Chapter 28

Adrian POV

It’s a long drive home. I keep glancing at Lily, checking to see if she’s okay. I didn’t see any injuries, and I don’t smell blood, but she’s still silent and clearly in a state of shock. Though she has stopped crying and she’s shaking a little less with the heat in the car on.

When we get home, I don’t even think about it. I exit the car and walk around to her side. Opening the door, I reach inside and scoop her back into my arms. She doesn’t protest as I tuck her against my chest and walk toward the door.

Julian appears at my side and reaches for her as if to take her from me. My grip involuntarily tightens as she speaks for the first time. “No, don’t touch me.”

Julian flinches and drops his hands. She’s angry. Through all of the shock and fear, Lily is still remembering the humiliation of tonight and she hasn’t forgiven him for it. I can’t believe I’m thinking it. There was a time when it would be unimaginable, but I don’t have time for Julian right now. I need to get Lily inside and make sure she’s comfortable.

I walk through the door and Susan comes down the stairs. She stops short when she sees Lily and a gasp escapes her lips. Concern fills my housekeeper’s face and she hurries toward us.

“Sir, what has happened?” She sounds dismayed and I remember why I grew to like the stuffy woman. She has moments of sincere warmth and genuinely cares about my family.

“There was an incident.” I say. “She’s in a bit of shock.”

Susan looks at Lily and nods. “I think tea might be in order for you. Get her upstairs and I’ll be right up.”

The woman has worked for me a long time. She knows when not to ask for details. Especially not in front of the humans.

“I’ll see her upstairs.” Julian says from behind me. I feel Lily tense in my arms.

“Maybe you should wait in my study. We’ll talk there.” I say. For a moment, I think he might argue. Then he looks at Lily. Her face is hard and she’s refusing to meet his eyes. There is no doubt she is angry though she hasn’t said a word other than to tell him not to touch her.

Julian nods in submission and walks up the stairs to my study. I follow but turn and take Lily to her room. Once inside, I realize she can’t get into bed with her still wet dress and hair. I’m at a loss at what to do. I want her to be comfortable but undressing her right now would be a mistake and I don’t think she can do it herself.

Susan comes bustling back into the room carrying a cup of steaming tea. The aroma of the herbs are calming and I watch as Lily takes a deep inhale and tests a sip. A little color comes back to her cheeks and turns to look at Susan and utters a small, “Thank you.”

“Well, let’s get you out of that dress. Can’t go to bed like that.” Susan says, all business, and I’m excused from the room.

Julian waits in my study, pacing back in forth impatiently. “Is she okay?” he asks the moment I step inside.

“Her boyfriend humiliated her in front of a crowd of people and then she was attacked by a wolf. No, she is not alright.” is what I want to say. Instead, I answer, “I think she will be.”

My wolf wants to throw my son out of the window. He’s a wolf too and it’s only the second floor. It would hurt, but he would be fine. Tonight is not the night for this conversation. Emotions are high and one of us will just end up saying something we will regret.

“Go home Julian or go to your room and stay the night. We’ll talk about this in the morning.” I’m tired and I would rather not fight with my son tonight. It’s been a trying enough day.

Julian looks like he might argue anyway, but ultimately, he sighs, nods, and heads for the door.

Once he is gone, the wolf rages at me. “You should have taken her away from Julian when you had the chance. She should never have been there tonight.” It tells me.

Guilt stabs at me. I should have forbidden her to come. I knew tonight wouldn’t go well. I just had no idea of the extent of the disaster. I had rationalized that she was a member of the Alpha’s household, and my pack would be smart enough to leave her alone. I should have known better.

The wolf rattles the bars where I have it suppressed, angry at the memory of Julian biting her in front of the entire crowd. How could my son be so foolish? Lily couldn’t understand what he was doing. She knew nothing of werewolves. It only left her embarrassed, hurt, and frightened.

After a quick drink of scotch, my restlessness still hasn’t been satisfied. I know I won’t be able to sleep unless I check and make sure she’s alright. I walk down the hall to her room. It’s dark inside. I crack open the door to see that she’s tucked into bed, eyes closed, and thankfully, asleep.

Lily POV

Susan tucked me into bed and took the mug of now cold tea with her. I was grateful when she didn’t ask me any questions. Just helped me out of the ruined dress, washed my face, and helped me into bed.

I felt foolish, like a coddled child, but when I managed the words to tell Susan I would be alright, she had looked at me as though she didn’t believe me.

“You’ve had an ordeal. Now, get into bed. A good night’s rest will help.” There was no arguing with the woman.

I was grateful for the help. It had taken me a while to get out of the dress. I couldn’t stop shaking and my fingers couldn’t grasp the ties and clasps to get everything off. Susan had pulled the dress off and toweled my hair dry with the tenderness of a mother.

Then she had pulled back the covers and ushered into bed, turning off the lights as she left.

I had laid there for a while, my mind refusing to silence. The stab of humiliation was still lurking under the surface, but it was buried under the terror of snarling jaws and yellow eyes. I closed my eyes against the dark of the room and listened for the sound of the growling and that haunting howl.

I’m just starting to drift off into a restless sleep when, instead, I hear the creak of a door, and I crack my eyes open just enough to see Adrian looking into my room. I close my eyes again against the light, following that beckoning to sleep.

I feel his steps cross the room, light and quiet. Then a strong hand gently brushes my hair away from face and I swear, just before I sink into sleep, I feel the brush of lips against my brow.

The door closes, and I drift away completely, fear finally gone with the knowledge that he is here looking after me. Though, even that doesn’t stop me from dreaming of wolves.