Page 37 of His Sold Fated Mate

I nodded. I knew that she would be, which is why I wanted an answer so badly to how we helped him.

She pulled herself up. “If you’ll excuse me. I’m going to head to bed.”

I watched her place her plate in the sink and make her way up the stairs. I scanned her, unable to stop the pit that was growing in my stomach. I knew she was hiding something.

I finished my dinner in silence, suddenly finding it too quiet. It was strange how, after only a few weeks, I’d grown accustomed to hearing her around the house. She wasn’t loud, but that extra noise that comes from having someone in the house.

I felt Peanut brush against my legs, and I reached down, stroking my hand down her back. “Go lie with her.”

Peanut strode across the room and up the stairs. I put my dish into the sink and headed into my office.

I needed to start on a speech for tomorrow. I didn’t want to go there and have nothing prepared. I knew it wasn’t just Cally that wanted answers. Everyone did.

I typed out words and then deleted them. My eyes felt like they were burning after a few hours.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing at my eyes. I heard Peanut meow at the door. I turned, spotting her as she squeezed her way in through the half-closed door. “Didn’t you go upstairs with Aubrey?”

I slipped out of my office and peered down the hallway. Her door was still shut, and I could see that the light was off. But my gut told me it wasn’t that simple. Aubrey didn’t mind having Peanut around, so I didn’t see her throwing Peanut out when she went to bed.

I headed down the hallway and knocked on the door. “Aubrey? Did you want Peanut?”

I received silence.

I knocked again and watched as Peanut brushed her body against my leg. I grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open. I scanned the room, not seeing Aubrey, so I flipped the light on.

The room was empty, and I scowled. “Aubrey!?”

I turned and headed back down the hallway. I then heard the sound of the front door being locked. I headed down the stairs and toward the front door. I spotted Aubrey walking down the sidewalk. I grabbed my jacket and slipped on my shoes.

I hurried after her, about ready to yell for her. But I stopped when I noticed she was looking over her shoulder. She had books in her hand, and she was walking fast like she didn’t want anyone to know what she was doing.

I followed her. She walked down the block and kept going straight. She continued walking until she reached the library. I came to a halt, confused as to why she was trying to be secretive about coming here.

I headed inside and found the library was quiet. She headed up to the second floor, and I watched her head straight for the back, where there were desks and lamps.

I headed up the stairs and came to a stop just a few feet from her. She set her books down, and I cleared my throat.

She jumped, squealing as she turned around. She held her hand up to her heart and sighed when she spotted me. “Jesus Christ, Klaus! You scared the shit out of me.”

“What are you doing sneaking around like this?”

“I’m at the library. How is that sneaking around?”

“You told me you were tired and that you were going to bed. Yet, you are here? Explain that.”

She chewed on her lower lip. “I am tired, but I also know that the library is quiet at this point of the day, and there is no one around to start asking me questions or spread rumors that I’m looking into magic books. I wouldn’t want to ruin your image any more than I already have.”

I felt my shoulders drop, and I felt a ping of regret. “Aubrey, you don’t have to push yourself like this. This isn’t your problem.”

“I have to. I can’t sit at home doing nothing when Tom is in a coma. I can’t look at Cally without wondering whether I could help her. You brought me here because I’m supposed to help, but I can’t seem to figure out what exactly I’m supposed to be doing. For once…I want to feel like I’ve done something. Like I’m useful.”

I wondered when she’d grown so attached. I hadn’t expected it. I thought she would always have her walls, but at some point, somewhere along the line, they started coming down.

“I just…” Her voice softened. “I just want to help. And if my staying here late at night reading books might give me the answer, I’ll do it.”

I looked at the books in the pile next to her. I took in her bags and the hope in her eyes. She didn’t look like the same person at the auction. She’d stood stronger now, like she wouldn’t back down.

“Okay, I’ll join you.” Mostly to make sure she didn’t pass out.