Page 66 of Perfectly Naïve
Theodore rubs the back of his neck. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“Why did she do that?” Sawyer asks.
“She’s grieving,” Theodore explains.
I stand, patting Liam’s arm when he moves to help me. I nudge my way between the guys, ignoring the soft growls from the alphas. They’re on high alert because I was hurt. “She’s displaying markers of going feral.”
Theodore shakes his head hard. “No.”
“Theodore. She’s exhibiting signs of rage and agitation. She needs to see a doctor.”
“No,” he says again, slicing his hand through the air. “She’s not going feral.”
Nigel appears, exhaling in exasperation. “This again? I told you, Emeline is fine.”
“She’s not.” If they refuse to see a doctor, to at least get the medicine that slows the mutations, they may lose her soon. “A doctor?—”
“Olivia,” Nigel chastises. “I know your heart is in the right place, but this is a pack decision.”
And you aren’t pack. The unspoken words crack across my skin. Throat tight, eyes burning, I drop my gaze. “Right. Of course.”
Hayes places a supportive palm on my back. “Olivia loves you. All of you. Emeline, included. She’s only trying to help. You don’t have to insult her.”
Nigel pulls back, features breaking. “Oh, Livvy. I’m so sorry.” His voice is thick with emotion, and Theodore moves to his packmate, draping his arm over Nigel’s shoulder. “It’s been a hard year.”
I nod in understanding. I’m not mad. Hurt? Yes, but I can’t force them to go see a specialist. They have to make that decision. I’m only terrified they’ll wait too long. “It’s all right,” I say.
Nigel pushes the ice pack into my hand. I press it to my cheek, the twinge of pain a momentary reprieve from the fear and anxiety about Emeline. The only good thing about the situation is that she’s not far along. There’s still time to get her treatment to delay the effects, and maybe, just maybe, my team will figure out the magic formula.
Given how many times we’ve failed, it’s a long shot, but I cling to that hope, because right now, that’s the only thing that might save Emeline.
A short while later, the pack decides it's time to leave, and I don’t fight them. I’m not even hungry anymore. Nigel and Theodore trail us on the way to the door. The quiet yawning between us should tell them that this is serious, but part of me understands that they’re in denial. They lost Trevor. They don’t, maybe even can’t, bear to think about losing Emeline as well.
Nigel pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry, for everything. My tone. Emeline. The ruined dinner.”
I hug him back, fighting tears. “She needs help, Nigel.”
He ignores my last plea as he releases me. “You know I love you like a daughter, Olivia, right?”
I nod. Nigel has always been there. He’s supported me more than my own family ever has.
“You have a good pack,” he whispers. “They’ll treat you like a princess, but if they don’t, you’ll tell me?”
His approval means everything. “Of course,” I say, blinking back tears. I know so much about what Emeline is going through, and I hate that they don’t want my help, but it's their decision. “If you need help,” I begin, glancing at Theodore to include him, “call me. I will drop everything to help.”
“We’ll be okay,” Theodore says.
Swallowing my counterargument, the statistics and data that say he’s wrong, I relent and leave them with that promise. Hopefully they’ll take me up on my offer sooner rather than later.
Chapter Twenty-Two
OLIVIA
I worry about Emeline leading up to the charity ball that I have to attend to appease my mother. Saying no would have meant nagging and conceding to other requests, like taking a date with a pack the matchmaker picked out. I’ve been dodging Carrie’s emails outlining pack profiles and her phone calls, but she’s growing more persistent.
If I don’t go on a date, I have to attend this ball. It’s the only way to keep Mother off my back. I know I’m wading through the depths of conflict avoidance, but I’m not ready to fight with her or explain that I am, in fact, being courted. I love Pack Flynn. Mother would lose her mind. I don’t want her judgmental response to taint my budding romance. While I’d rather write a check and be on my way, I have to play along and be the dutiful daughter if I want her nose out of my dating life.
Terrington Silk is an exclusive boutique for the rich and socially adept. Which begs the question—why am I here? Kidding. The tulle is getting to me.
