Chapter 17

***Laney POV***

I lay with my face toward the darkness, the fire dancing behind me, casting shadows on the trees and forest life. The owls are out, hooting at the night sky and no doubt looking for their prey. Such sounds used to make me uneasy. It always made me think of the predators that might end me. Now that I know there is something worse than coyotes or wild animals, it’s almost serene.

Almost.

I can feel Falcon’s gaze on me like I always can like he is tuned into the very fiber of my existence. What I hate more is that I swear I can feel Rome and her anger, her hatred. It makes my gut pinch painfully and my chest feels tight. She was supposed to be programmed to love me no matter what. That’s what I told myself from the moment I knew she existed. I was so damn excited to think I wasn’t all alone in the world that I assumed she would feel the same way.

I wrap my arms around myself tight, the cool breeze of the night air trickling through my clothing.

“Are you cold?” Falcon a