I never should have asked him that damn question. But part of me thought he’d have an answer. He always seems to know what to do.
“Another three miles to the border,” Garrett says from the shore where he stands guard, watching over me, giving me all the time I need.
It’s not time I need. It’s answers. A way through the confusion.
Instead of joining Garrett, my wolf walks through the cold water to soothe aching limbs. I wonder if she’s stalling because she senses my uncertainty.
One small nudge from me, and my wolf joins him on the shore.
“You look nice and refreshed,” he says with that silly grin I love so much moments before he shifts to wolf form.
His wolf waits for me, assumes I’ll keep following him as I’ve been doing these past few hours.
After I finished crying in his arms, we never discussed where to go. His wolf headed northwest, toward his pack. I followed. Much like when we left the WSSO. I never questioned where or why because I trusted him. Then and now.
I can’t imagine that ever changing… even if I still don’t know where I belong.
Packs are supposed to protect, or die trying. My packmates, those who survived, forgot that.
They found… andleftme.
Abandoned. Sacrificed to the WSSO.
Now they want me back. I can’t go back to them. Ever. They broke the basest promise of being part of a pack. That unwritten edict… pack always stands for you, protects you—or at least tries—no matter what.
As for Garrett’s pack, I don’t feel as if I belong there and I’m not sure I ever will. But I’m safe there.
For now, it’s a place to sleep and think.
And Garrett will be there.
Nearly two hours later, we reach the border. I only know this because Garrett releases a howl on the ridge we climb and three howls reply, one from our right and the other two from our left.
Two hours to walk three miles. I’m moving slower than I realized.
But Garrett never complained. Not once.
I shift to human form just after we pass the border into Damien’s land. Garrett shifts in turn. “We’re home.”
I wish I could agree with him, or even smile. “Thank you.” Mywords are ambiguous but sincere. I appreciate everything he’s done for me… the treasure he is.
“I want to see the pack doctor.”
“You mean Doc Evans? Sure, I’ll take you straight to Mila.” He pauses. “Or you can go there without me, if… if you don’t need me.”
“Mila. I’ve heard the name. That’s Hayden’s mate, right?”
He nods. I can see more questions hidden behind those concerned eyes.
“Will she be upset with me?”
“Whatever for?”
“Hayden’s with his former pack because of me. I don’t know the history, but the tension between him and the alpha was palpable. If she can feel him across their blood-bond, she’ll be terrified.”
“Or very calm, because Hayden’s not in danger. Even if he were, I don’t think he’d let his panic travel the bond. I’ve been told that’s something a shifter can control. Just be yourself with Mila. No apologies or excuses necessary.”
“You’re afraid I’ll leave without telling you.”
