Independent She-wolf novel Chapter 35

After yawning, I nodded. "What time is it?" I asked closing my eyes and snuggling into his side.

"Almost two."

"Wait," I opened my eyes abruptly. "How'd you even get in the house? We lock the doors."

He smirked at me and kissed my forehead. "Most people do hide the key under the mat, but I was surprised to find that you do, too. I didn't think you'd be that obvious."

"Since it's so obvious, people never look there anymore," I told him sleepily.

Jace chuckled. "I should've known."

The next morning, I awoke first. Jace was sleeping soundlessly like he'd slept in my bed his whole life. Then, again, I guess I look the same in his bed. Without waking him, I climbed out of my bed and made my way to my desk.

I wrote him a short simple note that said...

Jace,

If you don't find this one, you really have some problems. Meet me downstairs.

Love,

Dani

Once it was written, I folded it and wrote his name on it in big caps. Then, I taped it to my door and made my way downstairs.

I wasn't really hungry, so I just went into the living room and curled up on the couch. After wrapping a blanket around me, I turned on the television and watched that for the time being. It wasn't for another half hour that Jace woke up.

"Never once did I leave his side until the day he took his last breath. I knew it was my job to take care of the pack for him. From that day on, I had to be alpha. I grew up."

"Jace," I said, but he wouldn't look at me. I turned his face towards mine and looked him in the eyes. "Don't you blame yourself," I said in a firm tone. "It was not your fault."

"How couldn't it be?" he asked. "If I didn't go out that day, if I hadn't given into my wolf, if I'd just stayed in my house, then he'd still be here! If I'd only listened to him!"

I hugged him and he cried into my shoulder. "It was an accident," I told him. "If you keep blaming yourself, it'll break you. Please, don't do this, Jace. Just let it go. Please. Do it for the pack. For your mom. Jace, do it for me. Promise me."

Though I have no idea what I said right, he nodded to me. I mean, I'd hope that it'd work, but I had no idea how well. He nodded to me. "I promise," he said.

Dani's P.O.V.

Jace had left a little while ago. There were no words to describe what he had just told me. It was simply the worst thing I've ever heard. If he kept blaming himself, it would ruin him. I couldn't have that. He didn't deserve it.