Page 91 of To Keep A Wolf
“In that case, I’m getting two drinks.” Tripp stalks off, and Nely shoots me a questioning look before I usher her to go after him.
“Make sure he behaves today,” I call after her.
“I’m a wolf, not a miracle worker,” she mutters but trails after him with Lorenz in tow.
Alone again, I turn back to Marilyn’s placard, contemplating. It doesn’t take long before another figure appears beside me. I look up to see Grey standing at the railing, his expression much more contemplative than usual.
“Hey,” I say.
Mostly, since everything went down, he’s been on his own. In and out of town. More and more distant. Something about the way he faces me fully tells me this is important. The answer to the questions about what’s been eating him.
“I’m on my way out and wanted to say thanks for everything.”
I blink. “You’re leaving?”
His mouth tightens. “I’ve been called home. Family business.”
“Is everything okay?” I try to remember if he’s ever mentioned family or where he’s even from.
“It will be,” he says. “Anyway, I just wanted to say it’s been an honor fighting with you and Levi. I never really understood what it meant to be part of…something like this.”
“Will you be coming back?” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
“I see. Well, you’re welcome anytime, Grey.”
“I know. I just…if something happens and you feel me leave the pack, it’s nothing personal. If it were up to me, I’d remain here forever. I’m a Jade in my heart. Or Black Moon.”
I smile. “You’re a Jade in my heart too.”
He turns to walk away, and I can’t help but add, “I know it was you. With the antidote.”
He turns back.
“Levi and Tripp admitted the poison was their idea,” I explain.
“You’d fought it off so many times already,” he says. “We knew you could handle it.”
“But Jadick couldn’t,” I finish.
He doesn’t answer.
“And the blanket?” I ask. “That day in Jadick’s office.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets, studying me. “You’re a fierce warrior, Mac. It’s a rare thing to also have a heart.”
“Funny. I’ve thought the same thing about you.”
He doesn’t reply as he turns and disappears into the crowd.
When Levi finds me, I’m staring at the placard again, but this time, my mind is a thousand miles away. “Hey.” He presses a kiss to my cheek.
“Hey.”
“I saw Grey leaving. He said he’s going home.”
“Yeah, we spoke.”
