“I know,” he chuckles. “But I am not feeling too guilty about that one. I was hoping I could surprise you, Luna.”
“Well, you did.”
Griffin nudges Rory. “Thank you for taking the risk and getting in contact with me.”
“I thought ‘it’s now or never’,” Rory says. “I knew Rosea disappeared from our old pack, but I wasn’t able to find her anywhere until I heard about her attending a gala as the luna of a different alpha. I could barely believe it.”
“But it’s true,” I say with a smile.
Rory frowns when he looks at Forest. “And he is not an asshole?” he asks.
Forest doesn’t look too bothered, but Griffin glares at the insult to his alpha’s character. “Alpha Forest is a fantastic alpha and a great friend.”
“You can see for yourself,” Forest reassures him. “I told you, I’d happily have you in our pack.”
Rory sighs. “Sorry. After Clemmens, my faith in other people is a bit… dimmed.”
“We get it,” Griffin says quietly. “That type of betrayal had to hurt.”
Rory’s eyes darken. “In my eyes, my mate died years ago,” he says. “I have mourned him already. Now I want to focus on helping Rosea get her revenge.”
There is so much I want to ask him, but I decide to respect his wish. He has the right to deal with his heartbreak the way he wants to. Clemmens was his best friend and then became his mate. I don’t even want to imagine how heartbroken he must have been over the years.
Forest puts a warm hand on my back. “Let’s go,” he says. “I’ll leave the rest to Griffin.”
“Do you mind if I help?” Rory asks. “Not necessarily with dealing with Clemmens. I am very happy never to see his face again. But I am sure there are other things I can help with.”
Forest gestures towards Griffin. “Griffin?”
The latter nods. “I’d appreciate the help,” he says.
Before we leave, though, I make sure to hug Rory again. I can’t quite believe he is here; he is alive. “Rosea,” he mutters. “I am not leaving. I am not going anywhere. I promise. I will help Griffin and then return to your pack with him.”
“I won’t let him run,” Griffin says. “Don’t worry, Luna, I am good at babysitting.”
Rory frowns at him. “You are a funny guy, huh?”
“See,” Griffin grins at me. “We are already like best friends.”
I take a shaky breath before looking Rory in the eye again. Then I nod. “I will take you at your word.”
forty
Full Moon
*ROSEA*
Forest has Dr. Francis check me overtwice, and then wants him to look over me another time, but the man throws his hands in the air. “She is fine, Forest,” he exclaims. “I can check her four more times, and it won’t change.”
“I really am,” I say. “Clemmens might have knocked me over and injected me with wolfsbane, but the wolfsbane is gone now, and the little bump has already healed. He has not assaulted me aside from that.”
“He was ready to attack you, though.”
“Yes, Forest,” Dr. Francis groans. “And an attack thatalmosthappened can’t be treated by me, because,” he lets out another exasperated sigh, “it didn’t happen.”
“I just want to be sure she is fine,” Forest pouts.
Dr. Francis looks like he is close to strangling Forest, alpha or not. “She is fine!”
