Chapter 291

Toya chucked a rock at me. “Be serious.”

I turned and looked at my friends. “I am serious.” I looked at Toya, with her silent strength, and Hanna, at how far she’s come. It made sense that they were tied to a goddess. Too much sense. Then I looked at Micca and Wendy. We were all drawn together. What if there was a reason behind it?

“There was a reason behind it.” Wendy leaned in, like she was going to whisper a secret. “You collected us, like that kids’ show. Oh goddess, what is it?”

Hanna snorted. “The one with the weird animal things that say their name?” Wendy pointed to her.

“Exactly. The Poki show. You are a collector of people.” Hanna shook her head, but she was laughing with Wendy.

Toya smiled, but just shook her head in defeat. “I am serious.” I stood. “I hate people, to the extreme. I have only ever had one friend my entire life, and she only had to deal with me during the summers. But you guys, you guys stuck around.”

“Amy, I hate to tell you this but you are fucking random on the street.”

“I know I am, but I also know that I’m in fact a nice person.” Micca finally chimed in. “I’m also a huge alpha hole. I strong-arm my friends, my family…”

Toya snorted. “You are exaggerating.” She stood, dusting off her pants. She reached down and pulled Wendy up from the ground. “You were sweet, generous, and the only ranked wolf that didn’t look down on any of us because of who we were, or where we came from.”

“Fine.” I stood, dusting myself off. “I need a hot shower, comfy clothes, a glass of wine, and I need to think this over.”

“Think what over?” Hanna and Micca stood together.

“How to find out the truth about everyone?” I was serious. I was going to figure out a way to see who came from the first families. I crouched down and patted the soft dirt on the grave. “Sleep well. I promise we will care for your little girl and that she will remember just how much you loved her.” I sent another push of magic into his final resting place, and then I headed inside.

“What are you going to do?” Wendy, ever the curious one, caught up with me.

“I don’t know yet. I’m going to try to remember if there was anything that I could use in my book, and then we will go from there.” I sighed. “But first, some wine and a shower.” We trudged into the front room and took off our muddy shoes. I looked around and then up at my friends. “Carl?” They all nodded.

“He left little notes for us, telling whose clothes were where. He really thought of everything.” Micca headed into the kitchen as I headed up the stairs. I stopped at Carly’s door and I slid it open silently.

She was curled around the pillow, breathing in her father’s scent, and my heart broke for her. I walked over to her and gave her a soft kiss on her head. She whimpered and curled closer around the pillow. I wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and then I slipped back out with a soft click of the door.

I walked into my room and headed straight for the shower. I was covered in blood, guts, and dirt. I stripped down as I waited for the water to heat up, and then I got in. The scalding water cascaded down my body, turning my skin pink. I knew it was probably hurting me, but I couldn’t feel it. Not one bit.

This night, fuck, this entire day emptied me. My father, Rowan and his fiancee, Carl—each was a fresh slice, and a new cut, until I was hemorrhaging and no one noticed. I grabbed for the shampoo and I stopped; instead, I sat down on the ground and hugged my knees.

It’s okay. Nix tried to comfort me, and I wanted to laugh. We noticed, if that helps.

I snorted, the laugh bursting from my mouth as I banged my head off my knees. But the laugh turned to sobs. Tears streamed down my face, blending into the water pouring from the shower head. I covered my mouth, hoping I was quiet enough for the others to not hear my pain. I was their alpha, the leader, and I had to be strong.

Megan pushed against the barrier, rubbing her side against it to calm me down. You don’t have to be strong with us. Talk to us.

I wiped my eyes. “I’ve been a fool.”

No. You haven’t. Nix joined Megan. Your father has his own plans. Rowan is an idiot. The fiancee seems off, but we don’t have to worry about her right now. Carl… Nix trailed off.

We gave Carl exactly the final resting place he wanted, and we did right by him.

“Now I have Carly.”

We have our first pup. Nix sat down, and for the first time in a while, both my wolves looked happy.

Our pup.