Page 214 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Relaxed was pushing it—there was still so much churning inside me—but I actually felt like I could breathe for once.I’m just trying to enjoy a moment of peace before walking back into that nightmare.I hated that the woods surrounding our home were now full of bad memories. There should be good ones thereof us all hanging out and running in the woods together. Maybe day by day, we’d make more good memories to help drown out the bad.

The rest of the car ride passed in silence, and when we took the sharp turn into our neighborhood, I sat upright. We passed by several Craftsman-style homes before turning into Griffin’s driveway.

When we walked in through the garage, I was surprised to find Killian, Sierra, and Cyrus already there. Cyrus stood next to the living room window, looking outside, while Killian and Sierra sat on the couch.

“Is everything okay?” My body tensed, but I managed to remain calm because the three of them didn’t seem to be alarmed.

“We just finished burying the dead.” Killian yawned.

“Already?” Griffin asked with surprise. “There were so many.”

“With the silver wolves, the Shadow City guards, and my pack working together, we managed to get everything accomplished in record time,” Killian said, and pointed at Cyrus. “And that man is a natural leader.”

ThatI already knew. He’d trained all those guards, and none of them would’ve listened to him if he hadn’t earned their respect. He was born to be a leader even if he wasn’t the alpha. A lot of wolves thought you had to be an alpha to lead, but that wasn’t true. An alpha couldn’t oversee everything at all times—that was setting a pack up for failure. An alpha was only as strong as the rest of the pack. “I’m not surprised.” I walked to Cyrus and squeezed his arm. “He reminds me of our father in a lot of ways.”

“Really?” His silver eyes lightened to almost white.

“You’d know if I were lying.” I dropped my hand, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable. We were finally moving in the rightdirection, so I didn’t want to push too hard and fast and ruin it. “Where are the other silver wolves?” I glanced outside to find a bare backyard.

“They went back to the houses that our father had purchased to move to.” Cyrus chewed on his bottom lip. “They want to head home in the morning to get the rest of the pack. They’re tired of being split up.”

I wasn’t sure I could afford to leave right now when things were so unstable. If we ran, Azbogah and his angel followers could come after us. “Like permanently back?”

“No.” Cyrus ran a hand through his hair. “They’re moving to the new land…Dad was working on. They…wewant to stay close to you. They only went home to get their stuff for the move. We all want this pack to stay together, and we understand now that Shadow City needs us, too. We’re stronger together than apart.”

I had to agree with that. “I don’t know if I can leave right now.”

“Then let me do it,” Cyrus said eagerly. “Let me help you. I’ve done so much to hurt you—I want to make it up to you and be there for our people. Losing Bart and almost dying, it puts a lot of things into perspective.”

“Okay.” I nodded and smiled. “If that’s what you want, then I’m okay with you taking over Bart’s role.”

Babe,Griffin asked with concern,are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, he does seem different, but—

He is. I can feel it.Our twin bond hummed with a new kind of energy that didn’t seem tarnished. The darkness that had surrounded him was gone, as if things were finally clear to him for the first time.

Then I can’t argue with that.Griffin’s worry lessened, though it didn’t completely vanish.I just want our packs in good hands.

Our packs. I’d never heard him say that, and honestly, I hadn’t said it, either, but I liked the sound of it. He was completely right. We were mated, and our packs needed both of us.And I love you for it.

“You want me to take over as their leader?” Cyrus beamed. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.” It made sense for him to lead and report to me when I couldn’t be in two places at once. “I think Bart would like that, too.” My heart ached at the thought of my uncle, whom I hadn’t gotten to know nearly well enough. “Where is he buried?”

“Close by, between here and the new pack neighborhood.” Cyrus nodded toward the woods. “Under a large, strong tree. I talked to our cousin—Bart’s daughter—and she wanted him buried where she could visit his grave when they get here.”

That sounded perfect. Bart was tall and strong, so he should be buried in a place that mirrored him. “Will you take me in the morning?” I wanted to leave flowers and say goodbye.

“Right before the rest of the silver wolves and I head out to get the rest of the pack.” Cyrus nodded.

“Guys, I’m not trying to whine here, but…” Sierra started.

“You’re gonna?” Killian jabbed.

Sierra stuck her tongue out at him. “Oh, you think you’re funny stuff, don’t you?”

“Well…” Killian patted his chest. “When you’re as good as me—”

“Oh, God.” Sierra gagged and pretended to dry heave. “Please don’t make me vomit.”

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