She frowned at her mother's sudden reversal. "I don't understand. Why are you being unbelievably understanding? No offense, Maman, it scares me."
Her mother gave her a harsh stare. "I have no love of Wren, this you know. But I respect the predator within him and I do not appreciate being manipulated by another. Nor do I relish being made a fool." Her mother shook her head. "I should have questioned why Zack and his father continually called to check on Wren after he was sent here. I allowed them to plant seeds of doubt in my mind and I saw in him what they wanted me to see. I can't believe I was so foolish."
Her gaze softened as she touched Aimee's cheek. "I give you credit, cub. You weren't blinded. Now we must repair this before the weight of Savitar's wrath comes crashing down on all of us." She urged Aimee toward the door. "Go warn them. You, they will listen to."
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to speak with your father and brothers. I fear we are on the edge of a very dangerous situation and I want them all prepared."
Aimee took a step toward the door, then paused. "I love you, Maman."
"Je t'aime aussi, ma petite. Now go and let us make this as right as we can."
Fang clutched the locket in his fist that Aimee had given him right before she left while he stared at the rain that was pouring down outside. Alone in his room at Vane's house, sitting on his bed with his back against the wall and one knee bent, he could hear Bride and Vane downstairs, laughing.
That sound made him want to put his fist through the wall.
Even though his body kept wanting to shift into a wolf due to the injuries Papa Bear had given him, he refused. As a wolf, he couldn't hold on to this one piece of her. And right now, he needed to touch it.
He pressed the locket to his lips so that he could inhale the scent of her and remember the last sight before she left. They'd been on Jean-Luc's ship. Tears had been streaming down her beautiful face as she'd kissed his lips, then left him alone. Her hands had lingered on him as she pulled away from him and vanished.
The pain of it was more than he could stand.
No wonder he hadn't been able to leave Sanctuary.
His phone rang. He started to ignore it until he realized it was Aimee. Reaching for it, he lost his balance on the bed and went slamming onto the floor. Afraid he'd miss her, he flipped it open and ignored the pain in his injured shoulder and arm. "I'm here."
"Are you all right?"
He ground his teeth to keep from groaning as he made his way back onto the bed again. "Absolutely."
"You don't sound all right. You sound like you're in a lot of pain."
Of all the times for her to be astute. . . .
He looked at the new blood seeping through his shirt and grimaced. "Nah, I'm fine." But, grateful this wasn't on video, he mouthed the words, "Son of a bitch," at the throbbing wound. "Are you okay?"
"Believe it or not, yes. Maman didn't attack. In fact she told me to call you and warn you that Zack is after Wren. As we suspected, he lied to get Wren's money."
"I'll let Vane know."
"Okay . . . I miss you, baby."
"Ditto." Fang held the phone tight in his hand, wanting to keep her on the line, but not knowing what to say. He'd never really been one for chitchat. Snide comebacks were another matter, but actual conversation was beyond him.
"I'll try and slip out in a little bit to see you."
He smiled at the thought. "I'll be here, waiting."
"Okay. I love you."
"Me too."
She gave a short laugh. "'I love you, Aimee.' You know it wouldn't kill you to say that, right?"
"I know."
"All right then. On that note, I better go. See you later."