“Emmerson. He’s a problem, and he’s very close with Vivian.” He got up and started pacing the room. This was his pack. His world. He knew more about it than he thought he did.
Suddenly, he started walking to the door.
My heart sped up. He was leaving? He couldn’t do that. What if Bhrunyz came back? “Where are you going?”
“I just need a moment. You’re right. If I can find a way to avoid forcing it from them, then that would be good. If I sit and think in the quiet, I might be able to sort through the bonds and single people out before the meeting. But I’m not leaving you. I’ll be just in the sitting room in the front, okay? I’ll send my mother in.” He strode to me and pressed a firm kiss to my lips. “Don’t go anywhere. Promise?” He rested his forehead against mine, waiting for my answer.
“Okay.”
He left, and a second later, Donovan’s mother walked into the room carrying a tray with tea. Now that I had time to actually look at her, I could see the similarity between mother and son. They had the same glass blue eyes, the same round faces, and identical grins. Her hair was white as snow, and rolled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Her dress was a thick black wool that had a classic line—fitted at the top with a square neck and a full skirt. She looked to be in her seventies, but I hadn’t a clue how old she really was. “You’ve decided to age?”
She set the tray down on the bedside table. “In a way. I decided that a long time ago when my mate died. But my great-grandmother was fey.” She started pouring the tea into simple white china cups. “It’s made the aging process go on a bit longer than normal.” She picked up a lump of sugar with the tongs and looked to me.
“Yes, please,”
I said. “Do you ever stay with the fey?”
“Lord, no!” She stirred my tea with a little silver spoon before handing the cup and saucer to me. “I don’t even think my grandmother did. I’ve always been pack. I try and stay away from that side of the family. Too much drama for me.”
I winced. “Isn’t the pack a lot of drama?”
“Yes. But from what I’ve heard, fey are much more trouble.” Riona motioned to the bed. “May I?”
“Yes. Please, sit.” I tried to scoot over, but with my sides and the tea, I only managed to move an inch.
“I want to thank you. I saw my end in the creature’s eyes, and at first, I wasn’t scared of it. My George has been gone a long time, and I ache to see him again. But when I saw you, I knew I couldn’t give in so easily. My Donovan has found his true mate.”
“Yes. He has.”
“Good. He needs to be more grounded. Always flitting here and there. I can’t keep up, and I like my routines. But it’s good for him to have someone share his life with. That’s why I wanted to speak with you. He’s got a lot on his plate and I’m worried—”
“I’m already on top of that. Once we figure out who’s controlling the beast, he’s going to decide if he wants to leave the Seven or the pack.”
“Good.” She patted my leg. “I’m glad Donovan’s found you. He’s been lonely for a good while. I find that to be a dangerous thing. You’ll do him well.” She stood up.
She was leaving already?
“You should get some more rest, dear. This afternoon isn’t going to be easy for either of you. A meeting like that…” She sighed. “I’d hoped it could be avoided, but I’m not sure there’s any way to save the pack after this. The betrayal is too deep. My son is a good man, but he doesn’t forgive easily.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but she left without waiting for an answer.
The tea she’d brought was good. I wasn’t normally a tea person, but it had a fruitiness to it that I liked. As I sipped, I tried to come up with a way to help Donovan, but the meeting was in three hours. There was nothing I could do in so little time. The meeting was as good as done already.
After ten minutes, I threw off the covers. Sitting in bed and resting was a bunch of BS. It was too hard to sit still with this meeting hanging over my head. I had to get up.
Sliding out of bed took some doing, but I managed to do that and get dressed without being in excruciating pain. Both of my sides were still tender, but I could deal. Which was kind of amazing considering what had almost happened.
My stomach rumbled again, and I sighed. Just getting dressed killed more calories than I could keep up with. I made my way slowly to Donovan’s kitchen. It was thankfully empty. Riona was nice, but Donovan wasn’t the only one who needed some time.
The pantry had staples and a few snack-type foods, but I needed a meal. Preferably something with lots of carbs and some fats to give my body enough energy to heal. I stared into the fridge for a solid ten minutes before closing it. There were plenty of ingredients for meals, but nothing that I could grab and eat except for a sandwich. My fridges at home and at St. Ailbe’s always had stuff ready to go that I could just nuke. The idea of a fourth sandwich wasn’t appealing, but cooking sounded like a pain in the butt. And going down to the dining hall? No way. Just the thought of hanging out in the pack kitchens turned my stomach. I couldn’t go there. Not while I was hurt and one of them was actively trying to kill me.
I leaned back against the counter trying to think of what to do, but I kept coming back to the idea that I could just go and get something. Donovan would kill me if I left the stronghold alone, but I’d feel safer out with the humans than I did in here.
Bhrunyz was probably still out of commission, and whoever had the brooch wouldn’t know where I was going because I didn’t know where I was going. So, even if Bhrunyz was up for round two, the pack traitor wouldn’t know where to send him.
Plus, I thought best when I was out for a drive. Maybe I’d come up with something once I was out of here. I’d go, get food, and be back in an hour. Hour and a half, tops. Donovan was busy feeling along the pack bonds for the traitor. That was going to take a while. He’d never know that I left.
Good enough for me.
I scribbled a quick note for Donovan, just in case. Then, I grabbed my coat, cell, and a credit card. As I shut the door quietly behind me, a thought crossed my mind. This could be a terrible idea. My stomach rumbled again, and I gave in. When has a bad idea ever stopped me from doing something before?