The Rogues Who Went Rogue
Chapter 133

Gerella's smile grew in cheekiness when she explained, "They think it's the authorities' fault that we left the hideout. Since you're part of the authorities, they hate you."

Toby argued in a whisper, "Ella, that's not fair. The vigils went in first. I'm NOT a vigil. Hate on them. And besides, you guys left BEFORE any of us saw any of you." She replied with a playful smile, "I know."

"Didn't you tell them?" Toby asked in dismay.

"Not at first. I do like to listen to everything someone says before I say anything. It gives me a good picture of what they know and where they stand in things." "Baby, you didn't defend me?"

Gerella's focus was broken by the way Toby called her. He never called her 'baby' before this day. That word felt like Toby was wrapping her in his arms even though they were seated across each other. The way they were both leaning across the small table showed their desperation to do just that to hold each other in a long embrace, but they always saved this part for when Toby had to leave.

"Ella, hey, you okay?" Toby gave her hands a gentle squeeze when she said nothing in her few moments of shock.

She blinked a few times before she said, "Yes, I'm...alright. For the record, I did defend you, Toby. I told them how we were the ones who were wrong, and that you're a really good person."

"And?" Toby's eyes widened in anticipation.

"They hate you less than they hate Saxum now, but I think they have a propensity to hate law enforcement in general."

"Great." Toby murmured in dissatisfaction.

She narrowed her eyes in playful suspicion when she said, "I didn't know you care so much about what inmates think of you, Toby."

He replied simply, "I didn't, until some of them turned out to be your friends."

"I'm sure they'll warm up to you once they get to meet you. They have a soft spot for good-looking guys."

The ears of Toby's animal perked up, and Toby's own eyes shone when he tightened his grip on her hands as he asked in a whisper, "You think I'm good-looking?"

Gerella didn't mask her surprise and annoyance by that question. "Did you seriously just ask that, Toby? You know, when you told me that your last attempt at intimate love was in your late teens, I didn't believe you. When you brought me to meet the queen, and I saw what she looked like, it was very hard to believe that you two had only ever been best friends. You two look so close, and you're both very attractive."

Frantically, he said, "You do know I wasn't lying, don't you? I've never lied to you about anything. Ella, Lucy is really just my best friend. We have no history. We never saw each other like that. Ever."

Gerella smiled warmly when she uttered, "I know. The way the two of you interact and speak to each other made me sure of that. She seems nice." Toby had the urge to specify, "Only when she's not fighting."

Gerella shrugged and said, "That's fair. We hear things about her here in prison, too. Even the forest messengers are a little scared of her, despite never meeting her. When they asked if I met her, and I said yes, they asked if the queen tortured me before I was thrown in here. Many of them didn't believe me when I said she never hurt me. No one believed me when I said that she was nice. They think I was given some drug or potion to make me forget what was done to me, or that I have a threat hanging over my head if I spoke ill of her."

Toby weighed up that fact, and a mischievous smile slowly graced his features when he said, "I think I have a way to befriend your messenger friends, Ella. We all love you, and we're all scared of Lucy! We have those things in common. Isn't it great?!" Her eyebrows furrowed when she asked, "Should you even be doing that to your best friend?"

Toby waved his hand like it was no big deal. "We've teased Lucy about her ferocity many times over the years. She's cool with it, even getting back at us sometimes. Her brother does it too, but...I think I'm the worst one." Gerella chuckled again, and she stroked the back of his hand when she prompted, "So what have you been up to?"

"Besides thinking about you? Mostly the usual: checking on the Gammas and warriors, training, communicating with the vampires about decipio practice sessions for the wolf packs, reading stuff for the next meeting, those kinds of things."

Gerella remembered Toby mentioning how the government wanted to 'expand' a wolf and lycan's training to include decipio practice sessions, and there were several skeptical packs that weren't yet onboard with the idea, so she carefully asked, "How are they taking it? The decipio practice?"

"Some...still aren't very open to the idea yet, but...the upside of this is that all the strongest packs have signed up, and the majority of the other packs are saying yes to it. The problem is just those who...have a preconception that the vampires have some evil plan for wanting to help."

"That's a little sad."

"Or stupid."

"Maybe they just need time."

"I am one hundred percent with you on that, Ella. With time, these birdbrains will eventually die off, and we'll be safe from their stupidity."

Gerella's eyes narrowed in irritation, "That wasn't what I meant, Toby."

Toby chuckled and stroked her hands to soothe her. "I know, Ella. I know. And you're right. They just need time to warm up to the idea. Once they see other packs doing it with no issues, they'll get onboard."

When the timer went off, a thread of melancholy weaved itself into the happy atmosphere. They looked at the annoying timer sadly like they always did when the visit had to come to an end, and both got out of their seats before Toby pulled Gerella into his chest. He hooked his chin above her head as they held each other in a tight embrace. Toby took in her scent, breathing deeply into his lungs, miraculously hoping that the smell of his mate would be stored there until the next time they saw each other again.

Toby parted their bodies only to look into her sad, blue eyes. His hand reached for the back of her head before pulling her into a deep kiss. Gerella's eyes fluttered closed as she indulged in the feeling of his warm lips against hers. The sparks that coursed through her body with each brush made her feel protected, desired and loved.

When the guard tapped on the metal door twice, Toby reluctantly pulled away. He pressed a kiss on her forehead and uttered, "I'll see you in the evening, okay?"

Gerella nodded and managed a smile. After giving his hands another squeeze, she let them go and walked towards the guard at the door, who put the cuffs back on before opening the door to let her back out. She briefly turned back to see Toby one more time before disappearing from his view.

Toby left the prison and boarded his jet. After replaying his time with Gerella, he kept her at the back of his mind while scrolling through the morning's news.