Page 135 of Wanted
Turns out the woman who went off on her own, decided to return a couple of weeks ago. Though she hasn’t told any of us where she was or what brought her back.
She doesn’t talk much, but we’ve formed an odd sort of friendship since I took her to the cave where I saw the image of the wolf I believed to be her mother.
“This will be another entry for that book of yours,” Reese says with a huge grin. She’s referring to the Nightwolf historical books I’m still creating.
I’ve chosen to create a series of books.
However, I’ve had to put that project on hold as I comb through the remaining files we discovered at Dr. Lee’s lab. Though most of the papers were burned, Chael and the others salvaged some remaining files.
Lee was old school and kept most of his experiments and findings written. I’m doing my best to use my storytelling powers to decipher the extent of his testing.
What I’ve found so far is that he worked with a series of lone wolves over the years, to establish their own level of power on the Alliance. It also included those who wanted to find ways to get rid of their wolves altogether to live freely among humans.
Sadly, there’s an ancient-looking text that was pulled out of the ashes of that pit as well, that even I can’t decipher.
With a shake of my head, I reply to Reese. “I still have a way to go before that project will be done,” I remind her.
But I’m looking forward to recounting and recording every bit of it.
To help with my research I’ve even taken a job at a local university about a thirty-minute drive from our commune. I get to do work and do research in the anthropology department.
One day I might decide to return to school to earn my PhD in the subject. However, for now I’m grateful for my job and even more so grateful to be a member of the Nightwolf pack.
Above everything, though, I’m beyond grateful for my mate, my soon-to-be husband and the love of my life. The man I don’t know if I would’ve gotten through the past few months without.
Since the day Chance and our pack showed me how they commemorated Ashley’s memory, there have been ups and downs. The pain of her absence never goes away. Some nights I still wake up in a fit of tears.
Chance is always there, though, holding me until the tears stop.
“This looks so beautiful on you,” Reese comments as she runs a light finger across the pendant that once belonged to my sister. I now wear it around my neck.
I touch the pendant and smile. “Ashley would’ve loved to be here for my wedding.” I let out a laugh. “She would freak out knowing I was marrying the beta of our pack.”
I laugh just imagining how Ashley would’ve danced at our reception.
She loved to dance.
“She’s here,” Ms. Elsie assures with a warm smile.
Sera looks away, a habit of hers whenever things get too emotional.
“Everything’s set up and everyone’s ready when you are,” Sera tells us.
“Okay.” I start for the door behind Sera and Ms. Elsie, but Ms. Elsie’s sudden surprise stops me.
“What on Earth?” she calls out as a loud pounding on Chael’s front door sounds.
“You’ve kept her from us, long enough!” a deep male voice sounds.
Immediately, Sera and Reese freeze.
“Where the hell is she?!” another man demands.
“Oh goodness,” Reese nearly whispers. She grabs Sera’s arm who’s started to head in the direction of the insistent men. “You don’t have to go.”
Sera turns to Reese. “I’ll get rid of them.” She turns to me. “I’m sorry.”
A frown wrinkles my forehead as I make the choice to follow Reese and Sera toward the kitchen to find out what’s going on.