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Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Chapter 203 AARON Leah gets to her feet and hurries toward me, not quite able to hide the relief in her features. I can’t lie, my wolf and I both enjoy how she’s automatically coming to me for safety. “I was just leaving,” she tells me, glancing at Tobin. “Councilmember, I appreciate the information you provided.” “Happy to be of service,” Tobin drawls with a smarmy grin. I usher her out of the room, but once she’s gone, I pause and glare at Tobin. “If I ever find you alone with my mate again, no contract is going to stop me from spilling your blood.” “Go right ahead, Alpha Rathborn,” Tobin taunts, getting to his feet. “Give the Council the reason they’ve been needing to move against you.”
Before I can answer Tobin’s confirmation that the Council wants to strike against me, Tobin’s gaze shifts over as someone else steps into the room, and for the first time, I see the shadow of intimidation cross Tobin’s features. Ryker moves to stand with me, a clear show of force. “Is there a problem here?” Ryker asks in a cold voice, eyes sharp on Tobin. “I consider Alpha Rathborn and Luna Leah personal friends of mine, Tobin. I’d hate to hear you’re acting untoward with them.” “Leah requested to meet with me,” Tobin snaps in return, and I’m gratified to hear a hint of fear in his voice. Just what does Ryker have over Tobin? And how can I use it to my advantage? “So why don’t you go ask her your questions?” Tobin continues, before stiffly walking toward a second
door in the far wall. “If you’ll excuse me, I have Council business to attend to.” Before either Ryker or I can reply, Tobin leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. I turn to Ryker with a grin. “I never thought I’d see the day where anything or anyone ruffles Tobin.” Ryker shrugs, taking it in his stride. “At the end of the day, Tobin is a bully who thinks he’s more powerful than he actually is.” “Still, I appreciate you coming here and backing me up,” I reply gratefully. “Any chance to humiliate Tobin is a win in my books,” Ryker replies, and I wonder again what bad blood is between the pair. However, Ryker doesn’t offer any further explanation, and I doubt he’d appreciate me asking. We head out of the bar to where Leah is waiting on the far side of my SUV. She’s a little pale, and before I’ve even made a conscious decision, I’ve gathered her up into my arms, holding her close. Leah doesn’t resist. In fact, she hugs me back. “Did he do anything to you?” I ask in a rough voice. She shakes her head, keeping her face tucked against my chest. I think I could stand here like this for eternity. Eventually, however, I have to let her go and step back. “Will you let me drive you home so we can talk?” I ask her. Things are getting out of hand in our search for the Al tech, and as much as she might hate me right now because of how I’m pushing her away, I need to know she won’t keep doing foolish things like running off to meet dangerous wolves like Tobin. “Yes, we need to talk,” Leah agrees in a somber voice, and I wonder what she plans to tell me. I hope she hasn’t decided she does want a divorce after all, because I never planned on allowing it to actually go ahead.
Maybe I’ve been too successful in my attempts to keep her at arm’s length, and all I’m doing is creating bigger problems for myself. However, Leah getting hurt or killed is the biggest problem of all, and so I know I’ll have to keep figuring out how to manage this juggling act of balancing keeping her away from me, and not letting her go. I usher Leah into the SUV, and then message James to let him know I’ve got my mate and we’re heading back to the mansion. I get behind the wheel and start the drive home, silence stretching between me and Leah, leaving me wondering how we’re ever going to sort any of this out if we can’t even talk to each other. I’m so distracted trying to gauge Leah’s mood and debating what I should say to get things rolling, I don’t notice someone has run a red light until it’s too late. The last thing I hear is the screeching groan of crumpled metal.
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