Spinning my chair around, I face Ledger with a victorious grin. “I almost forgot to mention! I’m not sure what load of crap your dad fed you, but… he lied. I was able to track down your mom’s number if you want it.”
Ledger stills. “If this is some sort of twisted joke, it’s not fucking funny.”
Smile dropping in confusion, I hastily swivel around and bring up the file on my computer from when I was researching the guys when I first came to town. His nails slowly grow into claws as he reads everything popping up on the screen. Once he reaches the bank statement that shows her last card transaction was two days ago, and the recent traffic cam photo of her alive and well, surrounded by her mates? He snarls an animalistic sound, snatching his hand off my desk and leaving deep grooves slashed in the wood in his wake. Face twisted in fury, he storms off, slamming the front door shut behind him hard enough to rattle the windows.
Myles walks into the room, frowning at the hall Ledger disappeared down. “What the heck was that about?”
Regret wraps a noose around my throat as I rub the back of my neck. “I was trying to surprise him, but… I think I royally fucked up.”
Chapter 18
Ledger
My shirt falls in tatters around me as my wolf damn near explodes out of me. Before the last scrap of fabric hits the grass, my paws are thundering against the ground as I run for the forest.
For the first time in years… I don’t want to be around anyone. I don’t want to see their pity, or lips curled in a sneer that I can’t control my baser instincts. I’ve spentyearsbuilding myself into someone that I could be proud of. Only for two words to shatter everything I built.
He lied.
I considered that, once. When I was young and naive, in denial about losing my mother. When I was a little boy hiding his tears late at night, hoping his mom would come back to save him. Sheneverwould have escaped without me. She wouldn’t have. Because if she did…
That means she knew exactly what kind of monster he was, and she left me with him anyway.
Heart in my throat, I run. Harder, faster; like the hounds of hell are nipping at my heels. Until my lungs are burning with every ragged breath and the sun has set behind the horizon,darkness masking my screaming muscles as I push myself harder than I ever have before.
Hours later, I finally start to slow, not even realizing where I was subconsciously heading until I’m walking up to the fire pit and the familiar face beside it. Oscar’s sipping a glass of whiskey in his back yard, not even batting an eye as I shift back and fall into the empty chair beside him. Shifters learn early on that there’s no helping it sometimes, and nudity isn’t a big deal amongst us.
After several weighted moments, I croak, “Did you know? About my mom?” Staring at the flickering flames, I brace myself for his answer. “Did you… help get her out too?”
Oscar’s eyebrows jump to his hairline, lips parting in surprise. “Isn’t your mother…?”
Running a shaky hand through my windswept hair, I rest my arm on my knee and huff an incredulous scoff. “Apparently not.”
Oscar opens and closes his mouth silently, searching for words. “If I’d known where she was, I’d have sent you her way when you hopped on that bus. But from what I knew of your mother, sheneverwould have left you behind if she had a choice. Even if she didn’t,” he passes me the bottle, “I can’t imagine she’d have stayed away knowing what your father was like. She’d have come back for you.”
Filling him in on what Bellamy showed me, I take a heavy swig straight from the bottle and let the whiskey burn away the last of my anger. But without that, all that’s left is fear and insecurity.
“If my own mother could walk away... what's stopping Ever?”
Oscar gives me a sad smile. “You. Because you give her every reason to stay.” Frowning down at his glass, he adds, “I can't imagine Luciana leaving you with your father. There has to be more to the story. And the only one that can answer those questions is her.”
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear the answer though,” I admit, ashamed of myself for wanting to bury my head in the sand. “I’ve had enough parental disappointment to last a lifetime.”
She wouldn’t have left me. Shewouldn’t.
Maybe… maybe dad sold her to that pack? If so, while I’m sitting here stewing in my feelings, Fates only know what she’s suffering through, thinking nobody will save her.
Fuck.
“Can Bellamy track down her number?” he asks, concern etched into his face.
“He already did.” Taking another long drink, I hand the bottle back and get to my feet.
Whether I call or not though… that’s a question for tomorrow.
Chapter 19
Myles
