No. That’s impossible. It has to be.
I press a hand to my chest, to the place where the necklace once rested, and keep walking–one step at a time–back to Jack.
Back to the only place that’s ever felt like it could be home. And maybe… just maybe… there’s more than just comfort waiting for me. Maybe there’s a future. A real one–with him.
A home filled with laughter.
Children.
And one day… maybe even a bigger house.
The thought makes me laugh under my breath, a blush rising to my cheeks.
Dear Moon Goddess… what is happening to me?
The moment I push open the front door, my voice echoes through the house like a hopeful whisper.
“Jack?”
No answer.
I step into the living room, expecting to find him pacing or maybe waiting with a smirk and a lecture for not going to his library like I promised. But I freeze.
Fury is sitting on the edge of the couch, hunched over, elbows resting on his knees, his foot tapping rapidly like he’s ready to explode. The second he sees me, he shoots to his feet like I’ve lit a fuse.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, instinctively stepping back. There’s something off about his expression–anxious. A kind of fear that doesn’t suit a warrior like him.
He swallows hard, his eyes darting, like he’s searching for a gentle way to break a bone.
“I received news,” he says slowly, “from the spy in the Red Night Pack.”
My heart stumbles. “W–What kind of news?” I ask, my voice barely holding itself together. “Did my mother… did she get my letter? Did she send one back? Where is it?”
Fury shakes his head. “There’s no letter.”
“What do you mean?” I whisper, already knowing I’m not going to like his answer.
He draws a shaky breath, his voice grave. “Your mother… she’s been locked in a cell for almost two months.”
I blink, my mind refusing to catch up. “W–What?”
“She helped you escape. The Luna found out,” he says, voice clipped and furious. “They imprisoned her as punishment. They’re trying to use her to lure you back.”
“No,” I breathe, my knees giving out.
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