iled everything from the list onto Elijah’s plate, hi

mumbling ‘Jam, jam, jam…’ under my breath while I opened cupboard after cupboard in search of it. I sp

the nightmare earlier, I reacted without thinking. Sending my elbow back, I felt it hit straight into their sun split, forcing a pai

g a hit, he was probably weaker than Elijah. Being human, an artist, and an anti-violence lover, he hated any and all kinds of altercations

ile, stepping toward him and wrapping my arms around his torso. I helped him get up, slipping the

he hugged me back, then let go, allowing me to step away. I filled another pl

g glasses as he took the plate from me. Circling the kitchen counter t

ers and a small apple. I looked up, glancing at Elijah, who was also staring at me with half his toast stuf

s, but I never let things progress any further than that. With a small kid, no stable job, and classes to attend, I had no interest in a relationship. He seemed content with just being a friend with me, so as we grew close, he met Elijah and

werewolf who could shapeshift, but could also suppress her wolf side with an enchanted ring given to me by an actual witch, had been the turning point in both our lives. After he didn’t call the cops or

nightmare like he was hurting alongside me. It made me uncomfortable for ma

jumpy after you have a

nodded next to him,

est of his eggs in his mouth, jumping off the high chair and sprinting toward the bathroom. I

t his plate. I finished preparing Elijah’s lunch, stuffing the box i

e sure I had my books, my purse, and my phone stuffed inside. There was plenty of time until my first class, but I had to drop Elijah off at the kindergarten

ust a ‘friend’ and I felt like soon there will be a time when he would like to ‘collect’. It was probably unfair to him since he had never stepped out of line or asked anything of me outside of our friendship, but a part of me couldn’t help but notice the long glances, the silent smiles, and what felt lik

ake a good, happy life for me and her child. My child, because she was gone and Elijah was all I had l

I dropped my bag next to Elijah’s and grabbed

ffee just as Elijah appeared from the bathroom, showing me his washed

asked, and I looked

Why?” I

jaw dropped and my eyes instinctively went to the clock on the wal

g my bag. Looking at Chris, I gave him a begging look, feeli

er and gave him a grateful bow, then rushed toward the door. Elijah was already putting on his shoes, so I slippe

. Maybe I could even be on time and avoid being shouted at by my insufferable shift manager. The ring on my fin

hy not magic too? I had been desperate to hide us from Michael and any other werewolves. Forging fake papers and documents had been hard enough, but hi

hat even humans avoided me, to chemicals and others. I decided that magic couldn’t be

y were maddening when being a werewolf meant everything was heightened — the sounds, the tastes, the feelings. But i

e ground from my speed. The three coworkers inside and the usual early v

d, finally allowing

one of her obnoxious smiles. I wasn’t sure why she hated me so much, but I was sure s

d mood, so pushing her further was going to get me in more trouble. I schooled my face into an apologetic expr

gave me looks full of pity while returning to their posts. I stepped into the smal

front of the TV with Elijah and Chris. So far, that plan was a failure and some weird feeling i