Chapter 83

Valen POV

I could tell something was wrong with Everly, feel her stress through the bond. I could also feel she didn’t want to worry me about whatever was bothering her. She was so used to dealing with her struggles herself, I think she forgets she can actually share them and that she was never a burden to me. “Are you going to stop by the homeless shelter today?” I ask her as she gathers her handbag and keys.

“Yes, I will stop by after I see Emily. Any news from the patrols about any more forsaken sightings or anything on her son?” she asks me. I really wish I had an answer for her, but I didn’t. We had no leads, no scent trails, nothing. It was like they vanished altogether. “No, but as soon as I hear anything, I promise you will be the first to know. There have been talks about a city meeting in the coming weeks to figure out something to do about the forsaken sightings and missing rogues’ situation. Pack members are becoming nervous, and it might also be a good time to bring up the rogue issues?” I tell her, and Everly nods.

“Yes, let’s hope the petition goes well and I get a date to be heard sometime today.” Everly sighs and rubs her temples when her phone goes off in her handbag. She pulls it out, glances at the screen, and shakes her head. “What’s wrong?” I ask, watching her as I tie my shoelaces.

“Nothing, mum has been pestering me to pull the petition and drop the rogue issue,” she says and I noticed she sounded tired. Everly did look tired, actually. And I noticed she was tossing and turning all night in her sleep. “What did she say?”

“That I would start a war,” she says with a shrug.

“Funny, your father said something along those lines at the hospital,” I tell her. Everlychews her lip nervously.