Page 7

I don’t remember leaving the creek. That’s the first thing I realize when I open my eyes. It’s not all at once. It happens slowly.

The couch is against my shoulder. The hardwood floor beneath me is cold. The Christmas tree is still on, the lights throwing soft gold across the cabin like nothing happened here last night.

My clothes are damp.

No. Not damp. Soaked through.

Melted snow and creek water cling cold against my jeans and sweatshirt, stiff enough now that moving hurts. My hands ache. My chest aches worse.

For a second, I just stare at the tree. I don’t understand why I’m inside. Then it hits me all at once, sharp enough to know the breath clean out of me.

Raven.

I move too fast getting up and nearly lose my footing. My vision goes black at the edges for a second before it clears enough for the room to come into focus.

Her blanket.

Folded.

Empty.

Something tears loose in my chest.

“Easy, Wolf.” Jon’s voice is quiet.

I turn toward the kitchen and spot him standing near the counter with a coffee mug in his hand. He’s in the same clothes as yesterday, eyes bloodshot, face gray with exhaustion. Knox sits at the table across from him.

For one horrible second, I think maybe I dreamed it. Maybe Raven’s still asleep in our bed.

Maybe—

Then I see the look on Jon’s face, and everything comes crashing back.

Raven’s body in my arms.

The snow.

The creek.

The way her hand stopped holding onto me.

I bend forward before I can stop myself, one hand braced against the wall, my whole body reacting like it’s trying to fold in on itself.

Jon sets the mug down immediately. “Wolf⁠—”

“Don’t.” My voice sounds wrecked.

I straighten slowly and drag a hand over my face, but it doesn’t help. Nothing helps. My skin still feels frozen. My chest still feels split wide open.

I look toward the hallway without meaning to. Our bedroom door is halfway open. From here, I can see the edge of the mattress. The corner of the comforter. One of her pillows.

That's enough. I don't let my eyes linger there. Before I can see anything else, I drag my attention back to the kitchen.

Knox sits at the table with a mug between his hands. Jon remains standing near the counter. Neither of them says a word.

The tree lights glow in the corner.

Raven should be here.