Heart of a Wolf

‘you stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours’ kind of situation.”

“I figured as much, but how did it all begin? Surely some packs were against the agreement.”

She nodded at that, breaking into the bread and meat as she spoke. “Those who were against it broke away from their packs, making what we now know as Coren’s band. They’re a

bunch of misfits stuck in the old ways when we didn’t have the humans to worry about. But with the world completely aware of us and where we live, it just isn’t realistic for us to fight amongst ourselves like we once did.”

“Do all the packs live up here?” Of all the times I’d read about wolves around the country, almost all of the news articles took place in the northeast.

“Most, but not all. You can still find some of them far to the south and west, but it’s extremely rare. Our wolves prefer the cold as well as the seclusion from man. Until recently, that is.” She forced a smile. “With the mountains being how they are, it isn’t like someone’s going to drive out here to make a mega mall or some other outfit like that. Out here, our territories are safe. Out here, we can still take on our pelts without scaring someone else.”

“Do you think humans and wolves will ever be able to live in the city together?” I didn’t look at her then, my mind fixed on the work I used to do at the hospital along with my sister.

Fallen placed a hand on my shoulder, offering me a kind smile when I finally met her gaze. “There are exceptions,” she said, not sounding convinced, “and there’s still a chance of you going back.”

“But not to stay.” I winced when the words left my mouth.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, I love it out here, and I love you, but—”

“You miss your sister,” Fallen said gently, “and any other wolf would feel the same way. But it’s more complicated than that. Away from the pack, there’s no telling what your wolf might do.”

“So come with me,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “I’m going to see her again tonight, so why not go with me?”

“Jo, I don’t think that—”

“I’m constantly hiding under the trees, and she doesn’t come out to meet me. She’s afraid of bringing attention to ourselves, but if you’re there, then I should be able to keep to my human form long enough to touch her face. To hug her and

tell her I’m okay.” My voice broke at the end, and when Fallen ran her thumb across my cheek, that’s all it took for me to break down.

“I’m so sorry this pains you so. I didn’t realize—”

“Could you ever spend as long as I have away from Ash if our roles were reversed?”

Her eyes widened at that.

“I didn’t think so. I know it’s been under two months since I first turned, but I am getting better. You said so yourself. I recognize each wolf as an individual now, their scents different from everyone else.”

“But in the city, your wolf’s senses will be clouded. You could get hurt.”

“Which is why I’m asking you to go with me. I would’ve done it before but this is the first night we have off together.

Please, Fallen, it’d mean the world to me. Besides, we need to tell my sister.”

“She doesn’t know about us?” Fallen asked, tilting her head to the side.

“She does, or she had an idea before I left her in the city, but she doesn’t know how serious things are. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader. Not telling her feels wrong.”

Fallen looked as though she was about to say something but thought better of it. Instead, she took me in her arms and kissed me on the lips.

“If this is what will make you happy, then yes, I’ll go with you.”

“Shit.”

Ash slammed the phone on the receiver the moment Fallen and I walked into her office. Whoever she’d been talking to, the news wasn’t good. Without saying a word, she walked past Fallen, ignoring her completely.

“That was Brandon from the Rosewood Pack,” she said loud enough for the entire lower level of the house to hear.

“Apparently, Coren’s been making his rounds, spreading rumors along the way.”