Sera wakes up the next morning alone. She reaches for Damion but then the events from last night come crashing down.
The gift. The good-bye sex. The romantic dinner.
Miriam.
Sera rolls over and sees her packed luggage.
Yup. It’s all true. Damion’s true love is coming home and giving Sera the boot.
Damion didn’t come back to their bed last night, probably out of respect for her. It’s easier this way. She’ll just grab a cup of coffee, make some calls, and then be on her way.
She sits down to make her first call. The mindcall links to her mom, Trulia.
Well, her adopted mom that is. They took her in when she was just a lone wolf-pup. They’ve always been the best parents to her; she’s never felt adopted or not wanted. However, being adopted makes her feel like she owes them a lot. She’s very grateful and she wants them to be proud of her. She wonders what her mom will think when she tells her the big news.
“Sera, my darling. Lovely to hear from you. Is everything all right?” her mom asks.
“I’m coming home, Mom,” Sera blurts out. No point in beating around the bush. There is a moment of silence before her mom says:
“What? Why? I thought you were happy there?”
Because he doesn’t want me.
Sera fights back the tears as she confides in her Trulia. “He doesn’t love me. Miriam is coming back and he wants to be with her. I can’t stay here anymore.”
Sera can feel her mom’s anger, and she makes no effort to hide her annoyance.
“You gave him THREE years of your life,” Trulia says. “You’re a beautiful, brilliant, talented wolf and you chose to stay with him for THREE years. Good years, too! Young years. You could have had wolf pups by now.”
Sera sighs. She can’t argue, Trulia is right. She’s been foolish. She never should have stayed so long, especially when it was clear he’d never love her.
“And for what?” Trulia continues. “What do you have to show for it now?”
“Five million dollars,” Sera states. Trulia is silent again, this time from shock.
“He gave you five million?” Trulia finally asks. “Well, at least you’re not walking away with nothing.”
I don’t care about the money. I want him, Sera thinks to herself, careful to hide that thought from Trulia.
“When will you be back?” Trulia asks.
“Later today,” Sera says. “But please, don’t make a big deal about it. I’m not in the mood, okay?” Trulia doesn’t respond. “Mom. I know what you’re thinking. I can hear you. No welcome back party. No fancy dinner. Just – I don’t want any of that. Okay?”
“Ohhhhh…kaaay,” Trulia says. “I won’t. But Sera – I’m thrilled to have my baby back.” Sera ends the mindcall, knowing damned well that her mom has probably started planning something before the call even ended.
Well, that’s one down. One more to go, Sera thinks, as she finishes up her coffee.
She needs her job back, so next up, she mindcalls her previous supervisor, Merdock. She lets him know that she’s coming back to the Hydra Pack, effective immediately.
“I’ve missed my work, Merdock,” Sera confides. “I miss helping people. Do you think-“
But Merdock cuts her off, his excitement reverberating through both their minds. “You’re coming back to the hospital? That’s fantastic. Really, kid. Best news ever! Send me your CV. I’ll send it right over to the Dean.”
Sera laughs. She’s missed Merdock. At least something good is coming out of this. She’d given up her job when she joined the Sandstone Pack. But she’s excited now to put on her scrubs and do what she does best. It’ll feel really good to work again.
She sends off the email and can’t believe it when she gets a call back from the dean just fifteen minutes later.
“I must say, Sera,” he says, “your CV is extraordinary. Field work. Pack experience. On-site surgery. I know wolves a lot older that don’t have nearly as much experience as you. And all this at the young age of 25? Is that correct? Excuse my disbelief, but it sounds too good to be true.”
“I’ve been very fortunate,” Sera explains. She knows how impressive her CV is. “Merdock took me under his wing when I was only 16. He let me accompany him whenever he visited other packs. I learned a lot on the job. He took me to the war field with him, too. I got to experience what it was like to work under pressure. I even helped him with human wars. He was so patient and kind to me. Really, he’s the reason I have so much experience. He taught me everything I know.”She hears the Dean sigh. “It just seems so surreal to me. But, I trust Merdock. I still find it a little hard to believe that someone so young has so much experience and advanced skills, but I’ll take his word for it. We need help and you’re clearly capable. You’re hired. I’ll send over a letter of offer. I look forward to having you join our team.”
Sera feels better than she has since last night. Trulia is thrilled she’s coming home, she has five million dollars in her bank, and she has a job waiting for her at the pack hospital. Maybe everything happens for a reason? Maybe this is meant to be? Maybe, just maybe, it’s a good thing Miriam is coming back. At least Sera can move on now. She has no choice. Maybe she can find a wolf that will love her back. Maybe she’ll even find her fated match…
She hears Damion’s footsteps in the hallway – her love for him is so strong, she can sense him and recognize his sounds and scents anywhere. Her breath catches in her throat. She doesn’t want to see him again. It hurts too much. She was hoping she could just slip out the door before he came back.
She stands up and grabs the handle of her suitcases. She’ll make this nice and quick. A simple good-bye and then she’ll be on her way.
“You’re already packed?” Damion asks when he sees her suitcases.
“Yes, I told you I’d leave today. Remember?”
His shirt is tight across his muscular shoulders. Damn, why does he have to be so sexy? Her mind turns to bedroom thoughts – the feel of his strong hands, the feel of his-“You can’t leave today,” he says, shaking his head. “Change of plans.”
“I, I can’t?” she asks, her eyes wide. Has he changed his mind? Does he want her stay? Maybe last night gave him clarity. Maybe he loves me after all. She slowly lets go of her luggage. “Why not?” she asks, holding her breath, waiting for his response.
“My parents want to see us,” he shrugs. He walks past her to the counter.
Sera lets out her breath. Oh. His parents.
“What for?” she asks.
“Don’t know. They didn’t say. But they wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Damion bites into his apple. “You can leave tomorrow,” he says, his mouth full. “They’re expecting us this afternoon. I’m just gonna go get changed and then we’ll get going. That okay?”
Well, not really. A trip to your parent’s house for a visit is kind of the last thing I had in mind. But, like usual, Sera doesn’t have the heart to refuse him. “Sure,” she nods. “Sounds great.”
It will give me a chance to say good-bye to them, I guess.
And give me a few more hours with you…
They pull up to Damion’s dad’s house. Stephen is a retired Alpha, and he and his Luna, June, moved here years ago when Damion took over the pack. It’s a cute cottage, nestled in a small village in the middle of a forest. They like the privacy and they like being close to nature. It’s peaceful. Sera has always enjoyed visiting Stephen and June – they’re both very sweet and have always been kind to her. It will be nice to see them one last time. Damion cuts the engine and Sera is just about to get out of the car when he tells her to open the glove compartment. Sera does as she’s asked. There’s a small blue, velvet box inside. “It’s my sapphire bracelet,” she says, recognizing the box immediately. “Why is it in the glove box?” “It’s the first gift I ever gave you,” Damion says, his green eyes sparkling. “Open it.” Sure enough, the stunning sapphire bracelet is nestled inside. “You never wore it. Why not?” He’s staring at her, his eyes intense. Sera’s confused. Why is he re-giving
“I know all about his plans,” June says, as Sera tucks her into bed. She’s such a cute old woman, with her hair in curlers and her nightie pulled up to her neck. “What plans?” Sera asks, as she prepares some medicine for June. “He’s going to take her back, isn’t he? That Miriam?” So she does know, Sera sighs. She turns to June with a faint smile and nods. “Over my dead body,” June replies. Sera can’t help but smile. Even though she’s weak in bed with pneumonia, she’s still feisty as ever. “She’s selfish. I won’t let her come into this family.” “Take your medicine, June,” Sera tells her. June obeys, slamming back the medicine like a shot of tequila. Then she grabs Sera’s arm with a strength that surprises Sera. “We’re on your side,” June says, staring straight into Sera’s eyes. It’s almost too much for Sera. Such a kind, sweet woman. But there’s literally nothing anyone can do; Damion has made up his mind. “How long have you been sick?” Sera asks, trying to change the subject.
Damion heads straight for the front door with Sera trailing behind him. “Hold up there, Damion. Where are you off to, son? It’s late,” Stephen asks, obviously confused. “Miriam is back. She just landed. She’s upset and alone. I need to find her,” Damion replies. “Now? Well, where is she?” Stephen asks. He looks to Sera for answers. But Sera only shrugs. “I DON’T KNOW,” Damion yells, his voice filled with frustration and panic. He rushes out the front door without another word. Sera watches him leave then looks back to Stephen. There’s an awkward silence for a beat then- “Well, what are you waiting for? Go with him!” The last thing Sera wants to do is follow Damion around while he looks for his girlfriend. But Stephen is a powerful wolf – he demands respect. She can’t argue with him. Sera does as she’s told and reluctantly follows Damion into the dark driveway. The drive in complete silence. Sera doesn’t know what to say. Damion’s thoughts are on Miriam. The dark trees whiz by a
“She’s not here either! Damn it!” Damion says, slamming his hand on the steering wheel. I was sure she’d be here. The new Beta’s house is dark and empty. Damion drives away, clearly frustrated. “She could be anywhere,” Sera sighs, also frustrated. They’d be driving around aimlessly. “There’s one more place she could be,” Damion states, pulling a U-turn in the middle of the road. They drive to the Wolf and Fiddle, a small pub near the pack border. Sera follows him inside and sure enough, Miriam is there, sitting at the counter, slumped over a martini glass. Several empty ones are strewn around her; clearly, she’s been drinking. “Miriam,” Damion exclaims, as relief washes over his face. When she hears her name, she turns around. It takes her eyes a few moments to focus, but then she topples off the bar stool and runs, clumsily, into Damion’s arms. She leaps up and he catches her, spinning her around like a scene from a movie. Sera watches
“Sera? Are you okay?”Sera was crying loudly when Damion found her out in the street. The sounds of her sobs hurt him. He hadn’t meant to upset her.“Damion? What are you doing here? I’m fine, honestly! Go be with Miriam. She’s upset. Go comfort her,” Sera says, wiping away her tears with her sleeve.What is he doing out here? And now he’s caught me ugly crying! This is so embarrassing. She sniffs deeply and tries to regain her composure. “I’ve come to check on you,” he tells her. “And you don’t look fine.” He takes a step towards her but she takes a step back.“Nonsense. I’ll find my way home,” Sera says. “I’d really prefer to be alone right now.”“Father has sent someone to take you home. It’s late and it’s dark. I’ll wait with you.”They stand in awkward silence for a few minutes, with only the sound of Sera’s sniffles to break it up. But it’s not long before Mathew pulls up. Mathew sees them both and heads towards them, but Damion intersects them. He pulls M
“Let me take your temperature,” Sera says to June. June doesn’t look any sicker than she had when they’d left earlier, but Sera is still worried about her none-the-less. “It was so nice of you to come back. Wasn’t it nice of her, Stephen? Just to look after me?” June asks, trying to talk with the thermometer sticking out of her mouth. “Yes,” Sera smiles. “But please, keep your mouth closed so I can get a good read. I need to see if you have a fever.” They are sitting in the living room, tea and snacks spread out before them. Sera had thought it was a little odd, the late night spread. If June wasn’t feeling well, then why had she made them all snacks like this?And she really doesn’t seem sick. In fact, she seems happy. She was very enthusiastic to meet us at the door.“Don’t worry about Miriam. Mathew will bring her home. Let’s just enjoy our snacks. And each other’s company.” June is perched on the edge of the couch, smiling, even with the thermomete
“Sorry about the conversation at breakfast. About Miriam. I could tell you were uncomfortable,” Sera says as they pull out onto the road. “I don’t know her well but I’m sure she’s a great girl. I know that you have feelings for her and-“ Mathew’s laughter interrupts Sera. “A great girl? Hardly. She’s horrible. We grew up together. I know exactly the type of person she is.” “But there must be something good about her? Damion’s head over heels for her,” Sera suggests. How could Damion, sweet, kind Damion, love an awful person? Mathew shakes his head. “Damion isn’t seeing clearly. He’s like a brother to me, so of course I want him to be happy. But Miriam is not the right wolf for him. She was with me at one point, when we were younger. But when Damion was named Alpha, she ditched me for him. Didn’t even feel bad about it. Not an ounce of remorse. And get this. After Damion’s accident, when he was all messed up and vulnerable, she wasn’t even here. She
Sera glances around one more time quickly, looking for any chance of escape.There’s none. The man pushes her towards the small wooden house and with every step closer, the scent of blood becomes thicker. Given how thick the scent is, she’s terrified of what she’ll find inside. “Len,” the man says, entering the house. He pulls her through the kitchen. “She’s here. She’s pretty young, though. Are you sure such a young chick can…” They walk into a room then and she sees the source of the blood, lying on a bed. Her eyes immediately scan the situation. It’s bad. It’s really, really bad. “Yes,” the man on the bed says. The blood is dripping from his side and pooling on the floor. The sheet is stained a dark crimson. “He needs to go to the hospital,” Sera states. “He needs proper medical supplies. He needs-“ “Clearly, we’re not going to a hospital, moron. Why the hell do you think we brought you here? You have to save