Unable to show my sadness in wolf form, I released a long howl in response, wagging my tail when she waved back in
my direction. She got as far as the sidewalk outside her apartment before turning to me again. Her eyes searched the trees, but I knew she couldn’t see me there.
A minute went by, followed by another, and another. And still, she hesitated.
“What’re you waiting for?” I whispered under my breath.
“Go inside and get warm.”
If our roles were reversed, I probably would’ve done the same thing. She’d never expected to see me again, and while I could never go back to the life we shared since we were kids, I knew we’d find a way to make this separation work.
It wasn’t long until my sister finally turned to go inside, glancing my way one last time before running up the front steps and into the building. I waited until her apartment light turned on. Once it did, I let out a loud howl before slowly making my way back to the manor on my own.
Chapter Seventeen
By the time I reached the mountain behind the manor, it was almost one in the morning. As much as my wolf wanted to run to get rid of some of the added tension, I took my time, veering off my usual trail to avoid being seen in case Ash was still around. I had no idea how she’d react once I got back inside, but if her words at the bonfire were any indication, the bit I’d said probably hurt her a lot more.
I’d never meant to hurt her, and if I could take it back, I would. But seeing as that isn’t possible…
I paused under the trees, the hint of movement to my left causing my wolf to bristle in response. Hidden under the trees, the small group of wolves hadn’t seen me yet, but even from where I was standing, I knew they weren’t pack.
Their scents were unfamiliar, their pelts completely unknown to me. Not knowing where Ash’s territory ended and another began, I was pretty sure the stream below the mountain was ours. Fallen never corrected me when I came this way, and seeing as it’s where we shared our first kiss, it couldn’t have belonged to them.
Uncomfortable with the situation and not wanting to bring any attention to myself, I moved at a faster clip toward the manor. Fallen met me under the trees, panting and out of breath.
“Fallen,” I said with a start, “What’re you doing out here?”
“I’m out here looking for you.” She gave me a pointed look, her eyes darting to the empty space above my back.
“Where’s Val?”
“Home,” I said, my chest tightening at the look she gave me just then. “Before you reprimand me, I never left the forest. I only stayed there long enough to make sure she got inside.”
Fallen released a sigh, stepping close to me before gently nuzzling my neck. “I know it’s hard, but it was the right thing to do.”
Nodding, I glanced back the way I came. Unable to smell the wolves, I wasn’t sure if Fallen knew of their location or not. “There are other wolves out there,” I said, grima
cing when my voice shook. “Their scents are ones I don’t recognize.”
Fallen let out a huff. “It’s probably Coren and his crew.
We’ve fought them before.”
Fought? My heart lodged itself into the back of my throat, making it hard to breathe.
“Where are they?” Fallen asked a moment later, her eyes focused on the darkening woods.
“Near the stream, under the trees.”
“Okay. I’m going to check on them, but I need you to get back to the manor.”
“So you can face a pack on your own?”
She made what sounded like a laugh, her maw opening in a wolfish grin. “I’d hardly call his band of wolves a pack.
They’re probably just drunk on the full moon and made their way down here by mistake. They usually stay to the other side of the mountain.”
“But you just said you’ve fought them before.”