“Can I trust you with his remains?” I asked, my voice more growly than normal.
The man gulped. “Yes, ma’am. It’s my honor to serve the Hudson family in this way. Curt gave me a small business loan five years ago during some rough times.”
And now I felt like a dick. “Okay. Thanks. Sorry. I’m—”
I’m in shock and I need therapy.
“It’s fine.” He smiled sweetly as they hoisted Curt into a body bag and began to zip it closed.
“Wait,” I said.
On a whim, I reached out and pulled the silver band from his ring finger and placed it around my thumb, making a mental note to give it to Sawyer’s mother later.
Once they were gone and my promise to Sawyer was complete, I turned to Sage.
“I think we should elope. This did not go well.” I tried for humor, but it felt wrong in my mouth.
She gave a dry chuckle. “I think you’ll—” Sage’s phone buzzed, as did mine and everyone’s around us.
I turned to look down at the alert on my phone. It was an emergency broadcast similar to an amber alert, but this was from Werewolf City.
The vampires have declaredwar on Werewolf City. Active duty, reserve members and anyone over eighteen willing to fight, please report to Sterling Hill campus at 0600 tomorrow morning. From now on, a curfew is in effect. Do not go out after dark. -Sawyer Hudson, Alpha
My eyes widened.War. Like forrealwar?
Sage’s spine straightened and Walsh popped out from behind the building, running toward us.
“What does this mean?” I asked.
Were the vampires going to drop bombs on us or something?
“Come on, I’ll drive.” Walsh ignored my question and tipped his head to Sage and I.
I took one last look at the spot Curt had lain; the grass was smooshed, the blades broken and red from where his body had rested. I knew that I would never be able to look at the base of this tree, or any other probably, and not think of him.
Shaking myself, I ran after Walsh and Sage, and prayed it didn’t come to actual war.
Walsh droveus to a big daddy mansion that I assumed was his parents’ house. It was perched right behind the school and there were a dozen black Range Rovers outside. This must be where Sawyer was.
‘Are you in this giant mansion Walsh just drove me to?’I asked Sawyer mentally.
‘Yes, love. I asked him to bring you to me. Come inside.’
We all popped out of the car and Sage and Walsh started to talk to the two guards stationed outside while I stood there like an idiot.
“Step inside, go left, and he’s in the office probably. Meet you in there in a sec,” Sage told me, and I nodded.
I walked up to the doors, about to knock, and then figured that was stupid since his mom was probably resting and Sawyer had just told me to come in.
The porch was large, lined with a deep oak wood, and I stepped up to the two giant glass doors and turned the handle. Walking inside the travertine lined foyer, I turned left and immediately came face to face with Roland. His eyes were red rimmed and glassy like he’d been crying. “Oh, Miss Calloway, it’s so good to see you are alright.” He pulled me into a hug and my throat tightened as I hugged him back.
Sawyer told me that this man was a member of the family, and I could tell by how sweet he was to me that it held true. “Thank you, Roland.” I squeezed him tightly before we both let each other go.
He brushed a few stray tears off of his cheeks and nodded. “Come on in. Mrs. Hudson is resting, but Sawyer has requested you join him in the war room.”
War room.
He said war room.
