Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Someone in Your Corner
Author
That evening, Elara got another text from Nancy. Three more days off. She approved it without thinking twice.
Dominic came out of the bathroom and slid into bed. "Who’re you texting?"
Elara locked her phone. "Nancy. Her dad got into a car accident. She asked for more time off."
Dominic paused. He’d seen Yardley earlier that day, and his brother hadn’t mentioned a thing.
Elara caught the look on his face. "Yardley doesn’t know?"
"Doesn’t look like it."
"Should you tell him? I mean, even if they’re just pretending, he should probably go see her dad, right?"
She had a feeling Nancy wouldn’t call Yardley herself.
Dominic grabbed his phone. "I’ll call him. If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep."
Elara raised an eyebrow.
[Wait. Was he actually going to leave her alone tonight?]
Dominic caught her look and almost laughed. "Stop staring at me like I’m some kind of creep."
"You’re still sore down there. After I make this call, I’ll come back and help you with your cream."
Elara grabbed the pillow behind her and threw it at him. "Just go!"
Ever since they’d confessed to each other, his mouth had gotten way dirtier.
Dominic caught the pillow one-handed and shook his head with a smirk. "It’s just ointment. I’m not gonna eat you alive."
She glared at him as he walked out, phone already ringing.
Truth was, she didn’t mind having him around. Not anymore.
She just wasn’t ready to say it out loud.
--
Yardley didn’t get out of work until nine. He was dead tired.
Then Alpha Dominic called.
"Yo. Don’t say I never did you any favors. Your girlfriend’s dad was in a car accident. You know about that?"
Yardley froze. "When? Where is he?"
"This afternoon, I think.Elara approved her time off. No clue which hospital though."
"Bet you can figure it out."
Yardley’s jaw tightened. "I’m hanging up."
He called his assistant. Ten minutes later, he had the hospital and the room number.
"Change of plans. We’re going to City General."
--
Nancy was slumped on a hard wooden bench, eyes closed, one hand pressed to her stomach.
Inside the room, the heart monitor beeped steady and slow.
The rhythm was almost hypnotic. She was half asleep, her wolf curled up tight inside her chest, waiting.
So when the door creaked open, her eyes flew open instantly.
Yardley.
He looked down at her.
Saw where her hand was pressed against her stomach, where she’d been feeling that hollow, empty knot all night.
His brow creased. "Have you eaten?"
Nancy blinked, disoriented. "What are you doing here?"
"Dominic told me." He stepped closer, checked the monitor. "You weren’t gonna tell me?"
She didn’t answer.
He kept going. "I talked to your dad’s doctor. His vitals are solid. Heart’s good. Breathing’s stable."
He nodded toward the door. "My assistant’s staying. I’m taking you to get food."
Nancy opened her mouth to argue. He cut her off.
"Don’t. I know you’re hungry."
She gave up. Glanced at the monitor one last time. Everything was fine.
"Okay. Thanks."
They walked out together. In the elevator, the silence stretched.
Then Yardley spoke again.
"Look. Sorry if I came off harsh. I wasn’t trying to snap at you. I was just worried."
Her heart did this stupid flip. She ignored it.
"It’s fine. I appreciate you coming."
"We’re supposed to be a thing now," he said, pressing his lips together. "Even if it’s fake, you can tell me stuff like this. I won’t mind. I deal with this kind of stuff all the time."
He caught himself sounding too intense and softened his voice. "It’s easier when you’ve got someone in your corner. Right?"
Nancy looked down. She honestly hadn’t thought to call him.
Even if they were real, she probably wouldn’t have.
She just didn’t do that. Never had.
With Ben, she handled everything alone too. That’s why he never felt needed.
"I don’t really ask for help," she said quietly.
Yardley didn’t push. The elevator doors opened and they walked out in silence.
He drove her to a diner near the hospital.
The kind with cracked leather booths and coffee that’s been sitting all day.
A jukebox in the corner played something slow and sad. He ordered her a bowl of chicken soup and some toast.
"It’s late. Keep it light."
"Thanks." She picked up her spoon.
But after two bites, she put it back down. The soup was good. She just couldn’t swallow.
He noticed. "Don’t force it. We’ll box it up."
She’d been stuck in her head all night. Spinning in circles.
[ Why was she adopted? Were her real parents alive? ]
No one to talk to about it.
Until now.
She pushed her soup around, then looked up. "Hey. Can I ask you something?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Shoot."
She hesitated.
Then she said it, the words coming out before she could stop them. "Okay, so... I know someone. She grew up thinking her parents were her real parents. Then she found out she was adopted. What’s she supposed to do with that?"
Yardley’s eyes went dark.
The pieces clicked into place.
[Nancy was adopted.]
