23 - Greta


    I find myself sitting motionless, my gaze fixed on the closed door ahead. There''splete silence beyond it-no shower running, no movement-just a quiet waiting, as if he''s silently urging me to leave. I should feel a sense of relief, especially since he told me to go. Yet, my body refuses to obey, rooted in ce by an invisible force. My wolf senses his presence, silently pleading for him toe out. But his wolf is standing guard, blocking her path, and I can feel the sharp sting of heartbreak radiating from her. Something has shifted between us, and it''s painful. I add this to the ever-growing list of reasons to me myself.


    Frustrated, I push myself up and take a deep breath, inhaling the faint scent he left behind. Suddenly, an idea sparks in my mind. I run my hands over the pillows and nkets scattered around the room, touching every soft surface I can find. Maybe, just maybe, this small gesture will help him rest better tonight. I know I need to talk to Kennedy soon—this situation is unfamiliar territory, and I''m at a loss for how to handle it. I still don''t want a mate. It wouldn''t be fair to Finn, knowing I''m broken and beyond repair. The thought of causing him pain over this is unbearable.


    Weeks have passed, and Finn remains nowhere to be seen. I can sense him when he''s close, but he''s been avoiding mepletely. I had hoped to catch him during training so we could talk, but luck hasn''t been on my side. Not even a glimpse of him at the far end of the training field. If he is training, it''s somewhere I don''t attend. He''s been taking on missions from Ryker—many of them, in fact. The only reason I know this is because of Ryker''s wolf. Kennedy refuses to discuss Finn''s situation with me. She simply says he''s been through enough and needs time. Since she''s friends with both of us, she won''t act as a messenger between us. My alpha seems to have some unspoken ''guy code'' with Finn and only informs me when Finn will be away from the pack, preparing me for the inevitable separation. He doesn''t share where or for how long, just that Finn is leaving.


    I''ve been running patrols as often as possible, desperate to catch his scent and get my daily fix. When did my life be this? Trailing after a guy just to know if he''s nearby, worrying about when he''ll return. He doesn''t even acknowledge me anymore, not giving me the time of day. My wolf huffs in irritation.


    "You good, Greta?" Danny''s voice breaks through my thoughts.


    "I''m fine, Danny. Stop asking," I snap without turning.


    "Then stop sounding like you''re not," he replies, clearly unconvinced.


    "Shut up and run, Delta," I retort, my wolf sighing again. Lately, I can''t tell if she''s annoyed with me or at me.


    Suddenly, a heavy impact knocks me sideways. My wolf scrambles to focus on our attacker. Where the hell did thate from? I can''t detect anyone unfamiliar nearby. Before I can react, we''re mmed down repeatedly.


    "You can''t even fight back properly! What''s going on with you, Greta?!" Danny demands, his wolf pinning me down, muzzle pressed against my neck.


    "It''s nothing," I mumble.


    "Try again," he insists, tightening his grip slightly.


    "Drop it, Delta, or I swear I''ll kick your ass," I warn.


    "No way! I never would''ve pinned you before. You''re slow, distracted. Something changed after that rogue mission with Finn. You''re a liability. Go home. You''re on probation until we figure this out. Better yet, go see Ryker. He''s expecting you," Danny says sharply.


    "Asshole! You tattled?! How old are you?" I snap back.


    “Old enough to know you''re going to get yourself killed—and others hurt—if you keep this up. You''re benched. Figure yourself out. Now go!" he orders.


    “Let me finish patrols. You can''t run alone,” I plead.


    "Brian and Sammy are already on their way. Go before I really beat your ass and make you talk," he threatens with a smirk.


    "You''re not that good at interrogations,” I tease, letting out a halfugh.


    "Maybe not. But something''s definitely wrong. If you want to talk, I''m here," he offers.


    "I''m good," I say firmly, forcing my wolf to turn and walk away, determined to face whatever speech Ryker has waiting for me. We rush back to our apartment, shifting and changing quickly-it''s better not to keep him waiting.


    Entering the packhouse is always an experience in itself. Since Kennedy became Luna, it''s like a revolving door of activity. Ryker has always provided meals for the warriors and anyone who wanted to join, but before, it was mostly just eat and leave. Now, it''s a lively hub. Teense in to work on homework, warriors mostly eat and leave, but with the looming threat from Janelle, they''ve been busier than ever. Many of the older wolves treat it like a coffee shop-a ce to see and be seen. The overall atmosphere is warm and happy. It''s the close-knit pack feeling our wolves crave, which exins why the rogue wolves we''ve adopted spend so much time here. They never had that before. From what I understand, Amy did her best to keep them suspicious of one another, fostering division and mistrust to maintain control. Now, that''s slowly changing.