AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So you tried to prevent the conflict from happening at all,” West finished for her.
“That’s why I didn’t tell you. That’s why I stole the sketches. I just wanted this whole thing to go away.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’ve lost enough people in my life. I’m tired, and I’d like it to stop.”
Girl, you and me both.
West clapped her on the shoulder. “Fairhaven is my home, Anna, and Arrowhead is my pack. I have no intention of leaving.”
“Then why bother going back? You don’t owe those bastards anything.”
“I owe the pack clarity—an explanation of what happened to their loved ones, and to advise them to choose a new alpha, so they don’t wonder if I’m coming back.”
“They could turn on you when they see the bodies,” Anna warned. “Make you pay for what went down here tonight.”
“I won’t let that happen,” a voice said.
I was startled to see Jax hobble out of the woods. His clothes were shredded, his hair was sticky with blood, and his left shoulder drooped, but he was otherwise intact.
West blew out a breath. “I thought you were dead.”
Jax grinned. “Wishful thinking, brother. You can’t get rid of me that easily, although that monster’s tail has a mighty kick.” His smile faded. “I’m sorry, West. About everything.” His voice cracked. “I spent so much time cowering in Orson’s company, I felt like my only option was to become him. If I’d been half the man you are, I would’ve stood up to him a long time ago.” His gaze landed on the bodies of his pack. “I would’ve prevented this.”
“Except I didn’t stand up to him, Jax. I ran away to stay safe. I did what I had to do to survive, same as you.”
Anna nodded at Jax’s dislocated shoulder. “Can I reset that for you?”
“It’s one of those strange things that brings her joy,” West added. “I don’t question it.”
Jax angled his left side closer to her. Anna’s smile widened at the satisfying popping sound as the arm bone shifted back into the shoulder socket.
“She cracks backs, too,” West said.
Jax looked ready to be sick. “Maybe another time.”
“What now?” Anna asked. “Back to the trailer park to get the truck?”
“We can take the van,” Jax volunteered. “I’ll park it as close as I can get and help you load the remains.” He glanced at the lake. “The ones we can find anyway.”
“I’m sorry,” I told him.
Jax avoided my gaze. “It’s the nature of battle. We knew the stakes.”
“You get the van, and I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes,” West said. “There’s somewhere I need to go first.”
I had a feeling that ’somewhere’ was a cabin in the woods occupied by a certain fairy.
“Good luck in Minnesota,” I said.
The sudden quiet of the forest was a blessing because I’d become acutely aware of an intense pain building behind my eyes. The sensation didn’t surprise me. I’d expelled a lot of energy on the lake and my body was now relaxed enough to process it.
“Lorelei?”
I twisted to look over my shoulder. “Phaedra? What are you doing here?”
“It’s midnight.”
“We didn’t agree to meet at midnight. I said we’d reschedule.”
“I know, but I figured midnight would give me the most juice. I decided to break the curse on my own. My family. My responsibility.” She took in the scene. “Looks like I’m too late. Sweet Hecate, what happened?”
