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“Although we are strong, we haven’t seen a hunter for many, many years. We need to be diligent, prepare and be ready to protect ourselves in case they reappear. We can’t take this lightly, yet we shouldn’t let this take over our lives."
When everyone got up to leave, Spencer had to wade through the crowd to find the girls. When he called out to them, none of them looked at him; they just kept walking in the direction of the oak tree. Frustrated, Spencer followed them, still calling out their names and asking them to stop.
“Come on! Can I please talk to at least one of you for a second?” he yelled, as they reached the tree.
“Really? Do you want to talk? Not sure if we want to be yelled at and degraded for being honest with you,” Beth retorted snidely.
“Okay, listen. I know I messed up, but I wasn’t myself. Apparently, it’s common for future Alphas to be jerks right before the official ceremony.” He put his hands up when all three of them opened their mouths to launch what he knew would bethe ultimate verbal assault. “I know that is no excuse. That is why I want to talk to Adria and tell her how sorry I am and how it’ll never happen again. Believe me, I feel awful, and I promise I will make it up to her somehow,” he pleaded.
Spencer's puzzlement and frustration grew as they all exchanged a look he couldn’t quite figure out. He had a sense that they were hiding something, making him worried as well. He knew he had messed up; he did feel sorry and wanted to make it up to her.
Finally, Everley spoke up.
“Well, that would be nice, but won’t be possible,” she said, crossing her arms. Spencer’s heart thudded in his chest, worry taking over.
“What do you mean?” he asked slowly, not sure if he wanted the answer.
“She’s gone, Spencer, and yes, it’s your fault. You hurt her bad,” Beth told him coldly. Her words hit him like a punch in the gut, almost knocking the wind out of him.
“She’s gone?” he asked in a whisper. “What do you mean she’s gone? Where did she go?” He was appalled. The feeling of guilt and shame overtook him as he realized he might have ruined everything forever.
“That, we’re not going to tell you. We know she’s okay, safe, and with people who care about her. That’s all you need to know.” Moira’s bluntness was another slap in the face, but it was also well-deserved.
Spencer hung his head, as he silently walked away.
She’s gone, and it’s all my fault. Some Alpha I'm turning out to be. Instead of keeping my pack safe, I'm driving away the ones that mean the most to me,he thought, shoving his hands in his pockets. Spencer had never felt so low; all he could hope was that someday she could forgive him.
Chapter 1 - Adria
Adria was startled awake by the sound of a fire engine going by, accompanied by a couple of horns blaring.
The sounds of the city were something she couldn’t ever quite get used to.
You’d think after all these years it would be easier,she thought to herself, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She was happy to have her own bed now; the couch she slept on when she first got to Canmore was very comfortable, at least, and she was very grateful to her friend, Sly, for letting her stay with him.
She had no idea where to go when she arrived in Canmore in the early morning hours after she left Rosewood almost eight years ago. She remembered pulling into a grocery store parking lot, turning off the engine, laying her head on the steering wheel, and crying. Spencer's words had burned into her, and she just needed to disappear. She had felt like such a fool to think he would ever have any feelings for her other than friendship.
It's my fault. I got my hopes up and should have known better. She remembered beating herself up mentally until a sharp knock on her window jolted her out of her self-shaming. She recognized her friend Sly right away and rolled down the window, trying to wipe her tears away. It was still clear in her head as if it was yesterday.
“Hey, I heard there was a pretty little she-wolf a long, long way from home that required some help.” Sly gave her a hopeful grin.
“How-how did you know? How did you know I was here?” she asked, perplexed.
“I live close to here and caught your scent. I’ve been away from the pack for a while, but my senses are still top-notch," hetried to boast. “Also, Moira called me and let me know you were probably on your way here,” he admitted with a sheepish grin.
“I didn’t have a plan when I left. I just left. I didn’t know where to go or what to do when I got here.” Adria tried to smile, as fresh tears started rolling down her cheeks.
“You’re a long way from home, Adria, if you wanted distance, you definitely got it. Follow me to my place, and we can talk about it.” Sly patted her shoulder before heading to his car.
She poured her heart out when they got to his little one-bedroom apartment, causing her to go through an entire box of tissues. She told him everything that Spencer had said, how hurt and ashamed she felt, and like the good friend he always was, he listened.
“I’m sorry to dump this all on you, Sly, but I just had to get away, and I have no intentions of ever going back,” she said with as much confidence as she could.
“Now, never say never. I don’t blame you for wanting to get away and regroup. What he did was inexcusable, and I'm surprised you didn’t wallop him for being such a jerk. But don’t forget all your friends and family are there,” he reminded her.
“Yes, they are, but how can I go back and face everyone, face him, after what he said? I don’t know, my mind is all over the place. I just need a little time, I guess. I’ll figure out what to do after my head clears a bit.” Adria raked her hands through her hair and took a deep breath.
“You take all the time you need; my couch is at your disposal.” Sly rubbed her back and then hugged her. Taking her time and having a friend's support felt so nice.
