CHAPTER NINETEEN

Hours go by and still Brian doesn't talk to me. At first, I try to engage in conversation with him. But eventually, I give up.

I can't make him want to talk to me. And I don't want too. I want him to want to be with me. But he clearly doesn't.

So, we continue the journey in silence. My heart breaks. Not only does my mate not want me, but soon will be separated forever. This is horrible and I don't know what to do.

I can't stop it. I can't make him want to be with me. I can't believe he doesn't want to be with me.

“Samantha,” he finally says.

And it sounds so nice to hear him say my name. I wonder if he changed his mind. Or at least maybe now we don't have to go through this in silence.

“Be careful at this river,” he says as we approach a river. He looks cautiously across it.

I can't really understand why. The water seems rough, but nothing we can't get through. Sure, our paws might get wet. But in the heat of the sunny day, our paws and fur will dry out quickly.

Maybe it's