Tish POV
I glance over my shoulder as Cedric leads me into the bar's back room. I still don't know who is a human and who is a rogue. I assume they are both welcome at Cedric's bar for lunch.
He grabs a chair and forces me into it. He pulls up another and sits across from me. "Who is coming for you?"
"Kaden and Kai told the North Pack I am here," I tell Cedric. My voice is beginning to shake.
"And you don't want them to know you are here?" Cedric replies.
"They aren't the only ones I am hiding from," I admit.
Cedric reaches forward and takes my hands. "Who else would be looking for you?"
I look around to make sure we are alone. "Francesca will find me."
"Francesca is gone," Cedric assures me. "She can't reach you anymore."
Shaking my head from side to side, I sniff back the tears forming in my eyes. "Francesca is the devil. You can't kill the devil."
"Luna Mae killed her," Cedric tells me.
"That's what everyone keeps saying," I hiss. "But I know better. She is still out there."
"The recusants are dead," Cedric says sternly. "The uprising against the Luna Queen has been squashed."
"You don't understand," I shout. "I was in their organization long enough to learn how it worked. You cut off one head, and two grow back in its place like a Hydra."
Cedric lets go of my hands and leans back in his chair. He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs loudly. I get the feeling he doesn't believe me.
"Are you saying you don't think the uprising against the Luna Queen was never dismantled?" He asks me.
"I know they are still out there," I whisper. "And once they find out where I am, they will come for me. I have to get out of here and into Mexico."
"What makes you think they can't reach you in Mexico?" Cedric asks.
"I never said I was stopping in Mexico," I reply. "I will keep going until I am sure they can no longer track me."
"Do you think you might be overreacting?" He asks. "The twins can keep you safe."
"I am just putting everyone in danger," I say. "I came to return your car and leave."
"How are you going to get to Mexico without a car?" Cedric wants to know.
I cock my head and look at him suspiciously. "You are asking a lot of questions."
"Tish, your paranoia is getting the best of you. I am not your enemy. I am just worried about you," Cedric tells me.
I press my fingers to my temple and try to chase the paranoia from my thoughts. "Did you know they were my mates?"
"I did," Cedric admits.
"All along?" I ask through gritted teeth.
"From the first night," Cedric tells me.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I demand to know.
Cedric reaches for me, but I pull away. "It wasn't my place. You needed to hear it from them."
"Instead, I heard it from Kai's fuck buddy," I grumble.
"Those two fuck up everything," Cedric growls. "They will never be ready to be Alphas."
"I am sorry you feel that way," Kaden's voice comes from behind me.
I jump out of my seat and back myself against the far wall. I know if he touches me, I will feel those stupid tingles, and it will make me question everything.
"I am not going back with you," I tell him. "Stay away from me."
Kaden steps in my direction, but Cedric puts himself between the two of us. "We agreed you wouldn't come here."
"I couldn't stay away," Kaden says sadly. "I need her like I need air."
I soften a bit at his words. I feel the same way about him, even though I would never admit it.
"She needs some time," Cedric tells Kaden. "She has learned a lot about herself today and needs time to process it."
"I understand," Kaden says, and he takes a step back. "I just want Tish to know I am willing to do anything to make this right."
Cedric looks over his shoulder at me, and I shake my head. "She isn't ready," he tells Kaden.
"Tish," Kaden says, looking around Cedric. "You forgave Kai when he hurt you. I am hoping you can do the same for me."
"Where is Kai?" I ask. "Why didn't he come with you?"
"He's angry," Kaden sighs. "It wouldn't have been the best for him to come along."
I chew on my bottom lip. I know Kaden is right. Kai is volatile when he is angry, but I still would have liked to have seen him care that I was gone.
"If you are here, who will keep him in check?" I ask.
"Dad has it under control," he tells me.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Cedric asks Kaden.
Kaden looks at me but nods to Cedric. Cedric leads him to the corner of the room and speaks lowly to him. I can hear him talking about the recusants. They are debating on whether the North Pack should be alerted or if my information is invalid.
"I am not wrong," I shout from the other side of the room. They both look shocked that I can hear them. "If you didn't want me to know what you were saying, you should have used the mind link thingy."
"She is going to make a powerful Luna," Cedric laughs.
"I am not going to make a powerful anything," I hissed. "I am leaving."
"She's going to Mexico," Cedric whispers to Kaden.
I let out a scream of frustration. "Whose side are you on?"
"Your side," Cedric smirks. "You would be better off with the twins."
Kaden looks smug, and it makes me livid. Everyone has decided where I need to be without consulting me.
I grab an apron off the wall and head for the front. I set myself up behind the bar and help to dish food and clear plates. Kaden's eyes watch my every move, but I don't give him the satisfaction of looking back. I do watch him from the corner of my eyes, though.
He and Cedric are speaking in hushed voices at the door. Kaden looks over his shoulder and catches me staring at him. He blows me a kiss on the way out of the door.
Cedric joins me behind the bar, and I huff loudly. "What was that about?"
"I promised not to let you leave tonight," Cedric replies.