Page 69 of To Hunt A Wolf
“I made some room in the top drawer if you need to store anything,” he says, gesturing to the dresser.
“This is your room?” I ask, surprised.
He shrugs. “There aren’t any singles left empty so I figured… I’ll sleep in a hammock in the hangar for now.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, unsure what else to say.
It’s a nice gesture. But I’m not sure how to be “nice” to Tripp after everything.
“What was this place?” I ask, glancing around at the nondescript walls. “Before, I mean.”
“A human army base,” he says. “Training camp or something. One of the Jades had a connection and knew they’d shut it down, so we took it over. So far, no one’s been the wiser.”
“How long have you lived here?”
He eyes me warily. “If I tell you, are you going to punch me?”
His words sting, mostly because it’s a valid question. But I can’t bring myself to answer it seriously. Somehow, I think that would make it worse.
“I make no guarantees either way.” I cock my head, showing I’m teasing. “You worried you can’t fend me off, Thompson?”
He snorts. “Please, Quinn. You’re lucky I’ve gone easy on you all these years.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m super grateful for that.”
Our smiles fade, and too soon, the awkwardness is back.
“There’s a granola bar and water for you.” Tripp nods at the dresser and then turns to leave. For some reason, the pre-wrapped food melts my heart. It’s clear he understands my distrust of these people, and whether or not he agrees with it, he’s willing to meet me halfway.
“Tripp,” I call.
He stops, eyeing me with a gaze still full of secrets.
My shoulders sag.
“Good night,” I say.
“Good night.”
Sleep is slow to come.
I lie awake, listening to the silence and trying to ignore the isolation of this place. Or maybe that’s just the awareness of betrayal.
If Levi really did intend to accept me, he’s had three years to tell me the truth. Three years of no contact and then three days’ worth of nonstop lies. I don’t know how to pretend either of those things away.
I can’t excuse it.
All I can do is hope this all leads back to Kari—and try not to get my heart broken all over again before I get there.
* * *
The next morning,I venture warily out of my room, only to find the hall notably empty of guards. Either they decided I wasn’t going to run after all, or they didn’t care either way.
The cafeteria is packed for breakfast. Despite the crowd, there isn’t a single familiar or friendly face among them. No Levi. No Tripp. Not even Jadick or my mother is around.
One particularly harsh face steps into view, blocking my path.
Grey.
