Page 11 of What Haunts the Heart

If only there was some way I could make him stay.

I knew the rules, though. I knew before I ever got involved that we were playing with fire. I knew that, no matter what, Oakley would leave. His destiny was elsewhere. His loyalty was to his pack and as a wolf, loyalty ran bone-deep.

But why can't his loyalty be to us?my bird shrilled at the back of my mind.Why can't his loyalty be to Kinsley and Chester, and his family here in Vale Valley?

"Please stay," I whispered as I stood on unsteady legs. "I've missed you so fucking much and I hate it, because I knew it was only temporary. I knew…”

"Me too." Taking my words as a cue, Oakley closed the distance between us. I was soon wrapped in his strong arms once more and this time, I let myself sink into him. I hugged him around the waist, my arms crossing over his back to reach up to his shoulders, and I hung on. He kissed the side of my head. My hair ruffled as he breathed me in and I felt him relax.

I knew that right now, this was enough. It had to be enough.

I just needed to figure out a way to make Oakley stay—for good.

"So." I pulled back and offered the tiniest of smiles. "You want some pizza?"