Total pages in book: 202
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Eloise told me about it after I saw her having a quiet conversation by the door with Grey and Jase just before those men got moved.
I didn’t ask questions, was busy helping the ill, but I could feel Grey’s anger in my chest as well as see it plainly on his face and Eloise later whispered to me that she doesn’t know what’ll happen to them but that the rest of the men were in the beta training cabins and that she gave Jase and Grey the gist of who is who among the men.
“Jared brought his Airstream,” Grey says. “Says we can have his bed. He’s gonna sleep on an airbed in his pickup.”
“I don’t want to take Jared’s bed,” I say. “everyone else is sleeping on mattresses on the floor in there, I’m–”
“No arguments wife,” Grey asserts. “You aren’t sleeping on the floor in there and we’re also not sleeping in that fuckin’ trailer you lived in.”
I look down. “I’ll do another round with some ice water. They need more fever medicine in another hour. I’ll try and sleep after that.”
“Your shift is over for the next six hours, woman. Mitch is there. He and someone else can do those things. You need to sleep,” he says grouchily.
I don’t argue. “Let me just wash up,” I say and move back inside, over to the sink area and use hand sanitizer on my hands before I dip a paper towel into the bowl of soapy water and wipe down my face and hands before I wet another square in the next bowl of clean water to rinse off with. We have that limited amount of water that was brought today so we’re rationing for tonight. I overheard Grey talking to Dr. Blakely who said he ordered a water tanker to be delivered and parked here tomorrow, and he’s already taken water and soil samples and is having them sent to a lab tomorrow.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” I say to Cat Savage who is holding her clipboard out and going over something on it with Dr. Blakely. “Grey’s making me rest a bit.”
“Me too,” she says. “We’ll all rest a bit. Nobody needs medication for a while.”
“I’ll keep watch, look after things. I’m not tired,” Dr. Blakely says.
“Thank you for everything,” I tell them both.
Dr. Blakely gives me a look of sympathy, but says nothing, instead focusing on reading the clipboard while Cat gives me a tired half-smile, squeezing my hand with affection.
“I’m in your debt. Truly. Anything you need. Ever,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “You’re not in my debt. I think many of these people here all feel like they’re in yours though, sweetie. You’re a wonderful addition to our pack. Truly.”
I’m about to choke up again and I think she sees it. Her eyes bounce past me to Grey who puts his hands on my shoulders and squeezes before turning me around to lead me out of the building.
***
The Arcana Falls men are taking turns keeping watch. And another six betas are due to arrive in the next hour or two to lend extra help. Erica’s sister Danica is coming first thing in the morning to help out as well. She, too, is a healer and she’s got some magic supplies for Grey as well as a healing elixir she wants Cat to administer to everyone here.
“I’ll join you in a couple minutes,” Grey tells me after I’m inside the camper.
It’s compact with a small living area when you first walk in, a small kitchen space and dining booth in the middle, then there’s a small bathroom and the bedroom space on the other side. It has a double bed and small wardrobe. The suitcase I packed at Grey’s is sitting on the end of the bed.
I now realize how bone-tired I am.
Grey is outside talking to people for a few minutes, and the sound of his low, rumbling voice is what I’m focusing on now that I’m alone. Until I hear Jase cussing about his sister being stuck with my brother, talking about finding them and putting Wyatt to death even though it’ll make his sister a widow. Grey’s and Jase’s voices move away, and I strain to hear, but can’t.
This leaves me nothing to focus on as I lie here. And I wish I had something to focus on because I don’t want to let more of my emotions out. Falling apart again won’t help. It won’t bring anyone back. Suddenly, I hear noise. A vehicle and then multiple car doors opening and closing. Familiar scents hit my nose.
I rush outside and see women coming out of Brody’s SUV as well as a red pickup truck that’s parked beside it, driven in by one of the betas who went out for supplies earlier.