I was glad I was in fur because my cheeks would’ve been sizzling.Thanks, Dexter, but I swear I’ll be fine. You should stay and—
I was due back anyhow to relieve one of the wolves guarding the bunker.He dipped his head to nip at a clump of hardened snow on one of his paws, missing the hardened glare Liam lobbed his way.
Matt gave Liam a sharp nod, then trotted past him.Ready when you are.
We’re ready.I set out after him.
If Dexter tries anything . . .
I glanced over my shoulder, past the mahogany wolf who brought up the rear. My Alpha stood beside Adalyn, his sheer size and breadth making Ads look like a pup. If I’d had any doubts that he was jealous, one look at the twin vaporous streams jetting from his nostrils evicted them. Even though it was ridiculous, his possessiveness warmed me from heart to claw and rid my knee of much of its soreness.
Chapter 46
Whatever fire Liam had lit in me was snuffed out by mile three, and I was back to being cold and sore. I was so focused on pushing through the pain that I could hardly find it in me to make small talk. Not that Lori seemed all that chatty.
The only one talking was Dexter. And even he grew quiet after a few glowers from Matt, whose ears were peaked and muscles bunched. I tacked up his vigilance to Lori.
I’m going to leave Colorado.Lori’s voice swam through the cold, humid air.
I swung my head toward her.What? Why?
You really have to ask?The fur on her forehead ruffled as she squinted in the direction of the bunker that stood beyond the forest line like a faraway pawn on a pure white gameboard.
Werewolves can be idiots. Don’t listen to them. It’s your home. Besides, you didn’t do anything wrong.
Didn’t I?
A slow wind rustled the evergreen needles overhead, dumping snow onto Lori’s pelt. She wrung her body to shake it off.
I’m serious, Lori. Don’t let them drive you away.
She grew silent again. Stayed that way until we sidestepped the last tawny trunk and emerged onto the field dusted in moonlight.It’s not only because of them.
It’s because of my brother?
She side-eyed me.
Just because you . . .fixedBea, doesn’t mean they’re going to get back together.
She let out a short whoosh of air.Do you know how tempted I wasnotto fix her? If she’s even fixed. For all we know, I turned her into something worse than a halfwolf.
I wasn’t sure what could be worse than a halfwolf.Which is another reason why you should stay. To see what happens to her. What if you actually did transform her into something else? Aren’t you curious?
I did transform her into something else, Nikki. Something Liam will probably have to put down.
A shiver skittered under my fur.
I feel guilty enough as is.
Leaving will shorten your lifespan.
She shrugged.I’d rather live a shorter life than always have to look over my shoulder.
You’re really serious about this?
She nodded.I’ve been wanting to leave for a while, but I was holding out hope that—herlong lashes swept downward—that I’d be forgiven for being born a Morgan by more people than your family.
My pulse ticked up in compassion. I was about to tell her that she was wrong, but was she? My own brother and his mate had jumped on the hate-Lori wagon. As for those who’d seen past her bloodline, they probably didn’t anymore. Not after Bea.
