Casts 24_Crowned by Fate

Skye’s POV

 Buck’s face fell, genuine disappointment shadowing his features. “Leaving? But why, darlin‘? I thought you were happy here.”

 I truly had been happy here. Despite that terrifying night of being sexually harassed and shot, most of my time in Boring had been peaceful and pleasant. The Watering Hole had provided me with the closest thing to stability I’d known in three years of running.

 But with my wolf finally awakened and the discovery of Oasisborn Pack, my life had irrevocably changed. I couldn’t go back to pretending to be something !

 wasn’t.

 “It’s time for me to move on,” I said simply, unable to provide Buck with the real exnation. “But I’ll miss this ce. I’ll miss you.”

 Buck pulled me into another bear hug, his weathered hands patting my back affectionately. “You got somece in mind you’re heading to, darlin‘?” he asked, concern evident in his gravelly voice.

 “Yes,” I lied smoothly, though I had absolutely no idea where I’d go after helping with Oasisborn’s anniversary celebration. Perhaps I’d head north toward Colorado, or maybe east toward Louisiana. Anywhere far from Texas and theplications that had arisen here. 

 Jessie returned to the bar carrying a tray of empty sses, having just delivered drinks and fries to a table of ranch hands. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in the scene–me wrapped in Buck’s fatherly embrace, both of us with somber expressions.

 “What’s going on?” she demanded, setting down her tray with a tter. “You two look like somebody died.”

 Buck released me, one hand remaining on my shoulder. “Skye’s leaving us,” he announced, his voice heavy with disappointment.

 Jessie’s shriek of dismay was so loud it caused several patrons to turn and stare. “What? You can’t leave!” She rushed around the bar and grabbed my hands, her eyes wide with genuine distress. “Why? Is it because of that stomach bug? Did it mess up your system or something? Or did you get a better job offer somewhere else?”

 Her immediate concern touched me. 

 “It’s nothing like that,” I assured her, squeezing her hands gently. “It’s just… time for me to move on. I never stay in one ce very long.”

 As Jessie peppered me with questions about my ns and Buck quietly arranged the bar sses, my mind drifted to the oasis, the </bke where I’d first shifted, and… Adrian.

 I shook my head, forcing myself not to be attached to things that weren’t mine.

 “We should throw you a going–away party!” Jessie dered suddenly, her face brightening. “This Friday! We’ll close the bar early, invite all the regrs-”

 “No, please,” I interrupted, the thought of being the center of attention making me deeply ufortable. “I’d rather just work my shift and say my goodbyes quietly.”

 Buck nodded understandingly, but Jessie looked disappointed. Before she could argue further, my newly enhanced hearing picked up a conversation from across the room–two deputies discussing the ranch hand who’d been “torn apart by wild boars” three nights ago.

 “Never seen anything like it,” one was saying, shaking his head. “Throat ripped clean out. Rangers say boars don’t typically go for the neck like that.”

 “Maybe it wasn’t boars,” hispanion suggested, yoice dropping lower. “Thompson swears he saw unusuallyrge wolf tracks near the scene.”

 I tensed, suddenly hyper–aware of the danger lingering in Boring. If humans started looking for wolves in this area, it would only be a matter of time before they found something–or someone–they shouldn’t. 

 Yes, it was definitely time for me to leave.

 The week passed quickly, each shift at The Watering Hole tinged with a bittersweet quality I hadn’t anticipated. Regr customers expressed genuine

 Chapter 24 

 disappointment when they heard I was leaving, some even leaving generous tips for the road.”

 Jessie, despite my protests, decorated the bar with farewell messages on my final day, and insisted on taking multiple photos so you don’t forget us.

 By Saturday noon, Adrian arrived precisely as promised, pulling his SUV up outside the bar. I’d already packed my few belongings into my redpact car, along with the bottles of specialty spirits Buck had allowed me to take for the Oasishorn celebration.

 Adrian helped lond the remaining alcohol into his vehicle, his movements efficient but unhurried. As we finished, Buck emerged from the bar, clutching a small envelope.

 “Almost forgot,” he called, hurrying over. “This is for you, darlin‘.”

 Curious, I epted the envelope and opened it to find a stack of crisp hundred–dor bills, My eyes widened in shock–there had to be at least two thousand dors there.

 “Buck, I can’t ept this, I protested, trying to hand it back. ‘It’s too much.”

 He gently pushed my hand away, his weathered face creasing into a stubborn smile. “It’s what you’ve earned.”

 When I continued to hesitate, his expression softened. “If you really want to thank me, give me a call when you get settled in your next town.” He shuffled his feet, suddenly looking much older and more vulnerable. “You know, I don’t have kids of my own. Apart from these booze–hounds, nobody much thinks about this old man.” 

 Emotion tightened my throat as I impulsively stepped forward and hugged him onest time. “I’ll call,” I promised, meaning it.

 After a final goodbye to Jessie, who extracted multiple promises that I would text her regrly, I climbed into my car and followed Adrian’s SUV out of Boring, watching the dusty little town recede in my rearview mirror.<fna5ca> This content belongs to find?novel</fna5ca>

 The journey to Oasisborn passed in contemtive silence. When we finally arrived, I was surprised by the sense of familiarity that washed over me.

 Nadia was waiting for us near the mainmunity building, her usual stern expression softened by what almost looked like genuine pleasure at seeing me.

 “Wee back,” she said, approaching my car as I stepped out. “How was your </bst week in that dump?” 

 “It wasn’t a dump.”

 “By the way,” she added, her voice dropping conspiratorially, “that time at the bar when I said your cocktail was terrible? I lied. It was actually pretty good.”

 I blinked in surprise at this unexpected admission. Before I could respond, Adrian gestured for us to follow him into the main building.

 “I’ve mind–linked the pack council members,” he exined as we walked through bright, airy corridors. “They should be here shortly to help n tonight’s celebration.

 We reached a spacious conference room withrge windows overlooking the desert garden. I’d just taken a sip of the coffee Nadia had poured me when the door opened and several werewolves entered.

 I looked up casually–and froze in mid–swallow, barely managing not to choke. 

 I wasn’t prejudiced. I wasn’t one to discriminate. But the werewolves filing into the room were undeniably… not normal.

 Chapter Comments 

 POST COMMENT

 Visitor

 Yes, be the center of the trouble then leave those who sayed you to clean up alone. Selfish AH.

 L

 Visitor

 God, she’s annoying. She’s so guarded beyond what would be rational at this point. I started this book hoping she wouldn’t be allowed fragile and broken yet here she is, be…

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NovelLamp

Casts 24