Ravensong (Green Creek 2)

“Yes.”

“Whatever happens, whatever is decided, you must remember. You will always be our pack. You will always belong to us, just as much as we belong to you. No matter what. That will never change.”

My skin itched. The hairs on my neck stood on end. “I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t. But I love you. Thomas loves you. Mark loves you. You are the witch to the Bennetts, and you always will be.”

“What are you—”

“Gordo.”

I turned my head.

Mark stood in the open doorway of Thomas’s office. He looked furious. His eyes flickered between fire and ice. The ends of his fingers were pointed and sharp.

He said, “Thomas needs to speak with you.”

IN THE end, it was simple.

Thomas Bennett was the Alpha of all, just as his father had been before him.

Green Creek had been a safe haven tucked away from the rest of the world.

He had been given time to heal. To pick up the pieces of his shattered pack. To make himself whole once again so that he could do what he must. He was a leader, and it was time for him to lead.

Which meant leaving Green Creek.

And heading East.

“But what about school?” I demanded, feeling slightly hysterical. “And my friends. And the garage! I can’t just leave everything—”

Thomas said, “You won’t be.”

Silence fell.

Thomas watched me from across his desk.

Mark paced angrily behind us.

Osmond stared blandly at me from near the window.

But I only had eyes for my Alpha. “I won’t be what.”

Thomas said, “Green Creek needs to be protected. And I will be entrusting that protection to you. Which is why, Gordo, you will be staying. Here. In Green Creek.”

I blinked. “What do you mean? I thought you said the pack was leaving.”

He sat forward in his chair. “We are. Elizabeth. My sons.” His eyes flickered over my shoulder. “Mark. All of us. But you will remain.”

“You’re leaving me.”

He reached for me across the desk.

I pushed my chair back quickly so I was just out of reach.

That hurt him. I could see it clear on his face.

Good. I hoped it hurt badly.