Chapter Nine
Present Time
I was a weak wolf. I knew what I should do; what I had to do. But Dane’s eyes had been on my mind the entire time I ran from the Pack. His voice had resounded in my ears. I just couldn’t leave without one last glimpse of him, one final farewell. The Pack was far behind, still trying to puzzle out my trails. I had a few minutes, and I wouldn’t leave an obvious trail for them towards Dane and the others.
Part of my mind knew full well that I was endangering the humans, and demanded that I continue on towards the cities. But then the other part of my mind—the irrational, human part—told me to find Dane, experience his warmth one last time, and say goodbye. Warn him.
And as I had been for the past few months, I listened to the human part of myself.
Zigzagging like I did on the other side of the range, I quickly and impatiently made my way to them. Dane would be watching for me—I was supposed to be there the night before. He would be worried.
The house was bright through the trees, a beacon. Dane’s window was dark, and I couldn’t see whether he stood there or not.
“Where have you been?”
He’d been waiting for me by the woods. I let out a yelp, and when my mouth opened my bag dropped to the ground. Dane glanced at it, expression unfathomable.
“What is that?” He gestured to the bag.
I changed halfway, and Dane sighed, holding out jeans and a T-shirt. He turned his back while I changed back and dressed. Oddly, I was most self-conscious about my body around him, and had demanded clothes on hand every time I visited.
“It’s just a bag with some food, and things I need for traveling,” I answered quickly, stooping to pick it up. Time was short, and there was no extra seconds for questions.
“What—” Dane began.
I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest and inhaling his scent. I memorized it, hoping it would rub off on me so I would smell of him for a time.
Dane held me back, his hands going up and down on my back in a soothing pattern. “What’s wrong?” he murmured in my hair.
I kissed his neck, sighing. He shivered in response. “I’m leaving,” I whispered.
Dane drew back. “What?” His mouth pulled down into the frown I hadn’t seen from him for weeks, and I hated the sight of it.
In the distance, I could already hear Jeff’s howl. He’d finally found my true trail. My heart picked up speed. “The pack found out about my coming here,” I said, breathless. “I’ve been sentenced to death. A… friend helped me escape, and I need to go to some city, and blend in with the humans. I can never come back here.”
Dane didn’t hesitate a fraction of a second. “I’m coming with you.”
I immediately shook my head. “No. You’re needed here. Your mother? Marie? The twins? They all need you.”
They were climbing up the mountain, about to cross the range. My palms broke out in a cold sweat.
Dane’s hands had gone up to grip my upper arms. “No, they don’t. Mom and David just got engaged last night. He can take care of them now.”
“David? Really?” I asked faintly. I started to pull away; the Pack was coming for me. They would find Dane and the rest. I wouldn’t have their lives on my head.
Dane felt my withdrawal. “No,” he said through his teeth. “You’re not leaving me behind. I can match your pace, Genny.”
“I need to go now…” I tore myself out of his grasp, eyes lingering on his strained face. I shouldn’t have come—but I can’t bring myself to regret it.
Dane’s eyes glittered with resolve. “If you go without me, I’ll shout and stomp around until the Pack comes here.”
My control, already more fragile and worn than it had ever been before, snapped. “Don’t be an idiot! You wouldn’t endanger your family like that!” I hissed at him. “My Pack isn’t kind to humans. They would kill you, and burn down the house with all your bodies inside to make it look like an accident. We have ways of covering our tracks, Dane Hawthorne.”
He didn’t bat an eyelash. “I will be an idiot, unless you allow me to go with you. I’m not going to stay here without you.”
“I can’t stay here,” I said, suddenly helpless. I couldn’t argue anymore; Jeff had again found my real trail. This goodbye hadn’t gone as I had planned. I should have known Dane would be a mule about it.
“Then let me come with,” Dane said again, his voice firm.
Jeff was crashing through the bush. I let out a frustrated cry. “You can’t run as fast as me, and your human scent is easier to follow than mine!”
The human boy that I had fallen in love with glared at me. “We need to lead them away from my family, anyhow.”
I knew he was right—as he often was. I hated that.
With one last glance at the house that had felt like a home to me, and one last swift kiss to Dane’s lips, my one word was a growl: “Fine.”
