I’ll miss him when I’m gone.I’ll miss all of them.
But not as much as I’d miss Zoey.
I love my family, but I don’t need them the way I need her.
In only a few weeks, she’s become the one for me.My partner.So much a part of me that the idea of losing her is on the same level as having one of my limbs ripped off.
But that’s how it is for wolves.When we love, we do it deeply.
My only hope is that this knowledge will help my family understand my decision.
“I’m leaving Pine Falls.”
No one was speaking before I made the declaration, but still, the shop suddenly seems a hell of a lot quieter.
Roderick is the first to respond.“She won’t stay?”
My brother sounds regretful, but not as if he plans on challenging my choice.
“This isn’t her place?—”
“Of course it isn’t!”my mom growls.
Her fierce input has me rocking back on my heels.I knew she wouldn’t like the idea of me moving, but damn.Her voice came out so sharp that it stings.
“She doesn’t know us.She doesn’t know our ways,” Mom continues with a snarl, abandoning her receipts and stalking out from behind the counter.
Tanya isn’t staring at her phone anymore, and Isaac leans forward in his seat, eyes fixed on our mother.We all know she has a temper, but something about this reaction seems different.
More intense.
“Honestly, I don’t care.She knowsme,” I say.
Does that sound like a line from a cheesy movie or what?
Mom scoffs.“Knows you?Come on, Warner.She’s pretty—I’ll give you that.And charming, I’m sure.But I can guarantee, if you let her, that girl will destroy you.She’ll smash your heart.Probably won’t even realize it.One day, she’ll just decide she doesn’t need you anymore.And then she’ll walk out.”
The surety in her voice throws me off.Mom talks like she’s an expert on the subject.Like she knows everything there is to know about Zoey.Only the person she’s describing sounds nothing like the woman I love.
“Where is this coming from?You’ve barely even talked to her.”A growl rides my voice, an urge to defend my future mate seeping out from my wolf.
“She’s a Gunner!That’s what Gunner girls do.Theyleave.”
“Rebecca …” Uncle Mason looks distinctly uncomfortable, and I can’t help remembering my guess about his and Zoey’s mother’s relationship.
But I’m not concerned with the past.Only the future.
“I’m not arguing that.But when she leaves, I’m going with her.”
As my mother opens her mouth, eyes gaining fire, a loud knock rings out from the side of the building.Well, loud for werewolves.A human might not have picked up on it from this distance.
But I hear it without effort, along with the desperate words that follow.
“Warner!Your bike is parked in the alley, so I know you’re here!Youarehere, right?”
Zoey.
51
