Chapter 5
“Finn! How many times-don’t touch that!”
I rush over just as the little wolf pup’s reaching for the blood bags in the fridge. He turns and shows me his teeth, all stubborn,
“Why do you always protect those bats? They’re gross and scary!”
‘Because every life matters.” I put the blood bag back and shut the fridge. “Even the ones you don’t like.”
Five years now.
Five years since Elder Raven switched my ride at the last second. Had someone leave my necklace in the decoy car.
Before I left, he gave me a charm with broken chain symbols carved on it.
‘When hate’s stronger than love,” he said, “the Moon Goddess lets you choose.”
‘I hate him,” I’d said. “Down to my bones.”
In my last life, Griffin saved me once. I paid that back. Everything else? Pure hate.
Thinking about him still hurts. But I’m different now.
I run an animal shelter in a foggy neutral-zone town up northwest. Take in injured supernatural creatures nobody else wants. Only one like it for miles.
‘Hazel! Phone!” My assistant Kate calls from the door.
I wipe my hands and head over.
‘It’s Ethan.” Kate grins. “Your hot vet’s calling again.”
roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. Ethan’s the only human vet here who knows about the supernatural world. He’s helped me tons the past two years.
‘Hey, Ethan.” My voice goes soft.
Got a big one. Injured kappa tangled in fishing nets.”
On my way.”
Ethan’s voice always makes me feel safe. Something Griffin never did.
‘m at the dock waiting when volunteer Jenny runs up, breathless.
Miss Hazel! Someone’s here for you!”
‘Who?”
‘Don’t know. But he looks rough.”
turn back.
Then I see him.
Griffin’s at the shelter entrance. Way thinner, hollow eyes, looks ten years older. All that Alpha energy’s gone. Just looks tired and broken.
Five years of hate hits me like a wave.
‘What are you doing here?” Ice-cold.
hapter 5
I looked for you for five years.” His voice is wrecked. “Five years. Everywhere.”
enny leaves. Just us now.
You shouldn’t have come.” I turn away, messing with medicine bottles.
I had to. I owe you an explanation-”
Stop.” “I cut him off. “I don’t need anything from you. You gave me enough already. Shame. Pain. Nightmares.”
I never loved Vivian. Never.” His voice shakes.
laugh-bitter. “Really? So calling me useless trash every day in front of everyone-that was love?”
le closes his eyes, face twisted in pain.
You always have excuses,” I say. “Rules? Tradition? What about your heart?”
Want to know something funny? I died once. Actually died.” Tears fall but I don’t wipe them. “After Vivian died, you hated me for ten years. Then the xplosion-you saved me. I paid you back. I earned the right to hate you. And leave.”
That was… I…” He grabs his head suddenly, goes white, collapses.
It was me… I wronged you…” He’s curled up on the floor.
le remembers. Everything from the last life.
How much do you hate me?” He looks up, eyes full of pain.
Enough to live again.”
He flinches like I stabbed him.
Tell me how to fix this. Anything.”
There’s nothing to fix. I just need you gone.”
I won’t give up. I already lost you once-”
You never had me.” Another bitter laugh. “Even the bond was a mistake. You couldn’t stand me. So what’s this act?”
he door opens.
than walks in with his medical kit. Sees Griffin, pauses. “Oh. Am I interrupting?”
No.” My voice softens instantly. “He’s leaving.”
than steps to my side. Makes it clear he’s with me.
You okay?” he asks quietly.
I’m fine.” I smile at him.
Something flashes in Griffin’s eyes. Pain. Jealousy. But he forces it down.
‘I’m leaving.” He heads for the door.
Stops at the threshold. Doesn’t turn.
These five years, everywhere I went, I asked the same thing-Is there a girl here who helps injured animals?” His voice drops. “Because I knew, wherever you were, you’d be helping the ones nobody else cares about.”
hapter 5
I’ll prove it, Hazel. I’ll become worthy. Even if it takes forever.”
The door shuts. He’s gone.
Who was that?” Ethan asks, concerned.
lean on the wall, drained.
My nightmare. One I thought was gone for good.”
Want to talk?”
Later.” I shake my head. “Let’s check that kappa first.”
le nods Doesn’t push.
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