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“He’s right,” Landon says, his voice low. “This is serious, Skylar. I’m sorry it has to be like this, but you have to lay low.”
They’re taking her away from me, I think wildly.
“She’s my family,” I snap. “You’re not.”
The room goes quiet, and their scents change into something muddled and dark.
I laugh bitterly to fight off the tears that threaten to spill as I tear myself open. “I have two people that I cherish in this world: April and her mother. Everyone else has left. Do you understand that?”
I don’t want to have this conversation now. It’s something I try not to think about too much, and loneliness pricks at my chest as I open myself up to them.
“My own dad bailed on me as a teenager, and my mom is in a totally different state. They don’t want anything to do with me,” I continue, pacing. “The last Alpha I stupidly dated barely tolerated me and made it very clear I was only an accessory to his ego,” I admit, shame flushing my cheeks. “April is the only constant through all of it. She’s my sister, without the blood relation.”
I can’t help it anymore. I start to sob, my face in my hands as I cry. Landon curses and pulls me into his arms, and this time, I don’t push away. I bury my face in his chest, letting out every single pent-up emotion for the last month.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his earthy scent washing over me. “I know, sweetheart. I know it’s hard.”
“Don’t ask me to do this,” I cry into his chest. “Please, don’t ask me to give up hope.”
“We’re not,” he says, pressing his lips to the top of my head. “I promise, we’re not.”
When I step back, wiping away the mess of tears, his expression hasn’t changed. “It’s important for you to remember, though,” he says, “you can only do so much for her. You’ve done more than enough already, Skylar. More than I’ve seen most people do.”
My stomach drops.
He still doesn’t get it. Neither of them does.
“There’s always more I can do,” I murmur.
“Not if she’s a ghost,” River mutters, and Landon turns to look at him sharply.
My eyes widen and it feels as if I’ve been struck.
“What did you say?” I whisper.
At that moment, he looks as sick as I feel, and he just shakes his head. “It doesn’t look good, Skylar. And we won’t let you be the next one. I’m sorry.”
My heart shatters.
The hope that they brought with them flickers and dies.
If they believe that she’s gone…
No.
No.
I stumble backwards in shock.
“Skylar,” Landon reaches for me, but I slap his hand away.
“Get the fuck out of my house,” I say slowly. “Both of you.”
“Skylar—” River tries, but I turn to him.
“You think she’s dead. You think this is pointless,” I say, my voice low. “How long have you thought that she’s a ghost?”
“It’s complicated,” he insists, his scent spiking.
