~ NYSSA

I stood in the middle of her office for what felt like hours, just staring at her, wondering if I’d misheard.

I couldn’t understand the drastic change in her emotions, especially not after yesterday. She came to me, she seemed insistent on helping me. It didn’t make any sense that she took a complete one eighty in less than twenty four hours.

"Make sure you shut the door on your way out," she drawled as she made her way back to her seat.

She buried her head into the documents, acting like the last conversation never happened at all.

By the time I managed to unglue my legs from the floor, my heart was pounding violently in my chest and every single inch of my skin was a bright shade of red. I ignored the looks from coworkers as I made my way over to my office in a blind haze.

"You’re back early," Eric began. "How did it—shit, what happened?"

I gave him a vague rundown and by the time I was done, he stood there with wide eyes and a raised brow.

"That’s... very unlike her."

I swallowed thickly with a nod. "I agree. I just... I don’t even know what to do. Do I stay here knowing no one wants me here?"

"No one is a stretch, Nyssa."

"Is it really?" I asked, hands crossed over my chest. "Aria clearly doesn’t, and I can’t imagine anyone else does. Maybe it would be better for everyone if I just quit."

"To what end?"

"Huh?"

"You quit and then what? You mope at home waiting for the vampires to attack? You can do so much from here, and you are being useful to the pack. Everyone is just on high alert and worried. Just do what you need to do and let everything else fall into place on its own. It’ll all blow over before you even know."

I wanted to believe him, but some part of me couldn’t help but think that it seemed all too fantastical. The odds of everything blowing over was slim to none, especially knowing the villain ahead, but he was right about one thing... I was useful here, and I’d be damned if I was going to run.

*********************************

I spent the majority of my work day locked in my office. I did not speak to anyone unless it was necessary and neither did anyone speak to me.

There was so much chatter outside of the office door, but each time I grew close, it would die down and everyone would act like they were busy. Once I disappeared, the chatter would start up again.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt me.

By the time work was over, I was so fucking exhausted and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into my bed with my mate’s arms around me, assuring me that it wasn’t all in my head.

"Do you have the number of any pizza place?" I asked as Eric drove us home.

"I know the best place."-

He placed the order for two large pizzas just as he drove into the driveway. I was out of the car in a minute, rushing up the stairs so I could take solace under the large steaming shower.

I closed my eyes tightly, letting the warm water beat down on my exhausted bones, and by the time I finally stepped out, I was one wrong move away from falling asleep.

"I found some ice cream in your freezer," Eric said as I made my way back down the stairs in one of Rowan’s oversized shirts and a pair of shorts. "It’s... cookies and cream I think."

I shrugged. "It’ll work. Right now, I just need a fucking nap."

"Are you going to tell Rowan?" he asked suddenly. "About the thing at work... about Aria."

I had to pause before responding because I truly didn’t have an answer to that. I’d thought about it, and while I wanted to, I couldn’t trust that Rowan would be able to listen without trying to fix it.

"I don’t know yet," I said finally. "I’ll decide when he comes home."

There was a sharp knock at the door, cutting me off. Eric was on his feet instantly. "Must be the pizza, I’ll get it."

While he left to answer it, I grabbed the ice cream and two large bowls. I scooped a generous amount for myself and shoved a spoon into my mouth, eyes closing as it melted on my tongue.

"Nyssa," Eric’s voice called out and my eyes immediately snapped open because there was something uneasy about it. "I think you should call Rowan."

"Why?" I asked, making my way towards the door. "What’s... oh."

Standing in the doorway holding two large boxes of pizza and wearing a ridiculous orange delivery uniform was Allister. He smiled wide upon seeing me, revealing two fangs that looked sharp enough to breath through glass.

"I did say I’d be seeing you," he drawled.

I glanced behind him, trying to find the other guards, but they were nowhere to be seen.

"I compelled them to leave for an hour. They’ll be back soon enough. I am unarmed, I only want to talk."

"You shouldn’t be here," I said pointedly and he shrugged.

"Yet here I am. There are two of you and one of me. If you want, you can tie me up until the King comes to kill me himself. I’m not your enemy."

Eric snorted. "Your father is trying to take Nyssa and is threatening war against our pack. I don’t know about you but that seems like enemy behavior to me."

He sighed. "I know what my father is... trust me, which is why I tried to warn you beforehand."

"So why are you here now?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "You were firmly on his side yesterday—"

"Only because I had to be."

I rolled my eyes. "So what do you want?"

"I need your help to kill him."