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I wake up all alone. That is normal on a full moon morning, but something is different. I can feel it. Something has changed. I roll out of the bed and look around. Everything is where it was the night before, but I can tell someone has been in the room while I slept. I spin around and there it is. On the night side table, a violet lyin' across a note. My heart sinks, they've left me. I knew it was possible but I didn't think they would actually do it so coldly. I can barely read, Danny knows that. She and Jake have been helpin' me, but a note? Who could be so cruel? Not looking at it I fall on the bed sobbing so hard I don’t hear the door open.
“What's wrong?” Jake's voice breaks through my bellowing. I jump up, wrapping my arms around him. He lifts his arms with a light laugh. “Hey there, what's the matter?”
“Is Danny with you?” I sniffle into his arm.
“I thought she was here with you.”
I pull back from him, wiping my face with my hands, turnin' away looking at the flower and note. His eyes must have followed mine because he is past me and picking it up quickly.
He reads it out loud to me.
My loves,
I coudn't bear to say goodbye face to face. I know this is a fool’s run. I had no choice. We was too easy here. I was too easy. I gotta get back on track. That track is dangerous. I'm sorry. I'd ask ya to wait, but how could ya forgive this? 'Specilly since I mightn't get back from it. I'll come back through, if I am able. I'll find ya, of that ya can be sure. I've left Blue, and all of my things including fourteen thousand cash. It's in my bags. Take care of him and each other. That was always the plan. If ya remember where the ranch in Neutah is, take it. It's my gift to ya both. Present this to the Marshall's. Mr. Michael Whittler can be of much help.
All my love,
Danielle (Danny) Johnston Id # 6005371318294
“How could she?” I sob continuously as he reads. “I thought the plan was for us to be together? For us to help her with them other wolves.”
“I think she had to go because with us she lost sight of her goal.”
“Was that such a bad thing?”
Jake and I sit on the bed. He looks down with his hands between his knees, starin’ at the letter as though it might change. After a moment he lets out a long heavy sigh.
“For her, yes. She's been running on rage for years now. With us it was leaving her, and she could feel it. She's at war with herself. I understated the effect the wolf can have on people. It's always there and it feeds on us. It's always ready for blood. It's our nature as people that decide what way that wolf will turn us. I hardly understood this when I was told by my first Alpha. I hardly understand the nature of people. I see good people do horrible things and bad people become noble once the wolf takes its hold on them. Does that make any sense to you?”
I nod though I only just understand. I don’t care what Danny says. We have to go to her. We have to find her before she finds those wolves and gets herself killed. I can’t stand it if she dies and if we could have done something. My stomach lurches before I can go on my tirade and I run for the toilet to empty its contents.