"I know. I'll have more wolves on patrol for a little while, just in case."
"...Babe, you still don't remember where you heard or saw Mara's name?" suddenly asks her husband.
I turn to Nathaniel Black, surprised. Of all people, I didn't expect him to care about that, as well... He sends me a quick glance, but then, his eyes go to Liam. So he's actually worried about his younger brother. It is pretty legitimate. Is he trying to figure out my relationship to Nephera's daughter, then? I can't be the only one thinking that would make no sense if we are fated mates! ...Did Liam already tell his brother? Is that why he's the one curious?
Selena growls and crosses her arms, visibly frustrated. I don't know how she can be that sexy and confident while only wearing a man's shirt in the middle of a harbor...
"No fucking idea, and it's annoying as hell. I know I saw it somewhere!"
"...Wasn't it at Sylviana's house?" asks Liam.
"No, I'd know. Damn, this is why I usually stick to numbers, I have a shitty memory... I'll ask Danny, maybe he'll know. He's like an elephant with those kinds of things."
"Alright, then let's just go home."
Although she's still frowning and looking upset, Selena nods. Nora is standing next to her partner too, and still staring at the sea with a complex expression. She looks lost in her thoughts, until she notices me staring, and smiles faintly.
"Do you want to come with us, Mara? Or we can drop you off somewhere…?"
I exchange a glance with Liam, but we are both terribly awkward at the moment. I shake my head.
"No, thanks. You guys should go back, I'll go home with Kelsi and Ben."
"Are you sure? If you need to go to the hospital–"
"I can take you," says Liam, stepping forward.
This time, I'm the one who backs away, shaking my head. I'm not really ready for that.
"Sorry, Liam, I think it's better if you go with your family... for now."
We exchange a long stare. I'm not pushing him away, but it's been a... confusing day for the two of us. I think we need some time apart. Things have been going too fast until now, and now, they're going backwards. Everything is messed up between us. It's not like I don't want to hug that idiot and tell him we're fine, but... I'm not sure we are, for now. I'm not really sure of anything, and I need to be.
"Alright," he says.
He turns his back to me a bit too quickly, and follows his brothers. Nora gives me a faint smile before leaving too. Slowly, all the wolves leave, and it's almost as if nothing had happened. I sigh and turn to Kelsi, who's still making a grimace, the ice pressed against her forehead.
"...We are not going home yet, are we, boo?" she asks.
"I was going to ask if you're okay with that."
Kelsi shrugs.
"I'm getting a bump, but if you're fine, I can hold on a bit longer too. So, what's the plan?"
I turn to Ben and sigh.
"...Do you think you can take me to meet that Alpha, Jones?"
Chapter 21
"Wow... I thought I had passed out for like ten seconds, but now it feels more like ten good minutes..."
I nod and apply some more of the ice on her forehead, making Kelsi grimace again. We are back in Ben's car, driving toward the Purple Moon Clan territory. It left me enough time to update Kelsi on everything she missed while unconscious, but I'm still a bit worried, her forehead has one serious bump growing and it's a bit blue too.
"I really think we should stop by a doctor’s or something to have you examined," I say.
"No need, just the ice and I'll be good. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
