I filled him in on my embarrassing display.
“That doesn’t change anything, other than that we need to figure out who the wolf is.” He patted my arm as he said firmly, “And we’re going to get through this together. We’re each other’s family now.
That’s final.”
But the problem was I couldn’t agree with that. If I were in his shoes, I’d have been saying that same thing. But he’d lost his family too. And because of me, his best friend hadn’t been around.
Thinking back to the night before Griffin disappeared felt like a punch to the gut. One second, we were at each other’s throats, and the next second, I wanted to rip his clothes off and do things I’d never done with anyone else. I still had whiplash from my emotions that night.
The worst part was that not seeing him was driving me crazy. And to know he’d been spending time with Luna was like mixing Pop Rocks candy and Coke. I was about to explode, or implode, and I had no fucking clue why.
I decided to change the subject from something I didn’t want to talk about to something he didn’t want to. It would make him shut down, at least for a little while, and I could use the reprieve. “Jessica doesn’t seem all that bad.” I lifted a brow at him. “In fact, she’s quite breathtaking.” “How’d you meet her?” Killian pursed his lips as he glanced at me.
“Well, it involved Luna, which was very unpleasant.” On so many levels. “Jessica was with her.
She seems sweet.”
“Jessica isn’t the problem.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “It’s more of who her best friend is. Although honestly, what does it say about her that she chooses to be close friends with Luna?” He shuddered.
He did have a point. “They’re from Griffin’s pack, right?”
“Yes, and their fathers are close. They grew up together, but still. Also, my parents were fated mates, and I want to find my own. I don’t want to settle for something other than that. A chosen mate is out of the cards for me. Why try to build a relationship with someone fate knows isn’t for you? Why waste time in a relationship with someone when I know how it’ll end?”
And he had a good point there too. If he knew what he wanted, then pushing him to do otherwise would only result in heartache.
Either way, with my secret coming out and the wolf now watching me, I knew exactly what I had to do to protect Killian and myself.
THE MOON SHONE through the window, alerting me that it was around midnight. I’d been lying in bed for hours, needing rest, but sleep wouldn’t come. Each time I closed my eyes, images of my dead pack jumped vividly through my mind, but surprisingly, that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was Killian lying lifeless with them as well.
I got up and paced back and forth at the edge of the bed, trying to find some sense of calm, but it was futile.
My wolf howled in my mind, wanting to seize control, desperate to get out, and Killian’s lifeless face was in every shadow of the room. Something tugged inside me, making my wits scatter, the sensation adding to my sense of losing control.
Terror took hold of me, and I couldn’t regain my calm. My wolf surged forward, bucking against my hold.
Staying here wasn’t an option any longer, but leaving would break my heart. I’d promised Killian we were in this together. However, if I didn’t do something, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold my wolf at bay.
On the nightstand sat some plain white stationary and a pen. I grabbed it quickly and wrote a note.
Killian,
Earlier when you said I was your family, I know I didn’t say anything in response. But I want you to know I feel the same way about you. You’ve been the one bright spot since that horrible day you found me in the river.
I planned on staying like I promised, but I realized tonight that I can’t put you at risk. It would be selfish of me to stay and to risk the amazing future you deserve.
I’m sorry this is how I’m saying goodbye, but I’m not strong enough to say it to your face. You’ve become my home, and I love you.
Your sister always,
Dove
I placed the note on my pillow, and a sob formed at the back of my throat. I swallowed it down as I opened the window, making sure not to make any noise. The bag I’d packed earlier lay on the floor with a few changes of clothes, ID, and some cash. Of course, my trusty knife was strapped to my ankle.
After grabbing the bag and tossing it through, I slipped out the window and landed on both feet. Forcing myself to stay calm, I scanned the area.
Everything looked clear.
Sighing, I picked up the bag and slung it over one shoulder. My plan was simple. Get to the river and use it to find another city or town. I’d rent a car and get as far away from here as possible. Staying near my old neighborhood must have made it easier for them to find me.
As I jogged toward the back of the house, the back porch light at Griffin’s house turned on, and the back door opened.
The tug was so hard I nearly fell to my knees. I stopped in my tracks as emotions I didn’t understand surged through me-a mixture of desire, need, and desperation.
“Dove, what the hell are you doing?” Griffin growled. “That bear shifter could be out here. Get your ass back inside.”