His Moonsilver Mate (Abby and Kade) novel Chapter 7

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Toby

Chapter 7

I woke before dawn in a room that wasn’t mine.

For one disoriented second, I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. Then I saw my bag beside the dresser.

Chloe’s house. Right.

It was my second morning here. Yesterday had passed in a blur of sleep, food I barely tasted, and Chloe carefully

not asking too many questions.

At least I had slept. Not well, but enough that my body no longer felt as though it might collapse beneath me.

Diana stirred quietly.

Are you awake?

I never really slept. Her voice was still distant.

Outside, the world was still dark. A thin line of light showed beneath the curtains, and the house remained silent. Chloe and her parents wouldn’t wake for another hour.

I could have stayed in bed. Instead, I pushed the covers away.

My body felt better than it had two days before. The scratches on my forearm barely hurt anymore. Four thin red lines remained where Sloane’s nails had caught me.

They were only scratches. Nothing that would stop me from shifting.

Diana lifted her head.

Do you want to run?

Yes.

I dressed quietly and slipped downstairs.

Cold air wrapped around me when I stepped outside. Chloe’s house sat near the edge of the residential district, so the forest was only a few minutes away.

I kept to familiar paths and deliberately avoided the direction of the packhouse,

I didn’t want to see Kade.

Or Sloane.

When I reached a small clearing, I stripped and folded my clothes beneath a tree. Mom’s crescent necklace rested against my throat. I touched it once before taking it off and placing it on top of my clothes.

Piana moved closer.

I think so.

The shift came easier this time, Pain still pulled through my bones and muscles, but my body remembered what to do. Within moments, my hands became paws.

Diana’s coat was a soft pearl gray. Without moonlight, there was none of the silver sheen I had seen during our first run. In the shadows, we could have been any other young she-wolf.

That comforted me. I didn’t want to be watched. I wanted to run.

Diana surged forward. We flew between the trees. Cold air burned through our lungs, frost cracked beneath our paws, and every stride came easier than the last.

For a while, there was no rejection.

No Kade.

No Sloane.

Only me and Diana.

Eventually, we slowed beside a stream. Diana lowered her head to drink.

We are stronger today, she said.

Barely.

It still counts.

I almost smiled.

Then she went quiet. I knew what was coming before she said it.

Knox wanted us.

My chest tightened.

Please, don’t. It’s done. He isn’t ours anymore.

A soft whine rose from inside our chest.

What if Kade changes his mind?

For one dangerous second, I wanted to believe it.

Then he’ll have to live with what he chose.

Diana fell quiet.

1:02 pm

And us?

I looked through the trees toward the brightening sky.

We move on.

Her sadness pressed against me.

You still want me?

My heart broke.

Of course I do.

Even without him?

Especially without him.

Diana pressed closer inside my mind. For the first time since the rejection, she no longer felt distant. Still hurt,

but with me.

He rejected the bond, I told her. I’didn’t reject you.

Warmth moved through us.

After a moment, Diana turned toward the trail.

One more run?

This time, I smiled.

One more.

We raced the sunrise back through the trees.

***

Chloe was sitting at the kitchen table in her pajamas when I returned.

“You disappeared.”

“I went for a run.”

“Without telling anyone?”

“You were sleeping.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That excuse sounds suspiciously familiar.”

“Sorry.”

1:02 pm

Her mother placed a plate in front of me. “Don’t mind her, honey. Eat what you can.”

I ate most of the toast and enough eggs to stop Chloe from watching me like I might disappear again. Then I returned to my room, showered, changed, and headed to the clinic.

Daphne kept me busy from the moment I arrived. She assigned me to update patient records and organize supplies. For several hours, Ithought only about bandages, medicine inventories, and names that needed to be entered into the records.

Later that morning, I was returning a stack of clean towels when I spotted Cassandra near the entrance. Two she-wolves stood beside her with folders tucked beneath their arms.

I stepped aside and bowed my head. “Luna Cassandra.”

Her brows rose. “Luna Cassandra?”

The women beside her exchanged glances.

Cassandra turned to them. “I’ll meet you at the packhouse.”

They nodded and continued down the hall. Once we were alone, she looked at me again.

“When we are alone, I am Aunt Cassie.”

My throat tightened. “Yes, Aunt Cassie.”

“Better.” Her gaze traveled over my face. “I heard you’re staying with Chloe.”

“Only for a few days.”

Her brows drew together. “What did Liam do?”

Despite myself, I almost smiled. “Why do you assume it was Liam”

“Because he has looked miserable for two days and volunteered for enough extra work to avoid going home before midnight.”

“We had a fight.”

“A serious one?”

I shifted the towels in my arms. “Yes.”

Cassie studied me for a moment. “Have you talked to him?”

“Not really.”

Her expression gentled. “You don’t have to tell me what happened, sweetheart. But Liam loves you. Whatever he did, I suspect he’s currently finding at least sixteen different ways to blame himself for it.”

1:02 pm

A tiny smile touched my lips. “That sounds like him.”

“Then don’t leave him alone with his imagination for too long.”

“I won’t.”

“Good.” She adjusted the folder beneath her arm. “And there’s one more thing. Alpha Tiernan arrives tomorrow evening. We’re having dinner at the packhouse.”

My stomach tightened. Kade would be there. So would Sloane.

Cassie misread my silence completely. “You and Liam can sit at opposite ends of the table if necessary.”

“It isn’t that.”

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing. I just…” I searched for an answer that wasn’t a lie. “I’m not sure I feel like a formal dinner.”

Cassie touched my arm gently. “Come tomorrow. You don’t have to stay late or entertain anyone. Just come.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Her mouth curved. “Then I count you in.”

“Aunt Cassie!”

She kissed my forehead and walked away.

***

Chloe was already in our usual booth when I reached the diner.

“You’re late.”

“Sorry, Luna Cassandra found me.”

Her expression immediately became sympathetic. “What did she say?”

Before I could answer, her gaze shifted past me.

“Oh.”

I turned.

Liam stood just inside the diner. He looked tired. His hair was slightly disordered, and there were shadows beneath his eyes.

Chloe looked between us. “I’m going to order.” She disappeared toward the counter.

Liam approached slowly.

1

1:02 pm

1.”

“Hi.”

He gestured toward the empty seat across from me. “Can I?”