All Chapters of He Has Never Been Here: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

"Joey? I'm talking to you."The car turned onto a smooth stretch of road, and he reached over to pinch my cheek.I looked down, running my fingers over my bare ring finger. My voice was calm."Sorry, what did you say? I wasn't listening."Noticing my hand, Theo kept one hand on the steering wheel and wrapped the other around mine."Come on, Joey, be reason..."I pulled my hand free under the pretense of tucking my hair back.His hand hung in the air where mine had been, and his body stiffened for a moment."It's just a ring. Is that really worth getting upset over?"He let out a soft laugh and coaxed me in that low, smooth voice of his."Sophia's still young. Everything's new and shiny to her. Letting her wear it for a bit isn't a big deal.""You've had that sour look on your face all day. You scared her."A sour look?Was I supposed to smile when she was wearing my ring?"Theo.""I waited seven years for that ring. For that proposal."The arrogant smile froze on his face.He quickly a

Theo came back around noon.He saw the boxes I'd packed up and frowned. "Why is all this packed?"I didn't look up. "Throwing out trash."When Theo realized the boxes were filled with the things he'd bought me, his voice shot up."Joey, there's a limit to your damn tantrums!"He violently kicked the closest box, pacing the room like a caged animal."This is still about the ring, isn't it? When are you going to let it go?""I bought you all of this. Now you think it's taking up space? What, are you going to move out too?"I stood up and looked at him calmly."Yes."Theo froze for a second, then pressed a hand to his forehead, caught between frustration and disbelief."Are you joking, Joey?"He pulled off his suit jacket and dropped onto the bed, his tone cold and dismissive."Where would you even go? You don't even have a job. How would you support yourself?""Joey, I thought you were a mature woman, but you're getting more and more childish. Are you packing your bags to run away from h

Over the next few months, I threw myself into work and cut all ties with everything back home.My mentor was partnering with one of London's most prominent firms, and my role was Director of Marketing.I settled into the company's fast pace quickly, and every day felt full and purposeful.After work, I'd sit in a cafe with a sandwich and a glass of milk, watching people stroll by. It was bliss.London at night was beautiful, so different from what I was used to. The old architecture gave the city a richness that lifted my spirits.I sipped my milk in silence, listening to music, and never once thought about the man who only ever asked me to back down and be reasonable.Three months later, after landing another major client, I was promoted to Vice President.The CEO, Weston, was also a werewolf, from the ancient Greywolf Pack.He brought me to his office and smiled."Joey, you're going to be the next powerhouse around here. Just like the woman who founded this company, you'll lead us to

Weston walked me out of the restaurant.On the way back to the office, I studied his hand with concern."Are you hurt?"He shrugged casually. "Not at all. He's the one who's going to need some time to recover."I looked away, embarrassed. "Sorry for dragging you into that, Weston.""No. It was my pleasure."After that day, every time I left for work, I felt a pair of eyes watching me.When I checked the security footage, it was Theo.He hadn't left. He'd stayed in London.He was living at a hotel right across the street from my building.Every day, he'd watch me leave for work, silently follow me, and watch me walk into the office.Then wait downstairs until I got off.On weekends, he'd leave breakfast at my door. Freshly baked bread, pastries for afternoon tea, ice cream.All my favorite flavors.He never approached me. He just kept watching.After a dinner with coworkers one evening, I'd had a few drinks and was trying to hail a cab on the street.That was when Theo appeared.He look