Page 135 of Shrouded in the Dark

She appeared and was back in the passenger seat. She clicked herself into her seat belt. Her shaking had gone down a little bit. She’d paled, but I couldn’t sense anything wrong, so she’d be alright.

“Here.” I handed her my phone. “Order McDonald’s coffees for the second gates people. Have it delivered.” Brad had been smart. If we distracted the shift with free drinks, they’d not notice she was gone for a longer period of time. “Send a text to Brad and attach him to a group order. That way he can go grab the drinks when they arrive.”

She was quiet as she did what I asked. After a few minutes, she set the phone in the middle console, then I looked over to see her crying into her hands.

My heart ached for her. We weren’t far enough away for me to risk pulling over but I did reach over and take her left hand in mine and squeezed it.

“It’s going to be alright.” I hoped I wasn’t lying to her.

Chapter 32

Axel

“Axel, you’re going to make it so we don’t get our deposit back if you keep pacing back and forth,” Seth chuckled from the couch as he watched me moving. “He’ll be fine.”

“It’s been two and half hours.” I rubbed my arms. “I don’t know how you’re so calm!” My bear was moving within me, just as worried as I was. “That stupid jerk should have texted us by now.”

“I’ll make sure to tell him how worried you were.” Seth grinned at me, knowing that I’d get annoyed.

I stopped in front of him and glared. “You’re an ass.”

He crossed his right leg over his left and smirked at me. I ignored the excited shiver that went up my spine. He’d done that on purpose.

The sound of the garage opening had us both rushing to the door. The Escalade turned off and Wyn stepped out.

I could breathe again.

That’s when I noticed Felicity getting out from the passenger side.

The rage I’d expected never came as she paused and looked at me with wide eyes. She was a beautiful woman, but the feelings that used to flutter in my heart didn’t even stir. She was just another woman.

“Hi.” She clutched the door handle.

“Hi.” I couldn’t find any other words at the moment. Telling her off would probably be like beating a dead horse. Plus, I didn’t have the urge to do it anymore after laying eyes on her. We were both victims of this situation.

“Everything went smoothly.” Wyn handed the keys to Seth before he went to stand next to Felicity. “They’ve upped security. According to Felicity, the closer to the inner compound you get, the more patrols there are now. My animal was not happy, so it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t go further inside.”

Seth nodded and we moved back inside. “I’m Seth, Felicity. I’m Axel and Wyn’s alpha. Are you hungry?”

The petite woman paused in the doorway, obviously uncomfortable and unsure.

“I think food would be great.” Wyn wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You’re safe, Felicity. Let’s eat and talk.”

I moved into the house and went into the kitchen. While Wyn had been gone, I’d ordered some groceries to be delivered. The fee had been a bit steep, but it had been just easier to do than go into a new store without a car.

Pulling out ingredients, I turned on the oven. I watched the others out of the corner of my eye as they sat at the dining room table. Wyn seemed worried, but did a good job of hiding it from Felicity.

“So, Felicity.” Seth narrowed his eyes at her but kept a pleasant expression on. “Is there anything you can tell us about what your parents are planning?”

Wyn stiffened. He didn’t like seeing Felicity under our alpha’s scrutiny but he kept it to himself.

“There was a visitor last week, before they attacked the Fae where they were told there was an entrance to Fairyland. The guy that came in wasn’t human. He made a few of the guards piss themselves.” Felicity looked down at the table as she talked. “I think he was Fae. He was freaky with how beautiful he was and Mom made sure no one thanked him for any reason. I wasn’t allowed in the meeting but when it ended, he just disappeared. From what I could get out of one of the guys who’d been in the meeting, the guy had offered the location and said that if we succeeded in destroying the entrance, the Fae would basically leave the continent because it’s the only way back for them here. The only other places are in Asia and Scotland. Dad and Mom felt that it was worth the risk. They didn’t even seem concerned about breaking the agreement with them until after the place was attacked.”

Wyn scoffed, annoyed. “They’re such idiots. It obviously failed spectacularly. Even gained national news attention, I’m assuming that’s why they are just preparing for an attack instead of trying to go on the offensive again.” He clenched his fists together on top of the table.

“Whatever happened, Mom told me not to talk to you, Wyn. She wouldn’t say why, but I don’t think they trust you anymore, or anyone.” Felicity crossed her arms on the table and rested her head on them. Her voice was muffled. “I think they’ve gone off the deep end. Dad even shot one of the patrol leaders for voicing an objection against attacking the Fae.”

Now that was interesting. I placed the baking tray with the chicken I’d just prepared into the oven. Washing my hands, I turned my full attention on the conversation again.