Chapter 24 Chapter 24
The Alpha-son and Rogue sat a few tables down from Suki and Rey, but at a perfect angle to allow Brendan to still make eye contact with Suki.
Suki blushed as he watched her and looked back to Rey to help her centre herself. “So… was I dreaming last night, or did the two of you actually make some kind of truce?”
“That was no dream. We made that agreement so we don’t end up killing each other, and so it’s fairer on you to make your choice.”
Brendan’s voice continued to be loud in her mind. ‘But I’m sure you had even better dreams about us… maybe even wetter dreams.’
‘Stop eavesdropping, and be more gentle down the bond, please. My head hurts.’ Suki sighed and sipped her coffee.
‘I know a few fun ways to fix that headache of yours.’
Suki coughed, almost choking on her coffee, and covered her face with her hand.
“Are you okay?” Rey questioned, his face painted with concern.
She nodded. “Yeah, someone is just saying some inappropriate things through the bond,” she cleared her throat and darted a glare at Brendan.
‘Tattletell.’
‘Shut it.’
‘Oh, I do enjoy when you’re feisty with me, love.’
Reynard took her hand and squeezed it. She looked at him and mirrored the soft smile he was giving her. “You’re hungover. You’re tired and therefore weaker than usual; it’s easier for him to get into your head, and he’s obviously taking advantage of that, right?”
She sighed, “Yeah.”
“Focus on me,” his soothing voice pulled her in. “Unless you want to talk to him, then by all means. I won’t stop you.”
“All I want right now is–”
“Fried bread?” Chef appeared with two large plates filled to the edges with an abundance of food: bacon, eggs, baked beans, freshly grilled tomatos, pan-fried mushrooms, hash browns and fried bread. He placed the plates down, grinning. “I made you extra; you look like you could do with all the carbs to soak up any remaining alcohol.”
Suki beamed at the sight of the food. “You’re the best, Chef, thank you!”
He chuckled and mockingly bowed to his two regular customers and headed back to work.
Tucking in immediately, Suki grabbed a slice of the fried bread, dipped it into her coffee and took a large bite, sighing in relief at the flavours. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“I’ll never get tired of how cute you are when you’re hungover,” Rey tittered.
Frowning sarcastically, she grumbled, “What? You don’t find me cute all the time?”
“Nope,” he smiled, “sometimes I find you adorable, or sweet, or–”
“Rey!” she giggled.
Rey’s smile faded as his eyes gravitated to the entrance to the cafe. As the door opened and the bell jingled, his back straightened. He muttered a swear before speaking normally to Suki, “Cyrus is here.” He stood as Cyrus strided over to them, “Uncle, good morning,” he said, bowing his head.
Suki smiled, “Hi Cyrus,” she stood up and hugged him.
“Good morning, you two,” he greeted, giving her a tight squeeze. “I heard my star pupil asked for a day off today, and I had a strong feeling you’d both be here. So which one of you is hungover?”
“Guilty,” Suki held her hand up awkwardly, “I promise this won’t happen again, I just drank a little too much and–”
“And my nephew just had to come rescue you.” He wrapped his arm around Rey’s neck, pulling him in for a rough hug. “That sounds just like him.”
Rey huffed a half-laugh, “Yeah, I guess it does. Anyway, what brings you around here?”
Cyrus hummed, “Nothing serious, don’t worry. I thought I’d come check on you two and grab a coffee before my shift, and– What the hell is the Rogue doing here?”
Suki and Rey’s attention moved to Brendan, who was watching them. For how long? They had no idea, but it wasn’t a hard guess to assume he was eavesdropping the entire time.
“He’s here with the Alpha-son.”
Cyrus growled, “How can they allow such a person in here?”
“Believe me, the owner wasn’t happy about it,” Rey exhaled.
Suki narrowed her eyes at him. ‘At least try to be nice.’
‘Right, then I explain my sudden niceness to my uncle… how?’
‘Fair point.’ Suki sighed.
Disappointed, Cyrus shook his head and grimaced, “I’ll be having words with the Alpha about this, and there is no way in hell that your father would be okay with this, Suki.”
Her stomach churned. “I can’t control who comes and goes in public places.”
“You are the daughter of the Beta. You have higher clearance than most everyday people. I understand he’s here with the Alpha’s son right now, but that means you should’ve left. You and I both know your father’s rules.”
Lowering her head, she sighed, “Yes, sir.”
“We’re almost done with breakfast; we’ll leave right away,” Rey reassured him.
Cyrus patted his back roughly, “That’s my boy.” A waiter walked over to Cyrus and handed him his coffee. “I’d better get going. Nice to see you, Suki. Rey, I’ll see you for dinner tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
They said their farewells to Cyrus and continued eating, but Suki could feel a tug in the back of her mind. She looked up at Brendan, who looked just as furious as she expected. Even without enhanced hearing, he would’ve been able to hear all the horrible words Rey’s uncle said about him.
‘I’m sorry.’ She said to him down the bond, but he looked away, with no reaction, and didn’t respond to her.
✧ ✧ ✧
After breakfast, Suki felt like she had her life pumped back into her. She and Rey made their way outside, and she breathed in the fresh air, exhaling happily, “Thank you so much for this. You always know the right way to take care of me.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her in close, “Even if I didn’t know, I would do everything I could to make you feel better.”
“I know you would, that’s just one of the reasons why you’re so amazing,” she said, wrapping her arm around him, leaning into him. “So you and Cyrus still have your weekly dinners?”
Rey sighed, “Yeah, we’re both busy with our duties, so we rarely see each other, but the weekly dinner is the only ‘family time’ either of us gets. We’re all each other has anymore, so…” he trailed off. He was never one to talk about his parents, and Suki knew that too. After all, it was something else they both related to: losing a parent – or both – at such a young age.
She leaned in closer, embracing him tightly.
‘I miss them every day.’ He lamented through the bond.
‘I know.’ She replied. ‘I don’t think that feeling will ever go away. I feel the same with my mother.’
“Okay,” the tone of Rey’s voice shifted as they began walking towards the town, “no sad talk. I have the whole day off to do whatever you want. So what do you want to do–”
“HELP ME!” a man yelled, running in their direction.
The pair separated from their embrace, startled and wide-eyed as he approached
The man saw the two of them and rushed closer; they were no strangers to the pack members, everyone knew the daughter of the Beta and the rising star warrior and protector of the pack. “Please,” he sobbed, “help me.”
Suki held her arms up, trying to help settle him. “It’s okay, sir, we’ll do our best to help you. Just tell us–” she gasped as he grabbed her by and shook her.
“You don’t understand, there’s something wrong with me. I’m broken or cursed. What is wrong with me?!” he screamed.
Reynard sped in between the two and shoved the man away, and hauled Suki behind him. “Careful,” he snarled, “you touch the Beta’s daughter like that again, and there will be trouble.”
Bumping into another body, Suki looked up to see Brendan. Her eyes widened. ‘What are you doing?’ She looked down at his arm wrapping around her protectively.
‘We heard the man yelling and came out to investigate. I sensed your fear, and I saw his hold on you as we approached.’
Suki looked back and saw Zale approaching the man, standing beside Rey. “Take it easy, sir. Give yourself a second to breathe.”
The man wept, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare her! Just, please, help me.” The man held out pleading and trembling hands.
‘Did he hurt you? I’ll kill him.’
‘No! I’m fine, I swear.’ She moved Brendan’s hand away and looked around to ensure no one saw how close they were before allowing a step of space between them. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t want you to get in trouble.’
‘I’m always in trouble.’
“Sir, we can’t help you until you tell us what’s wrong,” Rey said sternly.
He looked at each of them before dropping to his knees. Other members of the pack passing by stared in confusion at this crazy man, screaming and crying. But it wasn’t until the words that escaped his mouth that fear struck the group of young adults.
“I can’t… I can’t shift.”