“Pack scared of Omegas,” he said. “Omegas hurt them. You were Omega. But you’re not anymore. You’re not like me. You’re Beta. You’re better. Not like in cabin. Different.”
I pressed my thumbs into his palms. “Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving you behind. It’s… yeah. Okay. It’s different. Not bad or worse.”
He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Stay here. I can stay here. You go. Run.”
“Really.”
“Yes.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want. I mean, I could probably die or something, but you do you.”
He jerked his head up as he growled. “Die?”
I nodded solemnly. “Might trip over a tree root and break my neck. Or Ox could jump on me and crush my liver. Who the fuck knows?”
“Stupid Carter,” Gavin said.
“Stupid Carter,” I agreed.
“Know what you’re doing.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. So I’m just gonna go, I guess. Don’t know if I’ll ever come back, seeing as how I might be dead and all. If only there was someone out there who could have my back and—”
He put his hand over my mouth. “Stop talking. You make it worse.” His nostrils flared. “Fine. I’ll go. Stupid Carter always almost dies.”
He dropped his hand, shaking his head, muttering under his breath how stupid I was, how I never took care of myself. Ox looked taken aback when Gavin snarled at him and told him to keep his paws away from my liver.
“Do I even want to know?” Ox asked as Gavin stalked out of the house, leaving a trail of clothes behind him.
“Better do what he says,” I called over my shoulder, following Gavin out of the house.
I STOOD IN THE GRASS IN THE CLEARING. I turned my face toward the sky. The stars were bright. The full moon whispered in my ear. In the back of my mind fluttered the thought of where I’d been the last full moon, the hunters surrounding me, Gavin appearing out of nowhere, fangs and claws extended. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
I was home.
I was home.
I was home.
Hair sprouted along my face. My cheeks. My arms and shoulders.
My pack stood before me, watching. Waiting.
Gavin was next to his brother, eyes alight.
I opened my mouth and sang a song of homecoming.
It echoed in the forest around us.
Beneath my feet, the earth shifted, little pinpricks of heat pressing against my skin.
Ox’s eyes filled with a mix of violet and red.
Joe was the first to sing back to me. And in my head, faint though it was, I heard him say, BrotherLovePack i see you i hear you i love you run with me run with your packpackpack.
I fell to my hands and knees.
Claws grew from my hands and feet.