before she answers. “Date? I believe ‘marry’ is a better word. And yes. I don’t think I have a choice.”
I shake my head. “Why is it I feel like I’ve walked into a surprise party you’ve all been planning for years?” I’m annoyed that nobody thought I should be aware that Berch and I would end up together.
“Because you needed to be ready to accept your fate. The last thing Berch wanted was for you to wonder what could have been if you hadn’t left Winter Valley.”
I imagine what it must have been like for Berch to watch me make foolish mistakes, waiting for the day I’d be ready for what he’s known all along.
A knock on the door distracts me from my thoughts. I’d forgotten Berch was going to send his two sisters-in-law over to talk to me. “Hey Mom, Brindle and Bosun’s wives are coming to visit.”
She grins at me. “Good thing I made donuts. I’ll put on more coffee.”
“Thanks,” I call out as I make my way to the door.
I open up to a petite brunette and a taller blonde. They look about my age and speak in unison. “Hey there.” The blonde giggles, and the other girl says, “I’m Katie and this is Devon.”
“Hi. Come on in. My mom made donuts, and we have fresh coffee.” I glance down at my T-shirt and boxer shorts. “I kind of forgot you were coming. I’m going to go change and be right back.”
When I return from dressing, the girls are telling my mother I need her most amazing recipe for some potluck dinner competition. They spend the next hour explaining what being a werewolf is like after growing up human. I learn that Katie spent a year regretting her decision to change, and Devon struggled with the choice to do it, too. They make me feel normal about my reaction, and by the end of the conversation, I’m glad they came to see me.
I watch the red VW bug drive away and sigh. Plates clatter in the kitchen as my mother rinses them, and I go help load the dishwasher. She asks, “So are you feeling better about this now?”
“A little. I don’t know. I think I need to go for a long run and process my thoughts.”
“The lake?”
There’s a bike trail that goes around Silver Lake, and it’s always been one of my favorite places to exercise. I answer, “Yes.” I grin, because there’s no reason why I can’t jog by Berch’s house while I’m there.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A longside the Silver Lake paved bike trail is a dirt path for runners. My feet thump at a steady beat as I begin to jog. Like my thoughts, my body feels out of sorts. My knee is sore from my fall in the Elks Club parking lot, and my hamstrings stretch tight as I extend my legs. But as I warm up, the little aches and pains subside, and I focus on my jumbled emotions about my future with Berch.
I wonder if this is a case of “be careful what you wish for,” because I can have the man I’ve always loved. We’re true mates, which means he’s always loved me and always will. The only glitch is that in order to be with Berch forever, I have to become a werewolf. And I’d have to give up on my dream of being an investment broker in New York City.
A bike bell jingles behind me, and I turn to see one of my former teachers. I offer a wave as he passes by.
My breathing is heavy now, and moisture covers my skin as my body attempts to cool itself. Katie told me that changing didn’t hurt much, and Devon assured me being a wolf is as amazing as I imagine. It shouldn’t be hard to give up my fantasy job in the city, so what’s my problem?
I become aware of a runner coming up behind me and hop up on the asphalt to let him pass. He calls out “Raven.” And my stomach sinks. Parker.
I continue to jog on the bike trail. “Hi.”
“Now I know how you keep in shape. You look good.”
“Thanks.” I slow my pace, hoping he’ll pull ahead and leave me alone.
Parker matches my stride, and I notice he’s barely breathing heavily as he says, “I meant what I said about us getting together. How long are
I shake my head. “Why is it I feel like I’ve walked into a surprise party you’ve all been planning for years?” I’m annoyed that nobody thought I should be aware that Berch and I would end up together.
“Because you needed to be ready to accept your fate. The last thing Berch wanted was for you to wonder what could have been if you hadn’t left Winter Valley.”
I imagine what it must have been like for Berch to watch me make foolish mistakes, waiting for the day I’d be ready for what he’s known all along.
A knock on the door distracts me from my thoughts. I’d forgotten Berch was going to send his two sisters-in-law over to talk to me. “Hey Mom, Brindle and Bosun’s wives are coming to visit.”
She grins at me. “Good thing I made donuts. I’ll put on more coffee.”
“Thanks,” I call out as I make my way to the door.
I open up to a petite brunette and a taller blonde. They look about my age and speak in unison. “Hey there.” The blonde giggles, and the other girl says, “I’m Katie and this is Devon.”
“Hi. Come on in. My mom made donuts, and we have fresh coffee.” I glance down at my T-shirt and boxer shorts. “I kind of forgot you were coming. I’m going to go change and be right back.”
When I return from dressing, the girls are telling my mother I need her most amazing recipe for some potluck dinner competition. They spend the next hour explaining what being a werewolf is like after growing up human. I learn that Katie spent a year regretting her decision to change, and Devon struggled with the choice to do it, too. They make me feel normal about my reaction, and by the end of the conversation, I’m glad they came to see me.
I watch the red VW bug drive away and sigh. Plates clatter in the kitchen as my mother rinses them, and I go help load the dishwasher. She asks, “So are you feeling better about this now?”
“A little. I don’t know. I think I need to go for a long run and process my thoughts.”
“The lake?”
There’s a bike trail that goes around Silver Lake, and it’s always been one of my favorite places to exercise. I answer, “Yes.” I grin, because there’s no reason why I can’t jog by Berch’s house while I’m there.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A longside the Silver Lake paved bike trail is a dirt path for runners. My feet thump at a steady beat as I begin to jog. Like my thoughts, my body feels out of sorts. My knee is sore from my fall in the Elks Club parking lot, and my hamstrings stretch tight as I extend my legs. But as I warm up, the little aches and pains subside, and I focus on my jumbled emotions about my future with Berch.
I wonder if this is a case of “be careful what you wish for,” because I can have the man I’ve always loved. We’re true mates, which means he’s always loved me and always will. The only glitch is that in order to be with Berch forever, I have to become a werewolf. And I’d have to give up on my dream of being an investment broker in New York City.
A bike bell jingles behind me, and I turn to see one of my former teachers. I offer a wave as he passes by.
My breathing is heavy now, and moisture covers my skin as my body attempts to cool itself. Katie told me that changing didn’t hurt much, and Devon assured me being a wolf is as amazing as I imagine. It shouldn’t be hard to give up my fantasy job in the city, so what’s my problem?
I become aware of a runner coming up behind me and hop up on the asphalt to let him pass. He calls out “Raven.” And my stomach sinks. Parker.
I continue to jog on the bike trail. “Hi.”
“Now I know how you keep in shape. You look good.”
“Thanks.” I slow my pace, hoping he’ll pull ahead and leave me alone.
Parker matches my stride, and I notice he’s barely breathing heavily as he says, “I meant what I said about us getting together. How long are
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