Chapter 17 CHAPTER 17
The scent of frying eggs drifted through the small apartment long before the sun climbed past the rooftops.
A soft gold light filtered through the cracked windowpane, glinting off the worn table and the chipped blue cup beside the mattress. Isabel stirred, her nose twitching before her eyes opened.
The sound of a sizzling pan reached her ears, followed by the gentle clatter of a fork against tin. For a moment she didn’t move - just watched the silhouette by the stove, hair loose and glowing faintly in the morning light.
“Are you cooking?” she mumbled sleepily.
Cindy turned with a faint smile. “Good morning. Breakfast will be ready in a minute.”
Isabel rubbed her eyes, stretching under the blanket. “It’s been forever since somebody cooked for me.”
“I’ve been cooking all my life,” Cindy replied, flipping an egg with practiced ease.
“All your life?” Isabel repeated, blinking at her. “That’s such a weird way to say it.”
Cindy’s voice softened. “It only feels that way.”
The stove hissed as she turned it off. She slid the eggs onto a plate, added a slice of bread, and handed it over. “Here. Eat before it gets cold.”
Isabel sat cross-legged on the mattress, tearing a piece of bread with her fingers. “Mmm,” she said with a grin, “I think I just remembered what happiness tastes like.”
Cindy laughed, lowering herself onto the floor opposite her. For the first time in days, the air felt light.
After a few mouthfuls, Isabel glanced up slyly. “So… about that bond thing you told me last night.”
Cindy sighed. “Isabel….”
“I’m just asking,” she teased. “So once this goddess decides two wolves are supposed to be together, does it automatically mean you start doing… you know…” She waved her hand vaguely. “Mate stuff?”
Cindy’s head snapped up. “You’re too young to be talking about that.”
“I’m not that young,” Isabel protested, laughing. “You make it sound like I’m a kid.”
“You’re underage,” Cindy said firmly.
“I’m much older than my years,” Isabel said, biting into her bread. “I’ve been alone a long time. I know stuff.”
Cindy’s brows rose. “Knowing things and doing them are not the same.” She narrowed her eyes. “Wait… don’t tell me you have a boyfriend.”
Isabel choked mid-bite. “What? No!”
Cindy’s eyes widened. “You haven’t… have you?”
Isabel threw her hands up. “No! Geez, Cindy! I just hear things, okay? I work in a café. People talk.
Cindy pressed a hand to her chest. “Good. You’re too young to be having sex.”
“Wow,” Isabel muttered, half amused. “You sound exactly like a mom.”
“Someone has to,” Cindy said, smiling. “Now finish your breakfast before you’re late.”
Isabel grinned and reached for another piece of egg. “Fine, fine. I’ll drop it.”
She chewed thoughtfully for a moment, then brightened. “But can I ask something else?”
Cindy arched a cautious brow. “That depends.”
“About Lisa,” Isabel said innocently.
That name softened Cindy’s features immediately. “What about her?”
“What’s she like?”
Cindy smiled, a gentle warmth filling her eyes. “She’s… like my protector. My friend. But mostly, she’s like a big sister - someone who’s always looking out for me.”
Isabel looked intrigued. “Can she hear everything we say right now?”
“Yes,” Cindy said. “Anything I hear or see, she does too.”
“Creepy,” Isabel murmured, though she was smiling. “Can I talk to her directly?”
Cindy chuckled. “Yes, but it’ll still be me who tells you what she’s saying, unless you want to meet her in person. Like that night in the alley.”
Isabel froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. “No, no, I’m good!” she said quickly. “Hearing through you is perfectly fine.”
Cindy laughed. “Are you sure?”
“Positive!” Isabel said, but her curiosity sparkled. “Actually… there’s something I’d like to tell her.”
Cindy tilted her head, amused. “Go ahead.”
Isabel leaned closer, locking eyes with Cindy, though her gaze seemed to drift beyond her—to the unseen presence behind them both.
“Thank you, Lisa,” she said softly. “For saving me from those awful jerks.”
Cindy’s lips parted. For a moment, her expression shifted; her posture straightened, and when she spoke, her voice dropped an octave, lower and smoother.
“You’re welcome,” she said.
Isabel blinked, wide-eyed. “That’s… weird. But also kinda amazing. Was that her?”
“Yes, do you like her?” Cindy chuckled.
“She did seem as scary as that last time at the alley. Wait- was that seriously her?” Isabel blinked, a mix of awe and excitement on her face.
A sly smile tugged at Cindy’s lips. “No, of course not” she said with a laugh. “That was me acting. I told you, Lisa can’t talk to you directly. She talks to me, and I relay the message.”
Isabel groaned, throwing a piece of bread crust at her. “You’re evil! I thought she was actually saying hi!”
Cindy chuckled. “You looked terrified a second ago.”
“I did not!” Isabel said, but she was smiling, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
Cindy grinned. “You did.”
“Whatever,” Isabel muttered, laughing despite herself. “Just tell her I said thank you anyway.”
“She already heard you,” Cindy replied, her tone softening again. “And she says you’re welcome.”
A comfortable quiet settled between them as Isabel finished her breakfast. The tiny apartment smelled of oil and sunshine. After a few minutes, Isabel stood, brushing crumbs from her hands.
“I almost forgot,” she said. “I talked to my boss last night. She said you can come in today for an interview.”
Cindy blinked. “Interview?”
“For a job,” Isabel said proudly. “Waitressing at the café. Don’t worry - it’s mostly a formality. My boss already likes you. I told her you saved me and now she can’t wait to meet you.”
Cindy’s face softened. “Isabel, you didn’t have to….”
“I wanted to!” Isabel said quickly. “You’ve been through a lot. You deserve something normal.”
Cindy’s smile warmed. “Thank you. I’ve been feeling bad letting you take care of me. I’m older, I should be the one looking after you.”
Isabel rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“I mean it,” Cindy said. “Once I start working, we can share the rent. Maybe even fix that broken lock. And someday, you could go to school like a normal kid without worrying about bills.”
Isabel froze, halfway through tying her shoes. “Normal? Me?”
“Yes, Isabel,” Cindy said sincerely. “At least one of us deserves to have a normal childhood.”
Isabel snorted, trying to hide her blush. “You’re thinking too far ahead. First step, pass the interview.”
Cindy smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Better,” Isabel teased, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “And don’t be nervous. Miss Pauline’s nice. Just smile and maybe avoid mentioning wolves, goddesses, or destiny.”
Cindy laughed. “Noted.”
Isabel opened the door and stepped into the dim hallway. “Good luck, Cindy. And Lisa too!”
Cindy paused, surprised. “She heard that,” she said, her eyes brightening.
Isabel grinned. “Good. Then you both better behave until I’m back.”
Cindy chuckled. “We’ll try.”
Isabel’s laughter echoed down the stairs as she waved. “Bye, Cindy! Bye, Lisa!”
“Goodbye, Isabel,” Cindy called after her, smiling softly.
When the sound of footsteps faded, Cindy turned back to the quiet apartment. Morning light danced on the cracked walls. She exhaled, her heart strangely light.
Lisa’s voice rose gently inside her. She’s a good kid. I like her.
“Yes,” Cindy whispered, smiling at the sunlight streaming through the window. “She is.”
For the first time in a long while, the day ahead felt like something she could look forward to.