Sando opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again. It sounded nice and caring what Enar said, but was it true? He was Palani’s mate after all. “Did Palani tell you?”
Enar flinched. “He’s worried about you and asked me to check in. He’d seen you sitting here by yourself.”
“I’m fine. Well, I’m really not, but it’s not like you can do anything about it. I don’t need a doctor. I just need… I don’t know what I need. Time, probably. Someone to tell me how to navigate all this because I don’t have a clue.”
“Can I sit?” Enar pointed at the chair next to him, and Sando nodded. He had no objections to Enar’s company. He never had. The man was friendly, but then again, that didn’t mean anything anymore.
“Has Sivney talked to you about your grandfather?”
“Yeah, he gave me an update this morning. Apparently, he’s declining fast…and he’s been asking for me.”
Enar nodded. “It turns out that Yitro, one of the refugee omegas who’s been taking care of your grandfather, has a lot of experience with elderly people. He suspects that the fight with you and you leaving has triggered something in your grandfather, but none of us know enough about this to diagnose him. Alzheimer’s is a definite possibility, but it could be something else. Until the country returns to normal and health services are available again, we won’t be able to get more clarity.”
“Would it even matter at this point? There’s no treatment either way, right?”
“In some cases, medications can help slow down the decline, but I don’t know enough about it to give you a real answer. For now, there’s nothing we can do except supervise him at all times.”
Sando sighed. “I told Sivney how grateful I am for him arranging this and others stepping up. I…I can’t do it.”
“I completely understand. No one is expecting you to.”
That, at least, was something. If Enar was speaking the truth. “Are you saying that just to make me feel better? Or is it the truth?”
Sadness washed over Enar’s face. “It’s the truth, but I can see why you have a hard time trusting people.”
“Yeah. So much of what I believed to be true turned out to be a lie, and I don’t know how to go from here. I don’t want to question everything everyone says. That doesn’t seem feasible, and I’m sure people wouldn’t appreciate it either. But how do I distinguish between those who are honest with me and those who lie? How can I tell?”
His voice broke, and those pesky tears burned in his eyes again. “I just don’t know what to believe anymore. Because way worse than not trusting others anymore is not trusting myself. How could I be this foolish and naïve that I never suspected anything? My grandfather drugged me, and I never noticed…and I pride myself on being a scientist.”
Enar reached out his hand but didn’t touch him. Sando nodded to give permission. Enar’s grip on his shoulder was strong and comforting. “I can’t imagine what it must be like to be in your position. I’m so sorry, Sando. All I can suggest is to use your scientific brain to find the truth. Treat it like you would any problem you have to solve. Formulate a hypothesis, test it with as much factual data as you can find, and draw your conclusions.”
That sounded…good, actually. Like, doable. And analytical, which he liked. Use his brain. He could totally do that. The question was which hypothesis he wanted to test first.
15
The pack had gathered under a moon-lit sky, burning torches all around them to light the field. The mood felt peaceful, warm, like a loving hug. Pack members were quietly chatting as they found a spot on the grass, gathering in small groups. Maz had sat down in the back, Lucan and Sando by his side.
Something was different about Sando. He was quieter than before, more subdued. But his eyes were always trained on Maz and Lucan when they were together, studying their every move. Maz had found it a little unnerving at first, but by now, he’d grown used to it. He wasn’t sure what Sando was trying to work out in his head, but whatever it was, if space and time alone with his thoughts was what he needed, then that was what he would get.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Grayson said, standing in front of the whole pack. “I’m excited and honored to lead the