Chapter 29JakeIt had been fourteen days since I last spoke to Evelyn. Our conversation left her shocked, and I really couldn't fault her for feeling that way. Her parents, not disclosing details about her past, were a true hurdle for her, and I struggled to comprehend how people could hold back such essential facts. He told me his motives were serious and vital. But still.I had hoped that we would resolve things during our time away from each other, but it had left us both in a state of confusion. We had texted, and I had called her several times.Sitting alone in our pack house, I attempted to make sense of the seemingly senseless. I still could not answer the question of why someone would withhold such vital information from their own child, and soon discovered that the only way forward was to travel to the source and get answers.They silently greeted me each time I attempted to visit their home. Not her father, but Evelyn. She wouldn't even look me in the eye. Her father merely
Chapter 30EvelynI kept myself busy enough that I didn't have to think too much about everything that had happened over the last couple of weeks. I had so many questions and I was in no position to hunt them down. Jake was still following me, his eyes on me, but I refused to turn around. I had an idea of what he desired to discuss, but I was not prepared for it.My dad had tried to explain to me that Jake was hurting too, but I couldn't understand it. I wasn't ready to embrace him just yet, and I didn't acknowledge all the new information they provided me. All I wanted to do was get through the school days and get back home.The only thing I could do was concentrate on my studies because I was so exhausted. I attended classes, took notes, and tried to stay away from Jake. I knew he wouldn't give up so easily, but I could at least postpone our conversation. As I walked to my next class, I felt like I was in a trance, going through the motions and pushing away all my worries. And so, i
Chapter 1EvelynI observe my father when he rolls down the window in the car and inhales deeply.“Ah, can you smell the fresh air?” he chirps with a hint of wonder and excitement that only a true nature enthusiast can understand. He takes several deep breaths. I can see the joy in his eyes in the review mirror, as he takes in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He is so excited that we are moving back to his home state, Idaho. I feel sick to my stomach, but I don’t want to spoil his mood, so I nod and hope he buys it. He glances at me through the review mirror, and I nod again. It seems to do the trick, and he smiles warmly at me.We have been driving for hours, and my back is sore. I need to stretch my legs, and I want to freshen up.Our black SUV is jam-packed with all the belongings the moving company didn't take. I'm 18 and still growing, so it's been rather uncomfortable sitting in the back seat with boxes piled up beside me. My mother and little sister are in the smaller c
Chapter 2EvelynThe diner fell into a tense silence, and I’m too stunned to speak. My dad had moved swiftly to stand beside me and now shot stern looks in Sandy and the man's direction. Neither of them responds. The quiet lingered until my dad spoke once more. Others were eager to say something, but they were all waiting for my dad to give them the go-ahead.My father was an influential figure that inspired respect whenever he was around. Everyone followed his instructions, and I never saw him fail to get people to do what he wanted. He was physically imposing, virtually looming over others with his dark hair and grey eyes. His gaze cut through anyone as if he were peering through a laser beam. In contrast, I had lighter hair and so did my sister and mother too."Gareth, it's been a while," my father says, never taking his eyes off them. "It appears you're still in town. We'll need to talk later."The words were not a request, but a command. There was a strange familiarity in the exc
Chapter 3JakeI almost overlooked our typical get-together with my entire pack this evening. But the moment I stepped out of the car, I knew that the evening at diner was going to be special. I had an indescribable feeling that something was going to happen here, something extraordinary.I was in the middle of my conversation with my friends, discussing future plans, when my heart skipped a beat. Perplex about the physical reaction I suddenly had, I looked outside through the window. I stopped in my tracks as I watched a woman step out of the car. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her golden locks cascaded down her back, her curves just right. She looked like a goddess—one I would gladly worship. I was mesmerized. As if the surrounding air had become thick. I couldn't breathe. My heart was beating widely. She was the one. The one for me. It was something out of a fairytale; me finding her here.My heart raced as I watched her, my palms already sweating. I could tell e
Chapter 4EvelynI was curled up behind the front door, silently trembling and gripping my arms tightly around myself. My breathing was shallow, my thoughts a buzzing mess. If my father didn’t come home, what would I do? Who would I call? Who, if anyone, would believe me? Deep down, I knew no one would come running to my aid, and the fear of this knowledge was all-consuming.The hours dragged on, and exhaustion took over. I attempted to stay awake, but sleep inevitably overcame me. It had been a tiring day. As I drifted off, my subconscious heard the sound of footsteps echoing in my mind. For a moment, a glimmer of hope rooted inside of me. The front door opened with a loud creak and then slammed shut. A figure emerged from the shadows and into the dim light of the hallway.I must have passed out from exhaustion the night before, because when I woke up it was already morning. I opened my eyes to a strange room I had never seen before and, judging by the dust that had settled on the wo
Jake I drew my eyes to the stunning figure of Evelyn at soon she got out of the car. She wore blue jeans and a tank top that swayed in the breeze, highlighting her loose locks, which carried her sweet fragrance in my direction. My body tensed with anticipation as my gaze followed her every move. I was aware of Jacob's presence beside me, as he was trying to pull me back from the brink of what I knew he saw as ill-advised behavior. My brothers were entranced with her presence, as was I, but my admiration came from a different place. She had an aura of power that was infectious, and I knew she was going to be an essential part of our pack. Everyone at the school had their eyes on her as she gracefully glided towards the entrance of our school. But I could not take my eyes off her. She was the most beautiful woman on Earth, and I doubted she even realized it - or did she? She was the embodiment of perfection - graceful and elegant in every way. Her skin glowed with health, and her smil
EvelynThe memories from my last two years haunted me like ghosts, coming uninvited in my dreams and waking hours. It often awakened me in the middle of the night, gasping for air, my sheets drenched in sweat. The faces of my former best friend, Carrie, and my ex-boyfriend, Eric, were etched in my mind; their cruel laughter echoed in my ears, their taunts still ringing in my ears.I lay there in the darkness, feeling their presence like a weight on my chest, and I longed to outrun the pain, the humiliation. I wanted to be free of them and their smoke-filled laughter, and I tried to tell myself to just forget it, but I could never forget. The memories were too vivid, too real. They were like a fog that followed me around, clouding my judgment and holding me back. As if I was still in the nightmare, and there was no escape.It happened all over again last night, but I found solace in something. One of the fluffiest pillows on planet earth embraced me. The scent was a mix of cocoa and ja