Babel Novel
15
Rain pov.
I stir the eggs around in the pan, wondering to myself how I could have missed it. They come every three months. Like clockwork and I haven't been paying attention to it. Back on Teranian it was a chance to be by myself for two weeks, at the Trading Grounds it was controlled by shots and my increased aggression meant Harrison made a good deal out of me. Here, with Morgan, it's dangerous. I slide the eggs onto the plate, buttering the toast that pops out of the toaster and place some fruit on it, handing the plate to Morgan who's been more focused on her work than me, which is a good thing at this point.
"I need to go visit my sister today." I tell the little human, who's shoveling food in her mouth, making me highly doubt that she knows what she's eating. I almost think she didn't hear me until she looks up from her work, her attention clearly divided.
"Um, yeah. Okay, I have a dinner for work anyway so it might be a good thing." She nods, going back to her work and I can't stop the rumble that escapes my throat. "Why are you upset, Rain?" She falls back into the chair, having left the tablet on the table and stares at me.
"I'm not upset." I'm in the first phase of my heat and I need to do something about it before I hurt you.
"So, you've just been rumbling and grumbling for nothing then?" She looks amused and for some reason that pisses me off more so I just stay silent before I say something that might hurt my little human. Not that I can think of anything right now, not with her walking towards me, barely dressed, still in her nightgown and underwear. She places a hand on my chest, and one gently grabs my wrist, causing me to shiver. When she leans up to kiss me I push her away, seeing the clean shock on her face.
"Don't. Just don't go about teasing me right now." I warn and she frowns.
"You think that's what I'm doing? Teasing you?" She tries to move forward again but I step back, wanting to kick myself for the hurt I see in her eyes. "Rain? What's wrong?" I stare at her, knowing I'm messing up, but I just can't, so I step out into the hallway and open the portal back home. She doesn't follow me and when I step into the backyard of my childhood home and shift into my wolf, I'm glad for that.
***
Morgan pov.
I lean against my kitchen counter, utterly confused and feeling more dejected than I should about Rain's blatant rejection towards me. Sure, I was teasing him but that's what people do when they're attracted to the person, or wolf, they're living with. I would have properly bedded him much sooner if I had one proper day to recover afterward. The thought barely crosses my mind when an alert chimes from my tablet. I rush to pick up the device to find a notice of an emergency meeting with the Sector Leaders. With a groan I rush to get dressed, leaving the house empty and a bit of a mess but I can't care about that right now.
"You're not serious Isa." The Commander looks at the Fairie Leader in surprise, genuinely not having thought that she'd bring up a war. The blue winged Fairie doesn't loose face though, perched high on her chair, her wings making delicate movements behind her in direct contrast with the declaration of war she's just made. I lean back in my chair, knowing there is no other options here. Sinclair either retracts her expansion or we'll be preparing for a full-on war.
"You're not listening to anyone around this table Commander. The Bio-Glaze has taken most of the extra space there was left to take. If it moves any closer to the other sectors there will be consequences. We're already adhering to all your safety protocols. Which are all fair, really." She shoots me an apologetic look and I nod at her to pardon her words. "This however is getting out of hand. What do you need all this space for? There are rolling hills in the Bio-Glaze, acres upon acres of land you can use. Why the expansion?" I know Isa's question won't get answered. They haven't been answering mine for the past two weeks.
"That is on a need-to-know basis." The Commander holds fast, and Benjamin snorts out a laugh.
"Your own house is divided with all your secrets crawling around Commander. You're still sitting on a two to three vote." The vampire points out and Clark winks at me from across the table. He's probably the most well controlled troll I have ever met.
"Why don't you sort out your own people first and then come to us with suggestions." Agness smiles, the wolf probably having seen the rebuilt of this world more times than I can count. "Morgan?" Sinclair asks and I shake my head.
"I'd rather die." The last war took precious things from me. Things I will never get back. I'm not facing another one. Torren might be a hard ass but the thought of losing her in another war. I'd really be dead then.
"I second that." Cade yawns, stretching himself like the unsocial delinquent he is.
"My sentiment exactly." Margot utters, causing both Rames and Sinclair to glare at us. "This isn't getting us anywhere." She huffs out.
"You could take the stick out of your asses and just do what's best for the Glaze." Rames sneers and I laugh.
"You could stop fucking Sinclair and then maybe you'll start to think clearly." Both of them look guilty as sin when the words leave my lips, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.
"Morgan." Benjamin chides and I raise my hands in defense. "Commander, the choice is still in your hands. Either you stop this nonsense, or we go to war. All of us." He addresses Canvandish directly. "Margot is right, this isn't getting us anywhere and I my friends have a sector to run. Morgan, I do believe our meeting is scheduled for now." He rises from his seat with the grace only Benjamin Warrick has and strides out of the room. I greet everyone in the room with a nod before leaving behind him. "Are they really sleeping together?" I shrug my shoulders.
"I have no idea. It seemed like the right thing to say and judging by their reactions..." Benjamin throws his head back in laughter, the noise sounding like music to my ears. We walk the rest of the way to my office in silence, the air easy between us but that changes as soon as the door slides closed behind me.
"You have to make a choice, young one." He tells me and I frown. "War is coming. It's unavoidable but you need to choose on what side you're going to stand."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
"Luca said the same thing. What are you guys' planning?" He shakes his head.
"Not until you have made a choice and you better hurry or that wolf of yours is going to pay a price for your delay." My eyes widen, blood running ice cold. I never made the news of Rain public and if Benjamin knows about him it can only mean one thing. Danger.