Chapter 40

The sky is tinted orange by the time the estate comes into view.

So many memories, ruined. It’s incredible how quickly rose-tinted glasses can shatter.

Kaylum and I wait at the edge of the forest for darkness to fall.

My heart hurts when I think of Taia and the other pups. I pray they never find out what Will is really like.

“So,” Kaylum clears his throat. “You nearly died.”

I nod.

“What happened?”

I scratch Ryder’s name in the dirt. Kaylum is quiet for a moment.

“Yeah, I can’t deny that I’m not surprised.”

“Is he your mate?” I continue writing.

“No. Not yet.”

“Are you going to ask?”

“Not for a while. I get the feeling he’s not ready.”

I nod.

Anthony has said that Ryder is hard to handle a lot of the time.

Still, Kaylum seems to somehow be handling it pretty well.

We wait for a few more hours, and begin moving when the crescent moon rises.

When we get to our old room, I’m surprised to see the tree is gone.