Page 88 of Wolf Heart

I just want to find my mom and get my life back. I bark out a sob. No. I want to be normal.

None of this was supposed to happen. If only my wolf hadn't stayed away, then Michael would have claimed me as his mate like he was supposed to back at the ceremony. My throat tightens. How even now, days later, his rejection still stings. How he didn't even try to help me. How I was so fucking wrong about him caring about me at all. It was only because our wolves claimed each other as fated mates that he was even interested in me at all. The jerk.

I stumble through the forest even as the sun sinks low on the horizon, casting long brushstrokes of orange and yellow across the sky.

I want someone to love me and I can't go back to Aspen and Dex and Raven. I'll always be a freak to them just like I've been to everyone my entire life.

Tears blur my vision.

I hiccup and the sobs break out. My breath hitches and I lean against the thick tree, sliding down to the ground. Wolves howl the song of their heartbreak.

Loneliness fills me like an icy river of pain that flows through my body, seeping into my bones.

I'm alone. I always will be.

A deep well opens up in my chest and it hurts to breathe. My heart aches to the point that it's been bruised, like it's been punched by some giant hand.

At least this way, I know I won't be let down again. I was so stupid to think these wolves would be any different than the ones in my pack. It's better this way, for me to leave before they can spurn me and rip out my heart.

I curl in on myself and let the tears flow down my cheeks, plopping onto the leaves and dirt below.

My gut churns before rolling over itself until my insides turn over violently, burning as they force what little is in my stomach out.

There's no way Aspen and Dex or even Raven can care about me. I really am a freak, just like Casey mocked me all these years. But I won't let anyone hurt me again.

Once I find my mom, this will all be fixed. I'll be able to shift and be accepted despite my tainted blood.

Then I'll have peace. Then I'll be able to be loved.

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