#Chapter 46 – Running Free

I watch Victor and the boys disappear into the forest, wringing my hands. Of course, I always knew the day would come when they went out into the darkness and explored their identities as wolves but…well, they’re very young. I thought I had years left.

“They’ll be fine,” Edgar says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Victor will protect them, and we’ve got Betas…everywhere.”

“No, I know,” I say, looking out into the darkness. “I know, logically, that everything’s going to be fine. They’re just…babies.”

“My first run was about this age,” Edgar says, his face serious.

“Really?” I say, turning to look up at him. “I was much older.”

“You were an Alpha’s favorite daughter,” he smiles down at me. “Of course they kept you home as long as they could.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know I was my dad’s favorite?”

He laughs and kisses my forehead. “How could you not be. Come on, come back to the fire where it’s warm.”

Edgar is right – I am getting chilly. But I turn back to the darkness. “Just a few more minutes,” I say. “I’ll come back soon.”

He nods and heads back to the orange glow, where Amelia sits looking at her phone. “I’ll set up the cots so you can turn in when you’re ready,” he says. I squeeze his hand as he goes.

Sighing, I stare out into the darkness of the trees, peering through them to see if I can catch some starlight. Moonrise is soon and it will be full and bright. At least my boys have a beautiful night for it. I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh mountain air. I can’t believe, just two nights ago…

But no, I shake my head, dismissing the thought. It won’t do any good to dwell on that horror.

I turn back towards the fire, walking carefully around it and settling into my chair. “Did you know he had this planned?” I ask Amelia, leaning forward and prodding the logs with a stick.

“Nope!” She says, painting a sarcastic smile onto her face. “Victor doesn’t tell me anything anymore,” she mutters. She holds her phone up far over her head and slowly moves it around, staring at the screen. “I think he took us camping in the last place in America where there’s no cell service. I hate it here.”

She sighs and brings her phone down to her lap. I give her a smile and peak at the tin mug on her chair’s arm.

a refill?” I

buttercup,” she says, flashing me a thumbs-up while she scrolls through photos on her phone. I laugh and comply, mixing apple cider from a nearby kettle with a generous portion of whiskey. I mix myself the same, savoring the

say carefully, “I wanted to

the boys and I came into your life like a hurricane and really messed up

of her reaction is surprise but….I feel like there’s a small part of her that’s enjoying this. “I want to do everything I can, going forward,” I say, clutching my warm mug, “to support you and Victor as you

very fragile smile. “Okay. Thanks, Evelyn, I…well, it’s really nice to hear

then turn back

in surprise, truly

“What for?”

over her knees. “I could have been kinder to you, to the boys. Made you feel

say, laughing a little. “I don’t think you should be sorry. I

her drink and taking a big sip. “Let’s try to be better friends. And to start,” she smiles over the rim of her mug and gestures backwards towards the cabins with her thumb, “tell me

and blush a

giving me a real smile and laughing with me.

laugh with her and shrug, bashful. “It’s going…I mean, great, I suppose. It’s

impression,” Amelia says, “don’t get mad at me.

eyebrows in confirmation. “Yeah, I’m not really

the difference here.” Amelia cozies into her chair, clearly enjoying a good gossip. I do

be real? Like he’s not

She suggests. I nod, happy at the

nose and leans forward conspiratorially. “He was

out of my throat, surprised and thrilled.

She says, grinning at me.

say, devolving into laughter. “Oh my god, I’m telling

Girlfriend secrets, shared around a campfire! Don’t betray

at the feeling as we continue to chat, warmed by the fire and each other’s company. Only a few

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