Chapter 111

It’s hard. I’m so empty inside. It’s the kind of hole nothing can fill, not even Deimos. What kills me is that Edric is trying his best to make it better, but he can’t. And I know he’s angry. I know he’s going through a difficult time too. He must hate me. I’d hate me if I were him.

~ Fake it, ~ my wolf says. ~Fake it ‘till you make it. ~

* I can’t even do that. *

She is happy to be here with Dark Moon, happy to be with Edric. I’d rather be anywhere but here. I want to get away from the other wolves’ pitiful glances. Deimos gurgles on my lap and gives me a huge toothless grin. “It’s a good thing you don’t know what a mess your mom is,” I say, and tickle his chubby little neck.

He just keeps cooing and makes a grab for my hair. “Maya?” Edric asks from the open backdoor. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I cradle Deimos close to me, stand up, and look out over the lake. It’s the same one that flows into Mountain Fire’s territory. I’ll miss this place, I t