جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 9

I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears, but I could still hear the terrible sounds coming from the TV.Clara clapped excitedly and turned around to shove me. "Joey, look! That guy's head just got crushed by the train! So exciting!"I didn't dare open my eyes. Even with my ears covered, I could still hear her."Look!"When I still wouldn't lift my head, Herman yanked me up and dragged me in front of the TV. He gripped my chin and forced my face up. His voice was cold and merciless."Clara is training you, and you can't even appreciate it. Just watch. It's good for you!"I had no choice but to open my eyes. On the screen, a body was being crushed in the darkness. Blood was everywhere."Ah! Ahhh!" I shrieked in terror, struggling to pull back, but Herman's hands clamped down on my shoulders and held me in place.Behind me, I heard them both laughing."What a coward. It's just a movie and you're still scared. Pathetic!""Werewolves are supposed to have incredible mental strength. And

I walked all night.When I got back to the pack, Herman was waiting on the sofa, his face dark. Clara sat beside him.When he saw me walk in, he gave me a cold look. "Joey, was that text supposed to be a threat? I'm training you, and you repay me by wanting to break up?"Clara tapped my forehead with one finger. "Joey, you really went too far this time. We're trying to help you. Being scared won't solve anything. You need to face things yourself."She pursed her lips, looking disappointed. "Are you mad at me because Herman spent Christmas building a snowman with me? If that bothers you, I'll stay away from him. I don't want to get in the way of your relationship."She turned to leave, but Herman caught her arm. "Where are you going? We didn't do anything wrong. She's just making a big deal out of nothing."Then he looked at me and softened his tone. "Fine, Joey. It's all my fault, okay? Happy now?"He showed me a set of floor plans. "This is the house I'm actually buying. It's on the e

Clara quickly smiled. "She did. She said she's resting at home and doesn't feel like going out. She's probably ignoring you because she's mad. You know Joey. She just wants you to make it up to her. Herman, you're supposed to be having fun with me. Lighten up, okay?"She linked her arm through his and pulled him forward. Herman didn't think twice about it. What Clara said made sense.Joey did throw little tantrums to get his attention. All he had to do was apologize properly, and things would go back to normal."Fine. I'll go with you."After the haunted house, Clara wanted to go shopping.She went from one luxury store to another while Herman followed, paying for everything without a second thought.Then he spotted a ruby bracelet in a display case.Joey had once told him how much she wanted one. He quietly bought it and slipped the box into his pocket.Once Joey saw this bracelet, she'd stop being angry. Herman took that for granted.The next afternoon, Herman drove to Joey's place w

When I left my father's company, Herman was waiting outside.He held out the box I'd left behind, his voice careful and tentative. "Joey, I went through these things. They're all precious memories of us. I kept them safe, which means...""Which means what we had was in the past."Herman fell silent but refused to give up. He pulled out the ruby bracelet from his jacket. "Joey, you said you loved this bracelet, remember? I bought it for you. See? I still remember what you like."I gave him a faint smile. "Yes, you remembered all my fears, too. And you used each one to make it worse.""Joey!" Herman scrubbed his hands over his face in anguish. "What do I have to do for you to forgive me? If it's about Clara, I've already banished her from the pack. Stop going on these blind dates and come back to me. I swear I'll change."I'd rejected him enough times. There was nothing left to say.After that day, Herman waited near my home and my office every morning and evening. He followed me at a di