I’m never gonna see that notebook again.
Three years of names, dates, and theories. Every supply run, delivery, and name that came through my parents’ books that might connect back to the Morder is in there. All of it in a small black notebook tucked into the false bottom of my dresser.
If someone found it…
If someone already found it…
"It’s going to be okay, omega," Cliff says as he caresses my back. "Everyone needs to stay calm and let me do the talking."
The table is quiet. I look at each of them in turn. Raff is nodding slowly, Perrin sits a little straighter, and Odette takes a long sip of her coffee.
But Adam…
He’s still staring at his mug. His brow is furrowed and hisjaw is set. There's something in the way he's holding his mouth that tells me he wants to say something, but won't.
He doesn’t want me here.
"Or I could just leave.” The words leave my mouth before I've fully decided to say them.
Every head turns toward me.
"What?" Perrin's head snaps up, his eyes going wide. "You can't leave."
"Look,” I press my palms against the table, trying to steady myself. “This is all too dangerous for you guys. I mean, what if Angelica doesn’t buy it? It'll be safer for all of you if I'm not here." I lean back in my chair, forcing Cliff’s hand off my back. "You've already risked enough for me. I can disappear. I've done it before. I'll find somewhere?—"
The bond in my mind snaps so tight it makes me wince.
It hits me mid-sentence, a sharp, possessive pull that radiates from the bite mark on my neck and sinks into my chest like a hook.
“No,” Cliff growls softly, and a wave of raw, territorial refusal floods my entire body. His eyes have gone dark and his jaw is clenched so tight I can see the muscles jumping beneath his skin. "You're not going anywhere," he says, low and final.
I stare up at the pack alpha as our bond continues to hum with his determined anger.
It’s clear he’s not giving me up.
Outside
Elowen
The morning airis cool when we step outside. That brief, forgiving window before the summer heat clamps down and turns everything into a swamp.
The sky is pale blue, barely lit, dew still sitting on the grass and the little trees lining the driveway.
My stomach is happy for the first time in what feels like days. Odette made everyone a proper breakfast. For the boys, she made bacon, eggs, and toast with coffee refills that kept coming without anyone asking.
But she made me something different.
Plain rice, a soft-boiled egg, and broth with a little ginger stirred in. She set it in front of me like she knew my post-heat body couldn't handle the grease and salt.
I ate every bite.
Outside, Odette walks ahead toward the detached garage, while Raff and Perrin disappear behind the house to get the van. Odette pulls the garage door up on its track. Itgroans and rattles, the old springs fighting, and when it clears, there's a car inside.
It’s an old Cadillac. Long, wide, and the color of cream, with chrome trim that catches the morning light. I move closer, the leather interior is tan and cracked in a few places, but it looks clean.
"Sal loved this car," Odette says as she runs her hand along the hood as she passes. “Take good care of her.” She tosses the keys to Cliff. He catches them with one hand.
"Thank you, Odette. For everything."
