I can picture him getting on with his life, tending to the pack and cleaning up the mess I made—and doing it all without worrying about me anymore.
He must be so relieved to be rid of me. I’ve been nothing but trouble to him.
I think back to my early days with him, when I thought he was just an arrogant jerk who took what he wanted and didn’t even notice other people. I realize now how far that is from the truth.
Everything Owen has done, he did for his people. I see now how he sacrifices himself for their well-being, how desperate he is to make this right. That’s the only reason he came after me the way he did.
“Auntie Trina?” Cassie asks, tugging on my blouse.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“You look sad. Don’t be sad.”
“Oh, sweetie,” I say, bending down to look into her eyes. “I’m just thinking about things, that’s all. Sometimes adults do that. It’s not a big deal.”
“I know,” she says, very seriously. “But you don’t have to feel bad, I promise.”
A strange feeling of unease trickles through me as I look into Cassie’s eyes. Her words are something any toddler might say, but there is a certain confidence in her manner that suggests more than that.
“You will be okay, Auntie Trina,” she says with a smile. “I promise.”
“Thank you,” I say, hugging her. “You know just how to make me feel better.”
Cassie pulls back and looks into my eyes. Her face is very solemn. “It’s important, Auntie Trina, that you don’t give up.”
“Okay,” I whisper, feeling spooked. “I won’t.”
“Your magic is strong.” Cassie leans in to whisper in my ear. “I can see it. Everything is going to be alright.”
Cassie’s words ring through me, and I can’t help but feel like it’s true. Or that she has somehow made it true by speaking the words out loud.
“Mommy will find the spell,” Cassie grins. “And you’ll help Owen. Just be ready, okay?”
“Okay,” I answer, hugging Cassie again before she hurries off to play. Even though the encounter has left me a bit rattled, I have to admit I don’t doubt Cassie at all.
Chapter 23 - Owen
Even though I want to track Trina right away, my body is aching so badly from my long day and the effects of the curse that I sit down for a moment to rest and wake up several hours later in pitch-black darkness.
I must have slept for hours. I might have even lost her trail by now.
I get up immediately to go after her, but I can barely stay on my feet. Knowing that I won’t get far without food, I go into the kitchen and pull out some leftovers, eating them cold as I walk through the house and out into the woods.
Even though I feel better than I did earlier, my strength and stamina are nowhere near what they should be. My wolf slumbers deep in my soul, and I know I can’t wake him, even if I had to fight for my life.
I know what it is now, to be human. Will I ever know my wolf again?
The feeling scares me almost as much as losing Trina, and I start to jog through the woods, following the thin trail of her scent. My wolf senses are dull and muffled, making it almost impossible to track her.
Eventually, I come to a small clearing, and I catch another, unmistakable scent.
Sadie!
I turn around and jog back to the house, feeling tired and weak by the time I get there. I’m soaked with sweat and panting from exhaustion as I shove through the back door and go to the kitchen to find my phone.
I text Rhys, hoping he’s awake. To my relief, he answers immediately, confirming that Trina is at his house and is safe.
Tension and loss expand in my chest, making it hard to breathe. I want to rush over there and take her in my arms and beg her to never leave me again. But I also want to rush over there and yell at her some more for making such a mess of the situation.
