Less than five minutes later Roe rolls into the driveway, engine already off, half a dozen other wolves behind them. Roe's bike looks like a custom build. Big, black, and obviously able to tackle all kinds of terrain.
You watch as they dismount and toss their helmet onto the saddle.
They don't howl. You don't either. Howling would wake anyone who's sleeping. Instead, you watch silently as Roe strides towards you, their pack dismounting and falling into formation behind them.
"What's this about?" Sergi asks as Roe draws to a stop before you.
"Not that we aren't honoured by your visit," Addie adds awkwardly.
Roe looks between them. They don't say anything.
A cold feeling settles inside you. "You're leaving, aren't you?"
Roe looks at you... then nods.
"What?" Sergi snarls, voice raw and angry. "You said you'd help us find Blackwell. You promised!"
Roe doesn't say what you all already know. They don't remind you that the hunt has been called off, or that the moon is getting full. They don't bring up the fact that they have their own territory to protect, and that Blackwell hasn't been found. All they say is... "I'm sorry."
Sergi turns aside. His hand is balled into a fist, his lips are compressed into a thin white line. The moon hisses out an angry, urgent howl.
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