Page 233 of Shifting Hearts 1
“Wait, you have fire?” Em asked, wide-eyed.
“It’s not my friend, Em.”
“But still,” Em said softly. “It could’ve come in handy when we fed.”
Dom smirked faintly, breaking the heaviness. “Sorry. Gotta admit, it was pretty handy.”
“Em, you’re not listening.” Morgan’s voice cracked. “I was the fucking boogeyman.”
“No,” Emily said firmly. “Maybe a long time ago, but not anymore.”
Morgan muttered something in Afrikaans, low and bitter. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but the sound died in my throat.
“Collin let me go,” she continued. “I thought he was the reason I wanted this life. I didn’t even know he was my brother. He never told me. Just said if I ever thought about starting over, he’d kill me. If he ever saw me again, he’d finish it. I’m not an asset, Jace. The wolves will hunt you down just to get to me.”
“The wolves don’t even know you’re alive.”
“You don’t get it!” Her voice rose, desperate.
“So what?” I snapped. “You were the boogeyman. It’s nothing new. You always were.”
A few soft snickers broke out in the room.
Morgan’s eyes flashed. “It’s not funny.”
“Wait, Dad is Buck!” Emily blurted out.
“Who the hell is Buck?” I asked.
“Don’t, Em. Please.” Morgan’s voice wavered.
“Ewe!” Emily shouted. “Ewe, ewe!”
“Who is Buck!” I demanded again.
Morgan’s shoulders hunched. “Nobody. I can’t stay.”
“Fine,” I said, my chest tight. “Everyone, I need a minute. Alone.”
“No.” Her refusal came sharp, almost panicked.
“Please.”
She stared at me, like she could already see where this was going.
“I know you,” she whispered. “Please don’t do this.”
“I just want to ask a couple of things. If you still want to leave afterward, fine.”
For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then Annie slipped her hand into Emily’s. “Let’s go.”
Ryan rose, Dom at his side. Irene passed Morgan on the way out, brushing her arm with a gentle squeeze.
“Don’t, please,” she murmured.
Irene’s lips pressed together. “I won’t. Don’t forget to say goodbye.”
Morgan nodded as Irene followed the others.
