Riley's POV
Weeks have passed since I completely fell apart on that mountain. The tears I shed that night seem to have washed away some of the heaviness I carried. I never realized how desperately I needed that release. Since then, I've been working hard to control the rage that bubbles up at random moments. The last thing I want is to experience that crushing pain again. Alpha Marcus warned us about letting my wolf surface, just to be safe.
My friends and I are walking back from an afternoon at the creek, all of us laughing despite being caked in mud from head to toe. Jace started an epic mud fight after yesterday's rain turned the banks into a slippery mess. As we approach the front door, my eyes drift across the street without conscious thought. The sight of my childhood home hits me like a physical blow.
