The past two weeks felt like they’d been lived in a strange, surreal bubble. Time had become a blur, and each day bled into the next. I hadn't stepped foot back at the bar since that night with Luke. The memory was enough to keep me awake some nights, my skin prickling at the mere thought of going back. But life wasn’t waiting for me to find courage. Medical bills still needed paying, and I couldn’t keep running away from them. The debt collectors wouldn’t hesitate to track me down—even out here on pack lands.
Ethan had been nothing short of a savior during this time. He’d offered me refuge, a safe space to stay and gather myself, away from my apartment and everything that happened that night. Staying with him meant that I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder or jumping at shadows, and I was finally starting to feel like myself again. Every evening, he’d remind me that I could stay as long as I wanted, and every time, I knew he meant it.
One night after dinner, as we walked back to Ethan’s cabin, I found myself thinking about the others in the pack. Everyone usually gathered for meals, but strangely, Adrienne hadn’t been around lately. It wasn’t as if I missed her presence, but it was odd. She usually made herself noticeable, if not exactly welcome, especially at dinner when the whole pack came together.
Ethan’s arm around my shoulders was warm and reassuring, and I leaned into him as we walked back, mentally noting that maybe it was better to leave questions about Adrienne alone. I had enough on my mind already.
Once we stepped inside, Ethan’s attention turned to me, his gaze intense. “Something’s bothering you. I can feel it,” he said softly, not breaking eye contact.
I bit my lip, contemplating how to put it all into words. “I… I need to go back to work, Ethan,” I admitted, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. Just saying it aloud made the pressure settle on my shoulders again. “I’ve been avoiding it, but I don’t have a choice.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed, his face darkening with worry. “Sophia, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not with Luke there.” His voice was edged with anger at the mention of Luke, but the worry remained. “You’re safe here. You don’t have to go back.”
“I wish I didn’t have to,” I said, sighing. “But… I have to, Ethan. My mom’s medical bills didn’t just disappear because I took time off. It’s been almost a year since I lost her, and I’ve been working nonstop just to keep up. I have to keep paying them, or they’ll send collectors.”
Ethan’s expression softened, his jaw unclenching. He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “Sophia, you don’t have to do this alone. I don’t want you to go back to that place if you’re not ready.”
I shook my head, giving him a tired smile. “I know you’d take care of it if I asked, Ethan, but I can’t ask that of you. These are my bills, my responsibility. I owe it to her memory.”
Ethan’s protective instincts were practically palpable. His face was hard, his expression unyielding. “Then, at least let me make sure you’re safe. If Luke is there—”
“He’s my boss, Ethan,” I cut in, feeling a hint of that familiar frustration. “It’s not like I have many other options. Not with the kind of money I need. I’ve avoided texting him back, but I can’t keep waiting.”
Reluctantly, he nodded, though I could tell it was tearing him up inside. “Just… be careful, Sophia. If anything happens, anything at all, I want you to call me. I’ll be there before anyone else can blink.”
I nodded, grateful for his support but also feeling the weight of the decision bearing down on me. It would take everything I had to walk back into that bar.
Finally, after two weeks of avoiding the inevitable, I typed out a quick message to Luke, asking for the schedule and letting him know I’d be back soon. Every word felt like it was draining a little bit of my newfound strength, but I sent it. And a few moments later, his reply popped up on my screen:
"Glad to have you back, Sophia. I’ll send you the schedule in the morning. We’ve missed you around here."
I shivered, reading his words. They felt too familiar, too eager, considering what had happened last time we were alone together. Ethan must have noticed, because he shifted beside me, reading the message over my shoulder. His expression turned stormy, and he reached out, closing my phone with a decisive snap.
“He’s never going to pull anything like that again. Not if I have any say in it,” Ethan said, his voice a low growl. He took a deep breath, calming himself. “I don’t like this, but if it’s what you need to do, then I’ll support you. Just promise me you’ll be safe.”
His concern warmed me in a way that made my heart feel heavy. I couldn’t help but smile, reaching up to touch his face, trying to reassure him. “I promise. And thank you. For everything.”
He bent down, brushing a soft kiss against my forehead. “You’re not alone in this, Sophia. Remember that.”
As the days passed, I forced myself to focus on the little things—cooking with Ethan, watching the sun set over the pack land, finding a sense of peace that had been missing for a long time. But the pit in my stomach remained, a constant reminder that I couldn’t stay hidden here forever. At some point, I’d have to face the world outside Ethan’s protection.