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I run away, away, away.
Later, much, much later, I open my eyes.
For a moment I don’t know who I am.
And then—
“Hello, Robbie.”
I look over. A kindly old man is sitting on a tree stump. His hands are liver-spotted and shaking, and he smiles at me. It’s sweet and lovely, and I think how it’s been a long time since anyone has looked at me in such a way.
“Who are you?” I ask. I push myself up off the ground. I don’t remember how I got here, but it’s shortly after a full moon, so I’m not surprised. Those nights can be taxing when a wolf doesn’t have strong bonds with a pack.
“My name is Ezra,” he says. “And I come in peace, bringing tidings of great joy. We have been watching you for a long while. My Alpha finally decided it was time. She would like to offer you a place in her pack.”
And oh, are those words like a song I never expected to hear. It’s too good to be true. “What?” I croak out. “Who is your Alpha?”
“Why, it’s the Alpha of all,” he says. “Michelle Hughes. She knows you’re a good wolf. And she wants to put you to work. To give you a home. A place to belong.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Hope rises within me. “She does?”
He nods. “She knew your mother, Robbie. She knew Beatrice Fontaine. A wonderful woman, she told me. Those were her exact words.”
My eyes sting, but I can’t do anything to stop it.
“You should know how rare such an offer is. You’re important, Robbie. To her. To me. To all of us. Please. Would you hear me, dear?”
He says, “The Alpha of all needs you, Robbie.”
He says, “It is a great honor to be summoned before her.”
He says, “She has heard about you. We all have. The solitary wolf.”
He says, “Would you come with me, dear? I have so much to show you.”
It is too good to be true. “Are you sure? Are you sure it’s me she wants?”
“Oh yes,” he says. “There is no one else.”
“Please,” I pant. “Please, please, please.”
Ezra smiles. “Good boy. Now. Take my hand. Let me guide you home.”
I do the only thing I can.
I take what is offered.
He pulls me up. He’s stronger than he looks.
And then he says, “Kelly.”
I blink at him. “Who?”
He shakes his head. “Never mind. You remind me of someone I once knew. Slip of the tongue. Come, dear. I have much to tell you. Oh, and don’t forget your backpack. I’ve often learned that those who travel light treasure what they have more than others. I wouldn’t want you to leave anything behind.”
A rush of affection roars through me at this man I don’t know.
I lift my backpack from the ground, hoist it over my shoulder.
