Chapter 86

It's only a phone call.

Ariadne has almost forgotten what it's like to be afraid of one.

It's been one year since she's left her former life, all the death, and despair, reminders that she used to get down on all fours for room and board.

But there it is again, that fear, pressed against her eyelids, making her see crimson.

"What happened?" Ariadne whispers, curled in on herself, sitting at the edge of the bed.

In the distance, thunderclouds roll in on a somber sky. The sound of the wind is like the wailing of a child.

"He got shot," Calvin answers. "It's bad, Ariadne. I didn't know who else to call; you were his best friend."

Were...

Ariadne presses a hand to her mouth. "Shot? Where?"

There's a stuttered breath on the other side, and Ariadne physically clenches in preparation for the bad news. There are only so many places a wolf could take a bullet and not make it out alive.

"I-In the head," Calvin whispers. "T-There was so much— he's in surgery right now. I-I can text you the addre