I turned on August.Why not? I hate it here. I hate it so goddamnmuch.
He sighed, his breath ruffling the fur around my ears.That’s how you feel tonight, buttomorrow—
That’s how I’ve felt almost every single day I’ve been back.I can count the days I’ve been happy on the claws of onepaw.
He puffed a consolatory breath against myneck.
I’m not saying it to garner your pity. I’m just telling you because I don’t want you to think I’m being hotheaded. That I feel like leaving because of what happened back at Tracy’s.I twisted around and peered up at the veiledmoon.
Can’t let you runaway.
Whynot?
’Cause my mother would never forgive me for letting you go off on yourown.
I let out a bitter sound that could’ve been a laugh, except wolves didn’t laugh. We cried, but we didn’t laugh.You don’t have to tellher.
He grunted.I wouldn’t have to tell her. My mother’s all-knowing.
I drew my gaze off the sky and onto the softground.
Besides, have you thought about what it would do to Evelyn? From what I’ve heard, she cares about you a lot. How do you think she’d take yourdisappearance?
She has Franknow.
You think he’s replaced you? People can love more than oneperson.
I pawed a patch of squishy earth, watching how the mud rose and molded around my claws.I really don’t want to goback.
August leaned forward and drove his muzzle into my shoulder to get my attention.He’ll never attack you like that again. Ipromise.
Don’t make promises you can’tkeep.
Why do you think I wouldn’t be able to keepit?
Because once your mom—I stopped talking abruptly. I wasn’t supposed to knowthis.
Once my momwhat?
When I didn’t say anything for a full minute, he sighed.Liam told you, didn’the?
I nodded.Why didn’tyoutell me?I didn’t want to sound petty, but I wished I’d heard it fromhim.
I didn’t want to worry you any more than you already were.Especially after your own mother passed away fromcancer.
My body sagged as though it was being crushed beneath tumbling rocks again.She never had a chance. Your mom . . . her odds are good. Aren’tthey?
He gave a slow nod.If you don’t stick around for anyone else, stick around for hersake.
I eyed August, and then I eyed the dark woods.I have no idea where I am anymore, August.In the woods, but also in my life, I was so incrediblylost.
I’ll show you the way back.He started walking but stopped when I didn’tfollow.
How did you even findme?
I can sense you, Ness. It’s pretty much all I can sense these days.The damp breeze rushed his words to myears.
I’m sorry.I wasn’t sure why I was apologizing for something I had no controlover.
