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“Yeah, he’s been here for a while,” Rill says, like it’s nothing. But Noah starts freaking out, his gaze darting between Rill and Stella. She’s looking down at her feet, frowning and sniffling softly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks, his eyes locked on her.
She glances up, her cheeks pink. “Wyatt and I wanted to tell you, but—”
She cuts herself off with a groan, glancing back at Nick. He steps forward, nudging her shoulder. “Go ahead, he needs to know.”
“He’s changed, Noah,” she whispers, tearfully. “He’s been through … some shit. We didn’t know if you were ready to hear what he had to say, and Rill—”
She pauses and glances at Rill, who doesn’t take his eyes off Noah.
“I knew for sure that you weren’t ready,” he finishes for her.
“He was already changed!” Noah roars, his anger beating violent waves in the air and water around us. “After what he did to his body and Elizabeth. He ruined his own life! He betrayed us!”
Stella scowls, unperturbed by his anger. “Always the judgmental asshole, huh? You never stop holding yourself so high and mighty. You wouldn’t understand what it’s been like for him.”
“You’re right,” Noah admits, running his hand over his short hair. “I don’t understand why someone would betray his home and family, and bring shame onto everyone who was stupid enough to love him.”
Stella sneers. I know she thinks he’s being unreasonable. Cruel.
But as he pulls me close, his fingers kneading into my shoulder, I look up and see something else.
He’s worried. Sad. He’d do anything for his brothers and sister. Why can’t they return the favor?
My fingers fumble up until I’m grasping hold of the solid, warm hand resting on my shoulder. He looks down at my touch, smiling faintly before focusing an ire-filled glare at Rill.
“Take me to him,” he orders gruffly. “Now.”
Rill smiles tightly, motioning us down the beach. “Right this way, Administrator.”
38
Gone Tomorrow
Noah
The water is endless.
I didn’t realize it was so big until we started walking around it. To be fair, I couldn’t see or feel much of anything when I stumbled onto the beach earlier. All I could see was that alpha’s hand coming down on Hetty’s cheek, her body immediately crumbling under the force.
I don’t know who he was, but he looked mildly familiar. I think I’ve seen him around Goldenrod.
If I ever see him again, he’s dead. Rill was right—I should have killed him when I had the chance. He’d obviously planned to hurt her in unfathomable ways before I showed up.
Hetty’s so tiny—all fine features, delicate bones, and short limbs. What would have happened to her if I hadn’t shown up when I did? If I hadn’t sensed she was in trouble?
My eyes flick to her now, walking at my side. She’s quiet and staring at the ground, her mind obviously overflowing with worry and shock. A hot, humid breeze makes her tangled hair fly around her face, and she doesn’t try to move it out of the way.
She’s safe. Everything’s fine. At my side, and out of harm’s way.
But still, I don’t have a good feeling about what awaits us. My heart pounds in my throat as we continue along the gentle curve of the shore. It’s mid-afternoon now, and we’ve been walking for close to an hour under a sky invaded by dark, low clouds.
There’s a storm coming, making the air crackle with portentous energy. Rill and Stella walk side by side ahead of us, not looking back and only sometimes exchanging words.
Nick and Elizabeth opted to stay back at camp, but Elizabeth was very strange before we left, hugging Hetty and whispering something in her ear. When I asked Hetty what she said, she only shook her head quickly, dismissing me.
I don’t know what’s happening with any of them, and I don’t like it. I feel out of control, like a leaf in the wind.
