Chapter 198
[ 742 words ]
Ronan
I groan as I break the kiss. The loss of contact is an ache that pulses deep in my gut.
“We’ll revisit this later.”
She huffs, squirming in her seat. “Fine.”
Brat.
I leave the house before I rethink my decision.
If anyone can convince you to do it it’s our mate, my wolf says.
Isn’t that the truth.
The enforcers are moving on their extra patrols, making sure we’re not the next target of fucking explosions.
The fact that they tried to kidnap babies is messing with me.
Juveniles were bad enough. But pups?
It’s like I’m living in a vortex of psychopathy
They killed and savaged adults.
Tried to do the same to juveniles and now they are going after babies.
What the hell are they after?
What do they want?
As the enforcer building comes into view another question pops up in mind, the most pressing one yet, what does Oliver know?
I nod toward Felix as I pass his work station. Marcus is leaning over his desk discussing something with him in hushed, hurried tones.
I walk to the back and see Liam standing in front of the room Oliver will be using as his research office.
“How was he today?”
“Same as the last two days, unpacking and organizing at an impressively slow rate.”
“You think he’s stalling?”
“Of course he is. Once he’s done he’ll actually have to start answering questions,” Liam intones.
I agree. But he could also be giving himself time to solidify his next move.
My wolf encourages me to walk in and make an assessment for myself.
When I step inside, it is not as disorganized as I suspected it would be, but there are several stacks of boxes to get through.
“I have good new,” I say.
Oliver doesn’t even look up. “Am I being allowed to leave.”
Snarky. Alright. “No but you will be getting some assistance in moving your organization along.”
“Oh.” He doesn’t hide his unimpressedness.
“Her name is Didre and she’ll be here tomorrow.”
He turns towards his building library, slipping text inside in an order I don’t understand.
Not one to beat around the bush I say, “So your area of study was ancient organizations.”
He stops, sighing as he turns around. “ No. My area of study is ancient civilization and roles throughout lycan history. The family systems are just a part of it. Was it hidden? Yes. But it wasn’t an organization. It was a belief system that was passed down from the first shifters.”
I’m a bit surprised at how easily he gave up this information.
He looks at me then his pale eyes so much like Kane’s I don’t know how I didn’t see it until now.
“No I won’t lie to you. What’s the point? You’ll either decide to believe what I tell you or not no matter how true it is.”
“And you’re not going to fight me on it being true?”
His eyes dull, the option flatling so close to apathy that it makes my wolf shift uneasily. “I’ve spent my life fighting to gain the benefit of the doubt from others. That’s not a mistake I make anymore. Whatever the outcome of this, my conscience is clear.”
He goes quiet as he goes back to work and I try to pull back the layer of what he said.
Of the things he didn’t say.
An image of our adolescence comes back with a viciousness.
All the things he suffered. The targeting. The isolation.
And in a round about way he’s back, under a different type of isolation.
A different condemnation.
But will the result be the same?
This is the cost that comes with taking care of a pack, my wolf says. Sometimes you must make choices for the greater good.
It doesn’t mean I always have to like it.
No you don’t, he agrees.
“You know you can tell me if anyone treats you badly right. You may be here under extreme circumstances but it’s not an excuse for anyone to abuse you.”
“Sure,” he says simply.
I didn’t expect him to be convinced, but with Liam as his guard the chances of that happening are significantly reduced.
“Oliver—”
“Don’t waste your breath,” he interrupts. “We both know why I’m here. I’ll do my job as quickly as I can and when it’s over we’ll part ways. End of story. There is no need to sugar coat anything. It will only insult your intelligence and mine.”
“If that’s how you want it.” He nods. “I’ll accompany Didre here tomorrow.”
He doesn’t respond, making it clear his stance on his position.
He will obey because he has to.
Not because he respects me.
I’d be a liar to say a part of that doesn’t sting.
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