He didn’t need to urge me more than once toward the door to the left. It buzzed, and I shoved past, my heart thundering.
And I came to a halt, my smile wilting. All three of them stood in the waiting area, their expressions varying.
Elias reached for me, and I stepped back, avoiding him.
“This is how it’ll work,” Cumy said from behind me, holding a clipboard. He wasn’t looking at me; his focus was all on Elias,and it grated on me. “She’s being released into Greymont Pack’s custody.”
I stiffened, my mouth pursing.
I might not know much, but it was clear this wasn’t the usual discharge process. It didn’t seem like the place was even open to visitors yet. Another show of what wealth could get you.
“Sign here.” He tapped the bottom of the page and held out the blue pen for me. I took it mechanically and scrawled my signature at the bottom.
“It’s a statement, saying you understand that you will keep within the parameters of bail. Including house arrest and no traveling.”
“What?” I snapped. House arrest?
“Officer Bryant will escort you home in a patrol vehicle.” He jerked his head to the frosted glass doors. “He’s waiting right outside. Questions?”
I shook my head.
He grunted and went back through the doors we’d entered from.
“Let’s go,” Kyan murmured.
I avoided his arm and made for the exit, so none of them would touch me, stepping out into the cold, crisp morning air. I lifted my nose and breathed. Dawn turned the sky into a brilliant orange-red.
I headed for the SUV parked at the curb. A police cruiser sat behind it, the engine humming, but I didn’t focus on that.
I was out, without chains. Another piece of life I’d taken for granted—walking so uninhibitedly.
Kyan opened the passenger door. I didn’t quibble about it, hopped in, and shut the door behind me, not looking at him.
I could feel his gaze on me from outside the window, but I stayed steady, staring ahead. The doors opened and shut, and the engine started. Only then did I turn. Elias’ mouth was curvedin a frown. I clasped my hands together, feeling the raised scars on my palm that had formed, four bumps of raised skin.
“Briar,” he said. His voice softer than I’d ever heard. His hand reached for mine resting on my lap. I pulled away before he touched me, and he froze with his hand mid-air.
I stayed as still as possible, and he finally retreated, placing his hand back on the steering wheel.
“Briar,” he started again.
“Not right now,” I bit out, crossing my arms. I couldn’t wait to get out of this jumpsuit.
Silence reigned on the rest of the drive. Thank God, I didn’t want to keep at it. None of what they said mattered. I squeezed my torso even harder. My mind wandered, and the freeway blurred.
First order of business was getting to the house and sleeping on a fucking bed. I forgot what a proper mattress felt like. I came to as Elias turned the SUV down the tree-bracketed road leading to their place. It didn’t take long for him to park in front of the house. The cruiser pulled up behind us and idled. I hopped out of the car and wove around Kyan again, ignoring his frustration coming through the bond he’d forced.
A black vehicle, withParole Officerprinted on the side, rolled up and parked. A woman swung her legs out.
She approached, her left hand hooked into her belt. She swept her eyes over the Greymonts hovering behind and returned her focus to me.
“I’ll be your P.O.” A waft of her Alpha scent slapped into my senses. Sinclair was so close I could feel his breath on my neck. I whipped around to glare, but his focus was on her. He looked ready to throw down. I shook my head, even though he still hadn’t looked at me. She fiddled with a black metal band. She crouched, keys jangling with her movements. “Tug this up.” She flicked the gray pants, and I did what she asked.
“You can’t go outside a one-yard distance from the house. It’ll take effect as soon as you walk in.” She jerked her head in a nod. “I’ll be checking in with you once a week. Any questions?”
I shook my head. It was pretty clear.
She nodded again and walked over to the cruiser. She leaned in to talk to the officer.
