Chapter 57 ~My fault~
(Xander's POV)
Two hours on the road.
The drive was quiet, aside from the occasional pattering of rain on the roof of the vehicle.
Fiona was in the middle row. She had the other unconscious girl on her lap. There were altogether nine people in the car and it was pretty much crowded.
We'd since escaped the Ashridge warriors' pursuit. We were safe… for now.
I kept stealing glances at Fiona from where I sat. Her red hair was a tousle, she wore rags for clothes, and was stained with dirt, but to me, she was just as beautiful as she had always looked. Even better, she looked like an Amazon. Strong, brave, and fearless.
What would I have done if I lost her?
It is so weird that you get to live your many years on earth, alone. And then one day, you meet your person and the thought of being alone afterwards feels like hell.
She turned to steal a glance at me. Her eyes looked a little sad, like she was contemplating something.
Our eyes locked for what felt like eternity, but was more like a few seconds.
She parted her lips like she wanted to say something. I smiled encouragingly, but she turned, ignoring me once again.
She hadn't said a word to me throughout the ride, actually nobody had said anything. We were all overwhelmed, fatigued and, quite frankly, afraid.
One of the cops coughed. “So… why are you guys naked?”
My eyes locked with Calvin's.
I looked at my body to see that we were covered with flimsy pieces of clothes. More or less naked, save for our sensitive parts.
I was only just noticing that we didn't dress after we shifted from our wolf forms. I sighed tiredly.
Calvin shrugged in response to the cops. “You like what you see?”
The cop cringed.
Calvin chuckled dryly.
I coughed. Calvin was a bastard.
Fiona, who I thought wasn't listening, actually was. I saw her lips twitch.
Before you know it, everyone burst out into cackles. Even Yara, who was in pain.
It was crazy.
Tears were literally falling from my eyes as I laughed.
Maybe it wasn't what Calvin said, maybe it was just the adrenaline.
Maybe we realised that a lot of things couldn't be controlled… but happiness could. It's your choice, and it's free.
After the laughter died down, Fiona's eyes met mine and I swear I wasn't hallucinating.
She looked troubled. She did.
I mindlinked her. ‘What's the problem?’
Her mindlink came later. It was brief. It was a do not disturb. ‘I'm fine, Xander.’
In a few minutes, the sun had risen in the sky. We were finally in civilization. Inspector Chadwick was driving towards Fiona's parents.
“It's morning.” Inspector Chadwick spoke to no one in particular. “I'll drop Fiona off, so that her father can see that she's safe, and then we can head to the hospital for them to look at the wounded girls.”
There were a few hums in response.
“And maybe I do owe Xander an apology for thinking you guys were the abductors.” He continued.
I said nothing.
I could visibly see Fiona clench her jaw.
I just couldn't shake the gloomy feeling that enveloped me. Something was going to happen, and it was something I wouldn't like. I could feel it strongly.
The car pulled into the porch of Fiona's house, and we all alighted from the truck.
Inspector Chadwick knocked on the door and a sunken-eyed man whom I did not recognize opened the door.
“Dad,” Fiona croaked.
It was only then his eyes lightened. These past few days seemed to have aged him. Fiona's stepdad came out through the door looking close to tears.
They wrapped themselves in a warm embrace. Neither letting go.
“I never thought I'd see you again, kiddo.” He whispered in her ear. “I'm so glad you're back.”
Inspector Chadwick broke the moment. “I'll head over to the hospital with the two wounded girls.”
Fiona turned to him with gratitude evident in her eyes. “Thank you so much… for everything.”
“Glad I could help.” He gave a polite nod and turned to the other cops. “Let's get going, guys.”
“Can I come along?” Calvin asked.
The cop shrugged. “Sure.”
Just as they drove off, I felt a familiar scent in my nose.
I was surprised to see Dakota.
She looked hearty now. All dressed in heels and makeup, she was fully back to herself now.
“Dakota, what are you doing here?” I was stupefied.
From the corner of my eye, I could see that Fiona was less than pleased to see Dakota in her house.
“I was worried. I called the inspector, and he said I could find you here.” She gave a half-smile. “Your parents were worried sick, Xander.”
I didn't know what to say. She should have known better than coming here… except, of course, it was intentional.
She turned as if only noticing that Fiona was standing by the porch. She scrutinized her from head-to-toe. “Oh… you're back.”
Fiona gave a humorless chuckle. “I'm sorry… what are you doing here?”
“I came to check up on Xander,” she added with a small, sly smile. “And you, of course.”
“The nerve you have to show up here, Dakota. It's beyond me.” Fiona had never looked this pissed before. “After your stunt at the riverside. I never really trusted you… but that was a low blow. Even for you.”
Dakota looked bored. “I was tipsy.”
“You were not drunk enough not to recognize that it was my mate. You were shoving your tongue down his throat. That's not an excuse.”
Fiona had a scowl on her face. “Dakota, leave here before I lose it with you. And never step foot into this house again.”
Dakota snickered, and she took a mocking look at Fiona's house. “This looks like a pig's pen. If not for Xander, trust me, I wouldn't be here.”
“I think you should just leave Dakota.” I glared at her. “Please.”
She looked at me in disbelief and scoffed. “Right away.”
Then she left, her heels clicking as she did.
Fiona's eyes were focused on me next, hurt… incredibly hurt. “I don't know what to say to you, Xander.”
“Well, I do.” Her father, who had said nothing all along, spoke finally. “I gave you a condition before you took my daughter and you assured me she'd be safe with you.”
I bent my head solemnly.
“She doesn't seem so safe now. It's my duty to keep her safe, and that was the promise I made to her mother.”
Fiona blinked away the growing tears by the sides of her eyes.
“Whatever arrangement you both made is clearly not working. Just so you know, she's not going back with you. Not under my watch.”
My heart sank at the next words he uttered.
“Leave here and forget that Fiona ever existed, because that’s the end.” He spoke firmly.
I turned to look at Fiona. Her jaw was a painful clench, and it was only then I realised why I'd been gloomy.
I'd lost my mate. And it was all my fault.