Chapter 112: Chaos and discovery

Peter 

"It's just a tattoo. It's nothing, right?" I asked him.

"Is everything okay?" Jacob suddenly came inside as he seemed interested. Garrett went and sat on a sofa close by.

At this point, I was beginning to feel really worried about how Harold was looking at me. I could literally feel my heart beating in my head and all I needed was an explanation of some sorts. Anything just to point me in the right direction of what he was talking about. Jacob too looked confused and I realised he did not know what was causing the old man to act this way over a work of art. Apart from Garrett, another person in the house who really appreciated art was Jacob and I was looking forward to him embracing me with arms open wide.

Just then when everyone was in this moment of shock and dilemma, Damon decided that it was time to return. Seriously, that was not what I wanted. I was hoping we would be done with my issue so we can face him when he returns. I wanted to ask Harold to hold off my case so we would all collectively deal with Damon when he started speaking to me again.

"You went to Maddox, didn't you?" He demanded.

"Yeah. I mean, we had been trying to see him all this while, haven't we? So I thought I should go now before he goes missing again. He was around and he gave me an audience." I responded, proudly even though I was hoping Harold would applaud me.

"Harold, is there a problem? I mean, you two have been going to see this guy before, right? And Peter solved it." Jacob said.

He might not be my favourite brother at some point but right now, he was topping the charts. He had the perfect response and I turned my gaze back to Harold as if daring him to counter that.

"Peter has no idea what he has done to himself. He got a tattoo which is against our laws. I have read this before when I told you all that it is not possible and a bad omen. Haven't I?" He demanded.

A bad omen? I had totally forgotten and well, that is because I did not believe that. I mean, humans have always had tattoos and it was really cool. In fact, the most successful ones among them were ones with a lot of tattoos and it made them famous. I have always admired it and there is no telling me otherwise. Besides, I had literally thought it was a case of cursing what you cannot have. It is no secret that we werewolves could not get tattoos. It was impossible because we always healed and once the needle pierces through the skin, well, that would definitely mean healing. But now, someone as smart as Maddox had finally found out a way to get the tattoo done and here we were arguing that fact instead of appreciating him.

This was definitely pathetic and I was getting ready to defend everything including Maddox. I would never understand why on earth I was defending the man, could it actually be because of the blood oath or what? I was certain Harold would not appreciate that one too and was already telling myself that I would not tell him about it when Damon entered. Apparently, the moon goddess had more surprises for us tonight as my brother entered smelling like he was dead.

What on earth was that smell?

Harold and Peter noticed and just when Damon would notice my arm, I was rescued. I had been really worried that he would return them back to me but somehow, his own offense was both new and more annoying. Harold was demanding to know where he had been and what he had done. Damon looked really confused at this point and somehow, I was confused but what was that smell that made me want to kill him so badly. Or rather the owner of that scent.

"Nothing but hey, why's Peter wearing a bandage like he just got a tattoo. I mean, certainly you did not get another bomb blast now, did you?" He asked me suddenly.

Right, I desired to kill him, not just the owner of that scent. Why on earth was he trying to get them back to me? Was this on purpose or what?

"Peter got a tattoo." Jacob said.

"A tattoo? But that's impossible and isn't that a factor for..." He was still speaking when Harold started speaking to him again.

The old man's eyes were blazing with so much anger and hate that made me want to double over.

"Damon, what have you done? Who did you meet with?" He asked him.

"Nothing really. I'm just trying to get things done just like everyone else and I met with old friends. That's all. I mean, Peter, you certainly remember Sheila, right? I saw her today and she's not what you'll be expecting. She's in the abusive..." He was speaking and even though he was saying the truth, I knew there was something else he was trying to hide in the midst of him talking over and over again.

"Damon! You're trying my patience. Who else did you meet?" Harold demanded.

"Some guy who works at a hospital owes me a favour. I saved his ass." Damon said.

"You liar. I'll be right back." Harold said and stormed outside.

I was really confused at his reaction. I wanted to also know what was happening but Damon was trying to talk it through.

"Well, something really funny happened. I turned up late for my reservation and I found out that I already attended. Makes me wonder if someone else looks like me apart from you three?" He asked as his eyes fell on me.

"Maybe a doppelganger." I responded without caring.

"Yes. One that is exactly like me? I mean, I could actually be a skinwalker of sorts. I don't know but I really hope he enjoyed the lap dance and ladies I bought for myself." He said, closing in on me.

"Alright guys, what's really happening here? You're both acting like you have had a long standing rivalry but we're brothers and should always stick together." This was Jacob speaking.

Of course, he would tend to go out of his way and try making everything go well so he gets the credit. I did not care anymore.

"You want to know what's happening? Well, Damon here has been busy acting weird from that moment he brought back that bounty hunter. He makes it seem like the rest of us have been doing absolutely nothing, so I went after him today. I got there and guess what, our brother has not been just all about getting our problems out of the way. He went and he booked lap dances. Who has fun when they are trying to solve a problem?" I demanded.

"And who says that I have been having fun? Do you have any ideas about what I have been dealing with or what I have been trying to solve for us? Do you have any ideas about the risk that I have taken for everyone to be safe?" He demanded.

"Yeah right. Hooking up with Sheila was one of them." I said and suddenly, he punched me across the face and I fell down.

"Guys, that is enough!" This was Garrett who had gotten really tired of everything at this point.

I could have lashed out but I was really tied at this point and I just sat down there.

"You fool! I have been working!! You think I would want to fuck a woman at this time? Much less one that's married to the world's own jerk?" Damon yelled and I could actually feel the pain in his voice which took me aback. Was there something that he had seen that was making him hurt over that girl? Was it because she was married or it was because it was to the world's jerk? Damon would never call a man a jerk unless he was a bad person.

"No, you haven't been fucking around, Damon. Where's the vampire?" Harold suddenly appeared at the entrance and he looked really mad.

"What vampire?" Damon demanded.

"The one whose scent is all over your body and is in the car you left with. Where is he?" Harold asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Damon said and started walking away.

"You do and we all can tell that you're lying. Listen, boy, no one knows they smell this way except us. To humans, they might smell really good but we werewolves know them. Where is he?" Harold demanded.

"Damon, have you been with any vampire?" Garrett demanded.

Damon was angry but then he turned around.

"He's gone, okay? Gone!!" Damon yelled.

"After everything I told you about then, why on earth would you have a meeting with one?" Harold demanded.

"Because he escaped those hunters and I felt he might have something to help us with." Damon said.

"Knowing that, and you let him go?" Harold demanded.

"What do you really want from me, old man?" Damon demanded.

"Wait, where is Jace?" I demanded.