TALIA Just under a week later, I’d finally moved into my new apartment on my day off from work. Lucy had borrowed her uncle’s truck, so we could go buy and bring back a new mattress. At the moment, I didn’t have much. It was just the mattress on the floor with no bed frame and a kitchen table and chairs that I bought for cheap from the pack F******k group. Jasmine had gifted me a brand-new set of pans as a housewarming gift, which was very nice of her. And Blake had brought over a fancy coffee maker and a couple mugs. Lucy and Luke gifted me really nice towels and linens and a bunch of toiletries. Jack and Tyler came with them and gifted me a blender. I was completely in awe of everyone’s generosity and gave everyone big hugs in gratitude. Everyone was so welcoming. It was nice to have friends. It felt like I finally belonged somewhere. It was now Saturday, and Lucy had invited me to her brother’s birthday party that day. I wasn’t sure that I was up for socializing, especially with

TALIA Tom came in again the next day, and then again on Tuesday, when he convinced me to go on a date with him that night. After what Valerie had told me, I began to feel suspicious of his intentions. But I figured that one date wouldn’t kill me. We agreed for him to pick me up that night at six in front of my apartment. After work, I had my personal training session after two days off on Sunday and Monday. I began to understand that most of the pack shut down those two days. We started the session off with stretches and some warm-up exercises. Then we practiced some more meditation. After that, Xander had me do some weighted exercises. “You know, I’ve been keeping track, and you don’t seem to be progressing on the weights at all. I’m becoming concerned because werewolves normally progress fairly quickly, and it isn’t normal that you’d still be at the same level as you started almost a month ago, especially with us training together five days a week.” “What could cause that?” I ask

ALEXANDER My mom finally seemed to be feeling slightly better. The hospital prescribed her some strong antidepressants and tranquilizers, so strong that she was no longer able to shift into her wolf. “I don’t care. I have no reason to shift into my wolf anymore.” My mom sighed as I finally drove her home after being away for over a month. I’d hired nurses to keep watch over her when I couldn’t, and one of them would be starting the next day. I helped my mom to her bedroom and helped her lie down in her bed. It was so strange having our roles reversed after she’d always been the one taking care of me my whole life. But everything was strange in my life. This was normal compared to everything else. Yes, how sad, my mom barely able to function as an adult was “normal” to me. Fuck my life. I sat down on a chair next to her bed while she got settled. “Will you be okay, Mom, if I go work on some things?” I asked. “Alex”—she stared at me—“you seem unhappy.” “Of course I’m unhappy, Mom.

TALIA The next day, I returned to work feeling much better. I was working the late shift that day. When I came in, Valerie pulled me aside. “You were in heat yesterday?” she asked. “Does that mean you have a mate?” “Yes, I do,” I admitted, realizing there was no way around it now. “Then what was that whole thing with Tom? Why were you going on dates with Lucy’s cousin when you have a mate?” I sighed and said, “Because I want to reject my mate. I don’t want to be with him. Lucy was just trying to help by finding me a replacement mate.” She raised her eyebrows and said, “Well, there’s a story I’d like to hear.” “Maybe another time.” Lucy came in not too long after me, late as usual. Punctuality was clearly not one of her positive qualities. I mostly worked the front of the house while she helped Valerie put together pastries in the back. After we closed for the evening, I walked with Lucy toward the packhouse since I had to walk in that direction to get to my apartment anyway. “W

TALIA Alex stared at me for a long time. It was completely silent as we looked into each other’s eyes. Finally, Alex responded, “Okay, Talia, I will let him back. I’m sorry I banished your friend.” He paused and took a deep breath. His eyes filled with emotion, and he continued, “But I hope you understand why I did it. When I saw the two of you together, it was the most painful thing I’d ever experienced in my life. Goddess, Talia, I’m in love with you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I would do anything for you. To me, you are perfect. And seeing you with someone else—I can’t think of anything that could hurt more except maybe you dying. That’s the only thing I can think of that would hurt me more.” I sensed his pain, the same pain I felt the day that it happened. It wasn’t as sharp this time, clearly having dulled with time, but it was still there. He was still hurt by the incident. “Thank you for letting my friend back into your pack.” I took his hand in mine, feelin