Theo relaxed in the back seat of Duke's Jeep as they drove down the bumpy dirt road. Rosalind was fast asleep in his lap. She had shifted back into her human form during the night.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7MGbjAQfo
"Do you have any idea how much trouble we're in?" Theo whispered in her ear. "Now we're on the run thanks to you." He tried to be angry with her, but she looked so cute with her head resting on his shoulder. "Also, your brother almost got himself shot last night, but he saved us all in the end. I've never seen anything so stupid yet brave."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1cEpi2FIU
Chandler took a large gulp of his energy drink in an attempt to relieve his hangover. "I should have left you to be devoured by the alphas."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YFSe3zFBv
Theo crossed his arms. "But you didn't."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEaXoFVohE
After a few moments of silence, Heath spoke up. "You know, Chandler, I think you're jealous because Theo is smarter than you."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ufm42nPok
"Shut up, Heath."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhU24YdWST
Duke gripped the steering wheel and clenched his teeth. "I'm going to need all of you to stop bickering, or I'm going to drive this car into the river!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb4ZOIcQZj
"Hey, there's no reason to be so upset," Heath said.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUYzXj7TSt
"No reason? Have you forgotten the fact we're wanted dead or alive by the Silver Huntsmen? They're most likely tracking us right now and there's no way we can hold them off alone. I'd say that's a valid reason to be upset.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jM5e4bOYP
"What if we weren't alone?" Rosalind asked.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kJSySVohA
Theo leaned back, startled. "How long have you been awake?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHCHT0F3xC
"Long enough."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK31ov1nQs
Duke let out a sigh. "I don't know anyone outside the Silver Huntsmen who'd be willing to help us,"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTll2zHSp6
"But Theo and I do."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09aWERajEY
Theo raised an eyebrow. "We do?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40eOpKtXVC
"My Gran only lives about half a mile from here. I'll ask her if we can stay, and I bet your stepdad has plenty of spare hunting traps we can set around the perimeter. "
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIiwqqu2Qf
Theo fidgeted in his seat. "I haven't spoken to my stepfather since he found out I'm a werewolf. I don't know how he'll react to seeing me again."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHn8ovH0wE
"Don't worry, Duke and I will go with you," Heath said.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp37CMv5eb
Chandler almost spat out his drink. "Are you guys serious? You're gonna leave me alone with the crazy old lady?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxESy6o9nM9
"Gran isn't crazy!" Rosalind frowned. "And you won't be alone, I'm going with you."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lG8o5lVAo
Chandler rolled his eyes. "Great."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN2NgJaWLa
Duke let out a small chuckle under his breath.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkfVguan5l
"What are you laughing at?" Chandler hissed.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnpVz28KW5
"I spent all these years thinking you weren't afraid of anything, but now I see you're afraid of your grandma."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEs68Wf1v7
Chandler crossed his arms. "She's scary when she's angry, and I forgot to get her birthday last year and the year before that..." he trailed off.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W8gPKkmUP
"You're unbelievable," Rosalind scoffed.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpV7w9AmvU
Duke dropped her and Chandler off in front of Gran's cabin.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5I8cNbAIz
When Rosalind stepped out of the Jeep, Theo stopped her. "I have something for you."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvtupUHf1s
He opened the trunk and revealed the bow and quiver from the Sightless Caverns. "I found these in your room, and I figured you'd want me to bring them."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm5Vb1IW06
She threw her arms around him. "Thank you."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnCdP99aLB
He returned her embrace. "Stay safe."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcaXO42XWx
Heath honked the horn.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aBedRivZS
Theo squeezed her hand. "I have to go." He climbed into the back seat of the car, and they drove away, leaving Rosalind and Chandler alone on the forest path.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y4Hb4PLfy
The pair stood in silence, staring at the log cabin for an uncomfortably long time.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0FzuyeQk5
"Are you ready to go?" Rosalind asked.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4m6oKQS9R
"No."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORQLyMe0sn
She sighed. "Why did you let me believe you were dead?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3txtzQww29
He looked away. "I don't know. I wanted to reach out to you but then, I thought maybe you were better off without me. I'm such a mess, Rosalind. I'm not the same person I was when we were kids. You deserve to keep those happy memories without knowing the kind of person I've become."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pJOB9ap46
She gave him a tight hug. "I've missed you so much."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dZAEl1gS3
He awkwardly patted her on the back. "I missed you too, kiddo."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7JWUB31Jr
"I'm sorry I shot you in the hand."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJNhSqaE9g
I'm sorry I ruined your sweatshirt that was technically my sweatshirt."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZvjTTB4W
"Gee thanks."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcWGpUHzEs
After the hug became uncomfortable, Rosalind said. "Let's go inside."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStedzq0vGB
Rosalind knocked on the front door.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DvRwmwCYF
"Go away!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPyfT1p6ze
"C'mon Gran, it's me." She peered through the crack in the door. "Let me in."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVsEvUPuZd
"No."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSciXwZ12D
"I don't have time for this," Chandler murmured. He pounded his fists on the door. "Open up, old lady, or I'll tear the door down!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycchn0owEf
Rosalind grabbed his shoulder. "Knock it off, Chandler! She won't let us in if you threaten her!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkr8H3fBEz
Gran opened the door a few inches. "Chandler?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLvuTkg8VF
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Hey, Gran."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBUnBVJEKK
"Is it really you?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OxFb62k6z
He let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, it's me."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwHjp6LSR
She pulled them both inside, then slammed the door behind them.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfTqFS8maR
Gran stood on her tiptoes, so she could get a better look at Chandler's face. Her eyes filled up with tears. "You've grown up so much." She slapped him across the face with her slipper. "Why did it take you so long to come home?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWY04iYSw0
He shrugged off his leather jacket. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner, but I'm going through some personal stuff and I needed time to figure myself out."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPA3acKyLm
"We're your family, Chandler. We've been waiting for you to come home for so long and whatever you're going through we'll understand."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AEVLuGETV
He turned away.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLBSmsFTOJ
"Wait!" Rosalind turned to Gran. "You knew he was alive this whole time?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISnIR9WgZU
Gran placed a hand on her shoulder. "I intended to tell you eventually."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYssvT6o16
"I can't believe this!" She broke herself free from her grandmother's grasp. "Were you eventually going to tell me I'm a werewolf?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDmaychUJr
Everything went silent.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4TtMAeERJ
"I was going to tell you when you were older."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxp0dlVBn0
"When?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGov4pGSos
"When you were ready to handle the news."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oc0FaGixP
"When?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgudpDs4D4
"I don't know!" Gran snapped. She let out a quick sigh. then regained her composure. "I was afraid if you knew about your brother, your Lycanthropy, and the Silver Huntsmen, you'd leave me to join them. I've been so lonely since Luna left me to join them, and I've enjoyed your company."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kT5A2g5i3
She balled her hands into fists. "I had a right to know the truth."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jPr41G5ec
Her expression turned somber. "I know."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGU5L5Prg
Chandler frowned. "I didn't come here to deal with family drama. We're here because we need your help."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjHFG1N5AG
Gran placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "You want to know if you and your friends can stay here? Right?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y05zPzp5x
"How'd you know that's what we were going to ask you?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLEkKzg6jU
She stared out the window. "I could smell them outside. Listen, I don't trust the Silver Huntsmen one bit, but I trust my granddaughter if she trusts these boys, I suppose they can stay for a little while. "
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL5NZLadCw
"What happened between you and the Huntsmen?" Rosalind asked.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsEl8dCBAi
"They took me in when I was a cub. I was all alone and too naive to know any better. They trained me to kill, and I was good at it. The Council of Alphas was very impressed with my skills and I quickly climbed their ranks. I became the youngest Pack Mother in Silver Huntsman history. Several years later, I gave birth to twins."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8rjeyMB8d
"Twins?" Rosalind leaned forward in her chair. "I had no idea you had other kids besides my mom!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtljOCG8qJ
She let out a somber sigh. It's not something I like to talk about, but your mother had a twin sister."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq5esbJcB3
"What happened to her?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9oTd8DocT
"She was a runt. When she was young, I kept her by my side at all times, but as she became more independent I couldn't keep track of her. She couldn't run as fast or fight as hard as the other wolves, which put the pack in danger. The Council ordered me to eliminate her."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGPufjxIfX
"I didn't know there were any other runts in our family." Chandler's expression went cold. "What did you do to her?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPwcgTXe6s
"Nothing." Gran refused to make eye contact. "She snuck out one night while she was in her wolf form, and she was captured by a group of hunters camping out near our den. They didn't know she was a werewolf they assumed she was an abnormally large wolf. They thought she'd make a nice trophy, so they shot her. I watched everything from a distance, but I did nothing. I told myself her death was necessary to the survival of our kind. Over the years, the guilt ripped me apart from the inside, and eventually, I couldn't bear it anymore. I resigned from the Silver Huntsmen and never looked back."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOpQvUV1VD
"You let your own daughter die because she was a runt?" Chandler hissed. His voice was full of venom.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgfvOe7laA
"Believe me, not a single day goes by that I don't regret letting her go."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AF2FuWJyr
He clenched his fists. "How am I supposed to trust you now?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPenrDuXQZW
Gran sighed, stood up, walked into her bedroom, and closed the door behind her. A few minutes later, she returned holding a toy wolf.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3EfATodER
Rosalind examined the stuffed animal. A wave of childhood memories she'd nearly forgotten came rushing back to her. Hey! It's Mister Fluffy! You used to play with him all the time!"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeas2fcKiTp
Chandler held the toy close to his chest. "Yeah, I did."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOzfbXMhbM
"It was my daughter's favorite toy when she was alive. I gave it to you on the day you were born. I promised that I would love and protect my grandkids no matter what."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEbGR0qK6M
Chandler stood up and stuffed the toy into his pocket, hoping no one would notice. "I still don't trust you."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PhTv9PkxN
Rosalind's stomach churned with guilt. "Gran, I'm sorry, I gave away the enchanted locket, but someone else needed it more than I did."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpUhI1sAaz
Gran placed a hand on Rosalind's forehead to gauge her temperature. "Are you feeling alright?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpJ3bRMSsY
"Umm... Yes, why?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kjh08xnqX
"Because you've been wearing your it this whole time.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIojHs1mJyJ
"What?" She glanced down and sure enough, the heart-shaped locket dangled around her neck.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoPIOhwSKa
"Your Mixedblood friend gave it back to you after your little incident at the banquet."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MKVHflGri
"Why didn't he tell me?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH18z28V1si
Chandler placed a hand on her shoulder. "He didn't want you to worry."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH9hOGDdOI
"Why didn't you try to stop him?"
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiUa6bYP57
"Because it's none of my business."
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKO7x9vnOz
Rosalind pushed his hand away.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckKBEjUask
The sound of a knock on the front door started them.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdpBx6h2bA
None of them made a sound as the intruder scratched at the lock.
334Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccBsCfgGUi
The door flung open. Gregorio stood in the doorway. "I need to speak with you!"
ns18.220.248.77da2
