“Say, you look a lot like Wolf.”
“Or,” I suggest, “he looks a lot like me.”
She laughs. “Oh, this is brilliant. Wolf and CAT!” she shouts. “Oh, wow, this author literally wrote about you and…ooh, it’s uncanny.”
“Really? I don’t see it at all,” Cordie says.
“Oh, yes, the jaw, the eyes. It’s all written down in the description.”
“How could the author have even known them? It’s not like they have ever been to Sunshine Cove,” Cordie argues.
“Maybe they are friends with the author. Did you all set this up? Is it a gimmick?” Lorelei asks me.
I shake my head. “No, I had no idea who the author even was until I had a group of omegas bail me up asking for autographs and selfies. We are as clueless about the identity of the author as everyone else.”
“That must have been really frightening. Having people suddenly want to know you.”
Cordelia startles, watching Lorelei with alarm.
“I’m not good with people,” I admit. “It’s definitely not my strong suit.”
“Oh, you seem really good with people, Fox. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Thank you, Lorelei, but I get really anxious. It was difficult when it came out because they put up videos of us. We had to delete our socials and disappear pretty much because people were stalking us, convinced we were the Wolf and Cat.”
I turn to Cordie, seeing her watching me with a frown. “Don’t worry, Cordie, it’s all going to be sorted soon. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
She stares at me with apprehensive eyes and then nods slowly.
Milton turns into the town. It’s cute and set in the middle of two massive hills covered in thick pine trees. Like someone turned a corner, found paradise, and said, let's hide a town here.
“What’s this town called again?” I ask, playing dumb.
“This is Second Chance. Only a forty-minute drive from Sunshine Cove, but it sure has its own beauty.” Milton parks the car and climbs out, stretching. I round the back of the LandCruiser and stand beside Cordie while I look around with interest.
There are a handful of specialty stores, nothing like Sunshine Cove. There’s The Nest, which is where we’re going. Creamillo, an ice cream and dessert bar. The Alpha Box which appears to be a shop for all things alpha. The Rocking Horse which is a handmade furniture store. The Blazing Bar that, despite its name, is actually an apothecary, Toxic tonics, which, to my surprise, is a shop that specialises in sauces, especially hot ones, but also sells ribs, barbecue, and beer.
“Wow, this place is unreal.”
“Yes, we don’t advertise for people to come here. Sunshine Cove likes tourists, Second Chance doesn’t.
“Oh.”
“But don’t you worry, you’re with us. You’re practically a local now.”
A dog sees me and flattens itself to the ground, whining in joy. I approach and pat the cute little baby. It looks like a big blue pit bull, but it’s one of the friendliest dogs I’ve ever seen.
“What’s your name, then?”
The dog whines and licks my face.
“Sorry, buddy, I have to go shopping, but if you are here when we come out, I will come say hello.”
He lets out a shrill bark and tries to follow, but the leash holds him up.
Inside the store is a visual masterpiece, a rainbow of colours and textures. I have to stop to really take it in. It extends so deep. Much bigger than I would have thought. This place is perfect.
“Hey, Wendy!”
