Karl Leaning back in the creaking desk chair, I pinch the bridge of my nose. This week’s pack meeting feels like a special kind of torture. It’s not that Ethan is the trouble—actually, he’s been a huge help—but it’s more so that I’m sitting hunched over at a rickety desk in a cheap motel, and I
God dammit. Could be me in here sharing a meal with Abby if I hadn’t gone and ruined everything yet again. Lost in glum thought, I don’t notice anyone approaching until a warm hand lands on my shoulder. “Karl? What are you doing here?” I look up to see Adam standing beside me, wearing his pr
Abby When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I notice is the golden sun filtering in through the sheer curtains, warming my cheek. The second thing I notice is the severe nausea roiling around in my stomach. Oh no. In one swift movement, I throw the covers off and bolt across the room,
I look up from the stove, where a delicate lemon cream sauce is simmering. Tonight’s dinner is lemon chicken and fettuccine, with home-baked focaccia bread. For an appetizer, John is putting together a light cucumber salad. Anton is whipping up pistachio mousse for dessert. “Uh, sure,” I say, dryi
Abby “So? Tell me all about it.” Chloe sidles up next to me at the prepping station, knife in hand. I shoot her a furtive look over the carrots that I’m getting ready to pickle for the gala. “Tell you about what?” I ask. Chloe smirks and glances over her shoulder at the others, then leans in
Slipping inside the freezer, I let out a shuddering breath that turns into a pale white cloud in the air in front of me. I lean against a nearby storage rack, feeling the frigid cold metal press against my skin through my chef’s whites. Fuck it. I need to talk to Karl. As if on instinct, I slip
Abby I suddenly jolt up from my seat so abruptly that my chair falls to the floor with a clatter behind me. The table falls silent. My staff and Damon all blink up at me, each face more confused than the last. “Abby, are you quite alright?” Damon asks, rising cautiously. “Are you hurt?” I sw
“I see.” Damon is still holding the paper bag with the box slid halfway out. He looks down at it for a moment longer before he looks up at me. “Are you seeing someone?” At his words, I feel my face heat up. This isn’t exactly the discussion I was hoping to have tonight, and the thought of Karl jus