Page 7 of Stargazer

“I need to see her,” I muttered in a daze.

Riv looked hurt for a mere moment until I clarified. “Not because I don’t believe you, Riv. But because my mind just can’t comprehend that this is even possible. I just want to see her with my own eyes. For it to settle in.”

“I understand.” His expression softened, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “I’ll text her and see if she can take a video call.” His voice was a soothing presence as he explained, his hand leaving my face to grab out his phone from his pocket. “The rogues are different in the way of packs. Normally, they don’t run in one—which is what makes them rogues to begin with. So while these ones are working together and living with each other in some capacity, they don't do so in the way that we’re used to. At least, not all the time. This anomaly of a rogue pack is still linked by an Alpha who is calling the shots, but they have more freedom and independence than we do, only being required to be physically together when called on.”

My eyes widened in surprise but River went on. “Amelia is essentially living alone but in close proximity to them so she can be at their Alpha’s beck and call. She needs to in order to keep appearances up that she’s committed to their cause and being a rogue. It’s not the healthiest thing for a wolf, not by a long shot. But we’re doing everything we can to keep her sane and socialised, meeting up with her when possible—albeit, not as often as I’d like. At the very least we call or video chat on a burner phone every few days.”

“Riv,” I let out a puff of air. “That can’t be good for her. Is she even safe?”

“I know, Vee. Trust me, I know. This isn’t easy for me, and I would never have asked her to do this, no matter what was at stake. But when I explained the reason she was attacked and turned, she insisted. Against all my concerns. She’s way more stubborn than I would have ever expected. And well … I’m trying to be better at letting people make their own informed choices.” His eyes dropped, not wanting to look at me as his guilt bubbled to the surface. I could see it clear on his face though, as I had too many times since I walked back up that paved forest driveway. He knew that not telling me the truth and letting me decide how I would handle it on my own accord had cost us everything. And he was taking every stride he could to ensure he wouldn’t do that again, despite his protective nature. What more could I ask for? I knew how hard change could be. I was still working every day to not be that meek and placid girl that people could so easily take advantage of.

I gave him a tentative smile, comfortingly patting his arm and trying not to think too much about the smooth but firm muscle I could feel under his shirt—a body I knew almost as well as my own. “I appreciate that, Riv. I trust you. And if it was Amelia’s choice, then who am I to argue with that? Thank you … for doing what you can for her.”

A swift ding sounded as River’s phone lit up in his hand and both of our eyes instantly snapped to the thing. He raised it slowly, grazing over the text before turning the phone towards me. I smiled, eyes brightening at the two small words:

Call away.

River met my smile with his own and then I heard the sweet dial tone of FaceTime. My heart stilled in my chest when the sound abruptly stopped, replaced by the connection tone before I heard her soft, feathery voice.

“Hey, Riv. What’s up?”

I felt the surreal feeling of familiarity and nostalgia at hearing that sweet cadence, tears threatening to spill over again as I got choked up.

“Hey, Amelia.” River’s voice was warm and he addressed her with such a friendly demeanour that I knew he’d been doing everything he could to help her through this and keep her close. I would never have considered them ‘friends’ before, but now they were. Friends. Pack. “I have someone who wants to see you,” he added with a satisfied grin. He handed me the phone.

Her ginger hair shone and her blue eyes glistened. She looked better than she ever had. More ethereal. That effortless supernatural beauty of the wolves so clearly visible, making her aura warm and inviting, charming and irresistible. Like all the shifters I knew.

Being a rogue didn’t seem to affect that part of her, at least not in her human form, and I mentally sighed in relief at that. But I wondered if her wolf would show signs of the ragged fur and feral energy, or if that wasn’t the case for someone who was still newly turned.

“Venus?” She questioned, not quite believing her eyes. “You’re back? I’m so glad you’re back!”

My lips tilted in a happy smile as I replied, “It’s a long story, but I’m back.” I forced myself not to look at River, still not sure what my plan was and unwilling to see too much hope or excitement in his familiar eyes before I figured my shit out.

“I’m an expert at long stories now.” She huffed a quiet laugh.

“Are you okay, Amelia? Like really okay? River filled me in on the details but I just needed to see you. To see for myself that it’s real. That you’re real.”

Amelia’s kind gaze softened at what I knew was a pained look on my face. The last time I had seen this beautiful, sweet girl, she was lifeless and littered with bloody bite marks and ripped flesh. And now she was in front of me—well, on a screen—in one piece, looking flawless and ethereal.

God, did my heart swell at the sight.

“I’m fine, Vee. Truly. There’s no need to worry about me. I have it all under control. I need to do this.” She had a poised determination that I had not seen on the female before. Even if she was still sweet-tempered and gentle, I could see it hovering just under the surface. Hear it in the resolve of her tone. It made me feel a bit more assured that she was safe, or at the very least, that this was her choice. I could tell there would be no arguing with her. This was the path she felt she needed to follow. I understood that. If anyone had tried to talk me out of going to the Knights at the time, their efforts would have been in vain.

“Well, I’m here for you. Whatever you need.” It was all I could offer her.

“I know,” she grinned, the expression so wholesome; a throwback to the girl I knew before. “We’ll take them down, Vee.” I couldn’t stop my surprised laugh at the sentiment that was so at odds with the innocent look of her face. But it died down when I noticed her steel blue eyes glaze over a moment later, indicating she was being mind-linked by someone in her ‘pack’.

When she came through, she frowned. “I’m sorry, I have to go. The Alpha calls. But I’ll update you on anything important I find out as soon as I can.” Her eyes sparkled, “It’s so good to see you, Vee. I’m so glad you came back. I was hoping I’d get a chance to see you again after everything that Riv told me. I’ll chat soon, okay?”

“Yes, okay.” My response was hasty and alert, betraying my concern. “Be careful!” I added, worried I’d miss the opportunity before she hung up.

“I will,” she returned.

River quickly ducked back in the frame. “As always, contact us if you need us. No matter what the situation is, okay? Don’t take on anything on your own.” His voice held the authority of an Alpha.

She nodded gently, “I’ll be fine. But, yes.” And with that we heard the audible note of an ended call.

I turned to River who looked at me tenderly and with compassion.

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