AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry.” Kate let go of my hand and sat on one of the stools. “I know it’s personal and might take time until you’re ready to share but–”
“It isn't that.”
“Is it because you don’t want to mess up Nora’s bakery?”
“Nope, though I’m sure Nora would appreciate the thought. It actually has to do with my wolf.”Among other things.
My heart skipped at Kate’s sharp intake of breath.
“You’re at odds?”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” She lifted her gaze, then caressed my cheek with her hand. “I’m not a psychiatrist or anything, but why should the bartenders get all the glory for helping their patrons when I can do the same?”
“Huh, I never thought of it like that. Unfortunately, this isn’t something a bit of talking can fix. When I come down from a shift, it’s almost like I’m swimming in a sea of darkness with no way out. At times, it seems endless. Others, I can find my way through.
I’ve been fighting it for as long as I can remember, but the harder I try, the worse it gets. Coming here and getting something from the bakery is the only thing that seems to help. My wolf isn’t as affected by it as I am, but when I change back to my human form, I lock myself in my room and ask not to be disturbed. It’s a strange emotional shift that no one else has.”
“Or they’ve gotten a better handle on it,” Kate said as she arced her thumb across my cheek.
“Yeah, well, I wish they’d share their secrets. It’d make the full moons way more enjoyable for me.”
“So you don’t shift outside of the full moon?” There was a touch of concern in her voice.
“No. If I could, I wouldn’t shift at all. Sadly, the full moon is too strong for me to fight, so it’s the one time I give in to the urge to do so.”
“I wish I could stick around to see her. Your wolf.”
“Maybe one day, you will.”
