63 Morning with Mixed Emotions

I hesitated for a moment before reaching deep into the box and pulling out a small, almost empty bottle. Handing it to Kate, I said, "This is all I have left. You'll need to use it carefully."

Kate's face lit up, and she gave me a big, grateful hug. "You're a lifesaver, Cecily," she said with a smile.

I hugged her back, but my thoughts were elsewhere—on Michael. If he found me because of this, I knew I'd have to accept whatever he decided. I just hoped that when the time came, he’d show me a little mercy.

The next morning, I woke up feeling surprisingly better. My chest wasn’t as tight as it had been, and although breathing was still a bit uncomfortable, the nausea had mostly passed. I reached out to my wolf, Mia, in my mind. She responded, though weakly, and I could tell she wasn’t as angry as she had been yesterday. She was lending me her strength, helping me cope.

'Thanks, Mia,' I thought, grateful for her support.

Mia gave me a half-hearted, slightly sarcastic response, but I knew