Chapter 939 Chapter 939
Her heart felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest as she took a small bite. Would he be banished for what he did? That’s what Cassius did if they killed or harmed one of their own. Did the Alliance banish people? She wanted to ask Blaise about it, but didn’t want to leave him. She’d stood outside the door, keeping him in her sight since they had returned.
Truthfully, she didn’t even remember walking back. No one spoke, and she was glad for it. With each step, she had been trying to figure out what she felt. She didn’t support violence, but she also didn’t feel an ounce of sadness that Kiloh was dead. That made her feel guilty. She’d been worrying about Cassius too, but he’d been talking and moving when they helped him back to the factory.
How could anyone think what Webb had done was wrong?
She watched him take a drink and could see the worry in his eyes, which made her worry more. If he was unsure of what was going to happen, then it wasn’t good.
Blaise ran past the room with a gun in her hand. She went right outside.
“They must be here.” Webb stood up and watched out the window.
Marie got up and stood beside him. “How did they manage to get those two? They’re huge, Webb.”
“Sunk enough tranq darts into them, then carried them to the van.”
“Will that cage hold them?” She didn’t want to think about what would happen if they got out once they were here.
He scoffed. “Put someone on the other side of it with a gun in their hand and I bet they’ll choose to stay in the cage.”
“Will they stay here?” She moved a little closer to him. Being close to him calmed her fear.
“No. They’ll be transported out of here. Raymond Hardy is probably already on the way. He's a Kodiak, Calder and Wynter are from bear clans too, so I’m pretty sure those two will behave.”
“I hope so. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
The doors to the outside opened, and the tall woman, Wynter, came in with Amari right behind her. Amari stopped and spoke to Gia. Wynter looked in at them and came to the door.
“Heard you wrestled a jag.” She grinned. “Good on you.” She nodded and then frowned. “How bad did he get you?” She came over and looked at Webb’s back. “Too deep to shift?”
“No. Shaelan says I can.”
“Then why haven’t you? We don’t need a badge of honor to remember.”
Marie watched Webb turn so that he was looking back out the window. “Waiting for the verdict.”
Wynter scoffed. “The verdict? Shit happens; that’s the verdict.”
Webb shook his head. “I killed one of ours.”
Wynter stepped so she could see his face. “Okay, first, he may have been a shifter, but he was rotten to the core. There’s no saving evil like that. Second,” she reached over a lifted Marie’s hair, surprising her. “He did this. I heard all about it.” She released her hair and looked at him. “Verdict is not guilty.” She growled. “I’m going to find our prince and weigh in on this.” She walked out, shaking her head.
“She’s –” Marie wasn’t sure what word to use.
“She’s Wynter. I think she marches to her own drum most of the time, if you know what I mean.”
Marie smiled. “I like that she speaks her own truth.”
Webb grinned. “That she does, without pause. If you want anyone on your side, it’s her.”
She watched him turn and look back out at Amari and Gia.
“Here comes another one that has no problems speaking her truth.”
She turned to see Amari coming across the lobby toward them.
She leaned into the room. “You good, Care Bear?”
Webb nodded.
“Gia just told me they have you sitting here waiting. What is taking so long? It’s been over an hour.”
Marie hadn’t realized that much time had passed.
“The prince had to call our king. I’m sure Raymond Hardy was on a call at some point too.”
Amari rolled her eyes. “Bureaucratic crap.” She took a deep breath and then turned. “I’ll go help them sort through it.”
“Amari.”
She stopped and looked at Webb.
“Don’t be mad at Tripp for what he did out there.”
She snorted. “I’m not. He was just reacting.” She shrugged. “So was I, but you have to be careful with those S.O. guys, they’re a little crazy.” She winked. “And don’t tell him I’m not mad. He’ll be all sweet, and I want this pricey new set of throwing knives.” She walked out.
Marie smiled. “I think your friends are very interesting.”
He chuckled. “Wait until you meet Foster and Zain.”
She looked at the food. “You should eat more. A body your size probably burns through it in seconds.” He smiled, and it made the knot in her stomach seem less. If someone didn’t tell him something soon about what was happening, she was going to start speaking some of her own truth.
They both sat down, and then Blair came in from outside. His brows shot up when he saw them in the little office. Coming over to the door, he leaned against the frame. “Are you still on pause?”
Webb nodded.
Marie took a bite of a sandwich.
Blair turned and looked out into the lobby. “Can someone at least get this man a shirt? We don’t need to see that his muscles are so grown up, they have baby muscles of their own.”
Marie put her hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t be smiling with a mouth full of food.
Blair sighed and looked back in at Webb. “I’d give you my shirt, but then only one arm would be warm.”
“I’m okay, Blair.”
“Oh, you are, I know that. What do you do, wrestle alligators as a hobby?” He smiled for a moment and then sobered and put his hand over his heart. “Big respect for you, man. Truly.”
Webb did not comment.
“Now sit there and try to look smaller. I don’t need my mate seeing all of that.” He wiggled his finger toward him and then gave him a nod. “I’m going for coffee. You guys need anything?”
Marie shook her head.
“We’re good, thanks.” Webb picked up the bottle of juice.
“All right.” Blair walked back out into the lobby.
“I never thought Alliance people would be the way they are.” She watched Webb play with the label on the bottle.
“When they’re on an op, they’re very serious. It’s good they can be themselves the rest of the time.”
Before she could say anything, Cassius came into the small room. Cahir was with him, close to his side, like he was afraid he’d collapse.
Marie got up. “How are you?”
Cassius leaned against the desk. He held his one arm across his waist. “I hurt, but it’s better than being dead.” He looked at Webb. “Which I would have been if you hadn’t come along. Kiloh was solid muscle.”
Webb set the bottle down and nodded. “I was hoping to distract him until someone with a weapon arrived.”
Cassius’ eyes were filled with humor, but he didn’t smile. “Your home run was a good distraction.”
Webb shrugged. “It was more like second base.”
Marie had no idea why they were talking about baseball.
“I wish I could have done something to help,” Cahir said in a quiet voice. Ever since his mate died, he had been very soft spoken when he talked at all.
“Staying up there helped the others get there,” Webb told him. “We all have our uses.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I will never forget what I saw, and you will always have my gratitude for stopping that man before he found our Rhogue and my son, Chas.”
“I’m just glad everyone is safe.” Webb nodded to him.
Cahir inclined his head to him and looked at Cassius. “Okay, my friend, you said your thank you. Now, back to rest more.” He motioned to the door.
Cassius looked at Marie and nodded before he turned slowly to go. “I’ll see you soon.”
Marie clasped her hands together and watched them leave.
“He’s really hurt. I’ve never seen him like this.” She looked at Webb. “Cahir spoke to you. He hadn’t talked much since he lost his mate.”
“Is that feather tattoo on his neck for her?”
Marie nodded. “He had it done after she died. He couldn’t shift for a few months after, so it wouldn’t heal over it.”
“I’m glad he had you guys. Which boy is his?
She smiled. “The little one with the streaked hair. He’s actually older than Arden and Sagan, but I guess fliers are built smaller.”
“It still doesn’t explain how a body that size becomes smaller.” He sat down.
Marie nodded. “Right. I’ve thought about that a lot. I asked Cahir, and he said something about wild birds having hollow bones or light bones or something, but his bones, as man are mostly hollow, so they form together when he shifts.” She shrugged. “I still don’t get it.”
“Sounds painful. We could ask Shaelan, but then the explanation might be like a lecture. She’s very smart, and if she doesn’t know something, I’ve heard others say she’ll study until she understands everything about it.”
Marie thought about that for a moment. “That sounds exhausting.”
Webb snorted.
She glanced to see Bly coming into the building. He was carrying his boots and jacket. He stopped and looked in at both of them and then walked to the door. “I just heard.” He looked at her for a second and then at Webb. “Gratitude, man. Someone needed to take that guy out.”
Marie looked at Webb. “This is Bly. He was hurt by Kiloh when they had us in that cabin.”
Webb stood up. “I’m glad you’re okay now, and everyone will be safe now.”
“Thanks to you.” He looked out the door. “Where’s medical? Bane said Cassius was hurt.”
Webb moved over to the door and pointed. “Head down that hall, take the last hall on the left, and it’s at the end.”
“Thanks. You get some rest, man, you deserve it.” He nodded and then walked out.
“Snow leopard clan?” Webb touched his head. “Judging by the multi-shaded hair.”
Marie nodded. “Yes. He’s a year younger than me.” She turned and watched a few more people come into the building. “He joined us when I was fifteen.” She glanced at him. “I don’t know the details of his life before us, but his back is covered in scars and he goes to a dark place sometimes.”
Webb turned and came back into the room. “There are many like him. Those we rescue aren’t always in the best shape, but the Alliance gets them all the help they need.”
Several voices, all talking at once, coming down the hall, had them both turn around. He turned to face the door. She moved closer, took his hand, and stood there beside him. She wasn’t sure if she did it for him or herself, but whatever verdict they gave him was hers as well. She’d been born a rogue, and although she’d miss her people, if he were banished, then she should be as well.