CHAPTER ONE: THE RETURN.

I let out a heavy sigh and set the phone back on its handle. That was the third prospective buyer that had declined the offer to buy off my store where I grew and sold some of the most exotic and beautiful plants in the whole city.

 So far, none of the people I had contacted had indicated an interest in buying off the business from my hands, and considering the decision I made on an impulse the night before, their continual rejection fueled my desperation the more.

Picking up the cup of ginger ale I left on the counter while answering the phone, I winced when I tasted the cold, stale liquid flooding my mouth and set the cup back down.

I walked over to the small, compact sink at the back of the store and tipped the mug over the sink, watching the yellow liquid making its way into the drain, thoughts flooding my mind.

It was like I was watching my life drain away, my life which was once boisterous and full of love was now cold and stale just like the ginger ale which was now sitting at the bottom of the drain.

A knock sounded on the door, cutting me off from the trance I had subconsciously put myself in and I walked back to the front of the store to see who it was. A man in an oversized gray suit and a briefcase in his hand, stood on the other side of the door, drenched by the rain. "I'm so sorry sir, please come in", I said and opened the door for him.

"Thank you" he muttered, flailing his arms about, as if trying to shake off the rainwater from his jacket. "I'm here to purchase your store", he said and brought out a sheaf of papers from the battered old briefcase in his right hand.

"I…. I don't recall pitching an offer to you sir, I only had 3 prospective buyers", I said, watching him skeptically.

Without even glancing at me or bothering to give a response, he set the papers on the counter, scribbled a signature on two pages, and pushed the papers towards me. "Go through it, it contains everything about the contract, the amount of money I'll be paying, and the transfer of ownership papers".

I picked up the crinkled papers and let my eyes scan through the words on the pages, it almost didn't feel real until I saw my name, Lydia Hughes written on the transfer of ownership slip. My brows shot up when my eyes caught the number of zeros on the amount of money stated to be paid to her. It was 3 times the amount I had decided to sell the store for.

Looking up at him, I tried to decipher why he would want to pay me such a huge amount for a store he barely knew anything about. A thought of rejecting his offer came to me but the memory of Drystan writhing in pain forced its way into my vision and I shook my head, signed the pages, and pushed the papers back to him.

"I'll email you a copy of the papers ', he brought out a checkbook from the briefcase, wrote an amount, signed it, and handed it to me.

"That's the payment for the store, I'll come by for the keys tomorrow". I stared at the check in my hand and before I could say anything, I heard the door swing back and when I lifted my head, he was gone.

The clock chimed and I turned my neck to look at it, how did I lose track of time so fast? It had barely been past 6 when I last checked but now the clock struck 9. I pushed myself off the stool at the counter and proceeded to lock up the store.

Immediately I opened the door, Drystan ran up to me, "Mum, mum, you're late" he said, trying to force his already smiling lips into a pout.

"I'm sorry baby, I had some business to wrap up", I stooped down and picked him up. "Oh my Goodness, you're getting so heavy". I tickled him and he threw his head back and squealed in excitement.

"Where's your aunt Mer?", "She's upstairs in your room", Drystan answered in his baby voice. With Drystan on my hips, I bounded up the stairs and turned into my room to find my friend Mer folding my clothes into a backpack.

 Lowering Drystan to the floor, I took off the bag that was slung over my shoulder and threw it onto the bed. "Mer, what are you doing?".

Without raising her head, Mer answered, "Helping you pack your things. I figured you wouldn't have the time". Before I could respond Drystan ran to my side, "Are we traveling mum?".

"Why don't you go make mummy a sandwich", his eyes brightened with shock, "really?". "Yes baby, but..." Before I could complete my sentence, Drystan had hurried out of the room.

"You need to leave right away Lydia", Mer said with a serious expression on her face. "I will leave but not right away. I still need time to talk to Drystan, he's not ready for me to leave just yet". I said and sat at the edge of the bed.

"He had another episode today, he passed out for over an hour". Mer said and picked up another blouse from the bed. My heart pounded in dread, "he has never passed out before Mer". "I know and that's why you need to go and get help, get answers not only for him but for you too. I will take care of Drystan, it'll probably help if he doesn't see you leave. When he falls asleep you can leave, we'll be fine till you return".

Drystan appeared in the doorway, holding a plate containing a lopsided sandwich. "I couldn't reach the pickles, Mum". He said and handed the plate to me.

Tears pricked the sides of my eyes and fell on him, his innocent smile brightening up his round face. "Thank you, baby, thank you", I sniffed trying to keep the impending tears in check. I took the plate, pulled him to herself, and held him there knowing this might be the last time in a while I might get to inhale his scent again.

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Hesitating at the edge of the forest, my heart pounded ferociously in my chest as memories of the past flooded back. The dense canopy of trees whispered secrets to me, beckoning me deeper into the shadows. Taking a deep breath, my fingers curled around the strap of the backpack I carried as I steeled myself for the journey ahead.

As I walked along the familiar path that led to the heart of the town, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand in end and a shiver ran down my spine. I quickened my pace, the sense of unease growing with each step.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, his silhouette illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the trees. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the familiar features of the alpha werewolf, my werewolf, Declan.

"Lydia," his voice was a low rumble, sending a shiver down my spine. "What brings you back to our little town after all these years?"

My heart raced as I met his gaze, the years of longing and pain reflected in his eyes. Before I could respond, a howl pierced the night, echoing through the forest with a chilling intensity.

Declan's expression hardened; his jaw clenched in determination. "We have to go. Now."

As we hurried towards the heart of the town, I could sense the tension in the air, a palpable fear that gripped the small community. The shadows seemed to lengthen, whispering of danger lurking just beyond the trees.

And then, as we reached the outskirts of town, my blood ran cold as a figure emerged from the darkness, his eyes glinting with malevolence. A rival werewolf who I seemed to recognize, his intent clear in the predatory smile that curled his lips.

A fierce battle loomed on the horizon, with Declan and I caught in the crossfire. As the rival pack closed in, my heart pounded with dread, knowing that our past sins had come back to haunt us in the most dangerous of ways.