Chapter 420: Come for Dinner

Ella

When I finally emerged from my bedroom, Rafe strapped to my chest, and hurried through the palace hallways to where I'd asked Cora to wait, I found her sitting with crossed arms, a frustrated look on her face.

"Oh, hey, Ella," she said, smirking. "What took you so long?"

I beamed innocently. "I don't know what you mean, Cora. I came as fast as I could."

"Oh," she said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sure you did."

I burst into laughter. Cora hadn't exactly been known for her dirty jokes, had she? "Looks like Roger's rubbing off on you," I said, offering her a hand. She accepted it.

"He's trying," she said, winking and leaning down to kiss Rafe's forehead. "Are you ready? Finally?"

"Oh, come on, Cora," I said, rolling my eyes as we headed for the door. "It wasn't that long a wait."

"Forty-five minutes! Honestly, Ella—it's not a quickie anymore if it takes the better part of an hour—"

"Cora!" I hissed, covering Rafe's ears and glancing around at the people milling about. "They'll hear you!"

She laughed. "Oh, come on, Ella, they all know. Do you know how many people asked me where Sinclair has been? I've been making excuses for you for over half an hour, and everyone saw right through them—"

"Oh my god," I said as we stepped outside and found Conner waiting. "We will cease speaking of this! Immediately!"

"Good plan," she said, laughing as we walked toward the waiting cars. We left quickly after I strapped Rafe into his car seat, heading straight for the Human Camp. Upon arrival, I saw Sinclair had again sent a sizable contingent of guards, and Isabel and Hank were waiting outside the gates.

Thankfully, they seemed to be chatting peacefully instead of standing coldly. I smiled, grateful Isabel was keeping her word about accepting humans as part of the team.

"What kept you?" Hank asked, approaching and smiling, but characteristically keeping his hands in his pockets and forgoing a hug. I resisted the urge, knowing it would make him uncomfortable.

Cora smirked and opened her mouth to explain, but I stepped forward. "We were settling Sarah this morning," I said, smiling at Hank and Isabel, who were already briefed on Sarah and Jessica. "She was kind enough to tell us her story."

"Oh, good," Isabel said, nodding. "I hope it gave you both clarity and that you'll be able to help her as she's helped you." She leaned down to coo at Rafe, who gratified her by kicking and waving his hands, making us laugh.

Then, as a group of eight—nine, counting Rafe—we entered the camp. We went to the children's hospitalization tent; Isabel and Hank had identified urgent cases needing my immediate attention. There, we fell into our routines, eager to help as many people as possible, especially considering our delay. I grimaced, regretting my wasted hour. Tomorrow, I'd try to arrive earlier.

After my third patient, Hank surprised me by bringing up Sarah again.

"So, she's all right?" he asked, flipping through the next patient's chart.

"Who?" I asked, confused.

"Sarah," he murmured. "And Jessica," he added as an afterthought. I smiled, watching him pointedly avoid my gaze as he flipped through pages he'd already read. [The following text appears to be an advertisement and has been omitted.]

"She's fine, Hank," I said, keeping my voice light. "She's staying at the palace for a while—as long as she wants, until she decides where to live. Jessica seems really happy; she met some kittens and will start school."

"Good," Hank said, letting the clipboard fall and looking away toward our next patient. My smile widened as I wondered how much he'd been thinking about the pretty, wounded dark-haired woman whose sister we'd saved.

However, I considered it could go either way. He was very cryptic. Was he asking out of professional curiosity, or…?

"Next case is over here," he said, walking away. I looked up at Conner, who grinned. I laughed, thinking that if Conner was picking up on it too…

Perhaps some meddling was in order.

"You know, Hank," I said as we reached the next hospital bed, taking his chart even though I couldn't read it. "You should come over for dinner sometime. At the palace. Catch up, like old friends."

"Catch up?" he said dryly. "Old friends?"

"Sure," I said, widening my eyes.

"Ella," he sighed, laughing as he shook his head. "Old times' with me and your family means I'm either watching you die slowly in bed or getting punched for crimes I didn't commit. So…maybe let's skip that excuse."

I laughed, genuinely surprised by his humor. He was right, and he'd seen through my ploy.

"Well then, come for new times, Hank," I said, grinning. "It'll be fun. I mean…Sarah could be there."

"Give me that," he mumbled, snatching the chart, seeking a distraction from my gaze and the slight flush on his cheeks.

"Hey, I was reading that!" I protested, laughing and holding it out of his reach.

"You don't even understand what it says," he chided, glaring but unable to hide his smile.

"Well, a girl can learn, can't she?" I said airily. I handed him the chart with a wink. "Think on it," I said. Then I looked at Conner. "You can come too! It'll be a party!"

"Oh," he said, surprised. "Um, I'm not sure that's appropriate, Luna…I mean, I can't…hang out with the King."

"Why not?" I asked, confused.

"Because he's the king, Ella," Hank replied, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. "You're just too used to him to see how intimidating he is to everyone else."

"Ohhh," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "Dominic is nice!"

"Nice," Conner murmured to Hank. "She just described the most powerful Alpha in the kingdom—maybe the world—as nice."

"Yeah, she's…Ella." Hank sighed.

Ignoring them, I smiled at the little brown-haired girl looking sadly at me. "Hi, sweetheart," I said, offering my hand. "My name is Ella. What's yours?"