Page 5 of Chasing Dawn

We want you here with us, Dawn. I know we’ve all said it before, but we feel a connection with you, and it isn’t something we can ignore. You weren’t at the gathering, and we looked for you everywhere. We saw your Alpha, and Vance beat the shit out of him, but he wouldn’t tell us anything about you, like the fucker knew that we... felt things for you. Fuck him, I don’t need his permission to see you.

We’ll meet you at the post office on the 25th of April. You don’t have to come home with us, but we need to see that you are okay and are being treated properly, because I have to tell you, we aren’t the weedy teens you remember. We can take your fucking Alpha and bury him in the ground if he has so much as laid a single hand on you.

Please, Dawn. Be there. I know there’s something between us, even though we’ve only known each other for a handful of hours and a couple of letters, like you said. I’ve reread every single one of your letters until they threatened to fall to pieces.

My bear knows you’re important to us.

I hope you’re safe and well more than anything.

See you soon.

Love,

Talbot (and Franklin)

CHAPTER 1

VANCE

EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

It was a gloomy Tuesday when I found Talbot sitting at the entrance of the dens. It had been months since we’d gotten a letter, but I recognized the curling loops of her handwriting from five paces away. I’d sent her an open-ended plane ticket months ago, but I hadn’t heard anything back.

My heart pounded as I recognized the chain in Talbot’s hand—the bear and wolf pendants he’d given her at the first gathering. A sick feeling sat like lead in my gut.

He looked up at me, the pain and defeat in his expression confirming my worst fears. “I should have gone and gotten her, brought her here, and made her mine. Now it’s too late.”

He handed me the letter, and the words were like a dagger to the heart.

Dear Cold River Sleuth,

Thank you for your concern, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. It’s nice to know you are thinking of me and my wellbeing.

However, I’m fine, happy even. I have a mate now, and we are going to have cubs this spring. I’m so glad that Vance is Alpha, and I know you will all be a wonderful leadership group for your sleuth. They are lucky to have you. You are great people, and I know you will be mated with little bears on the way before you know it.

I want to thank you for being there during the last couple of years, giving the adolescent me something to dream about. Three handsome bears are more than any girl could ever dare to have.

Wishing you all the best,

Dawn

She had a mate, and they were having cubs.

She was gone, and the ache in my chest took root and began to fester.

CHAPTER 2

FRANKLIN

FOUR YEARS LATER

Iswayed precariously in the breeze, my body shifting from side to side in a way that made me want to puke.

“Absolute freaking twat-waffle.”

The child across from me squeaked. “What’s a twat-waffle?”

I ground my teeth. “Obviously something you should keep in the fridge. Shirley Sue, we have to stop doing this. It’s the third time this month you’ve been caught at the top of the tree.”