Primals (Reverse Harem 1)

“Is he alive?” I ask, almost afraid to.

“Yes, thanks to Sebastian as well,” Theo answers, approaching the bed. “He left a letter for you, actually.”

I set down my cup on the bedside table so I can take the piece of paper from Theo’s hand, unfolding it.

Clarissa,

I’m sorry for everything. I never meant to hurt you or allow you to get hurt. Still, it happened, and so I’m prepared to face the consequences of my poor judgment.

I don’t know if you were listening when I was talking to you before. If you were, all I said then still holds true. If you weren’t, let me just say this:

If ever you need me, if you want to see me, I’ll be there.

Yours, Toshiyuki Sato

I fold the note again, running my fingers over the paper before placing it on the bedside table. I pick up my cup and as I bring it to my lips for a sip, I recall that monologue he gave just before he had that nasty fight with Sebastian. Yes, I remember it. Every word.

I’m not sure if I can trust him, but I do believe he never meant for any harm to come to me.

“What happened to Syllas?” I ask Theo.

“He’s dead,” Theo tells me. “He’ll never hurt you again. And we burned that facility down, along with every sample or piece of information in it.”

“So, are you saying I’m safe?” I ask him hopefully. “That no one will come for me or try to experiment on me again?”

“Sebastian, Toshi and I will go to the Council and make a report,” Theo says. “We have to, since many Cats were killed, and we don’t want to start a war.”

My eyebrows furrow. “You’ll go to the Council? Toshi, too?”

“Yes.” Theo nods. “We’ll tell them about Project Eden and we’ll say Syllas was trying to revive it, to abduct humans. Toshi will say he was the one who shared that information.”

“But they’ll think he’s a traitor.”

“Some might, but many Cats think it’s every Cat for himself. Anyway, he has to say that or else the Council might not believe us. They might just think that Sebastian is trying to start a war between the Wolf and the Cats. Many Wolves have tried.”

So, Toshi is sacrificing his reputation, turning against his own kind, to keep everyone safe. Is this what he meant by facing the consequences of his poor judgment?

I look at Theo. “So, with Toshi’s testimony, they’ll believe you? They won’t punish you?”

“They will question us thoroughly and they will be upset that we didn’t inform them sooner. There may be sanctions as well. But they will understand that what we did was for the good of the primals. Best of all, they won’t know about you. You will be safe.”

I let out a deep breath. Safe, huh? That word is so underrated.

Theo holds my hand. “You don’t have to worry about anything anymore. You can go on with your life as before.”

I doubt that, but I’m glad to hear him say it anyway. I give him a weak smile. “Thank you, Theo. And please thank Sebastian and Toshi for me, too.”

“I will,” he promises, squeezing my hand lightly. “Though something tells me you’ll have the chance to thank them yourself someday.”

He lets my hand go. “I have to go now. Just one more thing.”

He takes out a carved wooden flower from his pocket. “For you.”

He puts it in my palm and I stare at it, admiring the craftsmanship before clutching it to my heart. “I’ll treasure it,” I promise him. “I’m sorry I lost the leaf but I promise I won’t lose this one.”

He nods.

“Maybe next time we meet, I’ll have carved something for you?” I add, needing him to know that I still want him in my life. That he’s important to me.