Page 35 of Matched into the Mob

“But I was unconscious for some of it.”

I explained he could relate what happened before and after that.

He picked at his robe. “I’ll need to change.”

“Me too.”

Neither of us wanted to shower, as upstairs was so cold, so I left Matt to brush teeth and dress in Dad’s clothes. I met him at his door, and we went downstairs where it was warm. The phone was at 25%, so it should last for the length of the conference call.

“I’m nervous.” Matt’s knees were shaking and he gripped them.

“They won’t be able to see your hands.”

“Can I hold yours?” He reached out. Was that a first?

I explained I had to give my testimony in a separate room. “But I’ll be nearby when you speak.”

He gave me an odd look. “I’m not sure why having you close makes me feel better, but it does.”

My wolf awww-ed at that, thinking Matt was warming to us. I didn’t disagree, because perhaps. But my mind was on the upcoming meeting and how Matt hadn’t had coffee or anything to eat. The SSC elders wouldn’t look kindly at us slurping drinks and stuffing toast in our mouths, so we’d have to eat later.

“Ready?” I nudged Matt with my knee, and he nodded. “I’ll be in the study.”

It would have been easier to do this on a laptop, but the phone would have to do.

The ominous ringing had Matt press his thigh on mine. I kissed his marked palm, and he didn’t yank his hand away.

With a finger to my lips, I traipsed into the study, the low temperature enough to make my wolf shiver.

“Excellency.” I bobbed my head as the face of Ambrose, the head SSC shifter appeared on my phone.

“Ranger. I expected to be drinking my first coffee, but here I am talking to you.” Four additional windows popped up with the faces of four council elders, a total of three wolves, one bear, and a dragon. They groused about being roused from their beds, and the dragon complained the weather had dampened his fire.

When my grandfather was our pack Alpha, the SSC had been created and was above reproach. There had never been a hint they had accepted bribes to ignore shifter misdeeds. Not that I’d committed a crime.

“Speak, Ranger. I wish to go back to bed,” Ambrose instructed.

“Yesterday I was near The Obsidian Circle headquarters. Traffic was backed up. The rain made it impossible to see much and the water was rising. There was a crash, and I went to offer assistance. There were three shifters in the car and a human. Matt.”

“How did a shifter cause an accident? Surely he would have hit the brakes?” elder, Ervin noted.

“I can’t answer that.” That was true. He should have, but it wasn’t my job to come up with possible scenarios. From what Matt had said, it was because the guy wasn’t familiar with the vehicle.

“Matt was unconscious when I reached the car, and knowing the other three were alive but would recover, I rescued him.”

“That’s it? Some fool made a complaint and got me out of bed for this?” Ambrose growled.

I stayed quiet, allowing the elders’ anger and frustration to fester.

“We need to hear from the human.” Ambrose adjusted the angle of his computer.

“I’ll get him.”

Back in the main room, I introduced Matt to the elders and five heads peered close to the screen. Matt took the phone, and I made myself scarce. Unlike my mate, I’d be able to hear what they were saying.

“H-H-Hello. I’m M-Matt.”

My mate’s stuttering upset both me and my beast.

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