ZEKE:I flip the last batch of pancakes over in the frying pan. They're looking good, even though it's been a while since I've tried anything in the kitchen. But I'm babysitting. Drusila is far away and no one's here to look after Marelyn except me. Over the inside burner on the cooker, all the water in the non-stick pan has simmered away and the bacon for breakfast's looking crispy and delicious.I put the extra effort into this morning's meal because I can't get her cries out of my head. When I left her bathroom yesterday, I didn't exactly leave. I sat down at a corner in her room and was there throughout, listening in on her cries. I didn't expect her to cry, but she had just lost Jai-Blynn, and as much as I hated it, he was important to her.Marelyn ate these on her first day here. She liked fruit as toppings. I stack them onto a plate, pancake first, then a crispy bacon and in that order. I finish my dish with grapes as Marelyn walks into the kitchen already dressed up. She slips

A while later, I read the sign that says 'The Burns Cafe' and it clicks. This is as far from his house as I can get. I'm still surrounded by Moon Grove, but at least I'm in Frida's hands. That part comforts me a little.The building's a sight for sore eyes, and there are people breezing in and out by the minute. I walk in last, and Frida holds the door out for me. It's a lovely place. I can tell I'm going to love it here. Brick walls and wooden seats and floorboards. There are posters and logos on every wall. A few chalkboards with daily quotes and song lyrics. It feels like a new home.A man is behind the counter. He's making two espressos. Frida sneaks up on him and slams her palms on the marble slab, startling the elderly man and startling me as well. He spills some of the coffee and curses under his breath. She has a bright smile on her face, which contrasts with his deep frown. I can tell this is Mr. Burns. There's this thing with his eyes. Like Frida's did, it reminds me of Scarl

A few days turned into three and then five. Aiden showed up every evening after that day. It's something I also suspect Zeke put him up to. He comes over with takeouts for dinner most of the time, but today, I want to do something different. I've officially started my shifts at the café, and it's been good. I was worried sick about Zeke, but now I've gotten used to being home alone. Of course, there's Taz living a few metres from Zeke's, but his home will always remind me of the hell underneath it. I'd rather stay here and worry about the journals I steal—technically, borrow—from Zeke's shelf. I'm on book number four already. Jai-Blynn led me to Spotify while YouTube was a personal discovery. Well, Frida has talked about the app a lot, but I decided on weaving my way around the kitchen and making dinner today. On that boat, Drusila welcomed me with clam soup. It's significant to me and that's why it's the first thing on my mind I want to try out. Aiden's not all mean as he present

We arrive at three am. There's a limo waiting for us at the airport where we land. I notice the drying puddles as we walk through the tarmac and climb into the car a minute later. After successfully sleeping throughout the ride here, I take in everything with owl eyes. It's mostly pitch black, except street lights and a few other lights coming from buildings we see on our way out of the airport. Zeke's taking his rest only now. He didn't sleep the entire way here, and I can't help but wonder what he's up to. We are on the road for another half-hour until the limo drives us into an establishment and stops in the building's underground parking lot. I shake his shoulder, whispering. "Zeke. We are here." He looks peaceful while sleeping, but he stirs in his sleep and opens his eyes. Zeke plants his dark stare on me. Then he throws his head back and releases a sigh. He says nothing as he climbs out of the car quickly and comes around to open my door. "Take my arm." He orders softly w

It feels like forever since I've seen him, and I want to flee. I want out. He can't be the one standing before me right now. He just can't. I may have cared for Jai-Blynn, but this is different. My wolf responds differently, too. She's nursing a broken heart, and still yearning because he's my alpha. My mate. I notice his black hair looks longer, and he's grown a stubble. Chase seems a lot older and rougher on the edges, but his eyes are still like I remember them. "Mare, I've turned the universe upside down looking for you." Hearing his voice makes me crumble-this is a nightmare. This entire trip was a mistake. I harden my stare. "What are you doing here, Chase?" He looks surprised by my question, like I'm crazy to even ask him something like that. After all, he just declared how much he cared. I maintain a poker face, letting him know it's definitely not rosy between us. I still have all the memories locked up inside me. The disrespect I faced because of his infidelity with my