Clarity

by Claire Farrell

  And I could trust no one.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Perdita

  Seeing Nathan worked its magic on me. I wandered around with a huge smile on my face, half-forgetting everything I should have been worrying about. I was so distracted that I walked straight into Dad’s hospital room without checking to see if he was alone.

  He wasn’t.

  Two Gardaí stood at his bedside, one studiously taking notes.

  “Oh, sorry.” I started to back out of the room.

  Dad called, “Wait. They’re here to take my statement about the attack. Nobody’s found the animals, so they think someone might own them.”

  “Possibly training them to attack,” the older officer said in a deep voice, his sharp blue eyes never faltering from my direction. “And we hear there was another attack here yesterday, young lady. We could do with a statement from you as well.”

  “There wasn’t an attack,” I said. “I mean, nothing actually happened.”

  “A sighting then,” the younger Garda amended.

  I took a seat by Dad, feeling apprehensive. What I wasn’t supposed to say ran through my head, and my thoughts were so loud that I felt sure the police would hear them.

  “As I was saying,” Dad said, “I’m almost certain it was a wolf.”

  I smothered a cough. Crap.

  The two men exchanged glances. “Funnily enough, we’ve had reports about wolves already. And rumours that the property on which you were attacked is being rented by the very owners of the wolves.”

  “What?” I blurted without thinking.

  Blue Eyes peered down at me with interest. “Ah, yes. Your father said you’re… ahem, close to the family. Can you confirm they’re training wolves? For dog fighting maybe?”

  Deep down, I knew he was looking for a rise, yet I couldn’t stop my reaction. “That’s ridiculous! Dad, tell them! Nathan’s family owns wolfhounds, which don’t even look like wolves. As for the… animal that attacked my dad, it wasn’t a wolf. They’re some kind of hybrid breed. You know, the ones you hear about on the news sometimes. People breed them to look like pretty-coloured wolves, but they always turn out to be big mongrels.”

  The Garda raised an eyebrow. Maybe I had gotten a little too defensive. Even Dad was looking at me suspiciously.

  “Well, that’s what I think.” I slumped back into my chair, a bead of sweat dripping down my temple.

  “She’s right that they own wolfhounds,” Dad said. “They seem like a decent enough family, too.”

  “Maybe so.” The young Garda scribbled furiously as he spoke. “But we’ve received more than one sighting of wolves on that estate. We spoke to the old man, and he didn’t have a clue about it. Strange, isn’t it?”

  They asked a couple more questions while I sweated buckets next to Dad. As soon as they left, I exhaled loudly, thankful the ordeal was over.

  “What was that about?” Dad asked.

  “What?”

  “Perdy, you just lied to a policeman. What on earth is going on?”

  I struggled to look indignant. I prayed I wasn’t blushing.

  “Dad, what are you talking about? I didn’t lie.” It sounded lame, even to me. “The Gardaí make me nervous. That’s all.” I picked up a magazine, studying it as though it were the most interesting thing I had ever seen.

  “I’m worried about you,” he said. “Why would the police be asking questions about Nathan’s family if there wasn’t something going on?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You don’t honestly think they own wolves, do you?”

  He sat up straighter, pulling against the tubing of his drip. “I know something’s going on. I know you’re been acting miserable for over a month, like there’s something on your mind that you’re afraid to tell me. Ever since you got hurt by what might be wolves. And you’re relying on that boy far too much. The nurses are all talking about the boy who came here yesterday. You haven’t stopped smiling since. Suddenly, you’re happy because you saw him? That’s ridiculous. And he’s a little too polite. What’s he really like? What’s he doing to make you so dependent on him and just… depressed all the time? It’s been going on for too long, and it isn’t right.” He took a deep breath. “Did you really get attacked by those wolves… dogs… whatever they are, or did he hurt you? You can talk to me, Perdy. I can help you.”

  “There’s nothing wrong,” I insisted, suddenly seeing his viewpoint.

  “I’m not particularly stupid, and that’s a damn lie. We need to talk. About everything.”

  “We really don’t.”

  “Actually, we do. There’s a lot going on right now, and to be honest, I’m concerned about your mental health. I don’t trust the decisions you’re making.”

  “My… Dad! There’s nothing wrong with me!”

  “I’m not saying anything negative about you. But I think maybe having a chat with a professional will help. It’s understandable that you would fall hard for the first boy you like. And maybe you can’t see that he’s doing things that are hurting you, one way or another. But keeping things from your family is wrong. I know quite well when you’re lying. I know when something’s troubling you. And you’ve had a lot on your mind that you haven’t been able to talk to me about. The only reasonable explanation is that you’re in a toxic relationship right now. So maybe talking to a professional is a better option for you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  My face grew hot. “First of all, I’m not ashamed. Second of all, there’s nothing wrong with me or Nathan. Anyway, you’ve been—”

  “Stop. I heard the things you said. Besides all of that, you haven’t given me a chance to explain the Erin situation. You’ve been completely unreasonable about it, and that’s not like you.”

  “I don’t need an explanation,” I said, a little sulkily. “You’re running off to live the easy life, and I’m stuck with a stranger. And Gran, who doesn’t count because she’s acting as if an alien stole her body.”

  He blinked rapidly, and I knew with certainty that he thought I was completely mental.

  “I have to go home to shower or something,” I muttered.

  “Wait! Would you give me a chance to tell you? Stella and David want you to stay with them while this is all going on. We were thinking that maybe the hospital is having a bad effect on you. It’s not good for a young girl to be around so much… illness.”

  “You talked about me to Joey’s parents? Seriously, Dad.”

  “I’m trying to do what’s best for you. I don’t want you getting warped by that woman, and I don’t want you getting distracted by this. I can’t keep watching you suffer in silence. You’re running around doing God-knows-what while I’m stuck in here. At least Stella and David will be able to keep an eye on you. I can’t do much until they let me out of hospital, so stop hassling me.”

  I flinched. He sounded so angry, and it was a little too much given everything that had happened.

  “Perdy,” he said, softening his voice. “I’m sorry she’s back out of the blue. On top of everything else… I know how you must feel. Believe me. I feel just as strange. But she’ll leave soon. She always does.”

  “Maybe she’ll want to stay this time,” I mumbled, knowing the impossibility of my own words. She didn’t have it in her to be a parent.

  “Maybe,” he said, but he didn’t sound hopeful. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be here, but it’s time for you to go back to school. Hanging around here all day isn’t working out.”

  “I haven’t done anything wrong!”

  “I know, and I know you aren’t going to like this, but I think it’s time you took a break from Nathan and his family. I don’t know what’s going on or what they’ve done. You’re protecting them. From what? That’s what worries me. But the police are involved now, and it’s getting a little too serious for my liking. From now on, you’re to keep away from him.”

  “I can’t do that.” My hands started shaking. He couldn’t do that. Anything but t
hat.

  “Can’t do what, sweetie?” My mother entered the room at the perfect moment.

  “Nothing, Meredith,” I said, smiling as brightly as possible.

  The wide smile on her face froze into place. “Meredith. Aren’t you cute! Now what’s going on in here?”

  I glanced at Dad and threw an evil smirk his way. “Oh, Dad was in the middle of banning me from seeing my boyfriend. Kind of makes me want to run away with him.”

  Meredith paled and turned to Dad. “Since when did you turn into my father? Stephen, don’t force her into making our mistakes.”

  “Oh, please. You haven’t got a clue what’s really going on. You haven’t been around for any of her mistakes, so don’t lecture me when all you did was run away from yours.”

  I slipped around my mother and left the room unnoticed. Breathing deeply, I paced the hallway and tried to calm down.

  An arm wrapped around my midriff. Before I could scream, a hand clamped down over my mouth. Someone lifted me and shoved me into the closest bathroom.

  “Stay quiet, or we’ll do this in your father’s room.”

  He let go, and I whirled around to face the red-haired werewolf who had followed me for ages.

  Who had stalked me in the woods.

  Who had defended me against his pack mate.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said urgently. “I’m here to help you. To ask for help.”

  “What the hell? Why would I help you?”

  He leaned against the door. I prayed someone would come in, anyone, just to give me a chance to run. If I screamed, he might hurt someone. If I played along… well, I didn’t know what would happen, but it would give me some time to think about how to get away from him.

  “He’s sent more wolves this time. I can’t protect you if you don’t help me.”

  I stared at him in disbelief. I had no idea what he wanted, but his shoulders were hunched, and he didn’t look at all threatening. Then, his amber eyes met mine, and I remembered he could turn into a pretty nasty werewolf. “What do you want with me?” I whispered, all too aware of the fact he could rip me apart with little effort.

  “I want this to stop. All of it. I don’t have much time. He has my daughters. He made me come here. I tried to protect you. I tried to warn you all, but no one paid attention, and Willow’s father acted without my say so. Willow’s here to pay you back for that. She wants you to suffer before she takes you out. I’ve saved your father’s life. I hope you realise that. But the others… they’re coming, and they’re going to take the other girl while the boy is distracted with you. I can help you all, but only if your mate’s family helps me get my girls back.”

  “What?” I stared hard at him, waiting for the punchline.

  “I swear, I would run if I could. But my girls… I have to go back for them. I can’t do it alone. I need your mate’s help, because his family strong. He’s scared of them.”

  “Who? Who’s sending werewolves after us?”

  “Vin. He’s alpha. He sent us, but Willow is half-crazy. You have to understand that she doesn’t know what she’s doing, and he’s using that.”

  “Willow’s the one who attacked my Dad?”

  “Yes. Because you killed her father.”

  My stomach churned. Consequences, consequences. “Do you really expect me to trust you?”

  “I already protected you. I scared Willow off. The only thing is Vin probably knows I betrayed him by now. I’m running out of time. If the Evans wolves will help me, then I’ll tell them everything I know. I’ll work on Willow, and I’ll find a way to get Vin here.”

  “Why would we want him here?” I wanted the big, bad wolf boss as far away from me as possible.

  “Because they’re stronger than him. One of them could take the alpha from him. He would have come himself if he was brave enough. He lies to the wolves. He makes them think he’s helping them, but he’s not. He knows the old wolf, hates him, but I don’t know why.”

  “You scared me, chased me, and fought Byron. How am I supposed to believe anything you say?”

  “What do I have to gain from lying to you? The wolf I fought wasn’t injured. I held back. I was doing what I had to do to stay in the pack and to keep my daughters safe.”

  “Why did he take your daughters?” I tried to keep him talking so I would have time to figure everything out in my head.

  “My grandfather was a werewolf, one of many who didn’t appreciate how Vin ran things. He hid from the pack and eventually fathered my mother. Vin thought she was worthless because she wasn’t a wolf, but she had me, and I turned into a wolf in my teens. I didn’t even know about the other wolves back then. I thought it was only Granddad and me.”

  “You were hiding?”

  He nodded. “We had to. Vin’s… cruel. When he found me, he kidnapped my daughters to make me do whatever he wanted. He’s sick. At first, he threatened their lives. Now he’s saying they could be good enough for breeding. That’s not… I’m desperate. Please… speak for me. Persuade the Evans werewolves to help me. I can keep you and the other girl safe and make sure your boyfriend doesn’t have to fight for you. I can find out what’s coming and when. You won’t have to look over your shoulder anymore.”

  I took a deep shuddering breath. We needed information badly, and he had protected me from the other wolf, Willow. But could I trust him? Probably not. Except… what choice did I have? I couldn’t trust Nathan’s family to protect me anymore. I had to find a way to look after myself. But trusting an enemy could get me into bigger trouble. Something about the red wolf had always bothered me, and if I could only talk to Nathan and have the time to figure out all of the options, then I was willing to take the chance.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  He hesitated. “Ryan. My name is Ryan.”

  “I’m Perdy.” I stared at him for a minute, thinking. He had hesitated in the woods. He’d had plenty of time to attack me, but he waited, and that had given Nathan time to save me. Byron had been scraped up a little after their fight, but he was the least injured of all the family. And Ryan had stopped that wolf from attacking me outside the hospital. His story made some kind of sense, and I realised I wanted to trust him. I wanted the help.

  I wanted an alternative to Jakob Evans.

  “Okay, Ryan. I’ll talk to them, but they aren’t likely to listen to me, okay? I mean, your friend killed one of their own. That’s not going to go away.”

  “He wasn’t my friend,” he said bitterly. “I tried to stop him, but he acted without my knowledge. It wasn’t supposed to happen like that, and I didn’t realise what he was up to until it was too late. The woman was supposed to come with us; killing her wasn’t in the alpha’s plans. If you hadn’t killed him, Vin would have.”

  Flinching, I steeled myself against the memory his words provoked. “I can tell them all of that, but they’re not exactly… open-minded right now. Is… is the other wolf coming back? For me, I mean. Or my dad?”

  “I’ll watch over you as repayment for speaking on my behalf. I’ll prove to you that I’m telling the truth. I don’t want any more blood on my hands.”

  He rushed out of the bathroom, but the way he had spoken struck a chord. I could plainly see that his guilt was at least as heavy as mine, and I wondered what else he had been ordered to do by the alpha wolf. My stomach turned again, but with excitement. We might actually have a chance of keeping everyone safe if Ryan’s offer of help was genuine.

  For once, we might have the upper hand.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Perdita

  Dad and Meredith were still arguing loudly in his hospital room, so I sent Nathan a text asking to meet in the empty house later on. I had a lot of persuading to do.

  I took a bus home for a shower, all the while thinking about Ryan and his offer. I badly wanted it to be true. As I approached my house, I couldn’t help glancing around in case I was being followed. I hated feeling so insecure, and that alone made me willing
to take a chance on Ryan.

  “Perdy!”

  I hunched my shoulders at the sound of Gran’s voice as soon as I stepped into the house. “I’m just getting a shower,” I said.

  “Wait! Talk to me. You’ve barely said two words to me since…” She fell silent, and somehow that aggravated me even more.

  “Since what? Since you tried to ruin my life? Split up my family? Made a terrible situation a million times worse?”

  I moved for the stairs, but she got in my way and caught hold of my wrist, knowing I wouldn’t shrug her away. I might be mad at her, but she was still my Gran.

  “Please, listen to me for a minute. I know you’re in a hurry, but we need to talk about this. What was so bad about bringing your mother home?”

  “Dad’s leaving me because of it! Why would you think he’d want to be around here? He’s going to live with Erin. Where does that leave me, Gran? The woman hasn’t cared about any of us in how long? Everyone knows it. Except you. What were you expecting to happen exactly?”

  To my surprise, a tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Oh, please. Don’t cry,” I said with a groan.

  “I’m sorry! It’s the only time she’s ever expressed an interest in coming home, so I jumped at the chance. And it’s complicated. I mean, they’re still technically married. There are all sorts of legal issues to deal with.”

  “Right. Great. Thanks for the reminder. Now I’m going to have a shower and get back to my dad before he runs off and leaves me, too.”

  I stormed upstairs, but I felt bad as soon as the water hit my shoulders. I knew why Gran had done it. Deep down, I knew. She missed her daughter, and I hadn’t exactly been sitting around waiting for her attention in a while. But it didn’t change how I felt about my mother. She didn’t care, and I hadn’t figured out why she was really hanging around, but I would.

  I got ready as quickly as possible, even though everyone kept telling me I needed a break from the hospital. Dad had forbidden me from seeing Nathan, and that played on my mind more than it should have. It was as if disobeying Dad brought on the worst kind of horrors. It felt a little scuzzy to go behind his back while he was lying in hospital—especially after our row—but it was a matter of life and death.