Skye’s POV
Buck’s face fell, genuine disappointment shadowing his features. “Leaving? But why, darlin‘? I thought you were happy here.”
I truly had been happy here. Despite that terrifying night of being sexually harassed and shot, most of my time in Boring had been peaceful and pleasant. The Watering Hole had provided me with the closest thing to stability I’d known in three years of running.
But with my wolf finally awakened and the discovery of Oasisborn Pack, my life had irrevocably changed. I couldn’t go back to pretending to be something !
wasn’t.
“It’s time for me to move on,” I said simply, unable to provide Buck with the real explanation. “But I’ll miss this place. I’ll miss you.”
Buck pulled me into another bear hug, his weathered hands patting my back affectionately. “You got someplace in mind you’re heading to, darlin‘?” he asked, concern evident in his gravelly voice.
“Yes,” I lied smoothly, though I had absolutely no idea where I’d go after helping with Oasisborn’s anniversary celebration. Perhaps I’d head north toward Colorado, or maybe east toward Louisiana. Anywhere far from Texas and the complications that had arisen here.
Jessie returned to the bar carrying a tray of empty glasses, having just delivered drinks and fries to a table of ranch hands. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in the scene–me wrapped in Buck’s fatherly embrace, both of us with somber expressions.
“What’s going on?” she demanded, setting down her tray with a clatter. “You two look like somebody died.”
Buck released me, one hand remaining on my shoulder. “Skye’s leaving us,” he announced, his voice heavy with disappointment.
Jessie’s shriek of dismay was so loud it caused several patrons to turn and stare. “What? You can’t leave!” She rushed around the bar and grabbed my hands, her eyes wide with genuine distress. “Why? Is it because of that stomach bug? Did it mess up your system or something? Or did you get a better job offer somewhere else?”
Her immediate concern touched me.
“It’s nothing like that,” I assured her, squeezing her hands gently. “It’s just… time for me to move on. I never stay in one place very long.”
As Jessie peppered me with questions about my plans and Buck quietly arranged the bar glasses, my mind drifted to the oasis, the lake where I’d first shifted, and… Adrian.
I shook my head, forcing myself not to become attached to things that weren’t mine.
“We should throw you a going–away party!” Jessie declared suddenly, her face brightening. “This Friday! We’ll close the bar early, invite all the regulars-”
“No, please,” I interrupted, the thought of being the center of attention making me deeply uncomfortable. “I’d rather just work my shift and say my goodbyes quietly.”
Buck nodded understandingly, but Jessie looked disappointed. Before she could argue further, my newly enhanced hearing picked up a conversation from across the room–two deputies discussing the ranch hand who’d been “torn apart by wild boars” three nights ago.
“Never seen anything like it,” one was saying, shaking his head. “Throat ripped clean out. Rangers say boars don’t typically go for the neck like that.”
“Maybe it wasn’t boars,” his companion suggested, yoice dropping lower. “Thompson swears he saw unusually large wolf tracks near the scene.”
I tensed, suddenly hyper–aware of the danger lingering in Boring. If humans started looking for wolves in this area, it would only be a matter of time before they found something–or someone–they shouldn’t.
Yes, it was definitely time for me to leave.
The week passed quickly, each shift at The Watering Hole tinged with a bittersweet quality I hadn’t anticipated. Regular customers expressed genuine
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Chapter 24
disappointment when they heard I was leaving, some even leaving generous tips for the road.”
Jessie, despite my protests, decorated the bar with farewell messages on my final day, and insisted on taking multiple photos so you don’t forget us.
By Saturday noon, Adrian arrived precisely as promised, pulling his SUV up outside the bar. I’d already packed my few belongings into my red compact car, along with the bottles of specialty spirits Buck had allowed me to take for the Oasishorn celebration.
Adrian helped lond the remaining alcohol into his vehicle, his movements efficient but unhurried. As we finished, Buck emerged from the bar, clutching a small envelope.
“Almost forgot,” he called, hurrying over. “This is for you, darlin‘.”
Curious, I accepted the envelope and opened it to find a stack of crisp hundred–dollar bills, My eyes widened in shock–there had to be at least two thousand dollars there.
“Buck, I can’t accept this, I protested, trying to hand it back. ‘It’s too much.”
He gently pushed my hand away, his weathered face creasing into a stubborn smile. “It’s what you’ve earned.”
When I continued to hesitate, his expression softened. “If you really want to thank me, give me a call when you get settled in your next town.” He shuffled his feet, suddenly looking much older and more vulnerable. “You know, I don’t have kids of my own. Apart from these booze–hounds, nobody much thinks about this old man.”
Emotion tightened my throat as I impulsively stepped forward and hugged him one last time. “I’ll call,” I promised, meaning it.
After a final goodbye to Jessie, who extracted multiple promises that I would text her regularly, I climbed into my car and followed Adrian’s SUV out of Boring, watching the dusty little town recede in my rearview mirror.
The journey to Oasisborn passed in contemplative silence. When we finally arrived, I was surprised by the sense of familiarity that washed over me.
Nadia was waiting for us near the main community building, her usual stern expression softened by what almost looked like genuine pleasure at seeing me.
“Welcome back,” she said, approaching my car as I stepped out. “How was your last week in that dump?”
“It wasn’t a dump.”
“By the way,” she added, her voice dropping conspiratorially, “that time at the bar when I said your cocktail was terrible? I lied. It was actually pretty good.”
I blinked in surprise at this unexpected admission. Before I could respond, Adrian gestured for us to follow him into the main building.
“I’ve mind–linked the pack council members,” he explained as we walked through bright, airy corridors. “They should be here shortly to help plan tonight’s celebration.
We reached a spacious conference room with large windows overlooking the desert garden. I’d just taken a sip of the coffee Nadia had poured me when the door opened and several werewolves entered.
I looked up casually–and froze in mid–swallow, barely managing not to choke.
I wasn’t prejudiced. I wasn’t one to discriminate. But the werewolves filing into the room were undeniably… not normal.
Chapter Comments
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Visitor
Yes, be the center of the trouble then leave those who sayed you to clean up alone. Selfish AH.
L
Visitor
God, she’s annoying. She’s so guarded beyond what would be rational at this point. I started this book hoping she wouldn’t be allowed fragile and broken yet here she is, be…
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Crowned by Fate
Chapter 25
