< 21 Let’s get you home
:
More Rewards
- Let’s get you home
Skye’s P.O.V.
I paced the length of the living room, the old wooden floor creaking under my boots with every step I made. My eyes kept darting to the clock on the wall, the seconds ticking away painfully slow. It had been hours since I’d heard the front door slam shut, and Lila still wasn’t back. The thought gnawed at me, creating an uneasy pit in my stomach.
“Where is she?” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair. My wolf, Cooper, had been on edge all night, prowling in the back of my mind and growling with impatience.
You let her walk out, genius, Cooper snapped.
She could be anywhere by now. Alone. Vulnerable. And it’s all your fault.
I clenched my jaw, feeling my wolf’s frustration merge with my own.
“I didn’t let her walk out. She just…left,” I replied under my breath, but the excuse felt hollow, even to myself.
If she’s gone, it’s because you pushed her away.
Couldn’t even show her that damn drawing, Cooper grumbled, making me wince at the
reminder.
“Yeah, thanks for that, Coop,” I muttered sarcastically, rubbing the back of my neck. I hated that Cooper was right. I had been an i***t, avoiding Lila all week, and then I’d topped it off by refusing to show her my drawing. The one that I’d poured my heart into, the one that captured every nuance of her beauty, her spirit. And now, she was gone.
I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of my own actions pressing down on me. Just as I was about to grab my jacket and head out to search for her, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I snatched it up quickly, seeing Jules’ name flashing on the screen.
“Jules, where is she?” I asked immediately, not bothering with a greeting.
“Skye, you big hunk of brooding muscle,” Jules’ voice slurred slightly.
“You need to get your fine ass over to the old Miller house. Lila’s here, and she’s in noooo
state to drive.”
“Jules, she doesn’t even have a car,” I said, my worry spiking. I could hear the background noise of clinking glasses and laughter, but my focus was solely on Lila.
1/4
< 21. Let’s get you home
“What the hell is she doing there?”
“Eh, details,” Jules waved off my concern, clearly more tipsy than usual.
More Rewards >
“But you should come get her. Like, now. She’s with Eluna, and they’re both…well, you know how Eluna gets.”
My protective instincts kicked in, mixing with a sudden wave of panic. Eluna. My little sister. The one who’d always found trouble where none existed. And now Lila was with her, at the old house, the one filled with memories I had tried to lock away from the second I had moved
out of there.
“I’m on my way,” I said, already halfway out the door.
Finally, doing something right, Cooper muttered, but I ignored him as I revved the engine of my truck and peeled out of the driveway.
The drive to the Miller house felt like it took forever, even though it was only a few miles away. My mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. But mixed in with the worry was something else—an aching need to see Lila, to make sure she was okay, and to finally talk to her, at least excuse myself to her.
When I pulled up to the old house, I could see the faint glow of lights through the windows. The place hadn’t changed much since I’d last been there-a weathered, two-story farmhouse that held more ghosts than it did memories. I parked the truck and made my way up the creaking porch steps, the door already slightly ajar.
Inside, the scene was…unexpected.
Lila was sitting cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the living room, a half-empty bottle of wine in one hand and a sketchbook in the other. Eluna was beside her, laughing at something Lila had said, her wild hair falling into her eyes. Jules was leaning against the wall, her own drink in hand, looking far too pleased with herself.
“Well, look who decided to show up,” Luna said with a grin, spotting me as I stepped inside.
“Big bro, here to save the day as usual.”
“Or the night,” Jules added with a wink.
My eyes were glued to Lila, taking in her slightly disheveled appearance and the traces of tears on her cheeks. But she was smiling now, a small, tired smile that made my heart ache.
“Lila,” I said softly, stepping closer to her.
“What are you doing here?”
2/4
< 21 Let’s get you home
Lila looked up at me, her eyes glassy but clear.
“Trying to forget,” she said simply, her voice a mix of sadness and determination.
More Rewards >
“Forget what?” I asked her, though I had a feeling I knew the answer. Or at least part of it.
“Everything,” Lila replied, lifting the bottle in a mock toast.
“Brandon, his b***h-ass mother, the wedding that never happened. You acting like a jerk.”
“And she’s doing a damn good job of trying to forget it,” Luna added with a grin, though there was a protective note in her voice as she glanced at me.
“We’ve been having some girl talk, you know? Sharing secrets and all.”
I shot Luna a look that clearly said we’ll talk about this later, before turning back to Lila.
“You shouldn’t have to forget. Especially not like this,” I said gently, crouching down beside her. Lila looked at me, her expression softening.
“I just needed to get out of my head for a while. Everything’s been…a lot.”
I nodded, understanding more than I could say. Hell, I could use a night of getting drunk, and just forget everything that had been on my mind for the past week, myself. But I couldn’t, Cooper wouldn’t let me, even if I tried.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” I said, holding out my hand to help her up.
“Wait, wait!” Jules called out, stepping forward with a wide grin.
“Before you go, let’s just acknowledge how cute this is. The brooding hero, saving the damsel in distress.”
I shot her a look, but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
“You’re not helping, Jules.”
Jules just shrugged, clearly amused.
“That’s what you think.”
Lila, on the other hand, let out a small laugh, and my heart swelled at the sound.
“I guess I do need saving,” she admitted softly, her hand still in mine.
I pulled her up gently, steadying her as she wobbled slightly on her feet.
“You don’t need saving, Lila. You just need someone who’s there for you,” I said, my voice low
3/4
< 21. Let’s get you home
More Rewards
and sincere. Lila looked up at me, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was something between us, something so deep neither of us had the words for yet, but it was there-strong and undeniable.
And then Luna, ever the disruptor, cleared her throat loudly.
“Alright, lovebirds, time to go before the mushiness makes me gag.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the warmth spreading through my chest.
“Come on,” I said to Lila, leading her towards the door. I held the door open for Lila as we stepped out into the night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the old Miller house. And probably for the first time in a long time, the old Miller house felt like
something positive again.
20
