Chapter 15: The Unopened Drawer

Torin's POV

Garrick called the Keep at noon, and I took it standing in the hall with the Council still sitting behind me.

"I found them in Theron's desk," he said. "The bottom drawer, under his tax files."

"Found what?"

"Eleven parcels. Brown paper, no return name, the string still tied."

I put one hand flat against the stone wall.

"Unopened?"

"Every one. There's a winter coat in the third, and a child's inhaler in the fifth."

He stopped.

"All the medicine has expired," he said. "Your Majesty. I'm sorry."

I did not answer him.

For eleven years I had told myself that the parcels were being used.

I had pictured a girl in my coat and a boy breathing on my medicine.

I had let that picture carry me through every spring Council.

Theron had been keeping them in a drawer.

"Bring them to the MacBain porch," I said. "Not the Keep. Let her open them or burn them."

"She doesn't want to see you."

"I know."

I hung up.

Behind me, the hall had gone quiet, and I understood that I was being watched.

Two Alphas stood at the table with their chairs pushed back.

They were old men from the northern packs, and both were close with Theron.

All morning they had asked, mildly and in turn, whether the Crown could answer for one more irregularity.

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