Page 82 of Those That Defy the Realm

“We managed to wrap up the visit early. I couldn’t wait to be back, so we hightailed it across the continent and caught an earlier ferry. I might’ve annoyed the others by not letting them sleep.”

“How did it go?” I manage to croak.

“Yeah, all good. I think we’ve won them over. At least, they’re willing to talk to Morris’s team now.”

I nod, then regret the action.

Antares shifts so he’s sitting on the bed. “How did we end up in here?”

Indeed, this was the temporary bedroom Rory and Ty had claimed until their main suite in the house was finished.

“Don’t you remember? I came back last night to find you both wallowing,” Rory says. “You managed to drag me into your pity party before it got so late Henry didn’t, slash couldn’t, walk back to the main house, and you cried like a child until we had a sleepover. You wanted to build a blanket fort, but Henry and I refused. Camping out in my bed together was the best compromise I could get you to agree to.”

Flashes came back to me of Rory arriving back at the ranch, having spent hours at Claire’s house. I’d been filled with the expectation that Claire would return with her, and having made the decision to turn. But Rory had been alone. And Claire was across the city, wanting space to think it through.

With Antares pining after his mate who refuses to acknowledge him, Rory missing hers and me feeling like my world was slipping through my fingers, we’d made a significant dent in the pack’s alcohol supply.

Taking another inhale, I swear I catch another whiff of Claire’s scent. But it must be wishful thinking because as far as I know, she hasn’t been in this room, at least for a while.

Coming to my senses more, I look around for my phone. I’m still wearing my jeans but the pockets are empty. I spot my shirt discarded on the floor on the far side of the room. Swinging out of the bed, I move to fetch it, to see if I’d chucked the device down with it but as soon as I stand, I’m falling.

Ty moves quickly, grabbing me around the middle and helping me to sit back on the bed. Fuck. I must’ve removed my leg before we went to bed as I look down and see only empty fabric where my limb should be.

“Steady,” Ty says, ensuring I’ve truly got my balance back before he steps away.

Embarrassment hits me; I’d only gone to stand or walk without my prosthesis attached a couple of times since the very early days. And luckily those times hadn’t had witnesses.

“Hey,” Ty catches my attention. “You’re probably still inebriated, or so dehydrated that your brain is basically fried. It’s fine.”

“Where did you put your leg?” Rory looks round the room.

Panic starts to rise in my chest as I look around and don’t see my prosthetic anywhere.

“It’s here.” Antares passes the false limb over the bed. I must’ve stowed it down that side.

Chatter resumes around me as I attach my leg, and Ty runs downstairs to grab us all some blood packets.

He hands two to each of us as I finish smoothing out the sleeve and pulling down the fabric on my jeans. “You or Antares will have to do the next supply run for this.”

We wouldn’t normally need more than a packet each, but the fact we’re all still feeling the effects of the alcohol means we really did drink far too much. The extra blood is much appreciated by my body as I sink my fangs into the second packet, the first one already empty.

Once I’m feeling much more cognizant, I attempt again to stand. Finding my balance this time, I pick up the shirt. No phone is tucked into the fabric.

Damn, I remember now. I’d left it in my room.

Quickly excusing myself, worried Claire might have called me, I stride down the stairs before jogging across the main floor and ducking out into the bright morning sun. The air is fresh with the hour still being early and the coolness on my skin removes the last remnants of my hangover.

I need to speak to my girlfriend. And check in with Ash. I wonder if Claire has told him.

Gods, I wish he was here.

Dashing to my room, my phone is exactly where I left it on the chest of drawers. There’s a few missed calls from Ash but it's the messages from Claire that I open first. Reading the first line has the room spinning once more.

CLAIRE: How could you? I can’t believe you had me fooled. Ash too. And with my best friend as well. Fuck you, Henry.

What in the actual fuck?

Not even reading the second message I dial her number. It rings but goes unanswered. I try again, with my heart beating itself out of my chest, to the same effect.