Talkingtothepolicewas daunting and draining, but Willow did it. While she talked she reminded herself exactly what her father had done—and not only to her wolf. She thought of Malachi’s nod during the pack council to the oldest wolf present, wondered what experiences Arlo might have gone through that Malachi acknowledged when he spoke of the pack’s caution toward police. She thought of Trevor’s storm of emotion, so strong the alpha had required his vow not to retaliate.
So many people affected by her dad’s lying 911 call. So many people impacted by his hate, though he’d only ever met Ezra. Only ever used his fists on Ezra.
While she spoke for all of them, she said the most for Ezra.
By ten o’clock that night, she was home—well, home with the Sterlings. She checked her phone for at least the twentieth time. Still blocked by Saffron.
On Monday morning, the shadows under Willow’s eyes required foundation. She moved through the work day in a fog of soul-deep weariness, double checked every time she counted cash back to a customer, and had to apologize when one of their regulars ordered a hot pumpkin caramel latte and she handed him an iced caramel vanilla. By noon, she debated asking Devin for the rest of the afternoon off. She wasn’t sick, but she was no less a liability to the business. She needed a twelve-hour nap.
After punching out for the day, she checked her phone again, expecting the same result, and jolted to a stop halfway across the parking lot to her car. Her texts to Saffron had been read, and…there was a reply.
Saffron:WILLOW OMGOSH WILLOW I have to talk to you I’m so sorry they made me block you they don’t know I unblocked I’m so so so sorry I know you hate talking on the phone but call me
Tears fell as Willow read the text again and again. Oh, Saffron. Her sister didn’t hate her. Yeah, forget texting. She called while she fast-walked to her car.
“Willow?”
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Oh my gosh. Willow. Are you okay? It’s been four whole days and I hate this house without you and—” Sobs broke in. “Sorry, I just—are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I miss you. What’s happening, what are they saying?”
“I don’t want to talk about the parents. Tell me all about you. Are you at a hotel?”
Odd… Dad and Mom knew where she was. Surely the police confirmed it to them after their welfare check. “No…”
“You’re living withhim?”
“No.”
“What then?”
This must be one more tactic, keeping Saffron in the dark. It was the only thing that made sense, but punishing Saffron in order to punish Willow…well, she hadn’t expected that. “I’m staying with his parents, for as long as I need to, they said. They’ve been really sweet to me.”
“Oh wow. So…you’re fine then. You don’t need to come home. Sorry, I…I guess I should be glad, but I’m not, because I…I just really want you home.”
“That’s not up to me, remember.”
“Of course it is. You have the free choice to come home. All you have to do is give in, that’s all.”
“Um, that’s not afreechoice. That’s a coerced choice. A free choice doesn’t punish one of the options.”
“Gosh, Willow, do you have to be logical right now? Really?” A sob broke into her words. “I just hate this so much.”
The silence lasted. Willow turned her key in the ignition but didn’t begin the drive to Lunar Lane. She sat waiting for her sister to say something, but instead Saffron gave a quiet sniff. Willow wanted, needed Saffron on her side. Four days ago she’d have done almost anything to make that happen, but now…
“Okay, listen. I need you to believe what I’m going to tell you. Don’t tell me I misunderstood it, or it couldn’t possibly have happened that way. I was there, and it did happen.”
“What are you talking about? Did he do something to you?”
Willow nearly strangled the phone. “No. Ezra is a good wolf. I need you to stop talking and just listen to me, Saffron. Please.”
“Okay. Listening. Shutting up.”
She drew a slow breath and let it out. “Dad called the police out to Lunar Lane on a false kidnapping charge.”
“Dad didwhat? Oh my gosh!”
