The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, Caleb kept his word. He arranged for one of his men to take me to the place where Riley was held. Before I left, he said, “Darling, I’m leaving Riley’s situation in your hands. I’ve got to tackle some issues with rebuilding the Thorn Edge Pack. When you get back, we’ll go out for a big meal.”
๐€โถล๏ฝแปืฉ๏ผฅ๐๏ฝ.ฤ๐๐ช
“Okay.”
We said our goodbyes at the door and headed off in separate directions.
Caleb hadn’t been harsh with Riley. Instead, he made sure she was placed in the best place in Thorn Edge Pack. Unlike the cramped rooms where ten to twenty people were squeezed together, Riley had a much better arrangement. She stayed in a luxurious double room that was clean and well-maintained.
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Upon inspecting the room more closely, I noticed it wasn’t damp or dark like the others, and it lacked the usual musty odor. Luca and Riley shared the room.
As I approached the door, I saw Riley and Luca organizing their things. Luca looked the same. He was still innocent and sweet. Riley, however, had lost weight. Her face was lined with worry, and her eyes were deeply sunken.
It was clear that the guilt had been tormenting her.
“Debra?”
Riley turned at the sound of my arrival.
Her expression shifted from disbelief to anguish, and tears suddenly streamed down her face.
Riley stood and moved towards me, trembling. She reached out to grab me but then, as if remembering something, recoiled as if shocked and stammered, “I’m so relieved you’re not dead. I’m so relieved…”
Without hesitation, I firmly took Riley’s hand.
Meeting her startled gaze, I smiled and reassured her, “Riley, it’s all behind us now. I’m here to take you home.”
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Hearing my words, Riley paused, then shook her head vigorously, tears streaming down her face. “No, I’ma sinner. I don’t deserve to leave. It’s all my fault, Debra! If it weren’t for me…”
I cut her off softly. “Why do you think you hurt me? Stop talking like that. Look at me, I’m doing just fine, aren’t I?”
But Riley was unyielding and held firm to her belief. She said with a hint of guilt, “It’s true, you were nearly killed because of me. If not for my actions, you wouldn’t have ended up in Gale’s clutches, and your life wouldn’t have been at risk. Why shouldn’t I face some consequences?”
I had no option but to comfort her as I had done with Caleb before.
“Riley, this isn’t your fault. You’re a victim too, manipulated by Gale. You don’t deserve to be punished.”
Yet, Riley stubbornly shook her head. “No, I am to blame. I shouldn’t be let off so easily. My negligence let Gale lead the Xeric Pack’s army here and cause chaos. It’s all on me!”
I rubbed my forehead, feeling at a loss.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to play on Riley’s greatest vulnerability. “If you refuse to leave, what about Luca? Do you want him to be cooped up here with you?”
At that, Riley was visibly shaken.
Clearly, she hadn’t considered Luca’s situation and had only been focused on atoning for her own mistakes.
She bit her lip and lapsed into silence.
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