eleased and all

disappointment, some of mine had disappeared along with them. It seemed I would have to speak to Maya

hout her. I sank onto the couch and le

kness. I suppose I would simply have to get used to it. Sooner or later, she would have found her mate and moved away. I had no such plans.

my thoughts. I picked it up and froze w

leave without saying goodb

e back into something resembling normal life, t

eady to get rid of me by any means necessary. I doubt he would

kle came thr

rect. It runs in the family." H

sy," I repl

ke this tended to lead, and it was be

ant to see your friend. You did sa

at had been

for my friend.

r was planning to take Maya to a café, but I convinced him to move it to a restaurant ins

lly. "It takes a lot to make me feel out

complained lightly. "Seven

respond. Well, for Maya's sake, I

should have been there, and I needed to smooth o

e in?" I asked, knocki

He was clearly in a foul mood. This was not going to be a pleasant con

rp enough to send a chill down my spine, "if you int

I repeated

ng. Have some mercy - I'm not getting any younger! When exactly were you planning to retu

left no letter. Then under

ecision," I said carefully. "I wou

er and decided to go shopping. The wolves had

through the mall, though doin

me groceries for dinner, and headed

ickled. Not again... I quickened my pace and slipped through a narrow passage into the inner courtyards

ent, I locked the doo

pt at climbing over a fence, and I pinned my chestnut hair into a loose bun with a delicate clip.

breath. He must have spent considerable time preparing - Max looked striking

ncredible.

replied

ened the car door for me, helping me into the fro

wo of us. The awkwardness was almost palpable. I wanted to ask whether his tail was all right after my less-than-gentl

hed too long, and

s my f

eplied lightly. "Why don't we ta

e wh

n this city? Where is your family? I

f uncovering that kind of inform

is time. It turns out y

ms grew damp. Max noticed my te

us, so no one bothered digging deeper. Trust me, if we truly wanted to know, we wo

ually offended that I hadn't been interesting t

," I said coolly. "And I certain

sting me a si

on we'll be closer -

oing to happe

p to an upscale restaurant, I exhaled in relief. Soon, I would see Ma