Chapter 156: Grace
I could feel surprise flood the bond, and I looked at Rhys in confusion. He looked aghast at Sawyer’s question, but I couldn’t quite figure out why. It was a fair question, and all things considered, I wanted to know too.
“He’s drunk.” I told Sawyer.
“You’re drunk?” He hissed angrily.
“Yep.” I popped the p because I could.
“What the hell Rhys?! Our brother is missing!”
“And probably dead.” Rhys replied bitterly, his tone taking me by surprise. “I woke up, and Grace was asleep with Sammy, so I came to do work, but Heather was in Leon’s office, drinking and I joined her.”
“Heather is drunk and alone?” Sawyer shouted.
“I told Alana to go to her.” I butted in softly. “She told me she would handle it.”
“You haven’t done something this stupid since you were a kid.” Sawyer stated with a look that could kill, and I was glad it was not directed at me, but I also was tired of their fighting already.
“I’m allowed to grieve in whatever way I want.”
“Not when there is work to do!”
“Knock it off, both of you,” I intervened before it could get worse. “Rhys, come on. You’re no use to us like this. I wouldn’t have brought you to the meeting, if it hadn’t been necessary. They won’t listen to me without your word. We have things to do today, so go sleep this thing off, and meet us in your office when you’re ready.”
He grabbed at my hand, but I didn’t like drunk Rhys. I didn’t like drunk anyone. It made me feel icky inside, and made my skin crawl in ways I couldn’t explain.
“Please, don’t touch me,” I begged him to hear me. I hated that I was afraid of him. I hated that I felt this way.
“Grace?” Sawyer asked with concern in his voice. “Is something wrong?”
The night came in flashes. I could smell the alcohol on the guy. It had probably been the only reason I got away because he had been so persistent but also unsteady. I had run... I had run when he had tried to... No. Don’t go there, Grace. That person had taken enough from me... I wouldn’t give him more.
“No. Everything’s fine.” I said shortly. “I’m going to get- um – air. Yea, air. I’ll be back.”
I didn’t wait for a response. I didn’t look back. I didn’t stop. I didn’t so much as pause to even think about what I was doing. I just knew I couldn’t be in that room anymore as I rushed down the stairs out the back door.
The cold air hit me at full force, and I gulped in the fresh air. You are safe here, Grace. I told myself. Rhys would never hurt you. He’s your mate, and he loves you. You are just overreacting to nothing.
I placed my hands on my knees and tried to control my breathing, which was coming out in short gasps. I hadn’t had a panic attack like this in a while. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest.
“Gracie?” Rhys’s gentle voice called out from somewhere behind me.
“I’m fine!” I called out. “I just need a minute.”
“You aren’t fine.” He answered, sounding a lot more sober than he had just minutes ago.
“Please,” I pleaded. “Please don’t come any closer. I love you, but I can’t right now. I can’t.”
He walked in wide berth with his hands up till he was about 5 feet directly in front of me. A part of me craved my mate’s comfort, but the other part of me knew I wouldn’t calm if he came any closer. Flight or fight would kick in, and I would run.
“I’m sorry.” I told him as tears streamed down my face. I could still feel whoever touched me hands running up and down my body before I could get free. It hadn’t felt nice like it does when Rhys does it. I hadn’t wanted it. I hadn’t wanted it.
“I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m so sorry, Grace. I didn’t think... I wasn’t thinking clearly. I wasn’t trying to trigger you. I just wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry.”
“I know. I know this is a me problem.” I told him as I dropped to my knees, my body feeling weak now.
“This is an us problem,” He stated firmly. “Your problems are my problems, my love. No matter what they are. And I know you can battle your own demons, but I’ll be here cheering you on. You’re the fucking Luna Queen. I have no doubt that you can handle yourself. But I’ll be here. Even when you don’t need or want me. I’ll be here to fight with you whenever you need it.”
I gave him a small smile as he dropped to his knees in front of me, still 5 feet away, but he felt like less of a threat now. I sat back and just stared at the world around us. The moment felt in some ways similar to when I had realized I had been unbounded but couldn’t shift. I wasn’t going to let myself lose it like I had then. I wasn’t going to break like I did when my Lycan was refusing to show herself again.
“I’m right here, love,” A voice in my head called out. “I have always been right here with you.”
I felt my eyes widen. What the hell? Now I was sure I was losing it because I was going to talk back to the voice.
“Why didn’t we shift then?” I asked out loud, causing Rhys to look at me curiously. He seemed to know I wasn’t talking to him.
“It wasn’t time yet,” The voice answered. “But don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long, we will soon. Our path is set. You must just trust the process.”
“What do you mean?” I asked desperately. “What do you know that I don’t?!
However, the voice chose not to answer, and as much as I begged, she was not coming back. At least not for now, we were still on our own. But my Lycan seemed to know things that I did not. And I hoped we would not have to wait long to find out exactly what.
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