The doctor had walked up as Rowan opened his mouth. “The slower the drip, the less painful it will be to work it out of the system.”
“You didn’t do that with Ronnie.” I pointed out.
The doctor smiled. “I would have if I had had the option. I did low and slow with you.”
Ronnie groaned. “That’s what the burning was?” The doctor nodded.
I turned to Rowan. “Do we have two hours?”
Rowan nodded. “We should still have about three.” A ringtone rang out with a soft drum. Rowan pulled out a sleek phone and answered. “Yes?” He listened for a few minutes and then hung up. “We have less than one hour.” My dad grunted as he pushed up again. “The council landed by plane. If they were running, we would have less time, but they demanded a car.”
My dad looked at Ronnie. “Call Trey, delay as much as possible.” Then he turned to the doctor. “Turn everyone up. We don’t have the time to be gentle anymore.”
The doctor moved to my father’s bag first and showed the rest of us how to open it fully. Then we all split off and ran around the room to every wolf and opened their infusion.
The last one was a frail-looking woman, and I felt bad. “I’m sorry I have to do this.” I opened her I.V. and watched as she paled, and shook.
She gasped but just closed her eyes. “It’s okay. We all understand.” I patted her hand and stood. Her arm snapped out and grabbed me. “We are going to make it through this, right?” Her eyes were full of pain and worry.
“I don’t know.” I wouldn’t lie. “But I know we will do everything we can to keep you all safe.” She nodded once before releasing me.
I was on the other side of the room when another call came in. This time it was Ronnie. “Trey. Good. Have they questioned anything yet?” He was quiet for a few more seconds. “Bring the car to the opposite side of the airport and wait until they decide to run instead.” He waited a few more seconds. “Exactly.” Ronnie sighed. “Thanks Trey. Oh, and call when they leave.” He hung up his phone and sank down next to my dad. “He will let us know.”
Rowan made it back to my dad’s bed at the same time as I did. “Did your guys say whether or not they brought any guards?”
Ronnie puffed out his cheeks. “The guards are on a different plane. Apparently, the council thinks they are too good to travel with the help.” Ronnie laughed, but it was empty. “That’s what they are waiting for right now. The guards’ plane left about thirty minutes after the council members. So, they are waiting for them to arrive. And they ordered a bus and a limo.”
“A bus?” I turned to Rowan. “Why would they need a freaking bus?”
Rowan looked almost grey. “They probably mobilized the entire council guard.” There was a soft drumming again, andRowan pulled out the black phone. “Yeah?” He was silent for a few seconds. “We have men at the airport. Bring everyone back here. Good.” Then he hung up.
“Bring who here?” I furrowed my brow.
“My elite guards.” Rowan said slowly, as if he was confused by my question.
“Why are they here?” I lifted an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t they still be at the capital?”
Rowan walked over and felt my forehead, like I was sick. “Are you okay?” He leaned down. “I sent my guards here years ago, to watch over your dad’s pack and Carly…remember?”
I stood there confused until a memory bubbled up. We were on a call when I first told him about Carly. “That was during my first year of school. They have been here since then?” He nodded once. “But who watched over you in the capital?”
Rowan frowned. “No one…that’s why I pretended with Verity…I couldn’t exactly push back when I had sent my warriors away.” My mouth dropped open. “I thought you knew.”
I just shook my head, and then I turned to my dad. “Did you know?”
My dad shook his head slowly. “No…I mean, well, yes, I knew he sent guards here for Carly, but once we set Carl and his pup up at the cabin, I never saw them again.” My dad turned to my mate. “We assumed they went back to you.”
Rowan shook his head. “I kept them around here, working behind the scenes to keep Carl and Carly safe, making sure they had food, especially once you all hid in the Agora.” I felt like a bitch. All the hatred I had built up when, if fact, he was just trying to stay alive. Rowan cupped my face and turned me to him. “I know you are beating yourself up. But don’t.”
“But I hated you for so long and then the entire time you were protecting my pup. My family. My pack.” He smiled. “That’s what any king would do. Not to mention, I was head over heelsin love with you and that just added another layer.” He kissed me. “Do you still hate me?”
I shook my head. “Of course I don’t. I love you.” I smacked him. “I’ve always loved you…even when I hated you.”
He kissed me again. “You are my mate, and even when I hated you, I still loved you too. Even if I didn’t love you, even if we were never mates, I would have sent my guards to protect Carly. She is the Shaman, and she can’t fall into anyone’s hands. So don’t feel bad.” He booped my nose and then turned to my dad. “They will be here within ten minutes.” My dad’s mouth dropped open. “They are running.” My dad just nodded.
“Well then, let’s figure out how the fuck we are going to survive this fucking shit show.”
I raised a hand like I was in school. “Does the council know who is in this pack? Like everyone?”
