Page 173 of Plug and Drain

A flowery, overpowering perfume and a thick set of false lashes hit him as a female wolf pushed herself to the front and strode into his office.

Arken felt himself shrink inward as he gestured for her to sit. He was not looking forward to this.

The wolf was already removing her blouse.

He cringed. “There’s really no need for that.”

The wolf shrugged and gave him a dazzling smile. “I’d rather be comfortable.”

He nodded resignedly. “As you wish.”

His teeth extended as he approached. Her wrist? Or her neck?

He wrinkled his nose. Wherever the perfume was the weakest.

He fed.

It felt like a betrayal to Susie, but he’d already lost her. Now, he dug himself deeper.

Chapter 41

In His Bed

Susie

“I wish I could hug you,” Susie said to Sarah as the wolf set a tray of vegetable soup on the bedside table.

“Me too. I’m so angry about what that bastard did to you.” Sarah’s gaze roved over Susie’s body, which was hidden by the sheet. “Is anything broken?”

Susie shook her head. “We don’t think so.”

“We?” Sarah waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“The healer and I,” Susie clarified. A tiny, wizened man in a light grey gown that matched his hair. Fussy and not unkind, but he looked annoyed throughout the entire examination. “Probably just sprained.”

“Just sprained? Bet it hurts a tonne.” Sarah blinked quickly and plastered a comforting smile on her face. “How are you, otherwise?”

“Happy to see you,” Susie smiled. “I’m glad you came.”

“Of course. Headmaster Arken thought you’d feel better if you had a friend to help look after you and keep you company.”

“That’s nice of him,” Susie said vaguely. It was a kind gesture from Arken, but she refused to look too much into it. This was not the first time she’d had trouble reconciling the headmaster’s actions, and she was done trying.

It never seemed to end well for her.

It’s my own fault for thinking he cared about me.

She told herself that, but she still didn’t quite believe it. Even now, her instincts told her to reach out to Arken. To speak to him, to give him the benefit of the doubt, to try to mend their fractured relationship. But the rest of her wanted to shrink away from him.

She felt lost, and suspected her instincts were wrong. They’d never misguided her so badly.

“He really is very sorry, you know,” Sarah said, peering at her inquisitively. “About whatever it is he’s done.”

Susie opened her mouth, then closed it again. So, people didn’t know. The King had assaulted her, and no one knew. Not yet, anyway. She drew a deep breath and glanced away. “He didn’t do anything.”

“Oh. Well, I’m not sure why he looks so upset then.”

“Does he?” Susie asked, scanning the room for Arken, even though she knew he wasn’t here.