***
Will came back with a plateful of yangzhou fried rice and mu shu pork and a glass of water. He went back to sit beside Gaia on the couch. “Know what pisses me off?” Will asked as he dug in.
“Tell me.”
“You lot patronizing me as I made a fool of myself.”
“Permission to be blunt,” She asked in a firm voice.
“Go ahead.”
“Before I say anything, know that none of this is your fault and no one thinks it is.” At Will’s nod, Gaia went on. “Good. We did the best we could to prepare you under the circumstances,” she said. “Even though you didn’t believe a word, it didn’t stop me. Stan told you what he was when you asked. Did you believe him? Nope.”
“The guy jokes with everything.” Will snapped. “How the fuck did you expect me to believe him? There’s something that I’m struggling to understand.” He frowned. “The very first time I met the wolf, it wanted to attack me. Why would Stan want to hurt me?” He turned to look at Gaia, his eyes filled with vulnerable curiosity.