Page 82 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

"Okay." He sighed. "Let's check things out while we wait on Killian."

"How long until he gets here?"

He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the text. "Probably ten to fifteen minutes."

That would give us enough time to run around and make sure there weren't any surprises before pulling Griffin’s Navigator into the neighborhood, alerting watchful eyes. "Sounds like a plan."

"I'll let him know what we're doing in case he gets here before we get back." He turned off the car and shot off a text before getting out.

As I waited on him, I inhaled and exhaled slowly, focusing on calming breaths to keep my racing heart from exploding. I didn't want to be here. In fact, this was the last place in the world I wanted to be. I’d figured seeing my pack’s home would be hard, but it was so much more than that. Everywhere I looked, memories of my childhood replayed in my mind.

We’d used the large circular grassy knoll for our training sessions that dad led, and the faint laughter of playing chase in the woods tickled my ears.

This safe haven had been turned into a place of anger, hatred, and so much remorse. What I wouldn't give to run in the woods with Zoe again, or for my dad to yell at me for flinching and giving away my next move. Or to experience, again, howMom always listened when I felt like Dad—or anyone else—was being unfair, guiding me into considering the other person’s viewpoint, which had molded me into the person I was today.

"Hey," Griffin rasped, as he pulled me into his arms. "We can find a hotel room or something. We don't have to stay here."

"That would put us around people and other shifters, which could make it easier for them to locate us." I appreciated what he was trying to do, but this was where we needed to be. I could feel it, even if I didn't like it.

I kissed him, using our bond for comfort. I needed him in order to get through the next little bit. "Let's scout around before Killian gets here." I faced the neighborhood.Why don't you go right and I'll take the left?

You want us to split up?Griffin sounded less than thrilled.I figured we'd go together.

If we find something—or someone—it'll be better if they think we're alone.I didn't want something to happen to both of us.That way we'll have the element of surprise.

Do you not realize what I went through when you disappeared? What we all went through?he linked as his fingers tangled in my hair, making my body warm.I went insane looking for you. I don't think I can go through something like that again.

My fingers trailed over his chin, his scruff biting the tips. I couldn't imagine how it had felt, and I hated that he’d gone through that.I understand, but this is for the best. You won't be far, and we'll be linked the entire time.

Fine, but if there is any sort of sign that we aren't alone, you let me know immediately.Griffin stared into my eyes.I get that you're trained to fight and I'm not, but you're my mate. I need to know that you'll let me protect you, if it comes to that.

We're a team.I stared into his eyes and pushed my emotions hard toward him so he could feel my sincerity. We'd had a rockystart with me pretending to be Killian's girlfriend and both of us trying to fight our connection. But we were finally here and on the same page, and we had to start trusting one another.If even one thing seems out of sorts, I'll let you know. Also, we should stay in human form so we can talk with Killian when he gets here.

He must have seen whatever he was looking for in my eyes because he nodded.All right. Let's get this over with.

I pecked him one last time and took off toward the tree line on the left.

His footsteps grew farther away as he followed my lead, heading in the opposite direction.

The neighborhood is one huge circle.I ran into the trees, trying to push away the memories that hung at the forefront of my mind.We'll meet up on the other side.

Got it,he responded.

Silence descended as I ran through trees that I knew like the back of my hand. Woodland animals fluttered and rustled around me like they hadn’t a care in the world, which seemed unjustly cruel. Life had moved on. It shouldn't have been possible.

It wasn't fair.

The stain of my pack's murder should have had some sort of impact on the world.

Each silver wolf who’d died had vowed to protect the entire supernatural world—not just the wolves—so their loss should've been mourned by everyone. And yet, it was as if they had never existed.

It was as if the silver wolves had been erased from history. Atticus had known about us, but he hadn't shared the information with Griffin. So…who else knew?

Something wasn't adding up, and unfortunately, neither Griffin's dad nor my own were here to answer questions.

I tapped into my wolf, trying to keep my emotions in check. I ran a little faster than normal, afraid that if I slowed, the memories would catch up to me and crash all around.

However, when I turned toward the alpha’s home—myhome—there was no saving me.

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