The Blind Werewolf Princess (1st book of Werewolf Series)

Chapter 37

The door to the office opened while we were hugging, and I lifted my head from John's shoulder and looked at the door.

John pulled away from me but stayed close with his hand on my back. "Caden," he said and bowed his head.

"John," he said calmly. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Are you ready to come in?" he asked, and I pressed my lips into a thin line before I nodded.

"Please," I said, and I bent down and grabbed my staff before I stood and looked at them when it was in my hand. "What happened?"

"Come in," he said. "We'll explain what's going on when we get into the office."

I pressed my lips into a thin line before I dipped my head. "Ok," I said and gripped my staff tighter. I walked into the room, and John followed me with Caden following right behind us.

The air in the room was tense and still, and I could feel the gazes of everyone else in the room on me, making me feel nervous and wary.

"Well?" I asked, not sitting down and gripping my staff tighter while I looked around the room. "What has been decided? Where is she going to go?"

"Why don't you sit?" Caden asked and gestured to the seat next to Mandy, not answering my questions. "We can discuss this after you are comfortable."

I pressed my lips into a thin line, annoyed, but I didn't say a word and nodded while I walked over to Mandy.

Mandy quickly grabbed my hand when I sat down beside her and started to play with my fingers. Her whole body was tense, and I could tell that whatever they had discussed made her nervous and afraid.

"What happened?" I asked and squeezed her hand reassuringly, silently telling her that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to her while she was under my care and protection. "What has been decided?"

"She can talk to you for a couple of hours," Caden said, and I looked at him with a blank stare on my face. "However, she will be going home with Henry after that."

"No," I vetoed instantly, and Mandy breathed a small sigh of relief while Caden leaned back in his seat, not surprised. "Not unless she is fully comfortable with going with him."

Henry sagged in his seat, and I could tell that he looked deflated and felt defeated because his daughter wasn't going to go home with him. "And are you sure that you can change her mind?" he asked, and I had a feeling that he raised an eyebrow.

I pressed my lips into a thin line, annoyed. "It's not about changing her mind or getting her to stay here," I replied coldly. "It is again to see how comfortable she is with you and going to some place where she doesn't know anyone. You have missed a lot of stuff when you ran off the first time, Sir. You don't know shit she has been through, living there. And you don't know what all of us have been through at that place. You don't know anything about the abuse or the pain and fear, the hunger, nothing of the sorts."

Henry bit back a sigh and slowly nodded, and I could tell that he wanted to flinch but didn't. "Ok," he said softly before he cleared his throat. He shifted in his seat and moved a hand through his hair before he looked at Caden. "Is it ok if I stay for a while?" he asked. "While they talk?"

Caden cocked his head while he studied the two of us, and Mandy shifted in her seat before he finally sighed and nodded, relenting. "Of course," he said and cleared his throat. "When would you like to talk about this with her?" He gestured to her, and Mandy grew tense beside me before she tried to hide behind me.

"Now," I replied and licked my lips before I grew serious. "Do you think that I will be able to talk to her privately at John's house?" I asked and raised an eyebrow. "I think both of us would be more comfortable there than talking here."

Both John and Caden looked at each other before they looked at me. They didn't say a word, and I had a slight feeling that they were talking to each other via mind link.

"You can," Caden said finally and nodded before he looked at Henry. "John can let you know what they decide. You can stay here for as long as you need until they are done."

"Of course," Henry said and nodded before he cleared his throat. Relief filled his body, and he sagged a little because he was happy that Caden would let him stay while we talked about what she wanted to do. "Thank you, Caden. I do appreciate it."

"Of course," Caden said and nodded. He looked at me. "Do you know how long you will be?" he asked, and I shook my head no.

"I will have John message you when we are done," I said and stood, and Mandy stood beside me. "Was there anything else that we needed to discuss, or can we leave?'

Caden pressed his lips into a thin line, and I could tell that he did not like my tone. However, he couldn't say anything because I was human and did not "know" about Werewolves or the fact that he was the Alpha of this pack and didn't "know" any better. "You all may leave," he said while he shook his head. "Henry, you have free rein of this community while they talk. All I ask is that you do not go near John's house."

"Of course," Henry said. He stood and looked between the two of us before he settled his gaze on Mandy. "Can I get a hug from you before you leave?" he asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please?"

Mandy hesitated before she nodded. "Ok," she said softly and walked over to him. Her whole body was tense, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"Whatever you decide, just know that I am proud of you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "and I will always be in your corner. Ok?"

Mandy didn't respond and nodded. She gulped and tried to keep herself from crying, and I could tell that was something that she wanted to hear, and I couldn't help but feel slightly jealous.

I wanted something like that too...

Henry pulled away from her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Go have some fun and talk things out with your friend. Ok?"

Mandy chuckled and nodded, and I could tell that she was blinking back tears.

Henry cleared his throat and looked at John. "John," Henry said.

"Henry," John replied and nodded. "Caden. Excuse us."

And with that, the four of us left without another world, and Mandy placed her hand in mine.

Goddess, please protect her, I silently prayed while I squeezed it reassuringly. Please make sure that she isn't making a huge mistake, and she'll have the will to survive whatever is thrown her way...

Please.