“You okay?” Callum asked.
That simple question shouldn’t have unraveled me. But it did. The quiet kindness in his voice made my throat tighten.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. Too quickly. “Really. Just tired.”
He frowned. That slow, thoughtful Callum kind of frown that meant he knew I was lying but wasn’t going to press unless I invited him in.
“Alright,” he said. “Get some rest.”
I nodded, ducking my head and practically fled before he could read any more truths in my face. I hated how good he was at that. Seeing people. Seeing me.
By the time I stepped into the evening air, the sky had bruised into deep violet. A few stubborn stars had started to peek through the clouds. Cool, crisp Sugarpaw air filled my lungs. Normally it helped.
Tonight, it just made me feel small.
Behind me, laughter trailed out from the bakery. My pack. My family. And I was walking away from them. Again.
I didn’t really want to go back to my apartment.
The thought of stepping into that tiny, silent space, locking all five locks, and trying to convince myself that stale cereal counted as dinner made my skin itch.
It felt like suffocating in a space that was supposed to be safe. I debated swinging by Bear and Bun instead. Not because I needed pastries. But maybe… Rafael would still be there.
Not that we were friends. Not really.
We’d had conversations. Weird, awkward, borderline hostile at times. He still scowled at me like I was some kind of flour-coated nuisance. Still called me a menace like it was my name.
But something had changed. Lately, his glares didn’t hold as much heat. His voice had gentled, just a little. Like he didn’t hate me completely.
I’d seen it. The flicker in his eyes when I laughed. The moment of hesitation when I touched his arm. The way his bear seemed to lean closer, even when his mouth said go away.
Maybe if I saw him now, I could say something. Or maybe I just wanted to see someone who didn’t know how wrecked I was inside.
I turned the corner, my feet guiding me automatically. The lights inside Bear and Bun glowed warm through the window. Homey. Comforting. A contrast to the hollowness in my chest.
Through the glass, I spotted Rafael, with broom in hand, methodically sweeping the floor. His broad back was turned, hunched slightly like the weight of the world lived between his shoulders.
He hadn’t seen me. He looked tired. Heavy. And I stood there, watching him for a beat too long. Then I turned and kept walking.
What would I even say?Hi, I’m financially screwed and emotionally unraveling. Want to get a coffee and talk about how I’m possibly being stalked by a loan shark?
Yeah. That’d go well.
I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket, pulling it tighter around me. The wind had picked up, curling around my legs like fingers. Cold. Sharp.
That was when I felt it.
A shift. Not from the wind, but from instinct. From my wolf. Someone was watching me. I stopped walking. My heart skipped, then slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape.
Slowly, I turned my head. Empty street. No cars. No footsteps. No obvious movement in the shadows. But the air was wrong.
Thick. Humming. Like it was holding its breath.
I swallowed hard and picked up my pace. My legs moved faster, even though I told myself I was being paranoid. Sugarpaw Springs was safe. That’s what people said. That’s what I told myself every day.
But Avery’s reach was long, and he loved to remind me. Like the envelope stuffed under my door like it belonged there.
Like the voicemail from a blocked number where no one spoke but I could hear breathing.
