“I want to spend more time with you. All of you. Both packs,” she added. “But not right now.”
Summer and Cove shook their heads. “You need to be with us, Abbi,” Summer said. “We kept you safe and will keep you safe. Just because you sealed up one cavern doesn’t mean there aren’t more caverns. More Hush.”
“Or worse things,” Cove said.
“Of course there’s worse out there,” Elmer said. “There always is.”
There was more murmuring from the wolves, and I was giving it fifty-fifty odds they’d try to kidnap her and the panther to keep her safe.
“You could stay with me,” Ricky said, her voice strong, but somehow blending in with the place, as if the grass, the trees, and the blue sky itself were a part of it. “Always room for one,” she glanced at Val, “or two more.”
The wolves liked this idea, but Abbi was already shaking her head.
“I don’t think I should stay. Not now. Not for a little while.” She stood and walked our way.
Hado yawned, stretched, and followed her.
“Uh, oh,” I said quietly to Lu.
“Hi, Brogan,” Abbi said when she was close enough.
“Abbi,” I said.
“Hi, Lula.” She stopped just a couple feet away from us. Close enough I could see the crease between her eyes, the twisting of her fingers with her other fingers.
Lorde had followed behind both of them, sniffing at Hado, who ignored her completely.
“Hello, Abbi,” Lula said. “What’s up?”
“I just told all the werewolves I’m leaving.”
“I heard that,” Lu said.
“They’re still worried about me, but I’m not. Worried about me.” She tugged her hands apart and stuck them behind her back.
“All right,” I said. “What are you worried about?”
“I want you to take me with you.” Her eyes flew wide, and she slapped her hand over her mouth. Then she shrugged. “If you want.”
“Why would you want to go with us?” Lu asked.
“I think I can help you.”
“We don’t need help, Abbi,” Lu said.
“We really don’t,” I added, not wanting her anywhere near the dangerous waters we were headed into.
Abbi might not be a child, but she was kind. Hopeful. I didn’t want to be a part of what broke that in her.
She leaned forward and pointed a finger at my lips. “I see the Hush threads sealing your lips. I can…” She wiggled her finger a little, her gaze steady on my mouth. “Break it.”
“How?” I asked.
“It’s a dream binding. I’m part of the moon, so dream stuff is sort of my thing.”
Lu sensed my hesitation and rubbed her thumb over my wrist.
“All right,” I said. “Please.”
