14

Now you have your own way - Laura Cooper took her grandson by the hand and led to the tree. To that very "family tree", probably. I reflexively followed them. The garland, as I now saw, was a simple rope on which leather bracelets were strung. They were all the same, only two stood out among them - instead of a wide leather strip, a wooden plate was threaded through. I moved even closer, almost burying myself in Reed. Names were written on the pieces of wood - Luke Wilson and Rachel Wilson. All the rest turned out to be named too - there were all the names of the pack. Grandma Cooper took off one bracelet and tied it around Reid's arm.

“Wear it until you find a place that will become your new home,” I watched in horror as it turned from a marriage ceremony into a farewell ritual. She tied the knot around his wrist, then clasped his hand in her own. And then she let go. Reed no longer belonged to this pack. The wolves howled their farewells. My heart ached with pity for him. He froze i