ChrisThe morning after Olivia’s fated phone call, I had called for an impromptu council meeting in the Packhouse. I had announced my intent to hand the pack over to the Elders, who needed to be kept in the dark for the time being.As much as it pained me to see the shocked expressions on their face
AvaI hung up the phone, blinking back tears. “Well… That’s done,” I murmured as I slipped my phone back into my pocket with a shudder.Telling three families that their sons died in battle wasn’t easy. And what was even harder was knowing that all of this, as Elise had said… didn’t need to happen.
“Moonstone.”Chris chuckled softly. “I can see that.” He looked away, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed. “You’re better at this pack business than I am. I feel like a big fuck-up.”“Chris…” My fingers stilled in the midst of wrapping his hands. “Don’t say that.”“But it’s true. We’re in this mes
AvaAs the week passed, I found myself feeling worse with each passing day. The mornings were especially rough, a constant battle against waves of nausea and fatigue that seemed to worsen as the days went by.I tried to push through it, attributing the symptoms to stress and lack of sleep, but deep
Later in the afternoon, I made my way down to the cellar to administer Leonard’s medication. As I prepared the syringe, my hands shook; I hadn’t managed to eat yet. Every time I tried, my stomach would churn and ruin my appetite entirely.Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.“Leonard,” I began hesit
AvaI turned to see Chris walking in through the front door, the lines in his face etched with an uncharacteristic worry.“Hey.” I strode up to him, my eyes scanning him as if searching for some kind of imaginary injury, even though he had only been handling business at the Packhouse. “How did every
Chris snorted, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Patrick.”Patrick laughed, clapping Chris on the back. “Tell you what,” he said. “When this is all over, we have to have a real drink together. Then we can decide if we’re friends or not.”“Deal,” Chris agreed.
AvaThe gentle purr of the boat’s engine and the lapping of the dark water against the hull were the only sounds breaking the eerie silence of the night. I shivered, drawing Chris’s coat tighter around my shoulders. The air was crisp and breezy tonight, cooler than it had been as of late.“Are you c