Chapter 172

• The thought makes me sick, and as we hightail it onto the main route and relatively clean air with no more impaired vision, the sun warms us as it starts to reach higher in the sky. If we were not on such a depressing mission, it would be the start of a beautiful and unusually warm day. I rub my temples, overwhelmed with utter sadness and despair at what we must do, and force Colton out of my mind again. The constant craving for him never seems to subside, and now we’re leaving them behind. I experience a new sense of longing and a slight panic that we will be far apart.
• “Don’t think about it. Just focus on what we must do. It’s a long drive, and we must stick to human routes to keep contact with other packs to a minimum. If we plow on, we can get there before dark as long as we keep stops to fuel only.” Meadow pats me on the shoulder and pushes my hair off my face in that gentle mom-type way she has. “Sleep while you can. You look exhausted. We need our Luna to be fit and well, and I don’t need you right now. You too, Carmen. You can take over driving when I need a break.” Meadow is in bossy mode once more. Bickering forgotten, commanding like she does the sub pack and the sentinels, I nod, knowing there’s not much to do but stare at passing scenery while these two butt heads and glare the journey away.
• Carmen doesn’t argue but gets up, moves to the back, and climbs onto a stabilized bed. Turning away from us and pulling the blanket in front of her face. I could sense her tiredness when I collected her earlier. I guess sedation and grief are not a great combo, and I’m sort of glad she’s chosen to go lay down. I stop as I lift from my seat and lean down to Meadow, linking only her with a gentle tone.