Chapter Eleven

Five Years Ago

She dreamed of them dancing. Of them moving together to become one heart. One soul. Zenia reached out to feel him, but encountered only air. She opened her eyes to discover she was all alone. Rising, she quickly dressed and hurried back to the Assembly grounds.

Unsure where the Kaudiff Pack was set up, she started weaving in and out of the camps, trying to spot Greyden. Why did he leave her? Did something happen? She hoped whatever it was, wasn't too horrible.

"Zenia!"

She turned and saw Layton hurrying toward her. Meeting her friend halfway, she hoped nothing was wrong with the pack. That everyone was okay.

"What's wrong?"

"He's gone," Layton told her, pity in her tone.

Zenia stared at her, unable to comprehend the words. He's. Gone. She turned in a circle, as if looking for him. Surely, it was a joke. Why would he leave her?

He's gone.

She looked at her friend, trying to figure out something more. Something that would tell her why he was gone. Perhaps she misheard? Misunderstood?

"What do you mean? From the camp?"

"No. Gone back to his home."

The words just weren't making any sense.

"What? How … I c-can't," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Why?"

She wasn't sure what she was asking. Why now? Why her? Why did he reject her?

"How do you know?"

"I saw him as he got into a truck," Layton replied. "Ran after him. He told me to tell you he made a mistake."

Her wolf howled like it was in pain. Like she was dying. Her knees buckled and Layton caught her, escorting her over to the picnic benches.

"Are you sure that's what he said?" she cried, tears falling from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Z."

Why could she still feel him in her soul? That even after he rejected her, why did his ghost linger somewhere in the shadow of her heart?