赤裸裸的滑稽故事

Ashleigh was not happy to hear that Alice was back in Winter. Even less to know that she would have any part investigating Wyatt's death.

But, from what the children of Blue Reef had told Caleb, she saved them and tried to save Wyatt. Of course, there might have been a grander scheme at play, but she had to admit, it was just as possible that Alice had genuinely wanted to save them all.

Having Caleb be the one to work with Alice was a bit of a double edge sword.

On one side, she trusted Caleb and knew that he would find the answers and help them seek justice for her father.

On the other, she didn't trust Alice.

Ashleigh didn't like it, but she wasn't going to do anything to stop it either.

“Just… don't let your guard down around her,” Ashleigh said.

“It's going to be fine,” Caleb smiled, bringing her hand to his lips, brushing against her knuckles.

Ashleigh sighed and pulled him into a hug.

She was feeling numb. The pain of hearing about her father was still there, still eating away at her heart. But, right now, no tears were left, and she knew that telling her mother would hurt even more.

As far as Alice, she could only hope that if there was some kind of trick or trap being laid out for them, she would have the decency to wait until after they had mourned their lost Alpha.

They stood outside the hospital, waiting for the car to be brought around. Caleb held Ashleigh close. They would only be apart for a few hours, but having been away from her for ten days, and with a

tragedy on top of it, he didn't want to leave her side at all.

But they needed to finish bringing Wyatt home.

Axel and Ashleigh needed to return and support their mother as they delivered the news. Then, they needed to begin preparations for the pyre and feast.

Axel wanted Alice brought north; the doctor said she was not well enough to be out of the hospital, but they could transport her if they took precautions.

So, they had agreed that Axel and Ashleigh would leave earlier, taking Wyatt with them.

Meanwhile, Caleb would wait for the medical transport and ride north with Alice and the children.

“I will come to you as soon as Alice is set up in the hospital,” he whispered as the car pulled up in front of them.

Ashleigh nodded, then pulled him in for another hug and a short but tender kiss.

She reached for the handle of the passenger side door. Her eyes looked over at the long back of the black hearse. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and took a slow deep breath before opening the door and slipping into the car.

“I am trusting you.”

Caleb turned to see Axel standing not far behind him.

“I know,” Caleb nodded.

Axel stepped forward. He looked into Caleb's eyes with a questioning and desperate look.

“I know,” Caleb said again, putting his hand on Axel's shoulder, reassuring him that he would ensure Alice remained safe.

Axel nodded and went around the car to sit in the driver's seat.

***

The medical transport that had been arranged was a passenger ambulance. A bed was secured to the wall, a bench directly across from it, and a small cabin for extra seating behind the driver.

Alice lay in the bed, secured to ensure her body didn't move around too much and reopen her stitches.

Four of the children had crawled into the cabin behind the driver, and it didn't take long for them to fall asleep. Caleb wondered if the trauma of having witnessed Wyatt's death was the reason for their excessive tiredness.

He made himself a mental note to discuss with Axel arrangements for counselors to come speak with the children.

Caleb turned his head to the bed. Alice was lying still, but her eyes were open. He wondered how resistant she would be to the idea of counseling. Not just for the children, but for herself as well.

A soft snore drew Caleb's attention. He looked down to the floor, where Stefan was curled into a ball beside the bed.

Caleb smiled to himself. Stefan was a good boy. However, it was clear he had made the decision to devote himself to Alice.

Leaning forward, Caleb lifted the boy into his arms and sat him on the bench beside him.

“He needs a real bed,” Alice whispered.

“Unfortunately, there is only one,” Caleb smiled.

Alice took a quick glance at Stefan. Then, she moved her legs as though it was more comfortable to be closer to the wall of the car.

“You could put him there if you want,” she suggested, pointing to the end of the bed where she had made room.

Caleb smiled and lifted Stefan, moving him beside Alice. Stefan immediately relaxed in bed. Making both Caleb and Alice wear gentle smiles.

Alice turned away first, and Caleb cleared his throat.

“We have some time before we arrive,” Caleb said. “Why don't you tell me what happened in Autumn.”

“Anything in particular?” she asked.

“The broad strokes, if I have questions or need clarification, I will ask.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” Alice sighed.

She took a deep breath and told him what she remembered about the night in Autumn. About being woken by Tomas and how he had told her to run. How she had stuck to the shadows. Finding the house by chance.

Alice told him about the girl, about the man.

She skipped ahead, saying she was surprised to find Wyatt with the children.

“He was already weakened. Roman had injected him with silver.”

“Did he tell you Roman did it?” Caleb asked.

Alice nodded.

“He insisted on helping clear the house of the guards,” Alice continued. “He was magnificent.”

She smiled.

“It didn't take long for the two of us to clean up and get the children away from the house. After we made our way to the car. We stopped for supplies at an old clinic and ran for the car. We were only a few feet away when….”

Alice paused, taking a breath.

“When he suddenly was shot with an arrow,” she said. “Then Holden showed up. I got the kids to take Wyatt to the car while Holden and I said our goodbyes.”

“How did you get your wound?” Caleb asked.

“Holden didn't like what I had to say,” she smiled.

“Stefan said the man was on the ground when you drove away.”

Alice nodded.

“I didn't like what he had to say either.”

“Is he dead?” Caleb asked.