Chapter 58: Ferrin

I was meeting Arlo in the private training room. I needed to get back into a workout routine. I had been understandably distracted over the past few weeks and hadn’t prioritized my own training sessions. But I had a feeling in my gut that I would need to be in top shape to face the obstacles heading our way.

I pulled my shirt over my head and started to wrap my hands when Arlo arrived. I headed straight for the mat and began to stretch.

“I take it from your silence that your trip didn’t go as we hoped,” I said.

“It was… interestin’, I suppose,” Arlo replied. “I got into Callum’s office but didn’t find anythin’ too shocking. He’s an asshole who probably shouldn’t be in charge of a district, but that’s half the nobles still alive.”

“I’m sure what you found was information he wouldn’t see anything wrong with, to begin with,” I said, circling the mat as Arlo joined me. “I wouldn’t expect him to keep anything incriminating in someplace so obvious.”

“No, he wouldn’t,” he replied. “Which is why I searched every private room in that manor.”

He made the first move, striking out with his fist, which I dodged easily. We threw a few more punches, each dodging as many as we landed. Our focus switched to our fight. Pushing up the intensity as we started to incorporate different techniques and styles. Then he finally got the better of me, sending me over his knee and onto my back.

“Yer getting lazy,” he panted.

“Nah, just getting a different kind of exercise lately,” I chuckled with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, helping me up. “I’m well aware of how much of a lucky bastard ya are.”

“I plan on keeping it that way,” I said, shaking myself out. “So we need to find Ava.”

“I know, cousin,” he replied, grabbing a water bottle and tossing it toward me. “Which is why I may be in and out of here for a while.”

That piqued my interest. “What did you find?”

“I found some documents regarding some properties that the Bouchers have been funnelin’ money into,” Arlo stated. “It’s not a lot of money, but I think there’s a pattern somewhere that I just haven’t caught yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“The money seems to be going towards supplies,” he clarified. “Like their stocking the places up. But at a glance, it’s all inconsistent. But they didn’t have addresses or definitive locations, so I’m not sure what kind of properties they are. They could be more vacation homes that they are visiting. You know nobles like the Bouchers. They love their mansions and villas.”

“But you’re thinking they may be moving someone,” I indicated.

“Maybe,” he shrugged. “It would explain why they were kept in Callum’s room in a safe rather than in regular finance files. And why none of the information specifies where these places are.”

“But you think you can figure that out, right?” I asked, mopping the sweat from my neck with a towel.

“Yeah, it shouldn’ be too hard,” he assured me. “I’ll have to go check the areas out to be sure. But I can time it so that I can keep training Luna. I know that’s important right now, too.”

“Yeah, I want to keep on top of that,” I agreed. “But if you need to leave, I can handle a few sessions.”

Arlo scoffed. “Yeah, I saw how you ‘handled’ the last session.”

The corners of my lips twitched. “Okay, Austin can handle a few sessions.”

“That would work.” We had moved to the weights and he was spotting me. “How is she settling in?”

I finished the set. “It’s only been a few days,” I said. “Right now, it’s been a smooth transition, but…”

“But…?”

“It’s a huge change for her. Right now, she’s so busy just figuring out her place here. But she’s going to start missing her father and her friends soon enough. All these extra obstacles — the prophecy, her mother’s case, suppressing her aura… I just worry she’s going to regret her decision to stay.”

“Good, let that keep you from doin’ something stupid,” Arlo stated. “Like taking her for granted.”

“Your wisdom is so helpful, cousin.”

“Look, she knows her family is always welcome here,” Arlo said. “And now that your relationship is out, there’s no reason for her to sneak over to see them. She can go whenever she wants. She’ll be okay.”

“Actually, she can’t go back to Avilvale for a while,” I said. “We still don’t know what her uncle will do when he finds out she’s the new High Luna of Whearhal. I won’t keep her father or her friends from coming here, but it’s not safe for her to go back.”

“And that’s what you’re so worried about?”

“Yeah,” I said.

Arlo thought for a minute as he changed the weights for his sets.

“Why don’t you call her father,” Arlo said. “I don’t get why he doesn’ just move over here anyway. Unless you think having the father-in-law around would be a complete drag.”

I scoffed. “No, I actually really like him. He’s a good man.”

“There you go,” Arlo said. “Give him a call and set up a time for him to come visit in a couple weeks. He’s going to be here for the Luna ceremony anyway, I’m assuming.”

“Yeah, he wouldn’t miss it.”

I thought about what Arlo was saying and it made a lot of sense. Willa would love to have him here. I would help with any homesickness that she may feel. I wouldn’t mind him seeing that she’s being taken care of here, either. I respected Billy. I owed him a great debt for providing me with my mate. He should be here to see her thrive.