Page 8

Story: Caelon

“You got ‘ny more for me?”

I pull my over-shoulder bag onto the counter, ruffling through the contents until I find the three film rolls rolling around in the bottom. Thank the Goddess for the tiny plastic containers for them, otherwise I would ruin more film than I develop. I deposit the three rolls into her hand before pulling my bag off the counter.

“Oh, I meant to ask.” I pull my lip into my mouth, considering if I really want to do this. “Do you happen to do larger prints? Like the kind for walls?”

“I ain’t ‘ver done it. But for ‘ou I’m ‘illing to learn.”

“Thanks! That would be great. I’m sure you heard through the grapevine that Aspen wants me to put some of my photos in Find Me Between the Pages. Which is cool, but I’ve obviously never had photos printed.”

Lou lays her weathered hand, veins protruding from the top, and sun marks dotting her skin on top of mine, squeezing gently. “It’s a ‘ood thing.”

“I know. Thanks again Lou. I better head back before it gets too late. School and all that, ya know?”

The sidewalks are almost empty on the walk back with only a few people exiting stores along the way. Looks like Aspen is still working since Find Me Between the Pages is glowing, illuminating the sidewalk and part of the road.

I can feel him watching me. At least, I assume it’s the same person who I keep seeing in the shadows. His gaze is caressing my skin causing bumps to pop as I feel his gaze move. Shaking my head, I try to dislodge the thought. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like a lover. This guy is watching me, following me, and clearly doesn’t want me to know who he is.

“I know you’re watching me. The question is—why won’t you come closer?” I whisper into the wind. My eyes scanning each side of the road, hoping he heard me. I should be scared, should be worried that someone is watching me. But, something about the person feels loving, as if there is no malicious intent behind them stalking me. I’ve no reason to believe that other than a gut feeling. Call it intuition, but I know he is here for good reasons.

Caelon

She’ll never figure it out.

With fifty-three wolves in our pack, there are fifty-two chances for her to guess it wrong.

And I’ve made sure there’s nothing leading back to me. She’s never seen me shift. Never seen my wolf at least in connection to me. And I’ve never been close enough for her to connect the scents to me.

I’ll let her wonder. Watch her as the weight of my gaze caresses her skin without her knowing where it’s coming from.

One day…one day soon she’ll know.

But it won’t be tonight.

Chapter 4

Selene

Tuesday June 17th - Secret Gifts

Another restless night of sleep chasing after my shadowed mystery man. His eyes…so familiar yet not. It’s as though my subconscious wants me to figure it out, or it just loves to torture me. Either is possible really.

My hair is in some tangled mess atop my head, my sweats are hanging loosely off of me, and my hoodie is definitely a sign that I’ve just rolled out of bed. The window in my bedroom is cracked, I swear that it wasn’t like that when I came in last night. A Silvery Lupine is sitting on my desk. Another flower, just like the one sitting on my porch last night when I came home.

My eyes move around my room, seeing if there’s anything else out of place or new. Seeing nothing, I move to the window, slamming it closed and flipping the lock in place. Peeking outas if they might still be standing outside, waiting for me to see them. I swear I’m losing my mind between the dreams and the flowers.

I don’t know whether or not I should bring this up to my parents? Someone clearly broke into my room last night, stood over the top of me without me knowing, and left a gift. Between my dreams, the feeling of eyes on me when I’m walking, and now gifts being left…I’m slightly freaking out here. I mean, whomever it is doesn’t want to hurt me, I don’t think. Is it the same person who’s been following me? Did they hear what I said last night and wanted me to know they heard what I said?

Part of me almost doesn’t want to say something to my parents because I don’t know what they will do about it? Would they even believe me?

My mom’s laughter rings out from the kitchen as she chats loudly with dad. It’s going to be weird when this isn’t part of my morning routine. I’ll miss the days of hearing my parents' jokes and jabs at each other as they get ready in the morning.

Swiping my bag, camera, and phone off my desk, I head down the hall to grab some breakfast before I’m late to school.

“Oh look what the cat dragged in, dear?” my mom jokes as I come around the corner.

My dad lets out a soft chuckle. “Now don’t be giving my little princess such a hard time. She had a rough night ya know.”

I give both of them a questioning look as I glance between them.What are they talking about?