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Chapter 35
Adam is in his office. I hear his voice and two others as I make my way down the hall. The double doors are open, and when I appear between them, Adam's eyes immediately find mine. It's Ben and Alexander. I know I must be interrupting pack business, but there is no one else I want to talk to but him.
"Wrenley?" Adam asks.
"Can we talk?"
He nods slowly and leaves his seat. Ben and Alexander both smile my way; I smile back and lift my hand up in a partial wave.
Adam's hand connects with the small of my back as he leads me into the family room. Before he can ask what's going on, I turn to him and say, "My Dad is here. I met him today."
"Your father?" He questions. "I thought you didn't
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Waindale Chapter 36
I walk down the road with my hands warm in my jacket pockets. Sunlight filters through the forest beside me, bringing a kiss of heat to my face in the cold air around me. The cold doesn't feel so cold anymore, only a sensation that neither pleasures nor hurts me. I'm sure if it were snowing, I'd feel differently, but right now I am content. It reminds me of when I would wake up in the middle of the night, hungry. The chill from the fridge would caress me as I stood with the doors wide open. I would look over the same foods until my snack standards lowered. My problems used to be much simpler then—disappointment over the fact that my mother ate the last piece of that evening's dessert, or maybe, at the most stressful, a poor test score in one of my classes.The quiet helps me as I try to sort through my thoughts once again. Every now and then a car will pass by, or a noise will call
Waindale Chapter 37
I struggle to recall all that was said to me as I hurry home. There's no time to see my mother, not after what John Aymon showed me. Surprisingly, my mind feels clear, yet I try to remember certain things he told me, things that I know were important but didn't seem to stick. The only thing that's in my head like a blinking neon sign is that I am able to tell Adam. God, I can't wait to show him. I can't wait to see his reaction. I know he'll be happy because I won't be a sitting duck for all the world's monsters to devour.The truth is that I am not just a human; I'm the daughter of something magical, something so very beyond my previous understanding. When Adam said that there are things out there that could hurt me, I thought of vampires and witches and trolls and ghosts—butthis? John Aymon hardly explained what he is. When Adam asks me, what will I say? That he is
Waindale Chapter 38
"I'm sorry, I can't stay long. I've just come to grab a few things.""Are you sure it's a good idea to say with Adam longer? Things were a little bumpy there, Wren. Maybe a break will be good for you two."I look up from my bag. "Mom, I said that was just a little argument. We're doing great now. I just—I really think I should be with him right now. It's werewolf business; it's hard to explain. He needs me right now," I assure her then stuff one last shirt into my suitcase before zipping it up. "Tell Grandma that I'll call later. Adam—he just really needs me there with him."She nods, leaning against the doorway to my bedroom. "Okay, no problem, as long as you're going to school."I can see the anxiety behind her eyes. She
Waindale Chapter 39
They were poison—the plants that grew as if I beckoned them to. Some could be found on this continent, others originate in faraway places. Adam told me that he woke alone then couldn't find me anywhere in the house but discovered that the back doors were unlocked. He shifted and followed my scent as if something stole me from our bed. He found me laying on the forest floor in a circle of belladonna, death caps, oleander, hemlock, and many other plants he did not recognize. A vine of poison oak had begun to wrap its way up my leg. It left no rash on my skin."Wrenley?""Sorry," I mumble and look up at Vivianne and Imogen, "I can't stop daydreaming.""I asked about Adam being here," Vivianne repeats. "People say he's been here since this morning."
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I run out into the snow. My feet plow through as I hurry, as my eyes stare up at the thing. I drop my backpack to the ground once I reach it. My hands touch the bark to make sure the tree is really here, and when I don't go tumbling through it like a hologram, I know that it's actually in front of me.The orange tree stands tall and sturdy. It's many branches splay out with smaller limbs sprouting in every direction. The greenest leaves coat the branches, and amongst the thousands of them are bright fruits. My eyes bounce from fruit to fruit in disbelief. I reach up and pluck a low-hanging one. I run my fingers over its skin and roll it between my hands. Lifting it to my nose, I smell the thing but it doesn't emit the scent of an orange, nor does it look like one."Careful there."My e
Waindale Chapter 41
When I get back to Adam's after spending the rest of the day at Elara's, I find him eating dinner in the kitchen."I would have waited for you if I knew you were on your way back. Here, sit down, I'll fix you a plate," he offers.I sit with him in the breakfast nook. "No, no, you eat. I'll grab something later.""When was the last time you ate?""Oh, you know, didn't I grab something before we left for the academy?"Adam sets down his fork and knife. "You told me that you would go to the cafeteria before class. What's going on? You can't tell me that you aren't hungry after not eating all day.""I don't know. I just haven't had much
Waindale Chapter 42
"You've been gone for so long, kid. What's happening? What's going on? I know you're responsible, and I trust you more than anyone on this earth, but I can't help but worry. Grandma and I—well we think you should come home for a bit. Stay the night. We can rent a movie or go out for dinner. You can grab some stuff from your room if you need it. Grandma cleaned your sheets for you. Just, we miss you. Let me know what you think, okay? Call me."My phone remains pressed to my ear even though the voicemail has ended. I swallow and drop my hand. I stare down at the small screen as guilt rises up in me like floodwater filling a basement. Soon there will be no room left to breathe.The bedroom is quiet. Adam is out of the house for what he promises will only be a little while. Tony and Yuke are here with me, not only to stop my father fr
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"Call if you need anything, okay? We're always here if you need us," my mom says, standing in the doorway. I glance back and her and nod before walking down the porch steps. My bag is fuller now than yesterday—I grabbed a few things. Unlike the first time, I didn't take clothes or shampoo or toothpaste; I took the picture of my mom and me from my desk. The carved necklace of the moon goddess that I was gifted is stashed inside as well.Adam's truck is parked along the side of the road. My mom waves to him, and he waves back. It's better this way. Whenever my two worlds come together, there is always some sort of misunderstanding. There can never be a perfect translation, so maybe a wave and a smile are good enough. I peer back again when I get to the car door. My mom doesn't close the front door until Adam starts his truck, but once it's closed, I know it's time to switch to the ot
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