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I can’t, Dru replied, her eyes glossy. Leaving you – She shook her head. You know what that means.
Gran gripped Dru’s arm tight enough to make her wince as she growled, “If you leave you’ll never be welcome back here.” She shook Dru hard enough to make her head bob. “I will make sure you never see your sister again,” she hissed, her voice dropping so low I had to strain to hear it. “I will make sure she doesn’t see the light of day.”
Dru ripped out of Gran’s hold, her eyes catching mine for the barest moment, but it was long enough for me to see bitter regret reflected in them. I dropped the hand I was stretching toward her. “Go with them,” she whispered, the words broken and desperate. Don’t let her hurt them, she told Paige, whose face fell as Dru rejected her plea for her to be free.
Dru leapt, her body contorting in the air and she landed on four paws, her fur the color of straw. I grabbed Paige when she collapsed against me as Dru disappeared into the woods. Gran threatened to hurt you, I murmured, squeezing Paige gently. Dru won’t leave because she thinks she’s protecting you.
I always knew Gran…didn’t treat Dru right, but I never thought she used me against her. A whimper escaped her and I supported her weight, staring at the spot where Dru had vanished. She can’t do this. With Paige’s words a veil dropped over any hint of her emotions and their absence was more chilling than her rage.
A hard stare drew my attention and I saw Monster watching us closely, his gaze tracking where my arm braced Paige. I carefully withdrew my arm, making sure she was steady, but she didn’t seem to notice, her attention fully focused on Gran. Easy, kid. Don’t burn the forest down for one rotten tree. Her expression smoothed as she gave me a short nod.
Your safety is my responsibility and I won’t fall you, she said formally and a quick frown flashed across my face. But you have to go. I started to shake my head when her eyes flashed neon blue, bright enough to sear me. This isn’t negotiable. Dru won’t come back until you’re gone. She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper as she added, I can’t fight Gran on my own.
Everything inside me wanted to protest, to tell her my leaving wasn’t negotiable, that I was here for Dru no matter what, but the memory of Dru’s face wouldn’t leave me. Gran had forced her into an untenable choice, one I couldn’t in good conscious make harder on her. Leaving went against my instincts, but I knew Paige was right. Dru was stubborn but conceding now didn’t mean I was giving up.
I’m coming back, I warned her and she bit her lip.
I’m counting on it, she replied, stepping away from me.
The wind started to whip and without warning I was blasted off my feet. I flew backwards, not stopping until I hit a tree, and squinted against the swirling leaves to see Gran, her eyes burning as she held out her hand. “This is your only warning. Stay away from here. You are not welcome.”
“Millie,” Gregory shouted and something flashed across her face before her expression shuttered and he skidded backwards, coming to a stop once he was back on our Pack lands. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” he tried again, his expression pained.
She didn’t answer, turning her back to us in a clear dismissal. Dom paced the line, a snarl escaping him at her insult, but he checked himself as I came up beside him. “Leave it, brother.” I rested my hand on his shoulder, pressing him back, not able to watch Gran and Paige walk away. “Another day.”
He shot me a sharp glance, repeating, “Another day?”
I nodded, unable to stop myself as I glanced over my shoulder, but they were already gone. “She’s my mate.”
He sighed heavily, but didn’t argue, just clamped a hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.” He shook his head. “Scared the hell out of me when I felt you –” he stopped, choking up and shoved me. “Don’t do that again.”
I nodded, not making any promises, my gaze lingering where Dru had disappeared. “I’ll be back,” I vowed, only walking away when Trent nudged me.
“Come on, troublemaker.” I glanced at him, a smile almost but not quite forming when he added, “Dom practically skinned me alive when I admitted where you were.”
“You told him?” I asked in disbelief. Trent wasn’t exactly the type to go out on a limb for me.
“You died. You do realize that?”
I grunted, elbowing him. “Yeah, I was there.”
Trent chuckled mirthlessly. “You still don’t get it, do you?” I glanced at him, surprised at the bitterness in his question. “He worries about you as much if not more than his own kids. I was there when he felt your Pack link disappear, knowing exactly what that meant. You’re the reason he has gray hair.”
