Page 104 of Wolf's Providence

Blood magic never took me up the mountain that night. My love for Caleb had.

“You’re not staying,” Lily spoke softly, carefully watching me. “You’re leaving.”

“I just got here,” I tried to joke with her.

“I can see it in your eyes,” she told me. “You’re not even fully here right now, and I can tell you already want to leave.”

Hearing her say it made me realize it was true, but I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her, but I didn’t want to lie. “I thought I finally knew where I was supposed to be, Lil. Where I needed to be, and it’s… I don’t think it’s here anymore.”

I heard her intake of breath, and for a second, I worried she’d judge me or tell me I was rushing into something reckless. “Oh, wow,” she said, voice soft. “So it really is serious, huh? With him? You’ve already forgiven him?”

A small, tentative smile curved my lips. “I’m not sure about that.” I took a deep breath. “But it’s more than that, Lily. When I’m with him…I feel this strength I didn’t know I had. It’s not just about Caleb—it’s about who I’m becoming because of him. Because of everything I’ve learned.”

Lily was silent for a long moment. “I guess I always knew you’d find something, someone who’d pull you out of here. You were never really settled here. I think I just didn’t expect you to find it this way. Or for it to be, you know, a mountain-hiker silent type who’d sweep you off your feet.”

We both laughed, and I felt a little tension leave me. But as the laughter faded, I felt the ache again, the bond I knew tugging at me.

“Lily…I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” I admitted, letting the honesty settle between us. “I need to say goodbye to some things here, to make sure everyone’s okay with it—including you. But I think…” I wrestled with the words. The truth. “I think my heart’s already made up.”

She sighed, but there was warmth in it, even pride. “I can tell. I’ve never seen you so sure of something in all the years I’veknown you. Even with the doubts you just shared.” She made a sad face. “But, Willow, if this is what makes you happy, ifhemakes you happy, then that’s all I care about. Just promise you won’t disappear completely, okay? And that Caleb Foster knows how lucky he is.”

I felt a pang of emotion at her words, a little sadness mixed with a lot of gratitude. “I promise, Lily. You’ll always be a part of me. But thank you…thank you for listening. And understanding.”

“Always,” she replied, her voice strong, and I could see the worry giving way to excitement.

I laughed, my heart feeling lighter. “Can I ask aboutyourguy now?”

As she launched into how she met her new man, I knew I was being honest with myself and that—deep down—I had always known this was just a visit.

A farewell to a life I’d loved and a place I’d always belong to but one I was ready to leave behind.

Because in my heart of hearts, I was already up that mountain where Caleb was waiting for me.

THIRTY-ONE

Willow

The good thingabout being a human and knowing about shifters and part shifters was that you could call in a favor.

Ned and Doc drove to Whispering Pines, I sat throughnumeroustests by Doc, and then after many tears, hugging, and more tears, I packed my stuff into Ned’s truck and left Whispering Pines, but not my friends, behind me. My friends would not be able to visit me on the Peak, but I wasn’t stuck to it. I knew I would be able to come and go as I pleased.

I just needed to learn how to drive first. And hike. My ME wouldn’t thank me, but I was no longer going to be held back by it either.

We were in my house, and I was making sure it was locked up and ready to be left over the winter. Ned asked me why I didn’t just sell it, but I wanted a place for Caleb and me to come to when we left Shadowridge Peak.

“How much is the animosity about shifters and humans?” I asked Ned suddenly, causing him to jerk in surprise at the question.

“Some get a bit heated about it, most accept it as one of those things.”

“How many aresome?”

He looked at me and sighed. “You have to understand, you’re taking analphaout of circulation. Some won’t like it, and they’ll be loud about it.”

“Do you? Like it?”

His eyebrows shot into his hairline. “You seriously asking me that?”

I felt myself blush with shame. “No. Sorry. It messes with my head.”

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