Jayden’s fingers dig deeper into my hips, holding me in place. “You’re gonna pay for that, baby.”
“Promises, promises,” I whisper back.
“Here, Beth, since the caveman won’t allow you to move to get your own plate.” Raven hands me a plate piled high with steak and potatoes.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I’ll let you all eat and send some of my people to get the guest rooms ready for you for the night.” The alpha presses his hands to his knees and stands before striding from the room.
“Okay,” I say. “Spill. How did you get here?”
“Hermes came by the academy with a message from Apollo, reminding me that I have been here before and if I want to see you again before everything kicks off, I should meet you here at the Colorado pack, but he warned me that I must transport back by morning.” Jayden rests his chin on my shoulder.
“That feels ominous,” I say. “Why would he give you that option and warning? What does he think is going to happen?”
“I honestly think it was just a gift of more time, love. Before things get crazy for all of us. Don’t read too much into it.” Jayden grabs my fork and presses it to my lips. “You need to eat and stop worrying about the academy. We have our best chance of survival because of what you guys are doing. Trust me?”
“Always,” I mumble.
“I’ve got it handled.”
“Okay.” I nod.
We eat in silence for a long time before the alpha comes back into the room with several others. “The rooms are all ready for you when you need them. We can table any conversations about strategy or problems until morning when you’ve rested.”
“I very much appreciate the courtesy. We are all wiped out after the battle in Flagstaff.” I bow my head to him.
“You’re welcome. Powerful allies are well respected within my pack.” He turns and strides down the hall.
“C’mon, love,” Jayden says, holding out a hand to me. “You need to rest, and I need to take a look at your shoulder for my own sanity.”
“My shoulder is fine.” I grip his hand and follow a woman down a different hall.
“I’m on edge, so humor me.” Jayden tugs my hand.
“Fine, if you’re going to be all growly about it.” I roll my eyes. “You aren’t even a shifter, and you sound like one right now.”
The woman opens the door down the hall and smiles at us. “Have a good night.”
“Thank you.” Jayden tugs me into the room, slamming the door behind us.
My back hits the door and Jayden’s lips crash down on mine. His tongue demands entrance, and I moan as I open for him.
“I thought you wanted to see my shoulder,” I say, breathless.
“I will.” He grins against my lips.
“Is everything really okay at the academy? I hate leaving everyone behind.” I lock gazes with him.
“Everything really is fine. Apollo gave us a gift of one more night together before everything goes crazy. I don’t want to talk about the academy, the war, or the hammer.”
“I’m suspicious of this gift. If it really is a gift and not like giving the prisoner on death row their last meal, then why didn’t Dax come with you?” I ask.
“I asked Hermes about Dax coming along and he said it wasn’t wise to bring him in his volatile state.” Jayden runs a hand through his hair.
“He hasn’t gotten any better?” I ask.
“No, I honestly think he’s becoming a loose cannon without Kira there to ground him.”
