Awakening Read Free

telling her off, but Cornelius appeared out of nowhere and spoke
before I could. “I think it would be for everyone’s benefit that she not say
anything. I am sure anything she has to say would not be in the effort of
peace,” he said sounding slightly amused.
    I
rolled my eyes and took another sip of my drink. I hated to admit it, but he
was right. Nothing I had to say would be in the effort of peace. I didn’t trust
the hunters anymore, and I didn’t even want to pretend I did.
    “She
has to make sure the packs do not make a move that could compromise our
position,” Kate said haughtily. Her tone was really starting to get to me. It
was taking all my patience not to say something cruel.
    “We
don’t do anything without her say,” Eric said sounding as annoyed as I felt.
    “If
the packs make a move it is on Lillian request,” Adam said agreeing with Eric.
    I
was going to add to the conversation, but the sound of my name being called
distracted me. I realized it wasn’t someone in the room. It was in my head. I
paid closer attention to the voice and I realized it was Drake. Before I even
really thought about it I was in my room.
    Drake
was awake. His eyes seemed heavy like he didn’t really want to be awake, but he
was anyway. “Hey,” he said in barely a whisper.
    I
hurried over to him and touched his hair. “Hey,” I said as I settled in the bed
next to him.
    “You
didn’t go after the hunters did you?” he rasped. It seemed like it was painful
for him to even speak.
    I
looked at him confused. I didn’t really understand how he knew what I would do.
“I did, but Cornelius stopped me. Why?”
    He
took a breath like he was relieved. “They didn’t do this. This was all part of
a plan to start a war.”
    “Who
did it then? Tell me, and I will go after whoever it was. I will make them pay
for this,” I said trying to remain calm. I wanted to know who it was. I had so
much pent up anger.
    “I
don’t know who. I just know what. The guy that shot me was a werewolf, and
there was a vampire with him. I think it is another pack controlled by a
vampire,” he said softly.
    “They
were making it seem like the hunters. Why would they want us to fight? What
would they have to gain?” I asked confused. I knew I shouldn’t be asking him so
many questions, but I needed answers. I hated sitting around doing nothing.
    “It
would weaken us. That would give them a chance to take over. It has to be a
play for power,” he said. He winced like he was in pain.
    “Don’t
say anymore. You are too weak,” I said quietly as I caressed his cheek.
    He
watched me for a minute. I could see the pain in his eyes. He was still
hurting, and there wasn’t much I could do for him. “I should be guarding you,
not lying in bed,” he said sounding slightly angry.
    “I
have others to guard me. You need to get better. I am lost without your
guidance,” I said smiling slightly. It was true. I had grown used to getting
his advice. I was beginning to think that was why I was so indecisive lately. I
relied on him to make suggestions, and tell me what I should do.
    “Tell
him to sleep. It will take away some of the pain,” Cornelius said softly from
behind me. He startled me a little. I didn’t even hear him come up behind me.
    I
looked back at Drake. Drake was watching me like he was waiting for me to give
an order. “Go to sleep,” I said quietly as I looked into his eyes. His
expression changed, and I knew he was going to obey. His eyes closed slowly.
His breathing slowed as he went to sleep. I covered him with a blanket, then
pushed his hair out of his face.
    “I
take it he told you it wasn’t a hunter that shot him?” Cornelius said curtly.
    I
looked at him, then stood. “Yes, he said it was a werewolf. What do you want a
pat on the back. You were right, who cares. The hunters are still a threat.”
    “They
are, but they aren’t a pressing threat, and I don’t want a pat on the back, but
a little more trust would