Page 48 of Nest Of Lies

“I want to know the results,” Valen snaps and steps right up into my space. “We all know there is something wrong with Lia. I want to be there when you get the results, Ianto,” Valen says louder.

I frown but ultimately agree.

“Fine.”

“Great.” Valen glares at Yoshi. “How long until we know?”

I chuckle. “A few hours at least. Maybe days. Lia is all feverish. We need cool clothes and something for her to drink.”

Valen’s eyes widen, and he turns and goes into the mansion.

“Mills! Get the ice chips! Ranger, find some rags. Our baby is in trouble.”

Zaden watches us work without saying a word. I know he wants to. I know what drives him. He’s fighting this, us, her, and it won’t be long now until the cracks start to show and he has to really choose.

But right now, he turns on his heel and retreats.

I glance at the others and then follow my prez around the back of Lia’s mansion. At night, her gardens look as wild as ours do. Almost pretty.

He leans against the wall, his expression exhausted.

“Zaden?”

He doesn’t even answer me, just sighs heavily. “You four are like cats, and I keep trying to herd you in a direction you don’t want to go.”

I let out a deep chuckle and move so that I’m pressed up against his side.

“She’s sick.”

“Yeah, I got that much. What’s wrong with her?”

I shrug. “Not sure.” I never lie to Zaden. Not once in all the years, but I do now. I think if he knew or suspected what I suspect, he would run.

Zaden’s face folds in pain, and then his expression clears. “She is not for us. She’s not for the MC, Ianto.”

“And we’re in for life. I know.”

“This is just making it harder for everyone.”

I kiss him instead of answering. Because what can I say? He’s not where the rest of us are yet. But that’s fine. He will be, even if I have to beat it into him myself.

Chapter eighteen

Valen

I pace outside thedoctor’s office. Ianto is inside talking to Doctor Yoshi and finding out what the hell is wrong with Lia. He put up an argument about needing to see her in person again, but Ianto did that scary as fuck voice thing he does, and the doctor backed down.

I want to go back to Lia. Every moment away from her is like an itching of my skin, screaming at me to get back.

I rub my face and glance at the office, wondering how pissed Ianto would be if I stormed in there and tore the office to pieces.

As if he hears me, Ianto slams open the glass door, searches until he spots me, and gestures for me to come inside. I come in and find there’s a tablet set up, and the rest of the pack are on video call.

“What’s going on?” I ask with a growl.

This can’t be good, to have all five of us present and here. Yoshi clears his throat. He’s an older man of average height with average looks. He doesn’t look like the kind of man who hangs out with us. His light brown hair is as plain as his light brown eyes. He’s a good, solidly loyal brother.

“Okay, now, without seeing the young woman beta again, but going off everything that Ianto has kindly told me, I think I know what’s wrong, but I need to ask some questions, and I need you to bear with me.”

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