My lower back burns as I walk into the kitchen after hours of working on an essay due Monday for midterms. I stick my stomach out and press my thumbs into the ache, stretching the opposite way and hearing a much-needed crack.Mom paces behind the counter island on her phone. "What does that mean? You can't come to dinner?"I open the pantry and grab a box of crackers, peering over my shoulder at her.She presses her palm to her forehead. "No, I know, it's fine. Stay, and I'll see you when I get back. I'll tell Dennise you couldn't make it."I open the box while glancing at her."Okay. Bye, Honey."Her phone drops from her ear.I pop a cracker into my mouth and ask, "Was that Dad?""Yeah, he has to stay late at the lodge, so he can't come to the society dinner with me tonight.""Oh." My brow furrows. "I know I'm not technically a part of the society, but what if I came with you instead? Everyone already knows me, and I volunteer, and—""And Harvey Norwood is going to be there?" She que

Gravel grinds against my car tires as I turn off Audrey Way and onto Norwood House property. My grip on the wheel hardens, and my knuckles turn white, but no amount of squeezing can lessen the feeling I get in my gut when I see Harvey outside. At the top of the gravel driveway is an electric saw and long planks of wood, the type used for flooring.Harvey stops what he's doing and wipes off his hands at the sight of my car. He has no jacket on despite the chill, but Abby's told me werewolves don't succumb to the cold like humans; they're always warm. I step on the brakes and put the car into park, feeling an itch in my throat — a doubt. A slow, shaky breath pushes out my nose, and then I unbuckle my seatbelt and pop open my door.Harvey walks to the car, but his steps let up once I face him."I talked to Abby," I say, not bothering to shut the car door. Instead, I stand behind it like a shield. "She told me about mates.""Okay." Harvey glances left, toward the mountains, and his eyes s

I've woken up nine times to a text from Abby, and they all say the same thing: Harvey isn't back yet. Usually, I sleep through my phone alerts; it's only a soft buzz on my nightstand and a moment of dim light but waiting for Harvey has put me on edge, and once I read the text, I can't fall back asleep.What was assumed to be a week of Harvey helping another pack in Maine has turned into a hodgepodge of spacey, distracted days and endless, restless nights. I was late for work three times and missed an assignment deadline — something that hasn't happened since high school.On Saturday night, Abby texts me repeatedly about getting together, but I'm too busy helping Harper to conjure excuses as to why I'd rather stay home. Harper tries on six different outfits out of her closet and four from mine but can't decide on anything to wear on her date with Delsin. "I still think the black skirt was nice," I tell her while lying belly-up on my bed, "and you can wear those winter-tight things you

"Harvey! You know Mia is here, right? She's so sweet...and funny. Oh, here she is. Mia, look, he's home."Abby latches onto Liberty who's clearly had too many drinks and coaxes her away. Harvey can't make it past the foyer without being surrounded by his pack, but he sees me past them, and those in the way step to the side. My face burns; I didn't plan on talking to him with an audience.At first, Harvey looks at me like I'm not really here, but he quickly realizes what's going on — everyone has gathered in his absence, and I've been invited. He breathes out and eyes Abby."Surprise," she says. "Mia's met everyone.""And we love her," Liberty tacks on."All of you go home, and if you're supposed to be on duty, shift and get to it." Harvey turns to me, and my body goes stiff. "Mia, come on."Harvey nears me and places his hand on my back, guiding me the way Abby and I came. I peer back at her, and she mouths, "I'll wait for you."When we turn the corner, I say, "I'm sorry if I'm not su

It's been two nights since Harvey came to my bedroom to see me, and they've been two nights of horrible sleep. I stare at the approaching road as I drive from the center of town back home, and I occasionally sip on a coffee I made and poured into a travel mug, but nothing seems to cure my grogginess.Halloween is around the corner and all the businesses around the lake have decorated their storefronts for the holiday. Webs line windows with giant spiders, skeletons stand at attention to usher customers inside, and the dentist's office has a window painting of three witches around a bubbling cauldron with a written offer to trade in candy at a dollar per pound.I stare at the sign, assuming no kid will give up their Halloween candy unless their parents make them. The dentist's office did the same deal when I was trick-or-treating, but I held onto my candy for as long as possible until the day it disappeared, and I didn't realize it.Only through having siblings did I discover my mom hi