Chapter 63

Perla was waiting for them at the front door. She limped down the steps as the pick-up came to a screeching halt.

Alpha Gray jumped out, carrying Nueva in his arms.

"I have been waiting for you. I knew something had happened when I saw the light beam." Perla called out in a raspy voice.

Nueva's hand fell down and hung lifeless by her side as Alpha Gray ran past his grandma.

Perla gasped, and her age-worn hands cupped her thin, cracked lips. She hurried after her grandson.

"Put her down on the couch", she instructed in uneven breaths.

Marigold came running from the pick-up, and Perla waved her past her inside the door.

Alpha Gray gently placed Nueva on the old couch next to the crackling fireplace. The small living room was warm and smelt like wood smoke and chocolate cookies.

The light was dim and yellow, lit up by a tall foot lamp standing in one corner behind the rocking chair and a few pillar candles burning above the fireplace, giving the place a cosy feel.

"What happened? Did s