Page 26

Ledger

M y shirt falls in tatters around me as my wolf damn near explodes out of me. Before the last scrap of fabric hits the grass, my paws are thundering against the ground as I run for the forest.

For the first time in years… I don’t want to be around anyone. I don’t want to see their pity, or lips curled in a sneer that I can’t control my baser instincts. I’ve spent years building myself into someone that I could be proud of. Only for two words to shatter everything I built.

He lied.

I considered that, once. When I was young and naive, in denial about losing my mother. When I was a little boy hiding his tears late at night, hoping his mom would come back to save him. She never would have escaped without me. She wouldn’t have. Because if she did…

That means she knew exactly what kind of monster he was, and she left me with him anyway.

Heart in my throat, I run. Harder, faster; like the hounds of hell are nipping at my heels. Until my lungs are burning with every ragged breath and the sun has set behind the horizon, darkness masking my screaming muscles as I push myself harder than I ever have before.

Hours later, I finally start to slow, not even realizing where I was subconsciously heading until I’m walking up to the fire pit and the familiar face beside it.

Oscar’s sipping a glass of whiskey in his back yard, not even batting an eye as I shift back and fall into the empty chair beside him.

Shifters learn early on that there’s no helping it sometimes, and nudity isn’t a big deal amongst us.

After several weighted moments, I croak, “Did you know? About my mom?” Staring at the flickering flames, I brace myself for his answer. “Did you… help get her out too?”

Oscar’s eyebrows jump to his hairline, lips parting in surprise. “Isn’t your mother…?”

Running a shaky hand through my windswept hair, I rest my arm on my knee and huff an incredulous scoff. “Apparently not.”

Oscar opens and closes his mouth silently, searching for words.

“If I’d known where she was, I’d have sent you her way when you hopped on that bus.

But from what I knew of your mother, she never would have left you behind if she had a choice.

Even if she didn’t,” he passes me the bottle, “I can’t imagine she’d have stayed away knowing what your father was like. She’d have come back for you.”

Filling him in on what Bellamy showed me, I take a heavy swig straight from the bottle and let the whiskey burn away the last of my anger. But without that, all that’s left is fear and insecurity.

“If my own mother could walk away... what's stopping Ever?”

Oscar gives me a sad smile. “You. Because you give her every reason to stay.” Frowning down at his glass, he adds, “I can't imagine Luciana leaving you with your father. There has to be more to the story. And the only one that can answer those questions is her.”

“I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear the answer though,” I admit, ashamed of myself for wanting to bury my head in the sand. “I’ve had enough parental disappointment to last a lifetime.”

She wouldn’t have left me. She wouldn’t.

Maybe… maybe dad sold her to that pack? If so, while I’m sitting here stewing in my feelings, Fates only know what she’s suffering through, thinking nobody will save her.

Fuck.

“Can Bellamy track down her number?” he asks, concern etched into his face.

“He already did.” Taking another long drink, I hand the bottle back and get to my feet.

Whether I call or not though… that’s a question for tomorrow.