To be the sun,
you first have to burn
***
Mark left that next morning. He only packed a backpack, before loading it in the back of Jace's truck and climbing in. He waved goodbye, saying he would be back to visit in a month. I glance at father when the road is empty. Glance and wonder what I will do with him. What I will say to him. In a month. A month of father. "I'm going to the pack house." Father glances at me and steps forward, licking his thumb before rubbing it roughly across my cheek. I flinch from the contact. Flinch from the flesh across my skin. "Hold still, Lexie. You can't go to the pack house with paint on your face."
I stay still at those words. It's father. Just father.
The words are repeated over and over within my head. Soon he sends me off. Satisfied with my appeara
