Chapter 32
Riley
Strong arms wrap around me, and I feel Reid’s hard body against mine. "I think I’m going to be sick,” I mutter against his chest. He picks me up and carries me into the bathroom and lowers me to the ground next to the toilet. I feel a cold cloth on my neck a moment later, and that helps.
“When did you eat last?” he asks softly, running his hand up and down my back.
“Last night at the banquet.”
“Your sugars are probably low after losing all that blood and not eating anything yet. Zane went to get something for you.”
I put my head on my arms over the top of the toilet, feeling absolutely miserable. I hear Zane return a few minutes later. “This is a stupid hospital. Here. This is all I could find.”
“Thanks,” Reid says, and then I hear him break the seal on something.
A moment later, a bottle of apple juice is placed in my hands.
“Drink some, Baby. See if that makes it better.” I really don’t want to drink apple juice when I feel like I’m going to throw up, but I try.
I take a tiny sip, fully expecting it to come right back up.
When it doesn’t, Reid places a cracker in my hand. “Eat that.”
I force myself to eat it, hoping it will ease the nausea in my stomach. When I start to feel the tiniest bit better, I take another bigger drink of apple juice. A few minutes later, the nausea is mostly gone. “I’m okay now. Thank you.”
“Okay. Let’s get you dressed, so we can get you home.” He helps me to my feet and doesn’t let go until I’m steady. Then he uses his long arms to reach over and grab my bag. “Can you manage?”
I know he would help me in a heartbeat and wouldn’t make a big deal about it, but I’m feeling much better. “I’m good. I’ll call you if I need help.”
He gives me a concerned look but nods. “I’ll be right outside the door.”
As soon as the bathroom door closes, I work at getting out of the ridiculous hospital gown.
I figure Reid’s probably already seen so much of me through the opening in the back of this gown anyway, but I choose not to think about it.
Now that I’m feeling a little better, it only takes me a few minutes to change into the clean underclothing, leggings, and sweatshirt my mom packed for me.
I slip on socks and sneakers and then step out of the bathroom.
I don’t bother with my hair. It’s a mess from last night.
I simply pull it back with a hair tie. I’ll mess with it later after I shower.
Right now, I just want to get out of here.
Reid walks over to me and takes my bag from me. He puts the strap over his shoulder, and I’m ready to reprimand him for it. My bag has to hurt against his back, but my brother steps forward and takes the bag from him without a word. “Let’s get you two home.”
Reid takes my hand in his, and we follow Zane out of the room and out into the hall.
Thankfully, Zane knows where he’s going.
He tells me on the way that the nurse wanted to push me out in a wheelchair, but he put his foot down, thankfully.
We stop at the hospital doors while Zane goes outside to get the car and bring it up.
Reid stays close, and I can feel the tension in his body.
I wish I could tell him not to worry, but last night was real and it’s fresh on our minds.
When Zane pulls up, Reid and I walk out.
Reid opens the front door of Zane’s truck and puts the seat down so I can crawl in the back.
He starts to follow me, but I stop him. “Sit in the front where it will be easier for you. I’m fine. ”
I think he’s going to argue, but he pops the seat into its upright position and climbs in.
I don’t miss that he sits so that his back isn’t pushing against the seat, and fresh anger burns through me once again.
He must feel it because he reaches back and puts his hand out, and I put my hand in his.
Zane turns the radio on but doesn’t try to make conversation, which is unusual for my talkative brother.
But I figure he has to be exhausted after last night since he was sitting up all night in a chair next to my bed.
I close my eyes and rest, so thankful to be out of the hospital.
When we stop, I open my eyes and blink. “Why are we at Mom and Dad’s? ” I ask in confusion.
“Dad’s orders,” Zane says right before he climbs out.
I groan, and Reid squeezes my hand. “We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s head inside, so we can rest.” I hear the exhaustion in his voice, and it makes me change my tune fast.
“Okay.”
He climbs out and moves the seat, so I can climb out next. Then he takes my hand and helps me down. Zane grabs my bag for me, and we start towards the house. “Are Mom and Dad even here? I don’t see their cars.”
“They’re supposed to meet us here,” Zane says.
He starts up the steps and into the house ahead of us.
He stops as soon as he’s inside and turns back to us, eyes flashing.
“Keep Riley here,” he tells Reid. Without another word, he leaves us standing on the front porch.
I glance up at Reid, but he’s actively looking around.
His jaw and shoulders are tense, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
I don’t smell anything unusual, but my nose isn’t as strong or as developed as some of the other shifters.
“Do you scent anything?” I ask Reid. He shakes his head but doesn’t lose any of his intensity.
My parents pull up in my dad’s truck, and my dad hops out a moment later, taking the stairs in one jump. Reid pulls me out of the way as my dad strides past us. My mom walks over and climbs the stairs to stand by us. “What is it?” I ask her.
“I don’t know yet.”
Suddenly, a massive growl nearly shakes the house. I turn to my mom with wide eyes, but she’s already pushing past us to enter the house. I start to follow her, but Reid wraps his arms around me, halting me. “Reid, they’re my family. I’m going in there.”
He doesn’t fight me. “Okay, but stay close to me.” I don’t argue with him; I just want to get in there and see what’s happening. We walk inside just as Zane walks into the living room from the back bedrooms.
“What is it?” I ask.
His eyes flash to those of his wolf, and Reid puts a hand at my back. But he doesn’t do anything other than that; he knows Zane would never hurt me. Before Zane can say anything, my father roars his rage from the back room. “How dare they threaten my mate and my daughter?”
I don’t wait any longer. I move away from Reid and dart towards the hallway. “Riley, wait,” Zane calls out, but I ignore him. I find my parents in my room, staring at my desk. My dad moves quickly to stand in front of it, but it’s too late. I already saw the dozen black roses on my desk.
Zane and Reid crowd into the room behind us. “Where did they come from?” Surprisingly, my voice is level and calm.
“They’re from the Master,” Zane finally says, and my dad growls low.
I turn to him. “How do you know?”
Nobody says anything, and I face my dad. “It’s his way of letting us know he can get in here.” Then he storms out of the room, and his voice is in my head a moment later as he broadcasts a message to the entire pack.
The Master was in my home. I want to know how, and I want to know right now.
Pack meeting in ten minutes for every enforcer not on duty.
Enforcers on duty, Joe will inform you what happens next.
When I find out who is responsible for allowing our enemy to step foot in my mate’s room and my daughter’s room, there will be a reckoning.
I flinch at the anger in my father’s voice. He storms out of the house a moment later, and my mother sighs before looking over at me. “Be prepared for security to get incredibly tight.”
Frustration burns through me, but before I can say anything, my dad comes back in. “Riley, you’ll be staying here from now on.”
“No, Dad, I can’t.” His eyes flash, and I know I’m treading on very thin ice here. But I can’t back down. I feel Reid at my back, and I know I’m not alone. “Dad, if I don’t stay on campus, I can’t play basketball.”
He shakes his head. “A sport is not more important to me than your life. I’m sorry, Riley, but—”
“Dad, please. It’s important to me.”
I watch as he struggles with the decision. “I’ll make sure she’s protected at night,” Reid says from behind me. I bite my tongue to keep from saying anything. That will be a battle to face later, after I get my dad’s approval to stay in the dorms.
My dad stares at me, but I know he’s communicating with my mom.
I can see it in the slightly glazed look in his eyes.
He finally takes a breath. “If you do, there will be tight security on you at all times.” I nod, accepting his terms. “We’ll figure out a way to get enforcers to each of the away games.
” I know what he’s saying will require a lot of work, and I start to second guess myself.
It’s just a sport, and it’s not something I have to do.
“Riley.” My head jerks up at the sound of my dad calling my name.
“We’ll make it work. You shouldn’t have to give up the sport you’ve worked so hard for.
If you do, the enemy wins.” His face hardens.
“And that’s not going to happen. Let me talk to Joe and get a plan in place. We’ll move on it right away.”
I’m moving before I even think about it. I reach my dad and wrap my arms around him, and he hugs me back tightly. “Thank you.”
He holds me a moment. “I’m sorry. None of this is your fault.”
“I love you,” I tell him.
He sighs against my head. “I love you too, Baby Girl.” I plant a kiss on his cheek and then step back. He looks behind me, and I know he’s looking at Reid. “Guard her with your life.” I’m ready to tell my father just what I think of that, but Reid speaks up before I can.
“I will.”
I open my mouth, but my mother’s voice in my head stops me. Don’t push, Riley; or he might change his mind.
I look over at her, and she gives me a meaningful look. I blow out a breath. Fine.
Besides, she continues. It is your mate’s responsibility to make sure you stay safe. I’m ready to send back my argument when she continues. Just like it’s our job to make sure our mates stay safe.
My wolf growls in my chest, acknowledging and approving my mom’s words.
Her eyes light up, and we share a secret smile.
I almost laugh because this is my mom we’re talking about.
She's never been reserved and always asserted herself in any situation where she’s needed.
And Heaven help the person who crosses my dad and has to face my mom.
If my dad is scary, my mom is downright terrifying when she’s defending her children or her mate.
I think I might have picked up a thing or two from her.