Griffin and I tear off through the woods. A pack tied to his back houses the supplies and clothes we will need once we get to Pine Mountain. Somewhere in the distance, birds chirp and water trickles through hidden creeks. I'm aware, yet distant from it all. My wolf is pushing me hard. She's in charge. Lean legs stretch and retract as sharp claws dig into the warm summer earth, gaining purchase only to push off and into the air.
When we reach the Pine Mountain territory, a little white wolf races out of the trees. My baby sister, Snow. Her wolf rubs against mine as we continue to the cabin I grew up in. More wolves join us as we run along. Paloma, Aspen, and others take turns brushing against me and Griffin, telling me what they can't say without their human mouths. They miss us. They're happy to see us. They are sad for my father. It's a bittersweet homecoming.
We arrive at the cabin, where we shift and Aspen quickly ushers us in to see Sable, my father's mate. "What happened?" I ask after we exchange greetings.
"We were on our way back from meeting with the Monadnock pack when we heard something following us. Your father looped around to check it out, we heard the gunshots first, then we ran after him. It was too late."
"I'm sorry," Sable says, holding back tears, "I need a few minutes to myself, I'm going to go lay down."
She walks out of the room stiffly while Griffin comes up beside me. Ruffling my hair, he asks, "How are you feeling?"
"I think I'm still in shock."
"We had a long, hard run. Why don't you get a bite to eat and catch some sleep?"
"That's a good idea. You should go spend some time with your parents and Paloma. I know your mom must miss you," I tell him and he smiles.
"Are you sure?" He asks, but I can tell he really wants to go, so I nod. "Aspen, take good care of my alpha's mate."
Exhausted, I sit down at the kitchen table while Aspen heats up some casserole he found in the fridge. I'm sure it would normally taste great, but I have to choke down the bland lump. I excuse myself to take a shower, excited to feel the hot water run over my aching muscles.
I shower until the hot water runs out, drag a comb through my hair, and dress in pajamas. It's strange, I think, as I sit on the bed in my childhood bedroom, this room houses the fondest memories of both the people I lost. I remember my mother, with her long red hair that was so much like mine, laying me in bed and telling me stories of wolves that ate dragons and learned to fly. I remember my father sitting in that spot too, as I got older, and recounting pack history.
Pulling my knees to my chest, I wish that Grayson was here. I dip my head into my hands and cry. I cry because both my parents are dead. I cry because I didn't get to say goodbye to either. My cries turn to sobs and I struggle to catch my breath.
"It's going to be okay," Aspen says, wrapping me up in his familiar arms. His scent surrounds me and reminds me of simpler times. I lean into him and let it all out.
~
I wake up with sore, swollen eyes. I'm tucked into Grayson's side, his arms enveloping me, but somethings wrong. His scent isn't right and his chest isn't as hard and wide. "What the fuck?" I hear Grayson say, but something is definitely wrong because that voice didn't come from the body next to me. That voice came from the open doorway.
I shoot up, my body tripping over itself, but Grayson is already walking away, slamming the door shut. I look back at the bed, Aspen is stretched out across my bed. I must have fallen asleep last night and Aspen covered us up. I follow Grayson out of the room and keep following him as he walks out of the house.
"Grayson!" I yell, "you have to know that nothing happened. I was just upset and he comforted me. We fell asleep."
He stops walking, but doesn't turn around. His hands run through his dark hair a few times before he finally turns around. His body is tense, but his eyes are soft. "I know, baby, and I'm sorry I wasn't that one that was there for you, but you have his scent all over you and I'm having a hard time convincing my wolf that we shouldn't go in there and kill that pup that's sleeping in your bed."
