Page 96 of Fated
“Crystal has gotten into contact with us,” I told him, trying to keep my outward appearance calm.
There was no change in his expression, like I’d expected there to be.
“She’s with the rogue pack.”
“Did you expect me to be relieved by the news that she is with a whole pack of dangerous rogues? And that something could happen to her at any time?”
He was right but I’d hoped the fact that we’d heard from her would make him relieved to know that she made it into the pack all right. I stared at him, trying to see the person whom I’d grown close to. I’d hated the nickname he’d given me. Princess. But at that moment I would have killed to hear him say it to me, to remind me that he was my friend.
“I’ll keep you updated,” I said when I turned to leave.
“Don’t bother,” he shot back as he lay back down. “Unless you come in here to tell me that she is back safely, I don’t want to hear anything from you.”
I stopped by the door as the guard opened it and I looked back at him over my shoulder. He wasn’t going to make this easy, was he?
Nervous energy kept me from going back to the room and getting into bed with Blake. There was probably a little guilt that stopped me. I had my mate, while Kyle’s mate was in danger, trying to save us all. I went into the meeting room and began to organize plans.
At least I felt I was helping her in some way. There was no point in her risking it all if we didn’t finish off the rogues when we got the chance. There was going to be a fight and I needed to make sure I prepared my pack as best I could. I got some maps out. It was hard trying to come up with a strategy when I didn’t know which pack was going to be attacked first. I studied the maps of all our territories.
By the time the sun had come up, Blake was in the doorway with fresh coffee.
“You didn’t come back,” he said with a frown as he took in the mess of maps spread out across the table. I shrugged.
“I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d spend it doing something useful,” I replied. He handed me the steaming cup of coffee.
“Thank you.”
I took the cup and sipped. His hand rested on my shoulder and I looked up at him.
“I’m fine,” I assured him when I saw the concern in his face. I was tired and that could be easily fixed.
“You nearly died,” he said softly. “You need to take it easy.”
I understood his concern so I gave him a nod.
“We don’t have long and there is a lot we need to do,” I told him.
“I know. There is stuff I can handle with Scarlett and Cade.”
I stared at him as I contemplated what I was going to say. He sat in the chair beside me.
“You’re trying to help me and I appreciate that, but in a few days I’ll need to be up to my normal physical strength so I’ll be able to fight.”
I could tell by his expression that it wasn’t something he wanted to hear.
“So as much as I appreciate that you want to look after me, I need to do my job.”
“You don’t know how hard it is to smother that protective streak in me to let you do that,” he said softly, and I set my coffee down on the table. I reached out and touched his cheek with my hand. He leaned closer and kissed me. It took a lot for me to pull away and not lose myself in our connection and his sexy kisses.
“I need you to go and check that all the emergency plans are in place. Everyone needs to know exactly what they are supposed to do if we get attacked,” I told him. I was in alpha mode now and I was talking to him in my no-nonsense boss voice. He gave me a nod and left me to my maps.
A little while later Cade joined me.
“Where’s Scarlett?” I asked. I wasn’t used to seeing him without her.
“This isn’t very exciting so I told her to go check on her brother.”
The mention of Kyle’s name made me feel guilty again. I was starting to really hate the feeling. The sooner I got Crystal back safely, the sooner I could get rid of that feeling. I’d come clean with him, and he and Crystal could work out whatever they needed to and live happily ever after, together forever.
