Chapter 42

Eric.

The attacks on my pack never seemed to stop. As soon as we got our footing, another alarm would sound. It was all we could do to stay on the defensive, we couldn't even make an attack of our own, despite our forces being greater than Dylon's.

I had started going with Emily everywhere. Nowhere seemed to be safe - not only were there too many attacks specifically aimed at her, but the everyday citizens had started to turn on her as well, fear and anger fueling their hatred. They didn't understand that it wasn't Emily's fault we were being attacked, but mine.

It was my responsibility and mine alone. I brought her here. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. But that didn't mean I didn't feel the crushing weight of my choice and its impact on my pack.

Dylon's strategy was brutal and affected not only my warriors, but everyday pack members who were just trying to get by. The glares from them increased daily. I knew Emily noticed, but she didn't let it bother her. I knew they wouldn't dare do anything more with me around, but I feared what might happen if I somehow was unable to be with Emily one time. Would they turn on her? Throw her to the wolves?

Emily's voice broke my concentration. *Shit. What had she been saying?* I turned to face her and I could see the annoyance in her eyes.

“How much do I need to repeat?” She asked, arms folded and her eyes staring daggers at me.

“I'm sorry. I truly am. Please ask your question again.”

“It wasn't so much a question as a request for you to leave me be. I'm just going to brunch with Lily and Raina. I need some me time, maybe some girl time. I don't know. All I know is that I can't do this right now.”

“No way. I told you, you don't go anywhere without me anymore. It's not safe.”

She sighed in exasperation. “Come on. I'll have Lily and Raina, and Roger will be there to drive us there and back. Marvin has no beef with me, so we should be more than fine.”

I bit my tongue and looked her up and down. She did look like she needed some peace, or at least something to cheer her up. “Just Marvin’s and back. Nowhere else. Agreed?”

She beamed, clearly surprised she didn't have to put up more of a fight. “Thank you!” Her excitement propelled her forward and she planted a kiss on my cheek.

She quickly turned away with Lily and Raina right on her heels. I breathed out slowly. Now I had to figure out how to distract myself enough to not worry about her.

***

Emily

I was surprised Eric said yes so easily. But I wasn't going to stick around long enough for him to change his mind. I hopped right out of there, nearly running to the car where Roger lay in wait.

“You are earlier than expected, miss,” he commented as I got in and did up my seatbelt.

I smiled. “Get us to Marvin's as quick as you can, please, Roger.”

“Right away, miss,” he answered with a nod, pulling the car into gear.

The drive went by in a blur and soon we were outside Marvin's Cafe.

“Girls!” Marvin greeted as we walked in. “So good to see you! It's been a while. What can I get you?”

“The regular,” Lily said with a smile. “And something sweet.”

A large grin spread across Marvin's face. “Right away.”

We grabbed a booth and another server poured each of us coffee while we waited.

There weren't many people in the cafe, but I could feel each and every one of their eyes on me. I knew they blamed me for the predicament we were all in. And I didn't blame them.

As I was about to take a sip of my coffee, a girl tripped and bumped into me, spilling the hot drink all over the front of me. I bit my lip to keep the cry of pain from leaving my mouth. The girl didn't even stop to apologize. She continued off, walking right out the door, the bell above it jangling loudly behind her.

“That bitch! She did that on purpose!” Raina exclaimed, jumping up from the table as if to pursue her. But I shook my head. She reluctantly sat back down.

“Oh my! Are you okay?”Marvin asked as he approached with our food. He set it down hastily on the table next to ours and handed me a towel from his waistband.

‘I'll be fine,” I said through gritted teeth, dabbing at the coffee to get it out of my soiled clothes.

Marvin slid the dishes in front of us, ending with a tray full of assorted pastries. “Fresh from the kitchen, my dears. Enjoy.”

I handed him the towel back and he left.

“Are you sure you're okay?” Lily asked as I picked up my fork to start eating.

“I'm fine. I'll just need a change of clothes when we get back is all.”

She didn't look convinced, but she picked up her own fork and started eating. The food was so good, I almost instantly forgot about the spilled coffee.

When I had finished with my main course, I grabbed two pastries and placed them on my plate before getting a drink. Just then, a man walking by stopped at our table and spit at me in disgust, most of it landing directly on my food. “Why don't you just get out of here and let the rest of us live in peace?” He glowered at me before whispering, “worthless bitch,” under his breath.

“Excuse me?!” Raina and Lily both said, standing up.

“What did you just say?” Raina asked, getting right up in his face.

His eyes narrowed at her. “If you stand up for her, you're no better than she is.” And then he spat at her feet, turned around and tried to walk away.

But Raina grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, slamming his head and torso onto the table, causing the plates and silverware to rattle.

“Want to run that by me again?” She growled, pinning his head behind his back.

But she wasn't prepared for him to kick her shins. She let go and stumbled back, cursing. He took a swing at her and she barely blocked.

“Hey!” Marvin shouted, making his way over, waving his towel at the two of them. “Stop it! Stop it now!”

He was breathing heavily by the time he came over. “There will be no fighting in my cafe! Now go, both of you.”

The man glared at each of us again before stalking out.

“I'm sorry, but you too,” Marvin said, hands on his hips, looking right at Raina.

“Yeah. Okay,” she said. “I was done anyway.”

We all got up to join her. Sadly, I hadn't been able to try the pastries. But if Raina left, that meant I had to leave too, which meant Lily wasn't far behind. I could hear her apologizing to Marvin and paying for the meal.

She caught up with us outside and ushered me into the car before anyone else could cause a scene. We drove back to the mansion in complete silence.