seven
A Way Out
*GWENDOLYN*
Evelyn is suddenly here, and I don’t even know when she came over; I just know she is here. I have cried so much, I am not sure I have any tears left when she and Daniel finally help me up and pull me away.
“Don’t look back,” Daniel says while they get me inside. “Remember him the way he was.”
My gaze falls on Marina, who is sitting on her signature spot on the sofa, which makes another horrifying realization settle in. “Faye,” I cry. Goddess, did she see what happened?
“I left her with Jacob,” Evelyn immediately reassures me. “Don’t worry, she is safe and didn’t see what happened. Do youwant me to ask Jacob to tell her in a child-friendly way that Tulip passed?”
I nod. “Please,” I say, my voice hoarse and raspy.
She pulls me into a hug again. “I will make you something to eat,” she whispers. “How about you go upstairs and take a warm shower?”
Still feeling numb, I just nod. My body starts shivering now that the shock is wearing off. I’ve spent more than 24 hours awake, the adrenaline rush first, and my fear later pushed me into staying with Tulip until his last moments.
“I will come over later,” Daniel promises. “Evelyn will stay with you. I am sorry, I can’t stay any longer.”
“Thank you for your help,” I say. “I think… I think Dad would be happy to know that his best friend didn’t abandon me.”
The look in Daniel’s eyes is sad. “I will always be here for you,” he promises.
He bids us goodbye, while I make my way upstairs to the bathroom. The window of the room is open, causing me go over to close it. Casting a gaze outside, I stop when noticing a few of the wolves who chased me still lingering around. Only Maddox and Brandon have shifted back to their human form.
I watch Daniel leave and pass the group.
“You weren’t able to help the horse?” I hear Maddox ask.
“No,” Daniel says shortly.
“I didn’t want that to happen,” Brandon mutters. “We just wanted to…”
“The horse broke its legs,” Daniel interrupts him, his tone icy. “What you wanted is irrelevant. It’s an animal with flight instincts. What did you think would happen? Did you stop to think at all? Gwen does not have a wolf to heal her; she could have gotten severely hurt or died during your chase. Did you even for one second consider that?” When Brandon stays silent, Daniel nods grimly. “Right, you didn’t. I told her recently thatyou are far below her and that she can do much better. You just proved us all right.”
Even without any wolf senses, I can see Brandon flinch.
“Did Gwendolyn get hurt?” Maddox finally asks.
“She just has some scratches and bruises. Bad enough,” Daniel says shortly. “Just don’t bother her anymore. Leave her alone, for Goddess’ sake!”
Silence surrounds them for a few moments.
“I didn’t know that they wanted to chase her,” Maddox finally says. So, that’s why he wasn’t with them.
“I know you wouldn’t sink that low, but why did you wait so long until intervening?” Daniel asks. “You should have stopped them immediately, Maddox,” he adds. “You need to be better than that! I know you have your issues, but right now I couldn’t be more disappointed.”
I close the window, not wanting to hear any more. I have heard enough. When I turn around, I notice Tiger hopping around on my bed. She spreads her tiny wings and flutters towards me, landing on my shoulder and rubbing her small head against my cheek, like she wants to comfort me.
This almost makes me break down all over.
“Sweet girl,” I whisper. “Thank you, little Tiger.”
Tiger follows me into the bathroom and stays by my side the remainder of the day. Evelyn makes sure I eat something and doesn’t let me leave for the stables when Tulip’s body gets taken away.
Faye comes home eventually, fully distraught and in tears, throwing herself into my arms.
