Page 83 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Even though it wasn't possible, I was back in time, reliving that horrible day.

Dad stood in the center of the yard, grimacing as he clutched his side. Blood stained his white shirt, and his silver eyes—so similar to my own—stared at me. I could hear his voice clearly. "You need to gonow." His irises had darkened to steel, and his silver hair had become a tarnished gray. The handsome alpha I grew up knowing had looked so damn old.

"Daddy?" I whispered, rushing toward the mirage. A part of me knew that he wasn't here—that it was a figment of my imagination—but I couldn't see past it. All I wanted to do was hug at least one of my parents, at least one person I missed more than life itself, and have him tell me everything would be okay.

But when I reached him and tried to hug him, all I touched was air.

His image vanished right before my eyes, and the overwhelming sense of loss coursed through me again.

I didn't know what to do or how to proceed. How I wished I could go back in time and cherish our moments together. I'd thought I still had so much time left with him—that he'd be here to teach me so much more—but I'd been so damn wrong. Instead of being annoyed with every new lesson for the day, I should've worked harder.

When he’d told me I needed to push through, I should've listened.

At the end of the day, he and Mom were the two people who always made me feel safe, and those gunmen had taken them away from not only me, but the entire world.

They couldn't get away with that. I refused to let the pack’s sacrifice be in vain. If there was one thing I could do right by for all of my pack, it would be to become the very person Dad had hoped for, and the alpha Mom had known I could be.

A kickass alpha who every man would submit to.

Babe?Griffin linked.Did you find something?

The concern in his voice forced me to center. I sucked in a breath, trying to push back the raging emotions inside. I needed to calm down.I'm fine. I'm sorry.

Why are you sorry?he asked, almost frantically.Did something happen?

I could hear his footsteps now, rushing toward me. There was no telling how long I'd been standing here.I... I just...My inner voice cracked, and his concern wafted through our bond.

No matter how hard I tried to center myself, it was like I couldn't stay above water. My emotions flowed underneath, trying to drown me.I'm home and...

Griffin stepped into the yard and raced toward me. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight as he pressed his face to the top of my head.I'm here,he whispered.You're not alone.

Tears fell like a waterfall as I mourned the deaths of my parents and pack. I'd thought I had grieved for them, but I'd been wrong. I'd been pushing it off to stay in survival mode. Focusing on the threat and surviving day to day. But being here and having to face what had happened… their deaths were catching up.

But Griffin's words stuck with me.

I wasn't alone.

Somehow, in this harsh new reality, I'd found not only my fated mate, but a brother, too. And even though neither one of them could replace my pack or parents, they were so damn important. With them by my side, I would be able to continue on and become the daughter my parents always wanted me to be.

Returning Griffin's embrace, I filled my nose with his comforting scent. There was no place I'd rather be than in his arms.It just kind of snuck up on me.

I know that feeling all too well.Griffin leaned back and smiled sadly.So, this was your home?

Yeah.I steadied myself, almost expecting to see the broken memory of Dad again—but this time, when I looked at the house, the backyard remained empty of ghosts.

But not the memories.

I turned to the red and yellow hibiscus and purple hydrangeas that lined the entrance to my house. "Mom and I planted those flowers last year, and we were so excited to see them bloom." Yet another thing she and I wouldn’t ever do together.

Tears threatened my eyes, so I turned toward the woods. The healthy green leaves of ash, oak, and maple trees contrasted with the death I now associated with this place.

The sound of Killian's truck alerted me to his presence.

"We better go meet him before he gets concerned." I scanned the area, looking for any sort of sign that we might not be alone. Nothing stirred.

The two of us took off back toward the Navigator, quickly running the two miles to the vehicle. When we reached the Navigator, we found Killian leaning against his black truck, which he'd parked behind Griffin's SUV.

His warm, dark-chocolate eyes lit up when he saw me, and he pushed off his truck and hurried in my direction. His cappuccino-brown hair hung in his face, and with each step he took, it flopped to the side. He hugged me tight against his athletic body, and his musky sandalwood scent helped calm a part of my soul.

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