Leaving the Past Behind

"It's so good to have you back, Molly."

I had just hung up when Jerry Shaw stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. Steam still clung to his skin, his toned eight-pack sharply defined, his broad chest impossible to ignore.

He used to never keep me waiting. But lately, his showers had gotten longer, and he'd started bringing his phone in with him.

Eyes still fixed on his screen, Jerry asked absently, "Who was that?"

"Jimmy Norwood from the Warwolf pack. He needed me for something."

He let out a vague hum, barely registering my answer.

This time, I didn't even bother calling him out on it.

I tapped out my resignation letter on my phone.

"Why didn't you light the calming incense? You know how stressed I've been at work. I can't sleep without it."

He finally looked at me, and I could see the blame in his eyes.

"I was busy. I forgot."

I didn't bother reacting to his tone.

"Molly, I showed your test results to the doctor, and he said you just scraped your skin. Werewolves heal fast. There's nothing wrong at all. So really, there's no need to scare yourself over nothing."

"Got it," I said, still typing without looking up.

A silver medical kit hit my left leg during today's accident. The silver kept the wound from healing, so I ended up needing 18 stitches.

"The pup was already four weeks along. Poor little thing," the doctor said, his voice heavy with sympathy. "Just another hour, and we probably could've saved it."

The doctor's pitying look lingered in my thoughts.

Jerry noticed me zoning out. His forehead wrinkled as he took a step toward me, like he was about to ask what was wrong.

Then his phone buzzed.

The second he saw the notification, his face brightened. He spun around and vanished into the living room.

My best friend, Kate Moore, let me use her account to check out the pack's new group chat. Everyone was there, except me.

My eyes locked onto a photo of a couple watching the sunset, their silhouettes forming a heart with their hands.

"Being with you is like living in a cotton candy cloud," read the caption.

Golden sunlight bathed the distant mountain peaks. It was the breathtaking view I'd always dreamed of seeing.

I'd begged Jerry to take me there countless times, but he was always "busy". After sending a clapping emoji, I let out a wry smile.

My phone buzzed with a notification. Jimmy Norwood from the Warwolf pack had sent over the employment contract. Without even thinking, I clicked the link and signed.

…

The next morning, Jerry left early and hit up the pack's go-to dessert shop. He came back with a box of almond donuts and a mango cake.

I went for the donuts, but before I could grab one, Jerry rapped the back of my hand with a spoon, sharp enough to leave a sting.

"I got the mango cake just for you. You love cream, right?"

That was when it hit me. The almond donuts weren't for me. They were for Monica Reed.

"We've been together for five years, and you never knew I was allergic to mangoes?" I snapped.

"Take it or leave it. Are you trying to start something?"

Jerry snorted and got to his feet.

He was about to walk out when I grabbed a bag from the drawer and hurled it at him. "Since you're seeing Monica later, do me a favor and return this to her."

The second Jerry spotted the panties inside, his eyes went wide with panic. I thought he was going to say something, but then he just shut his mouth.

He could tell I wasn't going to argue, so he just said indifferently, "I'll remind Monica to be more careful."

I gave a hum in response.

Jerry caught my expression and tried to make it right. "Gather your things. I'll drive you to the clinic today."

In all five years we were together, no matter how bad the weather got, he stuck to his role as a strict Alpha, never offering me a ride to work.

But the second Monica joined the pack, he dropped the act and basically became her driver, leaving me looking ridiculous.