Little Red

Chapter 19

Samuel's POV

This time, I knock before entering.

"Come in." Demitri calls weakly.

I frown at his tone as I open the door.

He's sitting behind his desk, his head hidden in his hands.  He rubs his face before looking up when he hears me enter the room.

"You look like shit." I take my usual seat across the desk from him.

"I feel like shit." He retorts with a miserable smile.

I study his face. His dark hair is flat in some places and sticking up in others. He has heavy bags under his eyes, and he's pale. Honestly, he looks like the next breeze will blow him over.

"Funny, Ara looked a little unwell this morning too." I give him a knowing look, wondering if he'll confess.  I purposefully don't mention her quick recovery.  His wolf must be taking on her pain, which explains why he looks like death itself. If that wasn't enough evidence, his scent in her room this morning confirms it.

He groans.

"Don't stick your nose in things you'll regret." He warns, but it lacks his usual bark.

I ponder it for a moment more before I decide to let it go. I'm tired of having this conversation with him. He needs to get his shit together on his own.

I cross one leg over the other, a true feat in this tiny ass chair.

His head pops up and his eyes narrow.

"Wait, where is she?"

"Out cold, I would assume."

He blinks a few times before his gaze grows icy.

"Relax.  She tired herself out during training so I forced her to take the afternoon off.  Maybe you should too."  I shrug.

"You just left her??"  His voice lowers, and I realize we're in uncharted territory now.

I quirk a brow at him in question.

"Yes.  Did you want me to watch over her while she slept?  What actually happened between you two?"

His shoulders lose their tension and the tired look returns to his face.

"It's nothing."

"Riiight.  Okay, time for business then.  What are we going to do about the wolves who were killed?" I ask.

We've gotten behind on important matters, spending the little time we do have together arguing over you know what. Honestly, I've been avoiding the asshole up until now. But we have to get back on track.

"I don't know."  He says, rubbing his face in exhaustion.

"Ara says they didn't do it, and I believe her." I state, observing his reaction carefully.  Either this will be an easy conversation or a difficult one, it all depends on how he responds.

He looks up at my words, searching for any uncertainty in my expression, but he doesn't find it. We both know I wouldn't have said it if I didn't believe it.

"Okay. I agree.  "He nods. "I trust your judgement."

But do you trust hers?

I don't dare say it aloud, although I can't help but wonder how he would answer.

"That leaves the question of who did it?" He asks.

That's what I've been wondering.

"Have you spoken to Elijah and Nadia?"