“I said I would wait until you were better before dealing with Darrell. And the Tribunal will wait for your testimony against Brian as well.”
I sighed as I slipped on a pair of leggings beneath my t-shirt. “Look, the only way you’re getting me back into that bed is if you knock me unconscious. I know my limitations and I won’t overdo it, but I need answers. I’ve waited two years, don’t make me wait another day.”
“What’s one more day after two years?” she tossed back to me. But she echoed my sigh, sounding just like me, and moved away from the door. “Fine, I’m not going to force you, but only because I don’t want to have to explain to Lachlan how his m—” she paused. “How you were injured again. I don’t think even his respect for me would keep him from trying to tear me a new one if I did.”
I gave her a confused look when she stumbled over her words. She was right though. Lachlan had been a protective shadow, always hovering over me, since I’d been injured. When I awoke in Carter’s farmhouse the night after Brayden stabbed me, he’d been sitting in a chair next to the bed. That was where he stayed the next night as well.
Last night, he’d climbed into bed next to me after I was already asleep.
We hadn’t talked much. I had slept a lot, only waking to eat, shower, and use the bathroom. Now, I was feeling more like my old self. The wound on my side had closed, leaving behind a small pink scar where the blade entered my body. I was still sore, but considering I’d been at death’s door three days ago, I would take the slight ache in my abdomen.
“Fine. We’ll go to the police department.” My grandmother paused by the door as I slipped shoes onto my feet. “The Tribunal sent a representative. We gave him all the photos and videos. Darrell was removed as alpha of the pack and we were given permission to deal with him as we saw fit as long as Carter agreed.”
“Why Carter?” I asked.
Gram shrugged. “Because he’s the new alpha.”
“They’re not conducting a Call?” I asked.
She shook her head. “The representative offered, but the pack refused. They requested that Carter lead them. I think this is the first time that an alpha has been put in charge by vote rather than battle.” Her eyes darkened. “I worry that other wolves will hear about this and try to challenge him.”
I smiled at her. “I don’t think Carter will have any problems taking care of any and all challenges that come his way.”
Her mouth curved up at the corner. “Yes, you’re probably right. That wolf is more than he seems, isn’t he?”
“That he is,” I said, running a brush through my hair and pulling it into a ponytail. “Let’s go.”
“Only if you eat something first,” she argued.
Knowing that I would get what I wanted more quickly if I followed her directives, I went downstairs and plowed through several rashers of bacon leftover from breakfast that morning and a banana.
“There, I had a snack,” I told her as I rinsed the grease from my hands in the sink.
“Did you even chew?” she asked. At my level look, she sighed. “God, now I understand why my mother laughed when I told her I had a granddaughter. You’re just like I was at your age.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment,” she muttered beneath her breath.
“Considering I respect you more than any other she-wolf I know, I’d beg to differ,” I retorted.
She smiled at me.
“Now, stop stalling and let’s go,” I stated firmly.
Gram grabbed the car keys and Nicholas appeared at her elbow. “Where are you going?” he asked me.
“To the police department,” I replied.
He glanced at Gram, his eyes clearly stating he thought this was a mistake. “Does Lachlan know?”
Gram shook her head.
“Sophia, you know that—”
Gram lifted a hand, silencing him. “That’s between Ian and Chloe. I refuse to get involved.”
Nicholas’ mouth pressed into a thin line but he stopped arguing.
