oe

retch and bound out of bed, eagerly making my way to the kitchen. But instead of finding only my br

ys with a warm smile as she

his unexpected addition to our morning routine. Cane neve

..whatever he needs me to be," she explains with a pl

s us at the table. Joelene pours him a cup of coffee and we all dig int

really my thing. But we have a lot to

I reply with a grin. He shoots me a

about that,

sitive answers. I don't want to dwell on the past or draw any attention to myself. But as she looks at my face, I realize that covering up the bruises f

I get ready for the day. He's right, and we do have a lot to do. He needs to show me ar

hroom, I grab a soft, fluffy towel from the closet and lay out my shampoo, conditioner, and body was

t-up emotions from everything that happened with Jackson. But I refuse to give in to those feelings. Instead, I focus on l

ce still echoes in my mind, calling me names and hitting me. My hand instinctively reaches for my face as tears start to w

ite towel, wrapping it tightly around my body. I reach for another tow

. You can do this, I tell myself, shaking off any lingering doubts o

oom, and I open the door to greet him. "I'm getting r

e to meet you before we head to HR and get

op. Everything else is still packed in the car, so there's no time for dressing up. There's so much to do toni

l. My long blonde locks are ridiculously long now. Maybe

outside waiting for you. Don't worry; the Ardens are wonderful

in his car, and as I climb inside, I see the beauty of the land surrounding the log cabin

aks the silence. "Rea

t only am I starting a new job, but it's with a huge company that

rth guy, and you won't have to deal with him much

e small town, looking even smaller in comparison to the grand structu

his business even when he becomes Alpha," Cane ans

way towards the elevators. My heart races as we approach, and I fe

. You'll do great,"

Just then, my eyes catch sight of a large portrait hanging

at?" I ask

proudly as the elevator doors clo