She grinned. “Don’t sell yourself short. I heard what you did this afternoon. The wolves were going to fight the police. You stopped it. Kept a clear head and saw the bigger picture.” She reached an arm around me, helping me limp my way to the exit while wolf-Dastien kept pace beside us. “I have a feeling this is going to be the start of a very healthy relationship.”
She was out of her mind. Once she realized there were other Weres—who were much better at all this stuff—then I’d be off the hook. Hopefully.
As we made our way toward the exit, I spotted Cosette and Van leaning together and talking. Cosette was waving her hands, arguing with him again.
I hoped this didn’t mean she was leaving. I was just starting to get used to having her around.
Raphael and Claudia were talking as they reclined against the back wall of the church. She absently ran a hand through Lucas’ fur. Chris, Meredith, and Donovan were lying on the floor together in wolf form, catching their breath.
I sighed. “Well, I guess we better go face the music outside. Any of you wolves want to shift so I don’t have to talk to the cops alone again?”
None of those jerks changed.
“Fine. I guess it’s on me, then.” But you better stick by my side, even if you stay wolf.
Dastien laughed at me through the bond. You’re the one who told me to shift back.
Well, it’s better than being naked in front of everyone, right?
As we stepped outside, the light of the helicopter shone down on me, and I raised my arm to block it.
For a moment, just the sound of the chopper filled the night, but then the cops started cheering. Whistling. And I took a breath.
This. This was good.
I let the last bit of guilt for what I’d done in that church slip free. I was sure I hadn’t seen the last of it, but for now—I let go.
We’d survived and I was beyond ready to go home.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
&nbs
p; About ten minutes after I exited the church, the Cazadores showed up, with Mr. Dawson and some of the alphas in tow. They took over the scene, helping with cleanup and making sure all the injured officers were properly taken care of. Some of the cops didn’t like the idea of pouring holy water on their injuries, but after what they’d seen—it didn’t take too much work to convince them.
In all the chaos, Cosette disappeared with Van, but I was sure she’d be back before long. I owed her big time, and from the looks of things, she might need my help.
We all split up to take care of ourselves. Dastien checked both of us into a new hotel so he could look after my leg, while the others went to see Shane and Adrian at the hospital. Adrian was doing fine, but Shane…
I’d wanted to go help, but I was fully burnt out. Closing the portal had used up every ounce of energy, and after getting my leg treated, there was no way I could do anything but pass out.
So I did. For a glorious twelve hours.
When I woke up, Dastien ordered room service. I hadn’t looked at our room too closely last night, but Special Agent Morgan had recommended a hotel right off the historic plaza, and in the light of day, it was luxurious. Light-years apart from that disgusting motel. The bright white, fluffy duvet and soft mattress made it feel like I was sleeping on a cloud. I never wanted to get out of bed, but when the food came, Dastien handed me a fluffy robe—which was like being wrapped in heaven.
I tore through the best eggs Benedict with avocado and roasted tomatoes, a mountain of pancakes with a side of bacon, and Nutella-stuffed French toast. My stomach was full in the most amazing way. I stumbled over to the bed, face-planting into the soft, pillowy covers.
“I could do that again.”
The bed dipped as Dastien sat beside me. “Do what again?”
“Another round of breakfast.” I lifted my head up. “What do you say? Again from the top?”
Dastien laughed. “How about you let me check your leg and then we’ll talk?”
After the initial washing with holy water—which hurt like a bitch—he’d wrapped my leg in bandaging. Now it was in full-on itching mode, which told me it was probably healing just fine on its own.
“Do I have to?”