ming me? You


    will not understand. In fact, both of you do not understand. This is


    important to me. He is doing business with the enemy. And you both know the saying, the friend of my enemy is an enemy too."


    "And you applied that to your brother?! Your blood?!" Kat looked appalled.


    "I am disappointed, Rika. Really disappointed." Pa was not yelling as Kat was


    but it still had the same effect on me.


    They were ming me?