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Oh Luna! I didn’t even have my comforter to curl up in. The house was probably unsalvageable.
My dad’s words rang in my ears. Luna wouldn’t give you something you couldn’t handle.
Darrin’s death had been near impossible for my parents, but Dad had always held it together in front of the pack because he had to. And so did I.
I sucked in a deep breath and nodded at Sawyer, then turned to my dad and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I won’t let you down, Daddy. I promise.”
A series of howls broke through the night, making me flinch. I shot up and darted my gaze around.
Sawyer stood and turned in a slow circle before his gaze landed on me. “That’s Pack Wolf Blood. We’re retreating.”
I ran the back of my hand under my nose as I sniffled. “Sawyer, you can’t leave now.”
He wiped a hand over his face and then skimmed it through his hair. “I promised your dad I would protect you. The best way for me to do that is to go back with my father.”
My face crumpled, but I had no more tears left to shed. “No. Please. I need you here with me.”
Sawyer closed his eyes and let his chin fall to his chest. “I wish I didn’t have to leave you under these circumstances. I’m so sorry, Sloane.”
He heaved out a heavy sigh and then looked up and met my eyes. “You don’t need me here, Sloane. Your dad was right. You’re strong, and Luna wouldn’t give you something if you weren’t ready.”
He reached out and took my hand. “Let me protect you, protect our pack. You need someone on the inside now more than ever. You’ll need to prepare for the next attack, and you’ll need to know when it is.”
I swallowed hard and peered up at him. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
Sawyer’s brows pulled together in a severe expression. “You have my word. I’ll be here with you and Lincoln as soon as I can.”
He reached out and brushed his thumb down my tear-stained face. “I love you.”
I gulped down the lump in my throat. “I love you too.”
His hand fell to his side, and then he stared down at my dad. His lips moved, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.
Sawyer looked up and took a few steps back, locking gazes with me one last time before spinning on his heel and disappearing into the woods.
I sank back to my knees next to my dad. My heart ached, and I felt cold.
I reached up and slowly ran my hand down over his face, closing his eyes. Then I used the sleeve of my sweater to try to wipe away the blood specks on his face.
It didn’t work. The blood was dry, so all it did was smear red streaks across his face. Nausea curdled in my belly as I looked away from him.
I bit my lip to keep from crying out again.
The bushes rustled, and footfalls thudded against the ground. Too many of them to count. I shot to my feet and flexed my fists at my sides.
My wolf simmered, but she was still too weak to come out. Lincoln broke through the brush first. He whined when he saw me and then dropped his head as he yowled.
My mom, brothers, and a few other members of the pack pushed out of the brush behind him.
My mom screamed when she saw my father.
I bit the inside of my cheek and held my breath. My body trembled as I fought back my tears while she threw herself over his body.
She wailed, her whole body heaving as she cried. I covered my mouth and looked away.
A few of the guys watched me, but I pulled myself together and glared at them.
My knees wobbled as my mom called out my dad’s name.
