Skye’s POV
“No, it’s not that, I said quickly, averting my gaze. “It’s just…”
“Just what?” he pressed, taking another step closet. His proximity alone was distracting, the warmth radiating from him making it difficult to maintain my resolve.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his eyes directly. “It’s just that I don’t want people to misunderstand. After all, I’m not your mate. Staying at your house indefinitely wouldn’t be… appropriate.”
Something flickered across Adrian’s expression–disappointment, perhaps, or frustration–before his features settled into careful neutrality.
“There’s nothing happening between us that would give anyone reason to misunderstand, he pointed out, his voice deliberately even. I’m simply fulfilling my responsibility as Alpha, helping a new member adjust to our pack. He gestured toward the path leading away from the orphanage, ‘Come on, I’ll drive you back to the hotel.”
His words struck like tiny daggers, each one precisely aimed. Of course. Just Alpha responsibility. Nothing more. What had I expected him to say? That he wanted my company for reasons beyond duty?
I forced a smile, grateful for the darkness that partially concealed my expression. “You’re right. Thank you.”
If I continued to refuse his escort, I’d only appear to be the one reading too much into the situation–exactly what I was trying to avoid. I nodded my agreement and fell into step beside him.
We walked in silence toward his vehicle, the only sounds our footsteps on the sandy path and the distant chorus of desert insects. Just as we approached the SUV, a familiar figure emerged from around the corner, her silhouette unmistakable even in the dim light.
“There you are!” Nadia called out, her voice bright with exaggerated cheerfulness. “I’ve been looking everywhere for
you two.
She approached with confident strides, her smile wide as she looked between us. “Adrian, I hope you don’t mind, but since it’s Skye’s first day officially joining us, I thought I’d treat her to dinner at my place.” She turned to me, linking her arm through mine with unexpected familiarity. “I’ve made my special elk stew, and I can give you all the insider tips about pack life that Adrian probably forgot to mention.”
Before I could respond, she was already tugging me gently away, her grip on my arm surprisingly firm despite her casual demeanor. “I promise I’ll make sure she gets back to the hotel safely afterward,” she assured Adrian, her tone leaving little room for argument.
Adrian’s expression was unreadable as he looked between us. After a/moment’s hesitation, he nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “That sounds like an excellent idea. I’m sure Skye could use a friend to help her settle in.”
“Exactly!” Nadia agreed brightly, already leading me down the path away from him.
I glanced back over my shoulder, feeling strangely as though I were being pulled away from something important. Adrian’s gaze seemed to follow us for a moment before he turned and climbed into his vehicle. The engine rumbled to life, headlights illuminating the desert path as he drove away.
I’m imagining things again, I thought, mentally chastising myself. Adrian had clearly stated his intentions–professional, nothing more. Any perceived connection beyond that existed solely in my imagination.
easily than
Nadia’s home turned out to be a cozy cottage near the main community building. Her dinner was indeed delicious, the conversation flowing I’d anticipated given our tense exchange during training. She seemed genuinely interested in helping me adjust to Oasisborn, detailing various aspects of pack life and protocol I should be aware of.
As night deepened, she walked me back to the hotel, pointing out shortcuts and landmarks along the way. The “hotel,” as it turned out, was actually a repurposed two–story building with simple but comfortable accommodations.
“This is where visiting wolves from other packs usually stay,” Nadia explained as we approached the entrance. “Venus is already preparing a permanent residence for you closer to the orphanage. It should be ready within a week or so.”
I nodded absently, my mind elsewhere. Throughout the evening, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nadia’s sudden appearance had been deliberate–that she’d intentionally intercepted us, perhaps even followed me from training to the orphanage and waited for the right moment to intervene.
1/2
Chapter 34
Her insistence on escorting me personally back to the hotel only strengthened this suspicion. Was this her way of maintaining distance between hätten me? Of reminding me of boundaries 1 shouldn’t cross?
The thought left me feeling strangely suffocated, a flicker of irritation sparking in my chest despite my understanding of her position.
Thank you for everything today,” 1 said when we reached the door to my room, forcing sincerity into my voice. “You should head home and get some rest
Nadia hesitated, studying my face carefully. “I’ll come by tomorrow morning to pick you up for training, she emphasized, as if worried I might try to avoid
her.
I summoned another smile. “I’ll be ready.”
After she finally departed, I found myself alone with my thoughts in the quiet room. Through the window, the desert moon cast silver light across the floor, reminding me of the approaching date that had been lingering at the back of my mind all day.
Ethan’s birthday was coming soon. Unlike me, born in the depths of Alaskan winter, my brother had entered the world in the heart of summer. The thought of him triggered a sudden, fierce longing for home–for the familiar forests and mountains I’d left behind, for my parents‘ faces, even for the pack I’d once been so desperate to escape.
I approached the front desk, where a sleepy young wolf was on night duty, and requested paper, an envelope, and a pen. Back in my room, I sat cross–legged on the bed and began to write.
Dear Ethan,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to wish you a happy birthday, though I know this will probably reach you late. I miss you. I miss all of you.
I have news that might surprise you–my wolf has finally come. After all this time, she emerged a few weeks ago. She’s silver, just like my hair. I’ve joined a pack called Oasisborn in the western territories. They’re good people who have welcomed me despite my unusual history.
My pen hovered over the paper as I contemplated adding more. I wanted to tell him that perhaps, with my wolf now awakened, I might find the courage to visit during the next New Moon Festival. That I might finally be ready to face Frostshadow Pack again–to face Leon.
But in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to write those words. The promise felt too fragile, too uncertain. Instead, I signed the letter with love, sealed it in the envelope, and addressed it to our family cabin in Alaska.
Tomorrow I would mail it, sending a piece of myself back to the home I’d fled–a home that, despite everything, still called to me across the miles.
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