Page 84 of Sawyer

Tossing my coat back on the rack, I toe off my shoes. We aren’t leaving for a while yet, so I may as well take in the last little bit of comfort I can.

The couch looks cozy and lonely. I don’t miss the blankets or pillows that Sin added since I showed up. When we arrived, there was nothing more than the couch and a chair. Now he added enough pillows to hide the fabric of the couch and enough blankets to make a nest.

I know what he’s doing.

It’s instinct that drives him and made him order pillows and blankets in colors he thought I’d like. Even worse is just how observant he was at noticing colors that make me feel safe and comfortable.

I adjust two oversized cream pillows in different shades, creating a little corner for myself on the couch. I toss myself there, dubbing it Sawyer’s corner, and then I drag a fluffy blanket over my legs.

Sin saunters in, his eyes finding mine right away. There’s ownership and pride in his gaze that I’m not about to address, so I look to Rumor, who sits stiffly in his chair. Bryn joins us a moment later, and the seriousness of what we are about to do takes over.

I’m glad I snuggled myself in.

“One hundred ninety-three,” Rumor says.

I know what he’s referring to. I know it as well as my name, designation, and every minor flaw I possess.

“Most are from the slums. A dozen had ties to Stefani,” Rumor continues. A sense of heaviness hangs in the air around him, one that reaches for me. “My contact isn’t sure how many of them are associated with whatever is happening in the mountains.”

“I would assume a good percent.” I run a hand down my face, feeling weary as I fight back tears. “It’s unfortunate, because some of them could be missing due to an aggressive pack in need of an omega.”

“I agree.” Bryn slouches at the end of the couch, his hand lying over my feet as though he needs to touch me somehow. “We know that the ones we’ve found so far are more than likely a part of that percentage.”

“Who is taking them?” Sin fiddles with his tongue piercing, running it along his teeth with a broken clacking sound.

“I don’t think that’s the question we need to answer,” I say. “What are they doing with them?”

Silence falls over all of us. For me, it’s because there are so many scenarios about what is happening. I knew gammas were missing, but I didn’t have all the information. With Rumor’s resources, however, we have a broader picture of how many gammas went missing.

Yet the reason eludes us, and worry churns in my gut.

I nibble my lips, chewing them as I think out loud. “We know the dean is involved. Otherwise, why would he order us off his land?”

“He needs to go.” Sin’s leg shakes as though he can’t keep it still.

“The only person who can usurp him is his son or daughter, but his daughter would have to take them both out, and I don’t think she’s going to do that,” Rumor explains in a monotone voice as though he has to separate himself from this conversation.

“Then we assume it’s both of them,” Bryn states.

“What of my father?” Sin’s leg stops altogether. “Whatever is going on, the old council knew. This means every one of them is corrupt, save maybe one, two max.”

“Is this something your father is capable of?” Bryn asks, his pointer finger running the length of his lips.

“I don’t know.” Sin’s leg shakes once more. “I suspect we will pay for the sins of our fathers for generations to come.”

“There’s one more thing.” Rumor glances at Bryn, his eyelids closing as he gathers his words. “We went out to the Oak Mountains last night.”

“You did what?” I almost sit up out of my little nest over that. I look at Sin, who avoids my gaze. “You knew.”

“You were so sleepy, sweetheart,” Sin reasons. “Like a baking dessert.”

“I’m going to put your cock in a chastity belt,” I vow.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

“Anyway.” Bryn clears his throat. “We went a few miles in and ended up amongst a pack of wolves.”

Now I sit up, my blankets pooling around my waist. “There were stories of wolves in the mountains.”

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