As the flames bury my father, my soul feels dead. My father is gone, and he took a piece of me with him. I keep the tears at bay, refusing to cry in front of my old pack, but just thinking about how empty I feel has my eyes stinging. The pack leaves, making their way to the memorial dinner. I don’t look around to see who’s staying or going. The flames rage on, devouring the man who raised me. I can’t look away from their hypnotizing dance. I sink to my knees. A million thoughts run through my head as the fiery energy dwindles. There were so many things I never got to say to my father. So many unspoken apologies.“I’m sorry, dad. For everything, for running off like mom did, for disappointing you. All of it. I wish I visited you more, but I was a coward. Too scared to come back here and face my broken heart. Now, you’re gone, and I’m all alone in the world. Wherever you are, I hope you’re happy. Please watch over me.”The nipping wind b
The noisy dining hall fades into the background the second I see her walk in. I can tell she senses me by the way her muscles tense up. Nice to know I still have such an effect on her. I watch her as she weaves through the crowd. Since she came back, I’ve noticed that she only wears baggy clothes. I can only guess that she does that to keep attention off her. Unfortunately, baggy clothes can’t hide her beauty from me. I lose interest in my food as I watch her pick hers. She turns around and searches the room for an empty table. Her gaze skips the empty seat between Paige and me. There aren’t many more options for her. Her eyes dart to the door. My blood becomes frantic. After yesterday, I’ve been trying to find a way to make things between us better. I nudge Paige’s arm and jerk my head in Amber’s direction.“Amber, you can sit with us.”“Um, I’m just going to go back to my dad’s place.”“Nonsense, take a seat.” Paige pats the seat between us.“Yes, Luna.”Her scent grabs hold of me,
I wince, but nod. I’m not sure what answer she’s looking for. Though she probably doesn’t want to hear that I slept with her cousin because I missed her so damn much. She keeps her face unreadable. Panic swallows me. Zeke feels it too. His paws pound on my head as he paces.“Grace went back to her school yesterday. I saw her off myself,” Paige says.Finally, she takes a deep breath and opens her mouth to say something. She mutters unintelligible words before standing up and running out of the room.“What did I do?”“Nothing. She just needs time. You really hurt her, but it’s more than that. Her own behavior has come back to bite her in the ass, plus her dad just died. She’s under a lot of stress,” Paige replies. “She literally just ran from me, Paige. There has to be something I can do.”Paige doesn’t hide her irritation with me. She gives me a scowl before leaving the table. Colin sits there with a dumbstruck look on his face. I can see him struggling with something, but right now,
A bright light pries my eyes open. I blink several times until I can see clearly. Looking around, I realize I’m still sitting on Amber’s porch. A blanket covers the lower half of my body. A warm sliver of hope drifts through me. She knew I was out here, and she cared enough to give me a blanket. Is she not angry? I pick up the soft blanket, it smells like her. Now I know why I slept so well. A loud whistle turns my attention to the open back door. Her long hair is pulled back, the inky strands glittering in the sun. Her pink lips curve into a smile.“Coffee?”“Please.”I follow her through the house, looking at the broken plates on the floor, the boxes stacked everywhere. It’s obvious that she can’t wait to leave. She lifts up on her toes to reach a cabinet full of mugs. Her baggy shirt lifts, show
Alex growls, and I see his claws extend. I know Zeke is pushing forward, and he will tear Jake apart if I don’t do something. Even with Jake’s skills, he’s no match for my angry mate.Ha-ha. You called him your mate. You’re starting to like him again! Vera grins.Not now, mutt. The sounds of breaking glass pull my attention back to the angry wolves fighting in my living room. Alex throws Jake into a wall, creating the biggest hole I’ve ever seen. He might as well have just taken out the wall. Jake lunges at Alex. I jump in front of him, and I knock the breath from Jake’s chest with my fist. His dazed body stumbles back. A kick to his stomach leaves him gasping for air on the floor.Alex looks at me with wonder. I walk to him with my arms outstretched. Ale
I run through the woods, searching for her. Again. Jake and I have checked this area four times, but maybe we missed something. She left her phone so I can’t track her. She blocked Jake out from the mindlink so he can’t find her. Zeke’s attempts to reach Vera have been futile. I don’t pick her scent up anywhere, and that terrifies me. My knees want to buckle beneath the fear, but I keep pushing.“Alex, come back to her house,” Colin mindlinks.“Did you find something?”“No. Just come back.”“No. Not until we’ve found her.”“Just listen to me. I’m getting warriors together, and I need you to lead them.”“Fine.”The sun blinds me as it pours over the horizon. Jake, Colin, and Paige are wait
“I met him when I was sixteen, on my birthday, to be exact. It was the worst birthday of my life.” Amber inhales a large breath. “My friend insisted we go to a club on the human territory. She was screwing the bouncer, so it was pretty easy to sneak in. At first it was fun. Dancing with older guys, getting free drinks, getting hit on. It was the first time I had felt beautiful or loved in so long. It was everything you see in the movies. Until I met him. Back then, that pale asshat was the most gorgeous creature I had ever seen. He was so sweet and attentive. He complimented me, made me feel safe. He gave me what I was looking for. Love. I mean, I had my dad back then, but I wanted that all-consuming love. I wanted what I thought everyone around me had. What I thought my parents had. I know it’s silly considering I’d just met him, but I was so desperate for any type of love back then, I couldn’t stop myself from fallin
“The warriors emptied my kitchen, otherwise, I’d offer you cookies or something.”“It’s fine.” Paige smiles at me from across the table.My stomach churns. I’m so nervous about explaining Lyle to everyone. I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans. I know that I’ll be judged today. That never used to bother me, but now it’s the weight of judgment that is making it hard to breathe. Alex sits next to me, continuously rubbing circles on my back. His touch sets alarms off in my head, but it brings peace to my soul. I’m still torn on the whole second chance mess. He impressed me with how he acted as I told him the story, but there’s a nagging voice demanding I build brick walls between us. I don’t know how I’m ever supposed to get over this. Maybe there’s no way to get over it. The hinges of the door squeak, letting us know Jake has made an appearance. It’s about time. I’m ready to get