Page 53 of Another Damned Storm

She closed her eyes for a second longer than a blink and nodded. “I figured. Is he okay?”

Never shrugged. “He’s a little pissed that the pack alpha is forcing him to choose a mate, but other than that he seems like he’s doing okay.”

Lily pursed her lips. “Is my dad still harping on those old rules after all this time?”

“He’s simply trying to maintain his family’s position in the pack. With you gone…”

She sighed. “Yeah, I know. But Leo has a big heart. He’s not going to give it away to just anyone.”

“From the sound of it, he might not have a choice,” Never said. “If he doesn’t choose soon, your dad said he’ll choose for him.”

She chewed on her bottom lip. “He must be desperate.”

“Unfortunately, the chaos you have been experiencing in this realm has not been confined to its boundaries,” I said.

Lily’s brow arched. “No shit?”

Never muffled a laugh with the back of her hand. “Since when did you start talking like me?”

She gave us a wry smile. “Since not long after you left. It seemed to put Matt at ease when I sounded a little more like you, and it just kind of stuck.”

Never’s face fell, and a jarring sadness rippled through our connection. “He seems… good,” she offered.

Lily nodded. “As well as can be expected.”

I could sense Never’s desire to know more. It clawed at her to the point that she balled her hands into fists at her sides, but she didn’t ask. “Thank you for taking care of him after everything.” Next came a crushing wave of guilt. “I’m sorry we left you both here.”

Lily studied her, cocking her head slightly. “You kept us safe by leaving. At least initially. We both knew that. And you’re looking good by the way. Time has been kind.”

“Have you been in contact with Matt?” I asked.

“Some. He sent word that Never was back, so I hightailed it across town. A friend at the gate told me I could find you here.”

“So, you don’t know,” Never said quietly.

Lily’s deep brown gaze bounced between us. “Know what?”

“Time,” I said.

Understanding lifted her chin. “Ah. How long has it been?”

“A few months, as best as I could tell,” Never answered.

“Shit.” She basically laughed the word. “This must be a shock.”

“Tell me about it,” Never said.

She drew in a deep breath. “Are you two up for a trip over to my place?”

“You don’t want to go see Matt?” Never asked.

Lily shot a glance down the street, then across the way toward the setting sun. “Maybe tomorrow. It’s getting late.”

I was a bit surprised when Never opted to go with Lily, but when I really thought about it, it made sense. Focusing on the mission would be a way to keep her mind off how much she’d missed. And finding out what was happening in the human realm and who was behind the upheaval—assuming there was more to the rapid changes than Never’s own powerful influence—would help too.

Lily’s place, Salus as she called it, was an old school that they’d converted into a gated community. The living quarters were on one end with a great gathering area inside that was outfitted with dozens of plastic tables with built in benches. It reminded me of the communal dining areas in the island shifter packs.

We were introduced to a few people as we passed, but even with Lily claiming us as friends, there was some underlying hostility.