Chapter 83

"They're not here."

Three simple words, but their meaning crashed into me and nearly undid the sliver of hope that had brought me to Shay's neighbor's cabin. We stood in the middle of the one-room house, which was hardly more than stacks of wood. The sounds of our voices lost themselves in the angry whistling through the cabin's cracks. The place was freezing and smelled like old soup. On the way inside, I'd bumped into a small, rickety table against the wall and caused the full bowls to clatter and slop. Only two bowls. Not enough for Shay, Gibby, and Grady. Whoever had been eating from them had left in a hurry, and to leave perfectly good food behind... That was something I'd never imagined.

"Do you think they ever made it here?" I whispered, my throat too constricted with worry to do much else.

Sasha padded around the tabletop and sniffed loudly at the bowls while keeping an eye on her alpha.