Two days passed before Violet woke. Three before Drew’s body was found. Alec had been the one to tell me he’d been found dead, but even if he hadn’t I would’ve heard about it anyway. Rumors flew around town like wildfire, spreading with each person’s heated breath.

Mirror Lake hadn’t seen something so tragic in years. At least not among the humans. The supernaturals? We were used to it.

Even so, it still shook me up. Maybe it was because of everything I knew firsthand surrounding Drew’s death, or maybe it was because Shane had found him. As much as I didn’t care for Shane, finding someone you loved dead wasn’t something I would wish on anyone. Not even someone who was more foe than friend. I could only imagine how the memory would tarnish all others of that person. How it would haunt him for the rest of his life.

No one deserved that. Not even Shane.

I sent Becca a message telling her I was sorry about Shane’s brother. It seemed like the thing to do. Silence felt as though it would imply guilt, and I didn’t need any more than what I already harbored.

The news of Violet waking had been darkened by Drew’s discovery, causing my emotions to give me whiplash. Tension had melted away as gratitude slipped in only to be eaten to bits of nothing when I got the text from Alec telling me Shane had found his brother dead.

The image of Eli snapping Drew’s neck had flashed through my mind on repeat since. The memory more vulgar and violent than the actual act.

Apparently, guilt could do that to a memory.

They found him. If we just lie low this will all die down soon. Remember he’d already hurt Violet. He planned to hurt you next. And who knows how many more members of our pack he would have hurt if I hadn’t stopped him.

The text was from Eli. It came through as I stared at Alec’s announcement of Drew’s death. My face scrunched up as a lump built in the back of my throat. The image of Eli snapping Drew’s neck shifted to Violet in the cage. Her mangled ankle. Her bruised and marred skin. I remembered how I’d thought she was dead, but how it turned out Drew had drugged her. Anger lapped at my insides.

Then I remembered Drew was dead, which meant the threat he placed on our pack had died along with him.

As sick as it might seem, a small sense of comfort slithered through my veins at the thought.

Until Shane entered my mind.

My heart kicked into overdrive as I wondered what went through his head. Had he thought of the pack? Did he think one of us had killed Drew in retaliation for what he’d done? Did he think it was me?

Don’t beat yourself up over this, Mina. We only did what had to be done. For the pack.

I reread Eli’s last message, knowing he was right. Drew had to die for the safety of the pack. He wasn’t one who could have been silenced by the fear of what we were or what we could do to him, because he already knew and he wasn’t afraid. What he’d been doing proved it.

My mind drifted back to Shane.

Would we be able to scare him into submission so he left us alone? Or would drastic measures have to be taken with him too? I forced the thought away. I couldn’t think about it. Yeah, I didn’t like the guy, but that didn’t mean I wanted him to die. He was young. Younger than his brother who should’ve known better.

My mind took me back to the night Eli and I hid in the woods, the night we overheard the conversation between Shane and Drew about their plan. Shane hadn’t seemed as confident as his brother about what they were doing. He’d seemed scared. Or maybe somewhere deep inside him there were actual morals and what Drew was doing crossed them. If I was wrong, then fear would be our best motivator when it came to him. Especially now that we’d killed his brother.

My thumbs tapped across the screen of my cell as I replied to Eli’s text.

I’m not beating myself up. I was there. I know it had to be done. - Mina

There was truth in my words but also lies. Even as I read the text again, I couldn’t distinguish which was which. There was a good chance Eli wouldn’t be able to either.

What time do you want to visit Violet? - Mina

I asked for a swift change of subject. I needed to think of something else.

It had been a solid day since Violet woke. Gran had insisted we give her time before we bombarded her with questions about what happened.

Now. Let’s go.

The breath I’d been holding expelled from my lungs. Thank goodness he wanted to go now. I didn’t think I could wait another second. I wanted to know everything Violet knew. I needed to. Information was the only thing that was going to keep me sane. It was the only thing that could act as kryptonite to the guilt I felt surrounding Drew’s death.

I’ll meet you there. – Mina

I shoved my cell into the back pocket of my shorts and swiped a hair tie from my dresser. The desire to look into the mirror was too much of a draw to resist. As I piled my mop of long hair on top of my head, I cast a quick glance at myself. My eyes were darker than usual. Worry lines creased the area between my brows and forced my lips into a thin line.

I was the walking definition of guilt.

Inhaling a deep breath, I forced my face to relax. The tension in my shoulders eased as the worry lines between my brows faded. My eyes didn’t brighten, but hopefully no one would notice.

Another text came through on my cell. The soft chime of it startled me enough to allow the mask I was building to fall away.

No need. I’m at your front door.

Relief trickled through me. Maybe it was wrong, but Eli’s presence felt like a sedative to my frazzled nerves. Thankfully because I had been about to raid Gran’s herbal pantry for something to help chill me out. Knowing me, I’d botch it and place myself in a coma. Herbs weren’t my forte.

Guess Eli was good for something.

That was an unnecessary jab; Eli was good for many things. But I was just now realizing this.

I shoved my cell in my pocket. A whimper at my feet caught my attention. It was Gracie’s little fur ball. His large brown eyes got me, and I bent to scoop him up. Even though I’d never admit it to anyone, I was grateful for the little guy. It was nice to have someone around who didn’t talk, didn’t drink alcohol, and didn’t expect anything from me other than to show a little affection from time to time.

“Don’t worry, little buddy. She’ll be home soon,” I told Winston as I scratched behind his ear while hugging him to my chest. “I promise.”

Gracie had spent a lot of time at Callie’s lately. I understood. Callie was her best friend, and her family was going through a lot. Gran had agreed Gracie could stay with Callie for moral support through today. After today she’d have to come home so Violet’s family could spend uninterrupted time with her. Gracie understood. She was a good kid. A smart one. At thirteen, she was wise beyond her years. In fact, it hadn’t taken her long to figure out something horrible had happened to Violet. She knew the story of her getting lost in the woods during a run alone wasn’t the truth. There was no doubt in my mind Eli and me coming over today to talk to Violet would solidify that. Gracie would have questions, ones I wouldn’t be able to answer. Unless Eli said I could fill her in. Pack law had been in place regarding the situation since the beginning.

I placed Winston in his crate. His high-pitched, yippy bark echoed through our room. I hated locking him up. It reminded me too much of how we’d found Violet. Leaving Winston like this seemed cruel, but it was for the best. There was no telling what he would chew up or piss all over while we were all gone.

“It’s okay. Gracie will be home soon. Chill out, little buddy. You won’t be in there forever,” I said as I pulled the striped beach towel over his crate so he couldn’t see anymore.

It didn’t help. In fact, it only pissed him off more. His bark became louder, and he scratched at the floor of his cage aggressively. My heart broke for him. Sometime over the last week, I’d grown to care for him. He was cute. There was no denying it. He also wasn’t as much work as I’d thought he would be. He had a good temperament, and he listened decently well for his age.

I backed away from the cage and headed down the hall toward the front door. Eli was waiting. Even if he hadn’t told me he was at my front door, I would have known.

I could feel him.

I opened the front door and stepped down the stairs. Eli was leaning against my car, waiting on me. He was dressed in a pair of gray cargo shorts and a thin ribbed white tank top. It seemed to be his signature look lately. I didn’t mind. It showcased his muscles.

“Hey,” he said. “Sounds like someone misses you.” The corners of his lips quirked into a ghost of a smile. It was a jab at me. He knew I didn’t like dogs, but what he didn’t know was that this one had wormed his way into my heart somehow.

“He doesn’t miss me,” I muttered. Gravel crunched beneath my sandals as I walked past him toward the Marshalls’ trailer. “He’s pissed I locked him in his crate.”

Eli caught up to me and matched his pace to mine. “Keep telling yourself that and maybe you’ll believe it.”

I rolled my eyes.

When we were halfway to Violet’s, I risked a glance at Eli. His brows were pinched together in deep thought as he chewed the inside of his cheek. Was he nervous to talk to Violet? Was he worried she wouldn’t have any new information?

His eyes shifted to mine, catching me staring. I blinked and looked away.

“Do you think she’ll remember anything?” I asked. I had to say something. The silence between us was deafening.

“I hope so.”

“What are you hoping she’ll remember?” I asked as we neared the cinderblock steps that led to her front door. The steps were the only thing that made the Marshalls’ place look temporary. Everything else about it seemed permanent. It was well cared for. In fact, it was one of the nicer trailers in the park. Navy blue shutters that matched the color of the front door hung beside all the windows. Mrs. Marshall had a beautiful raised flower bed that ran along the length of the front. Each spring she planted flowers in various colors. I asked her once why she didn’t buy perennials knowing it would save her a lot of work, time, and money. She told me planting them again every year satisfied her need for change. She could change the color. She could change the height of the plants. She liked that.

“I hope she remembers something about where Drew took Glenn. I hope she can give us more information on who’s running this thing.” His professional tone irked me. He was no longer just Eli. In the span of a few steps, he’d somehow switched to being the alpha’s son on a mission.

I started up the cinderblock stairs that led to the Marshalls’ front door and knocked.

Gracie stepped to the screen door and motioned for me to step inside. She looked upset. “Violet is in the back.”

What was she upset about? Shouldn’t she be happy?

Callie caught my eye when I stepped inside. She was on the couch with her legs tucked beneath her. She looked worse than Gracie. What was wrong? Why weren’t they happy Violet was finally awake? Had something happened?

I started for the hall. The air was thick and charged with energy. Something was wrong. I could feel it as I inched toward the bedroom at the end.

“Something isn’t right,” Eli said, confirming my fear. “The energy here is too frantic.”

“I know.” I nodded in agreement.

The sharp scent of herbs lingered in the air near the door. Gran was inside, working her magic. I knew she was here checking on Violet, but I had no idea she’d be doing any sort of healing for her. Honestly, I thought we were beyond that. Apparently, we weren’t.

“The lavender should help, but I think the tea will help even more.” Gran’s whispered words had my feet faltering. “She should be okay. We have to remember, she suffered a traumatic experience. In situations like this, it’s not uncommon for abilities to behave this way.”

To behave what way? Was Violet okay?

My mind raced with questions as I picked apart Gran’s tone.

She was worried. About Violet.

Why?