Page 83 of Wolf

Pulling away, I wipe my eyes and say, “Nothing. Just tired.”

She eyes me thoughtfully before pointing toward the hall and gratefully I follow hoping no one noticed my breakdown.

When I look back though, I find Wolf unerringly in the crowd. His frown batters at my heart and with a sigh, I turn away.

I can’t control Wolf’s feelings any more than I can my own. It’s time for me to focus on Miriam because this I can handle.

Still, the weight of my thoughts feels heavy as we enter the kitchen. Two women bustle around behind the counter. Both turn as we enter. The older of the two, a woman with gorgeous gray hair frowns, emphasizing the tiny lines around her mouth.

The other woman drops her chin. Uneasily, I stop beside Miriam as she says, “What can I do?”

I shiver at the chill in the air before the older woman sighs and points to a cupboard against the wall. “You can get out the plates and shit.”

When I glance at Miriam, she rolls her eyes. By silent agreement we don’t say much and after pulling out plates, utensils, cups, and napkins, she leads me to the side door, and we step outside.

The sun feels good on my shoulders, and I raise my face to the sky. Are Rachel and Mercy, okay?

Have they erased me from their lives as easily as Miriam was?

“What’s with the clothes?” Miriam asks and I open one eye.

She raises a brow and ignoring the heat in my cheeks, I mumble, “Toni gave them to me.”

“Toni, hm? And Wolf?”

Turning away, I walk around the side of the building and peek around the corner, finding various picnic tables and chairs scattered under an awning with two barbecues at the end.

Beside them is an outdoor sink with plenty of counter space and two refrigerators side by side. Beyond the outdoor kitchen, green grass sprawls to a stage of sorts. With lights strung between, I imagine the pretty scene when it’s dark.

“This is where they party,” Miriam says and the pleasant image fades, replaced by the scene I saw the first time I came here.

“Lil?” Miriam says and I mentally sigh. I’m not up for the questions because I’m sure I don’t have the answers.

“Yeah?”

“Wolf…”

Shrugging, I avoid her gaze as I say. “We’re just…you know, having fun.”

Silence is her answer and when I can bear it no more, I meet her stare. The concern in her eyes beats at my already aching heart.

“Lil…” she says softly.

“It’s fine, Mir. Really,” I rasp through a thick throat. “Anyway, there’s so much going on. I don’t know where to start.”

“Okay, let’s start with why you’re here.”

After explaining the events with the sheriff, I mention the man who came to Wolf’s cabin in the woods.

“Do you know who he is?” she asks.

Shaking my head, I say, “No.”

“Hm.” Chewing her lip, she stares beyond my shoulder. “What are you going to do about school?”

“I hadn’t even considered it,” I say, rubbing my brow.

Both Wolf and Duke have disappeared. Meanwhile, Miriam and I eat quietly before retreating to her room. It’s basically the same layout as Wolf’s except Miriam has a few of her things scattered around.

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