JENNAMy heart was beating erratically in my chest. Claire saw me when I entered the kitchen and she rushed after me.“Are you okay, Pen?” She asks gently, placing her hand on my shoulder.I knew it was her but I still flinched. She moved back, which made me feel guilty. She was only trying to be nice.“Yes, yes I’m fine.” I cleared my throat. “I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”She nodded in understanding. Her face twisting in worry.“You should rest. I can cover for you for a bit.”I checked the time again. “But your shift is already over.”She has been here since morning. I heard her talking about how she couldn’t wait to get off so she could go home and repay the sleep she missed in the morning.“Doesn’t matter.” She waved to the chair in the backroom. “Take a moment for yourself. I have nothing to do back home anyways.”“Claire, you don’t have to.”“I want to,” she shakes her head.I threw my arms around her and gave her a tight hug.“Thank you so much.” I whispered. “I owe y
JENNAI was rattled by that man’s visit.He only threatened me before he pretty much disappeared from sight. I didn’t even turn to get a good look at him because of how much he scared the fuck out of me.I left my apartment instead and went back to the diner. I didn’t feel safe in my home.I called nona and told her to stay back with the kids. If he already knows where I live, I don’t want to think of what he would do. I didn’t want any type of harm to come near my babies.So I decided staying away from the house will be the best thing to do.Lisa had to come back, leaving her mum with her kids and mine. The latter had called the sheriff and told him everything that happened. He immediately sent two cops to stay close to the house.Not very close so it wouldn’t be alarming, but close enough to intervene if anything happens. I hope it doesn't come to that.He also has another person stationed by my apartment. In case the man comes back.It is almost eight pm now and there are no signs
JENNA“How do you feel?” Nana asks, walking out of the kitchen carrying three lunch bags.I took two from her and kept it on the table. My sweaty palms showed on the handle of the boxes I kept and she sighed.Nervous. I was extremely nervous.“I think I might need to throw up again.” I turn to walk to the bathroom again.Nana drags me back with her arm locked through mine. I leaned into her touch, exhaling the breath that has been lodged in my throat for the past two days.Maybe even two weeks. Heck, two months.I was opening another branch of The Tripledose in the town close to us. All the preparations and renovations and planning had felt like a dream. But today was the opening day and it feels unreal.I was panicking because I knew it was real. It was happening. And that is scary as fuck.“You’ll be fine,” Nana said with a small smile. “You worked your butt off to get here. Trust me when I say you deserve every second of success you’re getting.”I threw my arms around her and hugge
JENNAThe event was successful.All the gourmet critics that were present seemed impressed by the ambience. The food and the service.When I decided to turn the small diner in Lakeville into a fine dining restaurant. I’d been scared. No, I was petrified.It was something I didn't think I would ever do in my life.All I had was my passion and the belief Nana had in me. I did a six month course on fine dining. Checked restaurants in other places. Had Lisa help me scout places in New york.My success is very much hers because none of this could’ve happened without her.I didn’t think she would make it, because when we spoke last night, he said Liam was down with a fever.As much as I wanted her to be present, I knew how worried she must be.He was feeling much better and safe to travel, so they made the trip. She decided it would be great if they spent a few weeks in town.She missed her mum.We went up there on holidays, and special occasions but it still wasn’t enough.Having been with
JENNAI feel lost, I feel dead. My heart feels absent in my chest.They said to rest, everyone told me to take a moment and calm down. To breathe.But I couldn’t. My body couldn’t function when I felt like my heart was ripped apart over and over again.I thought the pain of rejection was the worst pain anyone could ever feel. After childbirth, I figured that was nothing. What I’m feeling now is a new discovery.I don’t know how I’m alive. The agony in my chest should have killed me by now.And the more I thought of my children being gone, the more the pain intensified.Nana had called the sheriff immediately.Killian, Lisa’s husband, told my assistant, my actual assistant, to keep the event going. And we all went out through the backdoor.The first thing he said was to keep it private.We had no idea who did this and it could be random for all we knew.“Maybe they want money.” He suggested.I had money, yes. But I didn’t think it was so much that anyone could be interested. Interested
JENNAAfter learning the person that lied and took my kids was probably a werewolf. I felt a cold dread in my chest.I thought of multiple scenarios.Did Jason somehow find out I had kids? Was he looking for me? Did he find me? Was this a way to punish me for keeping his kids away from him?That last question always made my pain turn into anger. Because how dare he?! He’d been the one to reject me.Sherif Allister came down to the house. He has the footage they’d gotten from one of the surveillance cameras right after the school.They had successfully avoided all the other ones. He assumed they didn’t know of that one since it was on the opposite side of the street. It was by a store that has been closed for years.It had the perfect angle to show where they were heading, into the woods.They have already sent out multiple searching troops, along with their hound dogs. I was told to bring the kids’ clothes so they could use it as a guide.They tracked down a few hunters. They decided
JENNA“No, no. It can’t be!”I cried, pushing the men away. If they can't find my children, I’ll go and find them myself.I felt they were fine. Nothing could have happened to my babies.I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to either of them.“Calm down.” Alister tries to speak.My wolf growls, pushing him away. I didn’t think of the force I used because he goes flying to the other end of the room.The other two men stop forward, one of them reaching into his bag to pull something out. I could hear Indira talking but I had no idea what she was saying, maybe trying to stop them.I didn’t care, I wanted them to try and hit me. My wolf was unhinged, angry and reckless. She’ll put them down before they even knew what was coming for them.I haven’t gone for a run in a while. Busy with many things. She is strung tight and frustrated, and looking for a fight. The best way to ease stress for a wolf was through physical activity. And what is better than beating the shit of two guys
JENNAI forced myself to not think of anything while I packed.I didn’t want to think of Jason, what he represented in my life. How he was. If he was with someone else. If he’d gotten married or chosen a mate and luna.I didn’t want to intrude if he has a family. I only need his help to figure out who took my kids and that is the end.Once they are safely back home, I’ll leave and he can go back to living the way he has and I’ll go back to my life.Even as I told myself this, I couldn’t help thinking. Did he miss me? Did he try to look for me?And the biggest and scariest question. Did he ever regret rejecting me?“Don’t be a fool. It has been seven years. He has probably forgotten all about your existence.”Scratch what I said first. This is my scariest thought.I think I’m being delusional if I believe I’m still on his mind. Maybe I cross it once in a while.I couldn’t say the same. Seeing my kids—our kids, is always a reminder of what could have been, but didn’t be, because he didn