Chapter Forty-Nine
Robin
Falcon is a silent presence at my side as we move toward the academy’s garden entrance point.
The glimpses I steal are enough to tell me something’s on his mind.
His face has naturally brooding features, with his deep-set eyes and downturned lips, but he’s also frowning slightly as we approach the glass-fronted door.
I want to ask what he’s thinking about, but I think he would tell me without being asked if he could. He has some kind of communication issue that seems a little unusual.
Touching me made it easier for him to connect to his feelings and get his words out before.
Conversely, he didn’t want to be touched while he was visibly angry.
I’m not sure what to make of any of that yet, so I refrain from asking any questions that might make him uncomfortable.
I glance at him in the reflection of the glass, and my heart skips a beat.
This tall, handsome Alpha just kissed me and called me his true mate.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach when he insists on opening the door for me.
He lets go of my hand, but it touches my lower back as he steps into the hallway behind me.
He moves his arm around my shoulders, fingers stroking my upper arm as we walk across the reception hall toward Lana’s office.
The reception desk is empty, so I guess Erika’s on her lunch break.
I can’t help but get a little nervous when we get to Lana’s door.
She’s already done so much for me.
Asking for anything more makes me anxious.
I hesitate to raise my fist to knock, and Falcon takes over before I can say a word.
His knock is louder and harder than mine would have been.
The door opens after a beat, and I’m not surprised to see Owen staring out at us.
He looks us over and raises an eyebrow. “Leaving so soon?”
“Uh, no. He’s not,” I stammer. “I just, um, I wanted to …”
“We’d like to have lunch together,” Falcon finishes for me. “Robin thought it might be okay to do this in the cafeteria so we’re here to make sure Lana’s good with that.”
“Hm,” Owen murmurs, before he turns back and calls out, “Is the cafeteria cleared for Robin’s visitor?”
The wait for her answer makes me suspect she wants to say no, so my nerves multiply as the seconds pass, my skin burning as I wait for an embarrassing no.
Owen looks at us again. “He’s cleared to access the cafeteria.”
Falcon nods. “Would it be okay to ask Lana another question? Privately?”
Owen frowns at him. “I’m her head of security. Nothing’s kept private from me.”
“Owen, can you just let them in, please?” Lana asks from behind him.
He sighs and starts to move back. “Fine but make it fast.”
Falcon looks at me. “I only need a minute, and I’ll explain while we eat.”
I blink at him, as he drops his arm from around my body. “Uh, sure …”
“Can you wait with her please, Owen?”
Owen frowns at the request, but then I see Lana touch his arm, and it softens his expression instantly. He nods and Falcon steps into the room.
I move back to give Owen space to step into the hallway.
I can’t help but feel weird about being left out here while Falcon discusses something with Lana.
Owen doesn’t seem to like it too much, either, though that’s probably only because he doesn’t like being separated from his mate.
Folding my arms, I wait, trying not to let my thoughts run wild.
He said it would only take a minute, and he promised to explain.
I trust that he’ll do that. I just wish he didn’t have to.