But I couldn’t leave my wolves in disarray. Even if I was no longer staying, I wouldn’t leave a mess behind. That wasn’t my way.
So I sat at my window as dusk fell, the pack lights blinking on one by one outside, and got to work.
The stack of files was thick — patrol rosters, hunting schedules, border agreements. The kinds of things no one ever thanked you for keeping straight, but everyone noticed when they went wrong.
Hours passed before I finally removed the vinyl and stood. My back cracked when I stretched.
Downstairs was quiet now. The party had ended. The house was still.
For the first time all night, I let myself relax.
I picked up my phone and scrolled aimlessly, letting the silence settle around me. But then…
Trisha’s name popped up.
I froze instinctively. My thumb hovered for just a moment before opening her message.
“Why didn’t you like my posts?”
I blinked at it.
A minute later, another followed, “Sorry, Alli. I sent that by mistake. Please don’t be mad, okay?”
I scoffed softly. She’s too obvious.
Curiosity pricked at me anyway, and I opened her feed to see what had her so eager for my reaction.