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CASSIAN
Ilooked at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time in a few hours. Still no message from Emily, and even though I knew that they didn’t have service, I couldn’t help wondering if she was either ignoring me or if they were in trouble. It was only day two and Ember’s note was the only reason that I hadn’t completely freaked out when Emily didn’t send me their location.
I didn’t have a right to feel irritated. After all, I could’ve asked her to stay, but didn’t. But in my defense, I didn’t realize that with the bond it would be hell to be away from Emily for such a long time. Without the bond, I just missed Emily; with it, I had to fight the urge to run around looking for her and never letting her out of my sight again. I knew she was safe with Ember, as safe as she could be with a human, and I didn’t want to ruin their holiday.
A distraction was what I needed—justice for my pack. And there was one wolf that I knew could help. Whipping out my phone, I dialed Griffin’s number. Voicemail.
Ah, to hell with it. I grabbed my keys and headed to his apartment.
I knocked on the door and waited for a minute, getting no answer. Oh no, Langston. You’re not getting away from me that easily. I knocked again and continued knocking until he finally answered.
The door swung open, revealing a pale face, bloodshot eyes, and skin that was covered in a light sheen of sweat. Let’s not forget his unwelcome scowl that he constantly donned.
“Are you okay? You don’t look so good,” I asked with genuine concern.
“I’m fine,” he snapped, ushering me inside.
“Hi, stranger. Didn’t think I’d see you again,” I said, trying to sound lighthearted but it came out a little snappier than I intended.
“Yeah, well, here I am,” he said, motioning to himself. He glanced behind me, his eyebrows creasing. “Where’s Emily?”
I shrugged and rubbed my brow. “She’s gone on a little getaway with Ember.” I didn’t want to mention the space between us. Griffin was still her mate, even though it didn’t seem like the bond made him feel like I did.
“Lovely, just the right time to go on vacation.” Griffin’s tone made my hackles rise immediately. We had been on the mend when everything went to shit but looks like we were back to being unfriendly again.
I crossed my arms over my chest, “Look man, things were hectic after the attack. She practically dealt with everything on her own. She needed a break.”
“Maybe if your guys were a little nicer, she would have stayed,” Griffin mumbled under his breath, plopping onto the couch, legs stretched out.
I rolled my eyes at him. “About that… I spoke with both Sam and Emily, and they explained what happened.” Griffin opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to the punch. “Sam said he offered to have you back at the warehouse, but you said no. You don’t have to distance yourself from us. I know everything that happened was tense, but I want you to know that you’re welcome at the warehouse, and there are no hard feelings about the fight with Sam.”
Changing the subject, Griffin asked, “Have you made any progress on finding Samara?”
I sighed but relented. Guess we’re done with that conversation. “Not yet, but Emily sent some of my pack to gather information. But I’m not risking more of my guys to look into your pack,” I said, anger building at the memory of Kellan laughing while my pack died at his hands. The words slipped from my mouth, coming out more accusatory than I’d meant.
“Not my pack. I don’t have a pack. We should go to the Black Hole. Morgan scoped it out the other night and said there are people there that can be paid to talk.”
The Black Hole… I did not want to go there. “Why don’t you and Morgan go?”
“She already went—she has connections down there—but she’s been very cagey about it. Plus, we don’t have the luxury of time on our side.”
“Fine, I’ll get Sam and a few guys to come with,” I said, and I rose from my seat on the chair beside the couch.
“No!” Griffin yelled and pulled my arm. “No, extra people will pull attention and we need to get in and out without it.”
His grip on my arm was weak, and I stared down at his pale face, colored only from the flush of a fever and the bags under his eyes. Werewolves didn’t get normal illnesses like colds. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a cold.” He rubbed the sweat from his forehead with his arm and sat up, wincing at the motion. “Are we going to do this?”
He didn’t look fine, but I had the feeling that he wouldn’t admit it, even if I pushed him. He’d probably end up going alone, and it didn’t matter how intimidating you were, the Black Hole relished wrecking people that wandered in.
“Yes, okay. We can go tomorrow night.”
