Wolf Bait (Perry and Jonas)

Chapter 158

Dr. Salazar had Beatris pack up my books and notes. Jonas had clothes, my essentials, and shoes sent over along with my phone and my bag. I can't use them because there's no signal down here, but just holding my phone in my hand makes me feel like I'm closer to getting out of here.

"One last deep dive?" he asks as my things are taken out of the room.

"Sure," I agree sitting on the edge of the bed.

"You once told me that your father taught by example. Do you ever remember a time when you thought, he was right? A time that really stuck with you?"

"Yeah," I nod looking down at my phone. "I think it's my earliest memory. I remember my parents fighting. I don't know why but they likely fought because he took a mission from the King. He left and he was gone for a long time. My mom would come home from work. She'd clean and cook exsessively. As if she were trying to distract us from how long he was gone.

"She was at work and I'd been home alone all morning when my dad walked through the front door of our house. He was covered in mud and blood. He trailed the mud all the way to the kitchen where he sat down and just stared blankly at the cupcakes mom had made. "I wanted to tell him that Mom was going to be so upset when she got home to the mess. he made, but I couldn't. He looked so sad,"

"What did you do?"

"I cleaned up the mud on the floor and I started him a shower. He growled at me when I took his hand and led him to it. He could barely walk. I saw wounds and scrapes. I helped him out of his boots and his jacket before he pushed me toward the door. I finished cleaning up as best as I could.

"When he was done he walked out of the bathroom and stood at the doorway for a while. I was going to go in there to put his clothes in a bag so Mom could wash them because I didn't know how to work the washer. He stopped me. He said I got it and then he patted my head and called me a good girl. It was the first time and the only time he ever praised me that way,"

"What did you learn from that?"

"That maybe he wasn't as indestructible as I believed he was, but that no matter what was put in front of him, he'd get through it. He just needed to know that there would always be someone there to catch him,"

friends and family who love and care for you. You don't have to

to use it," I admit. He grins and pats my

honor serving you and listening to everything you've overcome," he takes my hand and leads me to

my new skin tone and the violet shade in my eyes. Over the last three months, I've been practicing shifting in out, and out of my pelt. With each shift, I lost more and more of the wolf I used to be, but I've come to embrace it. The changes don't bother me anymore. I've come to understand that maybe there was a reason for me to become what I have. Instead of worrying about the things I can't change, I should worry

I say meeting his gaze in the mirror. "For everything. I know I'm difficult and say a

1/3

<

28

+5

a good look at themselves and decides that they no longer like what they see. Much less want to do anything about it. This is the only thing I'm worried about," he points at the mirror. "It might not be the person you want

think,"

here," Beatris says from behind

for stepping away. I still firmly believe that this was the right choice for me. I still feel sick, but my mind is no longer clouded by everything the way it was when I woke up. I

really see what I'd been trying to cling to my entire life. One mission at a time wasn't right and the more I added to the destruction I raged, the more I wanted to be my father's daughter. I didn't realize that I had surpassed that long before I even

don't answer to anyone other than my King and I want things to stay that way. I don't owe anyone a single fucking thing, but I do owe him. Everything. Moving

standing in front of his spaceship with a phone to his ear. He's arguing with someone. His back is to me and it's kind of always been impressive. I expected a suit. I wanted him in one actually. But he's wearing dark blue jeans and a black jacket with a hoodie underneath it.

at the bottom of the stairs to give him time to finish his call. I'm pretty sure it's Roy on the line. He growls when he hangs up and

be this frustrated, My King," I say

months, My Queen," he answers me properly. "You learned Lycarian

shrug, tucking my hands behind me

I see the instant when he snaps and closes the