Karina.Returning back to the pack was akin to a rush of fresh air, literally. I embraced the familiar scents around me the moment we entered the pack area, relaxing at the buildings surrounding us.Felix stopped in front of Gino's home, where I had taken Levi to stay in the meantime. Stepping out, I groaned at the slight ache of my heels.“Of freaking course this will happen.” I cursed out, shutting my eyes.I was used to wearing them when it suited me. However, after months of being in maternity and wearing mostly flipflops and sandals, I decided to wear these to fit the occasion, and here I was suffering the consequences.Pain, it seemed, was a universal price to pay for looking good.It was going to lessen soon enough — the wonders of werewolf healing — but not until a few minutes after I took off the shoes.The sound of the car door closing followed by footsteps nearing me made me look up.“You really got yourself in a tizzy, didn't you?” He asked, placing one of my arms to wrap

Karina.His gaze was slightly stricken.Hope gleamed in me. Perhaps this was all I needed to do. Maybe now he'd stop trying to reach me.But he didn't say anything for another set of seconds, and slowly my hope turned into worry.I contemplated not moving forward.“Co- you… are you okay?” I asked. His name seemed too powerful to say.He nodded stiltedly before replying, “Yeah. I am.”I breathed out, all the tension and worry deflated like a bubble.“So… we're okay then,” I said tentatively, hoping that he'll agree.But he didn't say a word, or give any gesture. Instead, he turned away for a moment.“Please just answer this question for me.” He said.I nodded. No doubt it would be a question about whether I cared for him. Even if I did care enough to not reject him, it didn't change things.Liking someone wasn't enough, mate or not. I had seen it amongst the humans already, whether it was the gossip of coworkers or strangers or events that happened in my presence.Like wasn't enough. L

Karina.A wolf stood at the distance, green eyes penetrating mine. I wouldn't let him near me. I couldn't.I opened my eyes, greeting the sunlight with squinted eyes. Instinctively looking at my phone, I spotted the time.Less than a week. A few more days and less than 24 hours.I was more than thankful when I received yet another text from Lola and Willa within the same hour the next morning.Lola's text said: ‘Don't come to work. See you at Bella's wedding. Greet Levi for me 'On the other hand, Willa's text said:‘Lola just told me the news. So lucky of you. I just heard about the wedding from her and Penny. Thanks for keeping it a secret.'I rolled my eyes at the visible sarcasm in the last sentence. Penny, in fact, was her best friend from the Red Eclipse pack. Although I'd never seen her in the flesh, I learned it was one of the reasons why she knew of werewolves and packs.Looking at the text however, filled me with relief. It meant that there would be no need to work in the ci

Karina.The sound of the wind mixed in with the rushing of my blood, overwhelming my senses to the brink.People. Noises. I stumbled across everything, uncaring of the decorations. It was too much.I remembered their faces, right before I turned unconscious. The malicious grins they had as they advanced into me.“Rogues like you are only good for one thing."My body crashed onto the bark. I let my hands reach out to hold it tightly as I forced breaths out of me.This wasn't the first time it happened, and it was far from being the last. But first, I had to breathe.Scraping my wrist against the rough tree bark, I let the rhythm sway me while every exhale I let out. Slowly, the rushing feeling wanted down. The continuous drum in my chest slowed and the voices in my head waned with reassurances from Germaine filling me.I wasn't there. I was safe, in a pack full of people like me. A pack that cared.I would never be there again.“Karina!”My breath hitched at the voice, mixing with the

Karina.The next morning I woke up tired, angry, and empty.The day felt listless, a hollow feeling in my belly that I was sure wasn't because of food.“I'll leave this place.” His words echoed in my head.“Is that what would make you happy?”‘Is it?’I growled at the reminder of those words, shutting my eyes so tightly I could see stars beneath them.It was what I needed. Safety and peace. I had every right to it. I shouldn't feel angry for making the best decision for my child and myself.And yet…Shaking my head fiercely, I sat off the bed.It was time to prepare for the work for today. I was distracting myself, I was more than aware of that, but it didn't matter.Picking up a sleeping Leo, I rocked him lightly.“You can't sleep all day today, you know. There's a big celebration coming up.” I pouted, kissing his belly and forehead before rocking him.He still didn't budge, though his breathing and the feeling through the bond reminded me that he was safe. Dropping him back in the c