Blamed

Chapter 23

By the time I set foot outside the cabin, Crimson was halfway there. I easily caught up to her, sprinting so I could make sure we walked in together. Who knows what she's going to do in the mood she's in. We began coming up to the house and there was one car parked in the grass. Most likely Louis'.

Crimson's eyes stayed forward and her face was emotionless. The energy pulsing from her felt tense and uncomfortable. I stayed silent, keeping my eyes ahead as well. The she-wolf was the first to enter the pack house and soon after, Crimson and I followed.

Everything was silent as we set foot into the pack house.

"She's in your office." I nodded at the she-wolf and she ascended the stairs, most likely going to her assigned room.

There weren't many people up, for it was almost one o'clock in the morning. Some of them had work while the children had school. Crimson gave me an impatient look and I nodded.

"Right. This way." I walked ahead of her, leading us to my office. I turned down the hall, slowly coming up on the door. The door was slightly cracked, the sight of the office light seeping into the dark corridor.

"You didn't have to come. I have this under control." Louis' voice floated out the crack in the door. I pushed it opened, my eyebrows knitting together at the sight of Shaw. They each sat in the two chairs that were in front of my desk. They both turned their heads towards us.

"The she-wolf informed me of only Elder Louis," I said slowly, giving Shaw a look. His eyes rested on Crimson and there was a dreadful look on his face.

"I told her to do that," he paused, looking over to me. "For good reason."

Crimson scoffed and walked more into the room. I closed the door, heading to my chair. There was a tense feeling in the room and it was starting to suffocate me. I had a bad feeling about this unexpected, late-night meeting. Whatever they have to say must be important.

"I had hoped to talk to Crimson alone," Louis said, pushing her glasses up on her nose. Crimson gave the woman a blank look while Shaw and I both shook our heads.

"That is unwise. I doubt you would want to tell her alone. Hence, why I'm here." Shaw said cautiously. Louis shot him a glare and I stared between the two. A scoff sounded from Crimson and she stood facing the window.

"Either you tell me or you don't. I don't have time for this." She spat.

"I'm not sure you could handle it. Humans tend to be very sensitive." Louis said bitterly. I growled lowly, narrowing my eyes at the Elder. Shaw shook his head.

"I'm a strong woman, Louis. I can handle pretty much anything."

Crimson laid a hand on the window, her fingers tracing over the glass. There was something underlying in her voice and I looked over at her. Her back was hunched up as if she was waiting for someone to hit her. Or maybe she was waiting for someone else to probe her with harsh questions.

"Oh, I'm sure." Louis bit back, her eyes narrowed at the back of Crimson's head.

"For the Goddess' sake, tell her or I will," Shaw growled out. Louis stood up and cleared her throat and placed her hands behind her back. There was a satisfied look on her face. She opened her mouth, but Shaw beat her to it.

"We have received terrible news, Crimson. I tried to get in touch with you sooner, but I couldn't get my call through." He said, turning completely around so that he faced her. She stayed turned towards the window, her hand moving across the glass.

My eyebrows knitted together. He couldn't get his calls through? I know I've been busy, but those calls should have come through. Kalvin should have... Realization hit me and I couldn't stop myself from growling.