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“Okay. See you soon.”

The return to Willow Creek was as boring as it was soothing. It felt like I was exiting a dream world that I’d stumbled into by accident. No, it was more like being assaulted by the new reality and forced into it.

Guess what! You’re a shifter whether you like it or not. We’ll have your room and food assignments shortly.

At least Olivia hadn’t once pushed me about staying. She didn’t like it, but her opinion had nothing to do with my choices. Logan and her pack were her top priority.

Not mine.

And Logan Blackwood…

Sometimes, he excited me through to my core and set every cell in my body on fire, and then other times, like when he thought he could control me, wringing his neck seemed like a fantastic idea. But then he had paced around his study, and I couldn’t get the image of him throwing me up against the wall and devouring me out of my head.

Pack life wasn’t anything like human life, and it wasn’t something I could get used to. My life had been simple, and I wanted it to be simple again.

Monday couldn’t get here fast enough.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

emma

Monday

Shannon and Riley were both already at the office before I arrived, and they both waited at the entrance as though they believed I wouldn’t make it in at all. They both looked me over, and neither one seemed to want to be the first to speak.

“Ready to get started?” I asked as I stepped in through the rear entrance, forcing my voice to be more cheerful than my sleepless night before warranted. A thunderstorm hadn’t helped.

Riley nodded her head and grinned. “Sure thing, Emma.”

Shannon pulled me aside the minute Riley bounded away to unlock the front door. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Riley had gone. “Are you okay?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I heard something about you making out with Logan Blackwood.”

His name slammed into my stomach like a fist, pushing all the air from my lungs.

I said the only syllable I could manage. “Oh?”

“Yeah. Sheila called here to say they hadn’t found Sully-Boy yet, but they were still looking. She asked if I knew anything about what had happened to you two Friday night.”

“Ah.”How do I comment on that?

“I thought you went camping on Saturday. Your mom thought you were camping Saturday night.”

“I was.”

“Then you didn’t come home Sunday, and you didn’t answer your phone.”

I snorted. “I know everyone is accustomed to me being available twenty-four/seven, but I wanted more time out there.”

“Did you go camping alone?”

“Yes.”

Dammit.When had my life gotten so complicated, I had to choose my words so carefully? What a pain in the ass.

Shannon scowled. “Are you sure you’re okay?”