He touched his broken arm with a grimace, looking depressed all over again.
At that, Night’s nose twitched, and his head lifted. There was a look in his eyes as he glanced in Dewdrop’s direction. Seeing his friend’s arm in a sling and his mouth twisted in pain, Night stood and ambled in his direction.
Dewdrop’s expression blanched. “Tate.”
She shook her head. “You’re on your own.”
No way was she getting between Night and him right now.
The Veles stopped in front of Dewdrop, his gaze fixed on the injured arm. He looked up at the boy.
Idiot.
Dewdrop bit his lip, looking miserable.
Night showed his teeth.Double the training when you’re healed.
Dewdrop flinched but didn’t argue. The outcome was to be expected.
Tate didn’t know if it was just Night or if Veles males were the natural caregivers of their species, but Night took Tate and Dewdrop’s safety as seriously as he did his cubs. Of course, the form of his care often divulged from the traditional definition of caregiving in hilarious and unexpected ways, but no one could say heart and soul wasn’t put into assuring their wellbeing.
Night’s tail whacked Tate’s leg in accusation. Despite how careful he was not to penetrate the skin with his barbs, it still hurt.
“And the traitor?” Archie asked.
“The prison could no longer be relied on to hold him,” Ryu finally spoke. “I decided to keep him close so as to keep a better eye on him.”
Archie appeared unmoved by the explanation. “How sure are you he didn’t have anything to do with this incident?”
Ryu paused to look in Tyne’s direction. “I will never make the mistake of vouching for that man again. Whether he does or not, he couldn’t be left unsupervised. This was the only alternative.”
“Very well.”
Dewdrop raised his head. “Does that mean we can go?”
Despite the tough front Dewdrop was putting up, his expression was growing increasingly miserable. The pain from his arm had given him a pinched look and he held himself gingerly as if afraid to move because pain was waiting for him as soon as he did.
At a look from Archie, the warden bit out a harsh, “Fine.”
Dewdrop released a breath and started up, Night shadowing him in the event he passed out.
Tate took a step up only to be stopped by Archie holding his arm in front of her.
“Take the traitor with you,” he ordered.
Gregory nodded several times in agreement. “Yes, take him with you. I’m not assuming responsibility for that maniac.”
Tate hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at Ryu. After a short pause, he jerked his chin down in a nod, not looking particularly happy.
“Fine. Let’s go, Tyne,” Tate said.
Tyne bounced in Ryu’s direction. “Just like old times.”
Ryu ignored him and held his hands out to Gregory and made a ‘give me’ motion. “Restraints.”
Tyne pursed his lips in a frown as Ryu took the handcuffs Gregory’s subordinate handed him and placed them on Tyne’s wrists.
“Is this really necessary?”
