Chapter 113

• “I should go with them.” I nod after them as more of the group of helpers drop off, leaving a bare minimal body count to turn her bed into a door. Mainly Colton, the doc, and a couple of femmes who are helping with the cabinet and her machines.
• “Yeah, you should. We’re all going to go back out on patrol of the borders to watch for your tail; we have to keep this place safe. Tell Colton to link me when he wants me back to take care of you and find you some decent clothes. I’m sure right now Sierra is his priority.” She clasps my hand tightly, squeezes it, and leans in to kiss me on the forehead before nodding towards the door that Colton and his skeleton crew went through.
• “Meadow … I’m so glad to be back,” I say honestly, an afterthought, as she moves away, warmed by the tearful smile she gives me and that little rub of my shoulder to say it’s all going to be okay. Despite everything, even finding out that I could survive out there alone, I have missed her and being around people. Being in a warm and safe place, I don’t have to hunt for my meals anymore. It reminds me of what a pack can be like. I can do it alone. I just prefer this, not out there. Being here reinforces it. I don’t want to go back out and disappear anymore. Everything’s different, and I don’t want to leave again.