A

eceptionist barely looked at me before picking up the phone, her t

teel. Everything here looked expensive. Very clean and

t of a large office

read neatly in front of her. She didn't rush or

does command the ro

oing back to her work. "Please sit. I'm a

urse

And here I am, the nosy

," I said, sliding into the chair across from her. "I

ping through documents

leaving the vacant building last night. I just nee

n't eve

tion side and went straight to

aw anyone run into the vacant lot, specifically anyone

ond-just one-so

ing hitche

d, I would'

When I left, police and para

of her hand adjusting an earring, and the faintest flare of her

l we need for now, Ms. Stevens. We migh

mediately. A

e. My assistant has

back to the elevator. Meredith Stevens never

hing wasn

o composed

iting for the ground to

othing, I

man who didn't wan

ouldn't shak

RE

collapse. My side felt like someone was pressing a hot knife into

he guard like n

Alcohol, bandages, ointments. All normal stuff. But next to them were small jars of herbs and pas

Bruises spread across my ribs and back. Some from him. Some from me shifting and hitting a w

myself in

clo

led it l

d all day ma

nd and bit down hard. The ta

o get this treated because hosp

d this

't you c

ite marks? What

stions I cou

always did. I ha

I heated a small blade over a ca

ly dropped me

this, they'd

called it

ake care of yourself

ever know wh

the wound, me

orn a w

n't know i

I was born. Tired of fighting, the rules, most especially the vi

ed me normal.

e who would face battles, make sacrifices, and maybe destroy myself along the way. My parents d

ver stayed in one

o take my lunch. I didn't mean

his wris

the nex

No warning or control. I woke up as a wolf. Terrified, shaking, and confused.

n they told

eping focus and self discipline. Also Herbs. The

d not to make friends or attend

of my class. Analyst at Aurora Luxe Holdings at twenty-two. Director at

d me The I

w much effort it too

d responsibilities. I didn't want to be a hero. Didn't want to b

wante

that girl in the alley. Not even wh

ight and breathed slo

mind. His questions. this morning

getting

feel tired.

of h

of pre

strong every

ould put the

Stevens, the calm, polished CEO

.Because if anyone eve

g will fa