Page 4 of Destined Bear
Millie’s face pales, but she doesn’t answer right away.
“Well?” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I don’t know.” Millie looks ashamed when she says this, as if she personally had something to do with the prognosis.
My brow furrows. “What does that mean?”
“I have brought in a few healers, but no one can figure out what’s going on.”
I can barely hide my frustration with her evasive responses. I need to get away from her before I lose my temper.
“I’m going to get the rest of my stuff.”
I don’t wait for Millie to respond as I head out the door, leaving the main door open but the screen closed. I wander back toward my SUV, and another shudder rushes through me as I unlock the vehicle, my eyes scanning the surroundings.
Mom’s right about one thing: sooner or later, I’ll have to go and see Emeric, or at least let the pack know I’m here.
Technically, I’m still one of them, after all. It’s the right thing to do. I might as well get it out of the way.
But first, I need to get Mom’s house clean and livable. I don’t care what she says. And it will give me time to build up the nerve to see Emeric again for the first time in five years. Somehow, I don’t feel like that will be enough time to get my thoughts in order.
Grabbing my other bags, I head back into the cottage-style house, ignoring the feeling of foreboding following me up the stone walkway again, the contents of my life weighing me down.
The urge to turn back and drive away overwhelms me as the mild fall sun beats down. I don’t necessarily want to go back to Nottery, but I sure as hell don’t want to be in Emeric’s territory, not where he can reach me so easily and steal pieces of my pride… and heart.
“Vivienne?” My blood runs cold at the shrill call of my name. “Is that really you?”
I pivot on my heel, silently praying to all the gods it’s not one of the pack’s enforcers. No wonder my senses were going haywire earlier. Of course, someone was bound to recognize me on my first day back. I should have been more discreet.
My gaze clashes with a familiar pair of eyes, and I exhale in a whoosh of breath. “Alessa!”
Itisan enforcer, but one I’m happy to see. The only one I’m happy to see, in fact.
The bags fall out of my hands, and I sprint toward the brunette, my arms outstretched.
Emotion chokes me as my friend embraces me, the two of us clinging to one another tightly at the edge of the driveway for a speechless moment. She should have been my first call, Emeric be damned.
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away,” Alessa coos, setting me back to take me in, her eyes gleaming impishly. “You heard about the mating fiasco, didn’t you? Is that why you’re here?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’d be very interested to learn more about that.” My eyes flick back toward the house. “My mom…” There’s an audible crack in my voice.
Alessa’s mischievous eyes darken, the good humor fading away. “I heard Circe isn’t doing well. She was so sick when shefirst arrived six months ago, but she improved. In fact, she’s been doing great for months.” My friend’s cat-like eyes bore into me imploringly. “Is there anything I can do?”
I smile weakly at her. “I don’t know what there is to do. Millie says the healers don’t even know what’s wrong with her, except that she’s getting worse. I don’t know how Millie can determine that when they have no prognosis.”
My friend pats my shoulder reassuringly. “We’ll get the best pack healers in here to work their magic,” she vows. “Your mother is one of the most respected elders in Willow Grove. We won’t let anything happen to her.”
I balk. “No… No.”
Alessa stares at me. “No? What do you mean? Of course we will!”
I swallow thickly. “Emeric doesn’t know I’m back yet.”
Understanding colors her face, and she grimaces. “Well, he’s going to find out sooner or later. You might as well make it sooner and get Circe the care she needs. No point in prolonging the inevitable. Come on, I’ll take you to him now.”
“No, I have to stay and get Mom’s house in order. The place is in shambles.”
“Don’t make excuses, Viv. You’ve been gone for years. You just missed all the drama with Ember Hollow, too! I’ll fill you in on the way. Go let your mom know you’re going. Come on.”
