Page 47 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Earlier when you said I was your family, I know I didn’t say anything in response. But I want you to knowI feel the same way about you. You’ve been the one bright spot since that horrible day you found me in the river.

I planned on staying like I promised, but I realized tonight that I can’t put you at risk. It would be selfish of me to stay and to risk the amazing future you deserve.

I’m sorry this is how I’m saying goodbye, but I'm not strong enough to say it to your face. You’ve become my home, and I love you.

Your sister always,

Dove

I placed the note on my pillow, and a sob formed at the back of my throat. I swallowed it down as I opened the window, making sure not to make any noise. The bag I’d packed earlier lay on the floor with a few changes of clothes, ID, and some cash. Of course, my trusty knife was strapped to my ankle.

After grabbing the bag and tossing it through, I slipped out the window and landed on both feet. Forcing myself to stay calm, I scanned the area.

Everything looked clear.

Sighing, I picked up the bag and slung it over one shoulder. My plan was simple. Get to the river and use it to find another city or town. I'd rent a car and get as far away from here as possible. Staying near my old neighborhood must have made it easier for them to find me.

As I jogged toward the back of the house, the back porch light at Griffin's house turned on, and the back door opened.

Thetugwas so hard I nearly fell to my knees. I stopped in my tracks as emotions I didn’t understand surged through me—a mixture of desire, need, and desperation.

"Dove, what the hell are you doing?" Griffin growled. "That bear shifter could be out here. Get your ass back inside."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

My traitorous legsmoved in his direction. Out of all the scenarios I’d imagined, Griffin being home wasn't one of them. He'd been gone for weeks, and all of a sudden, he reappeared tonight?Figures. That’s my luck lately.

At least, he couldn't fight worth a damn, and the moon was already charging me. I'd kick his ass to get away if it came to that.

Not bothering to acknowledge his existence, I pressed forward, despite everything inside of me screaming to run to him and kiss his sexy mouth and touch his hard, muscular chest.

My weird attraction to him took my breath away. The time we’d spent apart from each other had only made this irrational desire even stronger. And those emotions I felt for him on top of the chaos already swirling inside made my throat dry as tears burned my eyes.

I didn't want to leave him either.

Stupid douchebag, always showing up at the worst times. Fate had a way of torturing me.

"Dove," he said, and it sounded like a warning. His feet hit the ground, coming after me. "Do not ignore me."

He moved faster than I expected him to, as if he was equally eager to get to me. But that had to be because he wanted totorment me or insult me further. My stupid legs didn't move any faster, almost as if they wanted him to catch up to me. Soon he grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn toward him.

I went to punch him but stopped short as his hazel eyes distracted me. They glowed, his wolf bleeding through and making him look even sexier. It took every ounce of my strength to keep myself from jumping into his arms.

"Does Killian know you're out here by yourself in the middle of the night?” His words held such concern. "I have a feeling he doesn't." He pushed the bag off my shoulder.

"He's not my dad—" That one word combined with Griffin's touch released the sob I'd held back, and the tears fell freely down my cheeks.

The sorrow of the past two weeks settled hard inside my chest. I hadn't truly broken down; I’d tried to focus on staying alive. But as of tonight, I'd genuinely lost everyone I cared about, one way or another. I couldn't even saydadwithout breaking down.

"Hey," Griffin said softly as he brushed tears from my face. "What's wrong?"

My skin warmed and buzzed wherever he touched me, and somehow, the bastard calmed me enough to get a handle on my emotions and stop crying.

His tenderness caught me off guard, and the urge to flee, to escape whatever influence he held over me, returned. I liked it better when we were fighting. I could channel the hate to ward off thetugtoward him.

"I need to go." The longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave.

"Tell me what's wrong." His words held a plea. "Or do I have to call Killian?" His nose wrinkled.

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