After everyone left, both men still stood where they were in silence, until Nicholas finally decided to lower his ego and invited Leland to sit together.
"I shouldn't have said those words," he spoke flatly. His expression was laced with embarrassment. He just projected his own insecurities and shame for leaving Sophie six years ago when she needed him the most, he left with no news. Even though it was not one hundred percent his fault, he still felt so guilty and inadequate.
That's why, hearing that Leland also left right before Sophie's parents were killed, he blurted out his own frustration and blamed Leland. He realized young Leland was also not to be blamed for the misfortune that fell on the Hansleys. He must be still a child back then.
He was what...? Fifteen? What could a fifteen-year-old boy do in the face of brutal lycan attackers? And he probably had his own reasons to leave the Hansleys.
