Chapter 39

I blinked my bleary eyes,trying to figure out how long I had slept. I needed strength in case Bredon did meet the bus. I missed him and now doubted my decision to tell him my location. My heart would shatter if he ignored me again.

Was I being too selfish, wanting to see him one last time?

I closed my eyes again to fight off the tears that threatened. I knew that my fever had returned because my skin seemed to buzz. It now hurt if I took too deep of a breath. I wished I could clean up before the bus arrived. It had been four days since I'd showered, and I felt grubby. However, I didn't have a clean change of clothes, so a shower wouldn't matter.

I didn't want pity or sorrow. I needed his strength to move on to my end. During the long bus trips, I'd had many conversations with myself about my regrets. Right now, my biggest was that I couldn't spend my life with Bredon.

The sob that escaped caused pain to spread throughout my chest and down my arm like liquid heat. I slowly rocked back and forth as if that would help.

Secretly, I'd always thought that I was a survivor. I'd grown up with little guidance from my mother. Yet, I'd managed to get an education while living an unorthodox lifestyle. I'd been good at my job and had made a small name for myself before the market had tanked. Hell, I'd evaded werewolves for weeks.

I was also a realist, and I knew what was coming.

Death always wins.

Typically, as the bus neared the station, the noise level increased. I brushed my hair and tried to smooth my wrinkled T-shirt. It was a relief that I didn't have a mirror. I knew I didn't look good.

As the bus slowed to pull into its parking place, I looked for Bredon. My stomach dropped when I didn't see him standing with the others near the gate. "He'll come," I told myself, trying to believe in his love.

I was one of the last to disembark. My legs felt rubbery as I climbed down the steps. I made sure I didn't hold anyone behind me up as I looked for him.

It was raining, so I followed the others into the station. The ice-cold air conditioning caused me to shiver as my body broke out in goosebumps.

"Sage." Talia was coming from my left.

I stopped and waited for her to get closer. "What are you doing here?"

With only a single sweeping glance, she took my tote from my hand and said, "Come."

My heart began to pound. I hadn't expected a warm reception, but this was icy cold.

I tried to keep up with her long strides. I was out of breath by the time I reached the SUV stopped in a no-parking zone.

She opened the back passenger door. "Get in." She followed me as I slid across the seat and closed the door.

Bredon was behind the wheel and said nothing.

Sig glanced back and studied me openly. "Sage." His expression was unreadable.

"Sig." My voice was more of a croak than usual. "I hope you are well."

He didn't respond. He turned his attention to the street as Bredon pulled into traffic.

I have no idea how I did it, but I fell asleep. I woke when I heard the engine switch off. We were in a parking garage.

The others were opening their doors, so I did the same.

"This way," Talia told me.

It took all my concentration to keep up with them as we walked to the elevator.

The doors slid open, and Sig entered first. Talia motioned for me to board next.

I took the space against the opposite wall.

Sig pressed the button to the fourteenth floor.

"What is this place?" My throat was dry and ached.

"Condos. We have two on the same floor," Talia finally told me when nobody else would answer.

I pretended to be fascinated with the floor and followed Talia when the doors opened.

We turned to our right, and Bredon produced a key to unlock the door.

"I'll show you to your room." Talia walked through the door first.

I was thankful she was communicating with me, so I knew what to do. The room was down a short hall. The first door was closed, the second on the opposite side was a bathroom with a shower/tub combo, and then what was to be my room.

"I'll help you unpack." Talia set my tote on the bed.

"Does this place have a washer and dryer?" It had been a while since I'd been able to do laundry.

"Down the hall." She unzipped the tote. "Why don't I loan you something to wear while we run a load or two?"

I compared our body types. "Maybe you could borrow something from Sig for me?"

She paused and then gave me a confused look. "That would never do." She shook her head. "I'll take something from Bredon."

I sat down on the edge of the bed. "That won't go over well. He has barely looked at me." I let out a shaky breath. I could no longer hide my hurt.

"Give him a break. He's upset. We all are."

"What do you have to be upset about?" Suddenly, I was angry. I was the one who'd been injured and then had to run.

"We'll talk about it later." She looked toward the hallway. "You need a shower, and I'll find something for you to wear."

I wanted to argue, but I might smell. I turned my head, dropped my nose to my shoulder, and sniffed.

Yeah. I needed a shower, and my clothes needed to be washed. "Thanks, Talia."

She grabbed my tote and walked toward the door, then she turned. "I missed you."

I drew a shaky breath. "I missed you, too."