Winter Wolf(34)

“What happened, Kat?” her grandmother asked her tentatively.

Katalina stared at the counter top a second longer. She didn’t want to relive the horror from that night. What do I even say? How am I supposed to explain everything without sounding insane? She glanced up at Bass, wishing she’d asked him if there was some story she was supposed to be keeping to. With everything that had happened the previous day, she’d fallen asleep in the car, and when she’d arrived, Katalina had been overwhelmed being back home. The last thing on her mind had been making up a story.

“It’s all a bit of a blur. We were driving home from my birthday dinner and I saw a wolf running alongside the car. Dad turned to look and a group of wolves ran out onto the road. He didn’t see them in time. The car skidded and flipped…”

“Wolves, the police said there were wolf prints all over the scene, but I couldn’t believe wolves would be so close to town.”

“Yes, Grandma, there were wolves,” Katalina said sadly, glancing up to see how her grandma was reacting.

“But how did you get away, Kat? What happened after the crash?”

Kat’s voice stuck in her throat. Images of that night tumbled through her mind: wolves tearing at her, pain everywhere, Arne saving her, and Toby carrying her away.

“A-Arne scared them off,” she stuttered.

Her grandma frowned. “A German Shepherd scared off a pack of wolves?”

“I—” There was a knock at the door.

“Oh, that must be your aunt.” Her grandma got up and hurried off to answer the door.

Katalina pushed her plate away and put her head on the counter top. “God, I can’t do this. What am I supposed to say?”

He was at her side in a flash, murmuring, “Listen, Kat, you were in Henry Ford Hospital. Your father came that night to tell you about himself. He found you a few streets over, where you’d managed to run to before collapsing. He never saw the crash. He didn’t tell you who he was until your memory came back. Do you understand? That’s the story.”

“But I never went to hospital, Bass. If they check—”

“There’ll be records, Kat, I’ve pulled some strings.”

“What…how?” Katalina glanced toward the front room; her grandma and aunt were coming. “Bass?” she whispered urgently.

“Do you trust me, Katalina?” he whispered.

“Yes.”

“Then stick to that story,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head as he stepped to the side of her.

“Kat!” her aunt shrieked, running toward her. “Oh, I’m so pleased you’re okay.”

“Hi, Aunt Susan,” Katalina greeted, returning her hug, sadness lacing her words.

“And who is this, Kat?” she asked, looking Bass up and down.

“Susan, leave the lad alone,” Katalina’s grandma said.

“This is my friend, Bass. Is Dillon with you?”

“No, I left him at home with your uncle. A funeral is no place for a five-year-old.”

Katalina nodded, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t sure she was ready for a funeral either. As if sensing her feelings, Bass squeezed her shoulder. “Would you like to get some fresh air, Kat? I’m sure your aunt and grandmother have lots to do.”

Katalina practically jumped off the stool and ran out of the house. Every inch of the house reminded Katalina of some happy moment from her life and all she had lost. Just the thought of saying goodbye broke her heart. Being home, she could almost imagine nothing had changed, yet everything had. Even a second inside was too much; the air was too thick, oppressive, to the point that breathing became too great an effort.

“Don’t be long, Kat. You’ll need to get ready,” her grandmother called after Katalina’s retreating figure.

The second Katalina was out of the house she leaned against the wall of the house, her hands on her knees. The wind blew past her, making her shiver. The sky, grey and dreary, seemed fitting for the day.

She looked up as Bass approached, “I can’t do this, Bass. I can’t keep it together and lie about all that’s happened. What was I thinking coming back here? I should have just disappeared.”

“Katalina, that isn’t true. You wouldn’t have wanted your family to wonder what happened to you. I understand this isn’t easy, but you’ve come back because you need to say goodbye.” He cupped her cheeks and brought her head to his. “I’m here for you. You are going to get through this day and the day after that. I will always be here, to keep you going.”

She nodded, wrapping her arms around him. “You look amazing in blue by the way.” She grinned up at him, desperately wanting to think of something other than her parents’ funeral.