Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven - Jessica

The smiling girl in the picture stared back at me as I typed out the last of my article for The Eagle.

A part of me felt subpar writing the article, because it wasn’t exciting. I knew I had to work my way up no matter where I landed a job, but this wasn’t what I imagined after four years of college.

Leaning back against Mason’s pillow, I stared up at the vaulted ceiling. So many things raced around in my head. My life had been tossed upside down since moving to Slade Springs.

My dad was a werewolf. My cousin. Mason. There were big giant mean lycans wandering the woods. That was what I wanted to write about, but I knew better than that.

I would never betray the pack’s trust.

Running my fingertips along my neck, I smiled at nothing. I was marked. For life. The reality of it hadn’t sunk in yet. I knew the definition of forever, but I didn’t truly feel it.

How could someone feel forever? They could only imagine. And I imagined it would be the best forever I could make it.

I turned off my computer once I emailed my article over to Jamie. Seconds later my cell phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Jessica,” Jamie said. “Thank you for the article. Everything looks good, but one of the older girls wants to change her picture. Her grandmother works at the bank. She has the physical picture there and wants us to scan it in. Is there any way you could swing by there and get it today?”

I looked at myself in the mirror. “Sure, I can. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

“Thank you so much. Joey and I are swamped with this monster story and trying to get Maurice to take a stupid picture. The man is insane.”

I chuckled. “No problem, Jamie. I’ll let you know when it’s finished.”

I ended the call. Changing into some jeans and a T-shirt, I jogged downstairs. Dad sat with Jacob talking about the monster. Mason looked over from the TV.

“Are you finished with your article already?”

“Yeah, I actually need to go into town. Jamie asked me to pick up a picture from a lady at the bank. Can you take me into town?”

Mason stood up quickly. “Sure thing. Come on.”

Jacob and Dad didn’t even look up as Mason ushered me outside. He exhaled heavily. “Thank, goodness. They were driving me crazy with their theories. I know it’s important but we can only talk about it for so long.”

“Anything new?”

Mason shook his head, his dark emerald-colored eyes shifted toward mine. “Nothing we don’t already know.”

I climbed into the passenger seat of Mason’s truck and settled into the hot leather. A wave of heat touched the back of my neck and seeped down my spine.

Mason got inside, his gaze on me as he started the engine. I immediately turned the air control up and he laughed. “Have you forgotten how hot a Louisiana summer is already?”

I chuckled. “I guess so. It’s extra warm today.”

Mason reached over and clasped his hand around mine. The drive to town went quickly. There were more people out and about today than usual, which I assumed was due to the upcoming festival.

They’d cleared a spot next to the community center for it. Mason parked in front of the bank. “Do you want me to come inside with you?”

I thought about it. “Nah, I’ll be okay. See you in a second.”

I looked down at my phone to see who Jamie told me to ask for and walked into the coolly lit lobby.

The small bank was humble. With seven or eight tellers and two offices. “Can we help you?” a young girl from the nearest teller asked.

“Uh, I’m looking for Mrs. Mary Anne?”

The blonde girl pointed toward the furthest office. “She’s in there. Mary Anne,” she called out. “You have a visitor.”

An older woman walked out of the far office with a patient grin. I walked over and offered her a handshake. She took it. “I’m Jessica from The Eagle. I’m here to pick up your granddaughter’s picture for the paper?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, waving me inside.

I stepped inside the office and another wave of heat settled into my blood. The distant taste of mold and filth littered my tongue. Halting by the nearest chair, I caught myself against the arm to get myself together.

Maybe I ate something bad. Had I not cooked breakfast thoroughly enough?

“Are you okay, dear?” Mrs. Mary Anne asked.

She reached out to touch my arm and another wave of nausea hit me. I looked up at her concerned face and it contorted into something else.

Something wicked.

I stepped back. “I’m suddenly not feeling great. I’ll get that picture and be on my way.”

She furrowed her brow. “Poor, dear. Here it is. Thank you for coming by. You should go and take a nap.”

I stumbled toward the doorframe feeling rough palms wrap around my upper arms. Mason looked down at me. “What’s wrong?” he asked in a whisper. “I felt your unease.”

“I feel sick to my stomach. I need to drop this picture off at The Eagle and go home.”

Mason glanced at Mrs. Anne and waved politely before ushering me outside. Once we were inside the truck, Mason put his palm up to my forehead. “You scared me to death. Do you need to go to the clinic? You do feel warm.”

I curled my arms around my stomach and closed my eyes. “I just want to go lay down. Do you mind dropping off the picture for me?”

Mason nodded. “Sure. You close your eyes and I’ll get you back home.”

I did as he asked, and darkness consumed me seconds later.

When I pried my eyes open again, I was lying in Mason’s bed with the lights off. I stirred and Mason appeared at my side. He bent down and took a wet cloth off my forehead. “How do you feel?” he asked.

I shrugged and groaned as my stomach called out in pain. “I’m okay. Really hungry, but okay.”

Mason nodded, reached over and grabbed a plate of food. “Your dad made some chicken noodle soup for you…”

“I want something else,” I said.

Mason furrowed his brows. “You probably need soup for your stomach, Jess.”

I moved up closer to the headboard and blinked my eyes. Everything felt different. My head was dizzy. Placing my palm on my head, I groaned. “Please, I want

something else. Like a steak.”

Mason gawked at me. “A steak, Jessica? You just complained about your stomach hurting and you almost fainted. I think you need the soup…”

The urge to bite his head off surfaced, and I tightened my fingers into the covers. Mason sensed my anger and lifted both brows at me. “Okay. I’ll see if we

have anything heartier than this soup. I’ll be right back.”

He left and my body began to ache. It was the oddest and most lonely feeling I’d ever encountered. Something inside me felt sad and alone. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

Seconds later, the door opened and Mason stopped in the doorway. “Are you okay? Your emotions are all over the place.”

I shrugged as tears coated my cheeks. Mason walked over and touched my forehead again. “You're warm but not hot.”

Dad’s silhouette formed in the doorway and I immediately blubbered like a baby. There was something about seeing your mom or dad while sick that made you feel worse.

“Jessica,” he said softly. “Sweetie. Do you need to go to the doctor’s office? What’s the matter?”

“I don’t know. I feel so sad and confused. Nauseated and hungry. I need something to eat, please…”

Dad stalled next to the bed and his eyes widened. I watched as Mason stood up beside him and they exchanged looks. “What is it?” I asked, suddenly pissed they were keeping secrets.

Mason stared for several seconds while Dad gawked at me. “I don't think you're sick, Jessica. I think you're trying to shift," Mason said barely above a whisper.