Wren shakes her head, looking so fucking sad that I want to pull her into my arms, but I know it would be unwelcome. I can see it in her eyes. I put that look there. I’m the one who hurt her, and I’m desperate to make it right.
I have to respect that she isn’t ready to talk about it. Not yet.
I watch her go, feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut.
45
Wren
I’m exhausted. Completely and utterly wrung out. Every muscle in my body aches, and my mind feels like it’s wrapped in cotton wool. I slump in the chair, watching Drake pace back and forth across Vulcan’s office while he talks on the phone. You would never say that he was shot several times, not more than three or four hours ago. The wounds I can see are scabbed over. He’s a little pale, perhaps. I’m not sure a human would have survived that at all, let alone be walking around already. It’s incredible.
My gaze drifts to Grim, who sits a few chairs away. He’s watching Drake too, his jaw tight.
I force myself to look away.
Drake ends one call, and his phone immediately rings again. He glances at the screen and answers.
“Yes, sir. I understand. Yes, it’s authentic. I can vouch for both of them personally.” He glances our way.
Then he listens for a moment and nods. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your support.”
When he hangs up, he looks at us. “That was Vector. The Council has reviewed the video evidence. They’re calling an emergency session for tomorrow morning on how to proceed.”
“That’s good, right?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
“It’s excellent,” Drake says. He looks tired but relieved. “They’re issuing a statement within the hour, clearing both your names. All charges are in the process of being dropped.”
Relief floods me. “That’s great.” I heave a breath.
“Such a relief.” Grim smiles at me. I can’t bring myself to return the gesture; I’m too tired…too wired…too irritated with him.
Drake’s phone buzzes with a text. He reads it, and a smile crosses his face.
“Falkor is fine. He’s with a female shifter at her home. He’ll stay there tonight. I’ll send a maintenance crew to his house tomorrow to fix the damage. It might take a few days…a week, even. I’ll organize for him to go to a hotel. We’ll figure it all out.”
“I’m so glad to hear he’s doing okay.” The words spill out of me. I was worried about the old male after Grim flew him away. He looked so fragile and pale.
“That’s good news,” Grim says, his voice rough.
“I was really worried. He didn’t look great,” I add.
“He’ll be fine. He’s with Eldra,” Grim tells me. “She’ll look after him. She also lost her mate a few years ago. She came into the clinic the other day. I liked her.”
“I’m glad.” I nod, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders.
We sit in awkward silence for a minute. I’m hyperaware of Grim’s presence.
Drake’s phone rings again. “I need to take this,” he says, walking away from us.
The silence after he leaves is suffocating. Becca and Vulcan are still talking in low voices by the computers, but they might as well be in another country for all the attention they’re paying us. They actually look like they’re really hitting it off. I feel like warning her because men tend to be liars.All of them.
Grim shifts in his chair. I can feel him looking at me.
I keep my eyes fixed on the floor.
Drake returns a few minutes later, shoving his phone in his pocket.
“The Mainland Security Forces are on an aircraft back to the Mainland. They’re remaining silent at this point. No statements have been issued…yet. They have some serious egg on their face and a lot of explaining to do.”
