He found her bathed in moonlight, standing on the verge where the forest met the edge of town. Silver beams caught in the hair that cascaded over her shoulders, her head was flung back, an unvoiced cry shivering along the column of her neck.
She turned, as if sensing him, surely feeling him as he felt her, and he froze in place, Collier’s words burned into his mind.
Let her go.
Her face was achingly beautiful, limned in the unearthly light, eyes catching the reflection of distant stars. The other half of his soul. His body screamed to move, go to her, take her back—but he stood behind a stand of trees and only watched her, drank in the sight of her, knowing it might be all he would have.
With a whisper of footfalls she began to move toward him, silent and graceful as a she-wolf. Luke trembled and felt the bond quiver with the wordless sound of his name. An abyss opened up at his feet, and he stepped aside, the beast within demanded victory, and he denied it. He rediscovered within himself something he had thought lost and vanished forever.
Let her go.
He melted back into the shadows before her eyes found him. As the moon rose over the forest, he ran, letting the bond unravel and disperse like mountain mist.
Survival. The wolves who ran beside him understood, and he took their strength and pulled it within himself. He would survive, he would learn to live with the loss and pain and sorrow. He would survive—and she would be free.
He clung one final, fragile moment to the feel of her and then let her go.
“Are you going to be all right?”
Maggie’s eyes were very bright, her voice not quite steady, she held Joey’s hand as if she would never let go.
The truck idled at the curb, shattering the dawn stillness. Morning should have been a time for beginnings, Joey thought sadly. This one brought only goodbyes.
“Yes. I’ll be fine.” She managed a smile and brushed at her cheeks. “Thanks, Maggie. For everything ”
“You’re welcome.” The redhead released her hand reluctantly. “Take care of yourself, kid.” Maggie stepped back, her lower lip trembling, and as she turned away she collided with the lanky frame of Allan Collier.
“Maggie,” he said softly, setting her back. His kind blue eyes sought Joey’s over the mass of red curls.
“Joey. I’d heard you were leaving. I wanted to be sure to say good-bye.”
There was no reproach in his voice, only a distant sorrow. Joey dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry I—didn’t tell you I didn’t want.” Suddenly she met his gaze. “Is Luke—does he—”
With a quiet sigh he shook his head. “He isn’t here, Joey.” For a moment it seemed as if he would say more; Joey braced herself for questions that didn’t come. When she searched his eyes, she saw understanding there—understanding that required no words or explanations. He stepped up to take her hand in his firm, warm clasp.
“Allan,” Joey said softly. “What can I say—how can I thank you?”
“You can thank me by being happy, Joey.” His smile was almost sad. “By being true to yourself.” He reached up to cup her chin. “You’re strong, Joey. Stronger than you know. Never be less than what you are.”
Joey looked away, letting the tears fall unchecked. “I’ll never forget you, Allan.”
“Or I you, Joey.” He began to move back, and she grabbed at him, pulling him into a fierce hug. His cheek was rough against her mouth as she kissed it. For a moment he held her just as tightly.
“Please,” she whispered into his collar. “Don’t leave him alone.”
His hold loosened slowly, and he set her back to catch a single tear on the tip of his finger. “I won’t, Joey,” he said, so softly the words were little more than a sigh. “I love him, too.”
“Are you ready to go, miss?” The rough, deep voice of the truck driver cut between them, severing the emotion before it could tear her apart. Collier’s hands shifted as he helped her up the step, steadying her as she settled into the truck’s patched seat.