Page 20 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

The tension in the room is palpable, and I can’t keep my frustration in check any longer. “Gabriel, you’re not telling me everything. I need to know what happened to my friend.”

He sighs under the weight of my gaze. “Jade, it’s complicated. The police are investigating, and we don’t want to jump to conclusions. Let’s just wait to hear what the doctor says about her injuries.”

“You’re keeping something from me, and I can’t just sit here and wait. Alyssa is like a sister to me, and I need to know what’s going on.”

Gabriel scratches his jaw before looking away.

“Gabriel, talk to me. Who did this to her?”

Before Gabriel can respond, the doctor enters the room, saving him from further questioning.

“Excuse me, I’m Dr. Williams,” she says calmly. “Are you her family?”

I nod.

“Alyssa is unconscious but stable. She lost a significant amount of blood, and we’re giving her a transfusion to help her recover. We’ll need to keep her here for the foreseeable future to monitor her condition.”

“Will she be okay, doctor?”

Something is not right about this whole situation.

Transfusion?

What ditch?

How did Alyssa find herself there?

The doctor assures me that they’re doing everything they can for Alyssa and that they’ll have more information soon. As she leaves the room, I look toward Gabriel.

Gabriel’s gaze meets mine, and I see a hint of vulnerability in his eyes for the first time.”I am so sorry this happened.”

“You are sorry what happened?” I ask, “Do you know who did this? Alyssa is lying unconscious in a hospital bed right now, so if you know something, you better tell me.”

He rubs a hand through his stubble again but doesn’t speak.

I now notice his outfit, his muddy hiking shoes, and his casual clothes. This is far from the suits he normally wears. Was he the one who found her? Why are his shoes muddy?

This is New York City. There is rarely mud in the city, “Gabriel, please.”

Could he possibly have been involved?

“I am sorry, but I can’t,” Gabriel says.

“You can’t… what? Tell me what is going on, Gabriel.”

He shakes his head and takes a step back.

I swallow the lump that has now formed in my throat, “In that case, then, you should leave.”

“Jade…”

“Please go,” then I turn away from him.

I don’t turn back as I hear his heavy footsteps retreating.

I am thankful that he was able to find my friend, but I am not sure I want anything to do with his world. Never again. Let him keep his fucking secrets.

I’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity when a nurse finally approaches me.

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