Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)

“What?” I ask.

“Penny filled me in on some of what Sebastian told her,” he says.

“What did he tell you?” I ask.

“He told me about Vlad and what he tried to do to you. How you were close to getting answers but didn’t find any. And Hiro’s right. The only other option we have is to go to the Council.”

“Vlad? What did he—? Penny! Seriously?”

“Settle down, and it won’t hurt as much,” she says.

“They can’t come with us. If Sebastian is even half as hurt as Toshi and not healing, they’re liabilities,” Hiro says.

“You’re not going without me.”

“We don’t have a choice,” Penny says. “If you and the mangy mutt could keep it under control for a little bit, you wouldn’t have stranded us without a choice.”

“Clarissa, I’m not leaving you.”

“It’s that constant mindset of single protection that has put you in this situation in the first place,” I say. “It’s your constant need to protect me to prove you care for me and Sebastian’s constant need to protect me for alpha wolf’s sake that keeps you guys butting heads. Now, I’m sure Theo wants to be here, but he’s not. He knows what he can tolerate and what he can’t. He’s protective but level-headed. The two of you could learn a thing or two from him.”

I can see the hurt rushing through Toshi’s eyes as his head falls back to the pillow.

“We should call him. Tell him what’s going on,” Penny says.

“Maybe he can talk some sense into these two.”

“Should I be looking for Sebastian?” Hiro asks. “Did he not come back with you guys?”

“He was upright when we walked away. I had to manipulate him into standing down. I’m nowhere near happy with him right now,” I say.

“Manipulate him?” Penny asks.

I turn my head toward her and begin to widen my eyes.

“Okay, okay. Just checking. Sorry. Okay. Um, Toshi’s cleaned up,”

she says. “It’s the best I can do with what I have.”

“When do you want to go see the Council?” Hiro asks.

I turn my head over toward the Cat standing at my side.

“Now,” I say.

“No, Clarissa. You can’t. Just give me a bit. I’ll heal and come with you,” Toshi says.

“She’s in good hands,” Hiro says. “But you can’t come with us.

You’ll hold us back.”

“This is a terrible idea. I’m not—”

“Kyle knew his place,” I say as tears well in my eyes.

Toshi’s head leans up to look at me as a tear streaks down my face. I wipe at it quickly, trying to keep my composure. No one around me can keep their emotions in check, so the least I can do is control mine.

One of us has to be level-headed.