Chapter 2
Old Wounds and Battle Scars
The hustle and bustle of the Seminole never ceases to amaze me. They all cheer wildly as Hale walks through the doors as though he’s a hero returning from war - which in a way I suppose he is.
“Captain,” a woman gushes. “We’d like to throw you a welcome home party tonight.”
“I would love a party actually,” he sighs out, and she smiles as she runs back to deliver the message.
I’ve still got on just my bikini and my shirt as I walk barefoot down the halls. Clay rounds the corner just as I do, and we almost slam into each other. He doesn’t say a word. He grabs me and jerks me to his body in the most affectionate embrace I’ve ever felt from him.
“I’m so sorry. You were right. I should have just fucking told you,” he blurts out.
I feel his extreme guilt and regret rolling over his skin as though it has materialized. I exhale heavily before returning the hug, and I can feel him fighting back the tears.
“You should have told me, but Hale shouldn’t have put you in the position to keep it a secret. I know how hard he is to say no to,” I grumble.
He pulls back and coughs to clear the emotion from his throat before murmuring, “I knew you could handle it, Araya. There was never any doubt. Don’t blame him for my neglect though. I should have made the right decision. You were right to blast me the way you did. Please don’t start calling me Commander Jude all the time.”
I laugh lightly at his joke, and then I roll my eyes.
“You’re off the hook. The two captains are still in trouble, and I’m not exactly eager to be Angelica’s sister or Nicholas’s daughter. Grayson won’t be too happy with me until I help mend his relationship, so I need at least one damn friend,” I grouse.
He smirks while offering me his arm, and I loop mine through it as he leads me down the hall.
“Good. I don’t like it when you’re mad at me. You’re the closest thing to family I’ve ever had. Don’t tell anyone though. I don’t want it to be obvious I show favoritism.”
I laugh lightly, and then I lean my head over on his arm as we stroll through the hallways. I hear a snotty full blood whispering to another girl despite her attempts to hide her snarky remark from my hybrid ears.
“Really? First she fucks our captain, and then this other hot captain, then our captain again, and now she’s going after the commander? What a fucking whore.”
“I know. Captain Banner is smoking hot, and Captain Mordel is a piece of heaven. Why do the good guys always go for the sluts?” the other one whispers back.
I giggle to myself, but Clay tightens his lips as though he’s thoroughly pissed. He starts to address the bitchy duo, but I tug at his arm to halt his attack.
“It’s fine. I think it’s actually a little funny,” I chuckle out.
“You don’t deserve that, Araya,” he growls, and his eyes scold the girls despite my objection.
Their eyes widen, and they run off to escape his wrath before he can unleash it.
“I can see how it might look a little rough from the outside. Besides, you need some scandalous rumors going around. You keep your promiscuous love life rather private these days. It’s not a whole lot of fun to have a squeaky clean commander,” I tease.
“I’m far from squeaky. I just don’t believe in kissing and telling everyone. Besides, since Symphony I’ve been a little less apt to jump on the relationship train.”
“You still miss her?” I ask sympathetically.
“I know it’s been a few years, but it still hurts to talk about it. Can we move on to another subject?”
I smile softly, and then I pat him on the arm.
“Of course. Where will I be staying? I haven’t seen Wendy running the halls.”
“Due to the incoming United officials, there will be very little room, so many people will be doubling up. If you’re a lesser ranking than captain, then you have to share an apartment with someone else,” he informatively inserts, and I can see a bit of pleasure twinkling in his eye as he watches me scowl.
“Crap. Who did I have to stay with?”
“Hale, Brazen, Angelica, Grayson, or someone you don’t know at all. It’s your choice,” he chuckles out.
