I had to cover my mouth before any sobs broke free. I couldn’t break down yet. Not yet. I looked to the ceiling, praying for a bit more time. I had things I needed to do. I put the letter on the desk and took in a deep breath. I looked at Toya. “Have everyone pick bedrooms.” “What are you going to do?”

I stared down at my dirty dress; I turned to the closest. I probably wasn’t going to find much to wear, but I was going to need something else to do what I had to. I opened the closet and stumbled back a step. There was a sticky note on a shelf and I pulled it off.

This room was always yours. I was just using it.

The closet was filled with women’s clothes. I grabbed a black sweatsuit and pulled off my dress. Toya came over, confusion on her face. “What is all this?”

I had to bite back a sob. “He filled it for me.” There were two laundry baskets pushed into the corner. One clean, and one obviously dirty. “He lived out of baskets.” I walked over and grabbed a shirt, pulling it to my nose. Carl’s scent hit me in the face. Perfect. “I would check the rooms. If there aren’t any clothes, you guys can grab from here. But I have a feeling Carl had planned for everything.” Then I headed out the door to Carly’s room.

Her sobs were still loud, and when I knocked, she barely acknowledged me. I slipped in and walked to her bed. “Go away.” Her tiny voice was broken, and I felt my heart clench.

“I will, but I thought maybe you would want this.” I sat on her bed as she turned to me. Her face was swollen and red from her tears, but I ignored the anger I saw there. I was interrupting her grief. But I pulled one of her cuddling pillows and slipped Carl’s shirt over it, handing it to her.

She was too young for her wolf to be awake yet, but even now, she had a heightened sense of smell. I waited until I saw recognition hit her face. Her eyes snapped to mine. “This is…”

“Your daddy’s. Smell it.” I nodded.

She sniffed back her snot, and I forced away a smile. I can still remember my mom yelling at me to blow my nose instead of doing that. But I waited until she brought the shirt to her nose and smelled her father’s scent. She closed her eyes and more tears fell. “Daddy.” She curled around the pillow, taking in his scent, as I stood.

I reached for my power, and it sprang eagerly to my fingertips. “Ni sur vor clin slet.” I whispered the words, and waited until she fell into a deep sleep, still cuddled around the shirt. I watched her for a moment, making sure the magic took, then I slipped out of her room and down the stairs.

“Amy.” Wendy came over to me, worry etched on her face. “Are you okay?”

I just nodded. “I’m fine.” I looked around the room. Wendy was alone. “Where is everyone?”

“Gone to get dressed.” Wendy looked down at her robe. “I wanted to wait for you.”

Worry gripped my stomach. “What’s wrong?”

Wendy grabbed my hand. “Nothing. I was just worried about you.” My stomach unclenched. “I know Toya talked to you already, but I wanted to make sure you know I will help you any way I can.” I smiled.

“Thank you.” I blew out a breath. “Go get dressed.”

“Where are you going?” She looked at me this time. “You haven’t showered yet?” I just shook my head. “Why not?”

“I still have something to do.” I nudged her with my hip as I walked past.

“Let me help you.” She tried to follow, but I shook my head. This was something I had to do alone.

“It’s okay. Stay here and listen for Carly.” I smiled over my shoulder as I walked out of the door. I walked around the house and started towards the big oak tree that had a shovel leaning against it. I had to close my eyes as I made it to the tree. He knew.

He knew that tonight was the night he was going to die, and he had prepared everything. The shovel. Giving Carly his phone, the prick made sure everything was in place for me to come here and take his place.

I looked up to the full moon staring down at me and I did the only thing I had been wanting to do since I stumbled out of these trees.

I screamed.

I screamed out my anger, my pain, my heartbreak. Tears trailed down my face as I screamed up at the moon. “Why would you do this to us? To her?” But the moon held no answer. She sat quietly in the sky, staring down at me, as I snatched the shovel and dug into the dirt at my feet.