Before I could, though, the door opened.
Griffin stepped inside, clearing his throat with that signature “I hate interrupting but I have to” sound. Zack jerked back slightly, cheeks coloring.
Griffin raised an eyebrow but said nothing about the scene he’d walked into.
“I’ve got Theo dressed,” Griffin announced. “The lion’s still out cold. I doubt he’ll wake up anytime soon, but we should get him out of here before the humans start asking more questions.”
Zack straightened. “We’ll drop him off at the hospital.”
I nodded. “Good idea.”
Griffin gave us both a long look, then added, “Fast thinking kept things from getting ugly tonight, Mark. I’ll tell Cooper you guys are bringing Theo to the hospital if he calls.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Zack helped me up from the couch, his hand lingering a little too long at my back. Together, we followed Griffin out the side door.
Theo was already bundled in a blanket, his breathing shallow but steady. His belongings were folded in a paper bag at his side.
We carried him to Zack’s car. The drive to the hospital was quiet, except for the hum of the tires and the low whisper of the heater.
Zack kept glancing at me between stoplights, as if making sure I was still in one piece.
I broke the silence first. “You don’t have to look at me like I’m about to fall apart.”
“Maybe I just like looking at you,” Zack said without missing a beat.
That earned him a grin. “Smooth.”
He smirked faintly. “You’re just not used to me being nice.”
The drop-off at the hospital was quick. We explained to the night nurse that Theo had too much to drink and gotten into a minor scuffle. It was half-true, half-lie, but believable enough. They took him without question.
As we walked back to the car, my phone buzzed. A text lit up the screen.
Cooper:My office, once you’re done at the hospital.
Zack peered over. “Cooper?”
“Yeah. Guess he’s not waiting until morning,” I said.
Zack slid into the driver’s seat. “Then let’s get it over with.”
The pack house was mostly dark when we pulled up, except for one light at the corner.
I could already imagine Cooper behind his desk, arms crossed, with a look that said he was disappointed but not surprised.
“I’ll go in alone,” I said, unbuckling. “You should head home. I don’t know how long he’ll keep me.”
Zack frowned. “Not a chance. I’ll wait.”
“Zack—”
“Don’t bother arguing. I’m not leaving you here.”
Zack looked so damn stubborn I didn’t even try to fight it. Instead, I leaned across the console and kissed him.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
