Page 124 of Wolf's Endgame

With a groan, I rolled out of bed, landing on the floor with a thump, knowing I needed a shower and a run as my wolf to get rid of this hangover. I didn’t even know it was possible to get a hangover, but I definitely had something.

Moaning, I got to my feet. The shaman’s special blend of whiskey was to be avoided from now on at all costs, I promised myself as I stumbled down the stairs and headed to the boot room.

“Luna, my head hurts,” I grumbled as I bounced off a stool in Cannon’s kitchen, still unsteady on my feet. “What the hell was in that whiskey?” Opening the door, I shifted and ran out of town. I made sure enough of the pack saw me; I was never sneaking away from my alpha ever again.

My run took me up the mountain, far from the Blackridge Peak Pack, but the fresh air and breeze as I ran kept me going. At a high point on the mountain, I looked down.

Whoa, that is a long way down.

I shifted back to human form. Looking around, I didn’t care that I was naked. I knew this place.

“Where are you?” Turning slowly in a circle, I searched for her. “Moonstar?”

Shaking my head, I moved forward, ready to search for her. “I know you’re here. I know this place. This is where you took me.” I shivered in the cool air. Swiftly I shifted back to my wolf, needing my wolfskin to keep me warm. Uncovering nothing, I stubbornly sat down.

Fine. I’ll wait.

I must have dozed, or maybe I was still feeling the shaman’s lethal blend of alcohol, but I woke up when I felt the presence of another. I shifted back to my human form as I watched her approach me.

Her hair was black. I hadn’t expected that. I’d always envisaged her to have hair the same color as mine. Her skin was ivory pale, her rosy lips the only color on her face. Her eyes were white.

Hello, child.

I burst into tears, and her arms surrounded me, but there was little substance. Still, I clung to her as I wept. Finally, I pulled back and looked at her.

“How?”

Moonstar smiled serenely, looking up at the darkening sky.

I was bound once. She looked down at me. When I felt your pain all that time ago, I did not think. I hoped the strength of my spirit would keep you alive. When I entered your body, I think we merged.

“Merged?”

Moonstar nodded. So eager to heal you, I ignored the tightness of your hold on me. When I knew you were better, both of you, I tried to leave, but you had a claim on my spirit, and I could not break free.

Scooting back, I looked her over warily. “Are you telling me that I did this? That I bound you to me?”

Her hand ran over my hair. You have always been so strong. So fierce. You were always so sure you relied on my strength… She drew her hand away. I think I relied on yours.

“Moonstar…I’m…” I gulped back tears. “I’m so sorry.”

Child, you never need apologize. Her gaze returned to the sky. I was bound for so long I forgot who I was. I wanted to be free so much, but?—

“But I kept you.” My voice was filled with bitterness. “I did this to you!”

You were scared. Nothing more than a child. It is not your fault.

But I couldn’t get over the immense feeling of guilt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She looked at me, her face one of calm and peace. I did not know the words. I did not know until I was free.

Standing, I moved away from her. “They were all so desperate for you to be gone, sure I would lose myself, when I was the one who took you!”

I guarded you of my own free will, child.

“And I kept you with mine,” I snarled with loathing.

I am free now. You freed me.

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