Page 55 of Lavender and Lightning

“Just want to keep him on his toes. Latvia?” she returns, speaking first to me, then to Caleb.

The alpha is silent, grunting slightly as he sets down another bag.

I chuckle slightly, looking down as my phone buzzes on the counter with an incoming text. After unlocking it, I open the message, not recognizing the number right away. I’d changed my number again after my mother’s call, and my contacts list was still updating.

Unknown: So, you think you’re bringing a guest to the wedding?

I furrow my eyebrows at the strange message. Jason knows Rhett is coming with me, and has known for a while. Maybe it’s Sam messaging me?

Me: Yeah. But don’t worry about finding a place for us to stay. We’ve got it covered.

Unknown: Is it that fag from the paper?

“What the fuck?” I whisper under my breath, mind reeling.

“What’s going on?” Gabby asks, whipping her head to face me.

“Someone’s messaging me about the wedding and just went full homophobe. I don’t know who the fuck they think they are—”

My words get cut off as another message comes in and my blood runs cold.

Unknown: It doesn’t matter how many of your pity fucks you bring, petal. We’re going to be having a good long talk, and we can clear up these misunderstandings.

Fuck.

“Caleb... I—holy shit,” I sputter, chest going tight.

My phone disappears from my hand, and I try to take a deep breath but only manage a sharp inhale and a stuttering exhale. Gabby, Wila, and Caleb talk around me, but I can’t discern their words. The world seems to tilt, and then there’s pain blooming along my hip and leg.

“Breathe, babe. You have to breathe. Do it with me, okay?”

Gabby crouches next to me, her face tense but kind. I inhale as her shoulders lift, matching her exhale. She takes my hands in hers, squeezing and releasing in long pulses that match our breathing. My head starts to clear, and I hear Caleb speaking with someone on his phone. I realize then that I’ve fallen to the floor behind the counter, and the hip I landed on throbs with pain.

“You people better fucking do something about this fucking bullshit. They can’t keep getting away with putting Lydia through the emotional ringer.”

I look up and find Wila chest to chest with Caleb, looking down her nose at him even though the top of her silver-haired head only comes up to his chin.

“It’s not my—”

“You’re her security, boy. You’re supposed to be keeping her safe. It seems like you’re doing a piss-poor job of it!” she shouts.

“Ma’am, I’m speaking with Ms. St. Clair—”

“And I hope she can hear me, too. If you’re going to have my Lydia in your pack, you better get your shit together and take care of this before it’s too late.”

Wila’s voice rises and I swallow at the heat behind her words. Even Caleb looks a little surprised to see how intense Wila’s glare is. My stomach swoops a little at her claim over me, and I feel the heat in my cheeks.

“Mrs. Fitzgerald, if you would just—”

“Tell me to calm down, boy. I fucking dare you!”

Gabby shifts until she’s sitting shoulder to shoulder with me, watching the drama unfold. She wraps an arm around my shoulders, and I let her tuck me into her side. Her scent is cinnamon tinged, but still surprisingly steady despite how hard I can feel her heart beating.

“Ms. St. Clair is asking for Lydia to come into the office so she can make an official statement to the police. Is it okay with you if I escort her there now?” Caleb asks, speaking slowly and calmly, as if he’s facing down an enraged bear.

Wila looks the part of a momma bear ready to eviscerate anyone that tries to come near her cubs. She’s breathing hard, hands in fists at her sides, eyes wide and angry. There’re several moments of tense silence before she finally rocks back onto her heels. Gabby relaxes next to me, and Caleb looks ready to dance from relief. He looks to me and Gabby on the floor and nods. I swallow and return the gesture, but don’t move right away from my spot.

“I’m sorry, Gabs. I keep running out on you,” I mumble.

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