Author: admin

Flora must do the yard work. I can’t see Miss Nola venturing out to do it, and no one comes up this way to help. I’d have smelled them when I pass on the ridge. I take this path several times a day. To avoid the main road. Where did Flora let Bram fuck her?…

It doesn’t do any good, and it doesn’t make me feel any better, and ain’t that just like me these days? Acting like I’ve got no sense. Breaking things I’m responsible for tending. Fucking things up past all possible hope of repair. Chapter 4 4 FLORA I ‘ve never visited the gray wolf’s den before,…

For the first time in hours, I remember the thing in my chest, flowing, trailing off into the ether. A hand goes to my chest. “You have a mate,” the gray wolf says gently. “Can you help?” I’m not even sure what I’m asking for. “I don’t dare,” she says. “If you leave, he’s going…

My blood boils, and my chest constricts. Flora doesn’t talk to males, or anyone, really. She sits by herself or helps clean up. No drama. Even back in school, she sat by herself on the bus to Moon Lake, stayed in her room at the dorms, and always sat at the back of the classroom,…

ALEC “You best get in there,” Aunt Shona hollers from the porch as I pass on my way to my crib. She’s palming a vape in her hand, but there’s no hiding the smoke. It stinks like burnt apples. “I need a shower.” I keep walking. “Your uncle ain’t lettin’ no one bunk down ’til…

I do their laundry, and I keep to myself, and they think I’m worse than worthless. But you know what? I don’t think I am. I don’t have to believe what they do, so why do I? My wolf lumbers to her feet like I’ve got it. It’s time. My brain whirls and puzzle pieces…

If she does, she doesn’t show it. She hops right over and presses her quivering pink nose through the wire. I pluck a piece of timothy hay from her feeder and offer it to her. She takes it, munching, her fluffy cheeks wobbling. “I’ll bring you some fresh greens later,” I promise. I grow parsley…

Miss Nola nods sharply. The worried creases at the corner of her eyes deepen. She always holds herself so rigid, like she’s hard as nails, but it’s a shell, brittle as an egg. “Did she tell you that he took off?” Miss Nola nods again. “She said they were hard on you.” I lift a…

Isla finally lifts her foot off the damn shorts and dashes to a safe distance like I’m it, and this is tag. “She’s sniffing someone’s sweaty shirt.” There is a chorus of female disgust, but I can’t put the shirt down. If I do, I’ll throw up in front of everyone. I want to stand,…

ALEC “You best get in there,” Aunt Shona hollers from the porch as I pass on my way to my crib. She’s palming a vape in her hand, but there’s no hiding the smoke. It stinks like burnt apples. “I need a shower.” I keep walking. “Your uncle ain’t lettin’ no one bunk down ’til…