Chapter 5 #2
When we first created our own spaces here during construction, I was planning to only have my inner bedroom, a place without windows that I could lock and secure, and figured I would use the public facilities on the main floor.
But this was meant to be our home, as well as our business, so the team insisted I include my own accommodations and not just my cage.
Given how often I needed to change or wash the dog off me, I was grateful for it.
After a quick shower, I was starting to feel more like myself.
I dressed in yet another pair of baggy jeans and a loose tee, which was pretty much all I had.
With a mixture of dread and resolve, I forced myself to head up the stairs to the lobby to face my fate.
Worry crept back in as I replayed Maxime’s note in my head.
Not sure what to expect, I turned the corner of the hallway into the main lobby and braced myself.
When I saw Kieran, Zephyr, Silas, and Ash sitting in the oversized chairs, trying to look casual, it felt like a vise gripped my heart.
This was it. This was the end. Maxime was at the front desk, and when he saw me, he gave me a warm smile.
It wasn’t the kind of smile that secretly said, ‘pack your bags,’ but if the whole gang was here, it couldn’t be good.
“Are you feeling better, Rudy?” Maxime asked as he came out from behind the desk to greet me and his hand went to my elbow in a gentle grip.
I ran a hand through my hair and shifted on my feet. “Yeah, I am. Thanks, uh, for the food and stuff.”
“Of course, friend. Come, let’s have a chat.” He nodded toward the group and guided me to join them.
I gave a half-wave to everyone and took one of the empty seats. When I met Zee’s gaze, he gave me a wink, which loosened the grip around my heart slightly, though I glanced around to be sure no one else would hear whatever they were about to tell me.
Kieran offered me a warm smile. His glacial blue eyes, which were nearly the same color as his short periwinkle hair that stood straight up, met mine.
“It’s safe to talk openly. I’ve created an illusion that conceals us, both by sight and by sound.
If anyone comes into the lobby, they will see it empty. ”
“Cool,” I muttered without thought. My admiration momentarily interrupted my dread.
The faerie so seldom used his abilities that I forgot he could do stuff like that.
All these beings around me were incredible.
Even Ash, who sat as still as… well, as a tree.
The inhuman stillness he could find even in his human form always amazed me.
I’d never felt that kind of calm in my life.
Especially not now. Not now, with them all looking at me with concern and expectation, reminding me why we were all here.
“I’m sorry. Gods, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. If I did, I could promise it wouldn’t happen again, but I can’t even say that. I understand if you all want me to leave.” I slumped forward and put my hand on my face.
After a pause, I felt a hand on my back. The weight of it was both supportive and oppressive. “Wolfie?”
At the gentle prompting from Zee, I glanced up to see that everyone had leaned closer, making me feel small in a frame that didn’t typically allow for that. “Yeah?”
Maxime glanced around the group and returned his attention to me. “Nobody wants you to leave.”
“You don’t?” I asked, trying not to let the hope from that simple comment spread before I could be certain it was true.
“Of course not.”
“Are you sure? I mean… I fucked up. I fucked up bad.”
“I don’t see how. You kept your head enough to get back to your room and secure yourself inside,” Maxime said.
“But I…” I did. I did do that. With how out of control I was, it could have been so much worse. Though who’s to say it wouldn’t be next time? “So… what is this meeting about?”
“We’re just concerned, Wolfie.” Zee crossed his arms over his chest.
I huffed out a laugh. “You and me both.”
Silas peered at me, or rather, his purple sunglasses peered at me. Maybe I could be turned to stone instead of being scrutinized by my friends. “What do you think triggered it, sugar?”
My head shook from side to side. “I don’t, uh, I don’t know.”
“A guest,” Maxime supplied.
“What? No! No, that’s not it.” Through the fuzziness of the lost time, I suddenly remembered a smell that had drawn me to the lobby, to him.
Even now, the memory of it had my nostrils flaring, and my pupils blowing wide.
It was the best thing I had ever smelled, and it had my feet moving before I could stop them.
Holy hell, had I… sniffed the guy? My cheeks heated.
A loud laugh broke through the memory, drawing me back to the present to find a variety of expressions surrounding me, from the amusement on Zephyr’s face to the quiet, thoughtful look on Ash’s.
“What?” I asked, my head swiveling to look around.
“Fascinating,” Maxime murmured.
“Who is this guest, or what are they, I suppose, is the better question? Is he inhuman?” Kieran asked as he pulled out the tablet he always kept on him. He began typing on the screen. What was he looking for?
Maxime folded one leg over the other as he contemplated. “Hmm. I do not know. I can’t get a read on him. He was a walk-in.”
“A walk-in? Really? How does that happen?” Zee asked.
Maxime shook his head. “I’m not entirely sure. He didn’t seem to know anything about our venue, so I don’t think he simply came across a flyer or anything.”
“Do you think he's human?” Ash asked in the slow, easy tone he had.
“I can usually get a better read on someone from the scent of the blood in a being, but I’m having trouble picking out the notes with him. I would have to taste him to be sure.”
“NO!” I growled out before slapping a hand over my mouth. My eyes went wide, surprised by the visceral reaction Maxime’s suggestion caused. It wasn’t me, but my wolf.
Zee let out a loud laugh. “Why, Wolfie, this is a side of you I haven't seen before.”
I hadn’t either. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
“I’ll do some research,” Kieran said as he stared at his tablet. “If there are any details you can think of, let me know.”
Details like what? Like I wanted nothing more than to smell the man again? Nobody needed to know that.
“Good. In the meantime, Rudolph, perhaps you should try to keep your distance from him. If you think he’s dangerous, we can ask him to leave.”
A snarl lifted one side of my lips at the idea of him leaving.
I was overwhelmed by a feeling of protectiveness.
If anyone, even one of my friends, did something to him, it would be the last thing they ever did.
The thought shocked me. My friends meant everything to me; I never wanted to hurt them, but something deep inside of me was prepared to do whatever it had to for a man I hadn’t even spoken to, except to apologize and run away.
“If everyone can keep an extra eye out and let me know if you see anything worth mentioning, please do. You're not alone, Rudy. We're here to help.” Maxime clapped his small hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. Thanks.” I shrugged off his hand and stood up, suddenly needing to be anywhere but here with the beastly, intrusive thoughts that were running through my head.
I didn’t want to look like an asshole with all their good intentions staring at me, so I added, “Sorry, I’m just a little out of sorts still. ”
Without waiting for a response, I walked off, pulling my phone out to check the work order requests. If I could get my hands moving and my mind occupied, it would hopefully help me get out of this funk or whatever it was.