(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Never film your crimes

After a few more minutes of teasing, the two found themselves at the door of the usual guiding room. Kellen took a few seconds to compose himself, much to Taylor’s delight, before they knocked and entered. Inside they found the Captain, shirtless, with the pad already in place while he was speaking into an earpiece. His long fingers were typing away on his phone, while Pamela sat next to him, doing the exact same thing but with her shirt on.

Both looked up when they entered, and a look crossed both of their faces. The Captain stopped typing and reached out, putting a hand on Pamela’s shoulder. Pamela looked ready to pounce on Kellen, and not in a good way.

"Guide Woods, I cannot believe that you-" She started, and the Captain patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"Now now, Pamela. He was only looking out for us." He soothed, but when Kellen met the Captain’s gaze, his eyes were rather serious. He swallowed.

"What happened?" Kellen asked, pulling his jacket off. He tossed it to the side, not noticing how the Captain froze at the sight of Kellen in his Field Guide uniform. Kellen began pulling off his leather straps, before taking off both of his shirts. It was then that he noticed how the Captain seemed stunned. The Captain shook his head as if breaking a spell before he spoke.

"The video that Casper took and sent to the group chat. Somehow, it was leaked to the media. It’s already blown up." Kellen looked back at Taylor, and it was clear that she had known what had happened. Some of the things she said now began to make sense. Kellen sighed, putting the pads onto his chest.

"What parts leaked?" He asked and Pamela ran her hand over her braids, clearly exhausted.

"The part where you were throwing the Guide around, and also breaking the other Guide’s arm. Everyone is in an uproar." She turned her gaze to Kellen, hostile. "I’m glad you stood up for us, but could you have not done it in a quieter setting?" She must have had a lot of work to do since she was the Guild’s PR person. He did feel bad, but he wasn’t going to apologise.

"Can I see the videos?" He asked, and the Captain quickly pulled it up on his phone. Kellen moved over until their shoulders were touching and took control of the phone. The Captain stiffened as Kellen watched the videos. After he watched them twice, he shook his head. "This isn’t from Casper’s video. Casper was to the left of me, where this is shot more like they were behind me. I’m sure if you compared it to his footage it would be slightly off. Someone else is clearly trying to make me out to be the bad guy." Kellen scoffed, smiling slightly. "I’m not apologising for anything I did in there." He told both of them seriously and Pamela looked like she wanted to scream.

"People are going to demand an explanation Guide Woods! What the hell am I supposed to say to them?" She demanded, and Kellen took a moment to think. He wasn’t aware, but he was leaning slightly on the Captain, who held his breath as he waited for Kellen to speak.

"Release the whole video. The one that Casper has, and tell them I’ll do a press conference tomorrow. They can ask any questions they want tomorrow, so hold off on speculation. I’ll always own up to my mistakes, but this isn’t one." He was serious, calm, and Pamela swallowed at the look in his eyes. She put her tablet down before resting her head in her hands on her knees, curling in on herself.

"I thought you were going to be a breath of reason coming into the Guild. I should have fucking known better. Barely two fucking weeks in and we have to deal with a scandal involving you throwing other Guides around like ragdolls and breaking bones. I really should have known better. Hill and Gunther like you. The fucking Captain likes you." The Captain chuckled, patting her shoulder with his hand.

"Pamela, Mr. Woods is a voice of reason. You understand what those Espers could have done if he hadn’t stepped in to punish those Guides, right?" She groaned, curling in on herself even more.

"Fuck. I don’t want to even imagine the bloodbath. Or how much money we’d have to pay out for their wrongful death clause from their contracts. Ugh! Why did this have to happen when we’re working so hard to keep the media off of our back until we have more control over the new gate?" Pamela was clearly at her wits end. Kellen did feel bad for her, especially if she had to meet up with Rene on occasion. The poor woman was going through it.

Maybe she needed a team to help her? Speaking of, why was only Pamela in charge of the PR of a Guild this big? She had to be running herself ragged. No wonder she was wound up tighter than a coil.

As if she could hear Kellen’s thoughts, she turned her pink gaze towards him, startling him. "Guide Woods, are you sure you want us to release the full video? You make some very serious threats in it." She asked. Kellen’s smile was soft as he nodded.

"Yes, I do. I didn’t lie to them, and I stand by what I said. I meant every word. I know that this isn’t going to reflect back only positively, but I believe that the full scenario should be seen by the public, not the little snippet of violence that they have been given. Context is always important, even if it isn’t always beneficial to me." Taylor’s long, loud sigh had all three of them turning to look at her. She glanced at Kellen, shaking her head.

"While I admit that the video is quite impressive, I’m not sure if releasing it is a good idea. You know how the public loves to tear you apart, Kellen." While the Captain seemed slightly confused by her words, Kellen and Pamela were not.