LOGINI didn't stop walking until I reached our front door, then I pushed the front door open harder than I wanted.Mother looked up from the sitting room. "Ethan?"I walked straight to her. "Lucas knows."Her smile disappeared. "What?""He knows Derek is somewhere in the pack," I said.Her face paled."I don't know how much he knows, but he's suspicious," I spoke quickly, not giving myself time to think. "If he comes here, don't let him search the house."She frowned. "Ethan—""And don't invite him in."She blinked. "What happened?""I don't trust him anymore," I sighed. "He isn't welcome here."Before she could respond, I turned and headed upstairs. I needed to see Derek. I quietly opened my bedroom door, and the moment he saw me, he stood."Ethan."He crossed the room in seconds and wrapped me in a hug. His arms tightened around me."I'm so sorry."I buried my face against his shoulder."For your dad," he said softly.I closed my eyes. "...Thank you."He gently shut the bedroom door behi
As the last handful of dirt struck the fresh grave with a dull thud, there was silence, and no one moved or spoke.I couldn't believe it that my father was gone... he was really gone.I stared at the simple stone that marked where they had laid him to rest, unable to believe that beneath it rested the strongest man I'd ever known. Then, one by one, the rest of the pack stepped forward, and each person bowed their head, and some whispered prayers, and others simply stood there with tears in their eyes before quietly walking away.Soon, the crowd began to thin.Kael was one of the last to leave. He walked over and wrapped me in a firm embrace."I'm sorry, Ethan," he said softly.I hugged him back, and he squeezed my shoulder before pulling away."If you need anything..." he started, but I cut him off."I know," I said."I mean it," he still added. Of course, Kael wants to have the last word.He nodded once before stepping aside, and Sarafina approached next, but she didn't say anything
I pointed toward the door on the far side of my bedroom."The bathroom's in there," I said softly.Derek looked over. "I figured."I smiled. "You can use whatever you need."He nodded. "Okay, but you first."I shook my head. "We'll be quicker if we both clean up now. Mom's probably waiting."He laughed quietly. "I don't think she's waiting anymore."I rubbed the back of my neck, my face warming."...Probably not."Without another word, we disappeared into the bathroom. It wasn't long before we were both cleaned up and drying ourselves with fresh towels. Once we stepped back into my room, I walked to my wardrobe and pulled out another pair of gray sweatpants along with a loose black sweatshirt.I tossed them toward Derek."They should fit," I said.He caught them."You've got a lot of clothes," he snorted."My mother says I never throw anything away."He chuckled. "I can believe that."Within a few minutes, we'd both changed into comfortable clothes, and he looked strangely... at home.
We got to the door, and I took in a deep breath. Then slowly, I grabbed the handle, turned it to the side, and pushed the door open."Welcome to my room," I chuckled, trying to hide my shyness.Derek didn't respond. He was busy checking out the room, and after five minutes had passed, he finally sat down on the bed. I couldn't look away from him. Derek suddenly felt shy as I walked up to him. When he was about to look up, I held his chin and lifted his face towards mine."You don't have to be shy with me," I said softly, but deep down, I was relieved he felt shy as well. That gave me a confidence boost. Seeing him shy with his face red. "I really do love you so much, and you were all that I have been thinking about these past few days. Whenever I wake up here, and you're not beside me, it makes me miss you more.""So... what do you want me to say?" he said, giving me a little shy smile.'Don't say anything," I ran my fingers through his hair."I'm sorry Ethan—"I quickly put a finger
Elder Mira looked at me for a long time, then, to my surprise, she smiled."A clever boy."I blinked. "What?"She nodded once."Your house," she repeated as she folded her hands together. "If anyone were hiding an Ashbound, the Alpha's home would be the last place the pack would ever think to search."I let out the breath I'd been holding."So...""So," she continued, "the moment the village settles and the warriors leave, you'll take Derek there."I nodded immediately. "Of course, I can do that.""It will only be temporary," she blurted."I know, Elder. I know.""We still need to discover why you've lost your wolf," she reminded me. Even though I never forgot about it."Of course, yes," I noddedDerek remained silent through the entire exchange. When I looked at him, he was staring at the floor."Derek?" I called softly.He looked up. "I'm not sure about this."I walked over to him. "Come here."I gently pulled him toward the opposite side of the room, giving Elder Mira enough distan
After Elder Mira finished explaining the plan, I was already out the door.I was rushing home to update my mom about the plan and what she needed to do in order for things to work out, and if my mother refused, I didn't know what I'd do.The front door creaked open beneath my hand, and I climbed the stairs two at a time. Mother's bedroom door was slightly open, so I knocked gently, and there was no answer."...Mom?"Still nothing.I pushed the door open, and she sat on the edge of the bed with Father's picture frame resting in her lap. Her fingers traced the edge of the wood, and tears rolled silently down her cheeks.She wasn't sobbing anymore, she just stared at his smile in the photograph. It was as if she was trying to memorize it before time stole even that away.My chest tightened.I shouldn't have come... this wasn't fair. She'd lost her mate, her husband, the love of her life, and here I was... about to ask her for another favor.How selfish could I be?Quietly, I stepped back







