“Okay, young lady. Explain.”

They were sitting in the living room. Poppy had climbed on Em’s lap and absent-mindedly Em scratched her behind the ear. Mom and dad looked very angry which was understandable. Em wished she could have a more believable story to tell than what she had. Mom and dad would never believe what she had to say but she had to try. Coming up with a good lie was hard too. And Em was a terrible liar.

“Why did you run away?” mom asked.

“Why didn’t you contact us? We were so worried.”

“We saw a wolf! We thought you were dead. The police came to look but they didn’t find anything! Do you understand how worried we were?”

“I understand. And I’m so sorry,” Em said. “I should’ve contacted you, but I couldn’t.”

“Why? Was it because of the boys? Did they kidnap you or something?”

“No! Nothing like that. They helped me. I…I’ll tell everything, but you have to listen to me through the end.”

Mom and dad nodded and Em took a deep breath. This wouldn’t be easy.

“So, you remember that wolf that bit me? It wasn’t a…normal wolf. This will sound crazy, but it was a werewolf…” Mom and dad looked at each other in disbelief. A great start.

“I know what it sounds like but think about it! I was so sick. It was because I was changing! And then the day I disappeared was a full moon. I became a wolf. That’s when I met Remy again. I was scared. I didn’t know what had happened to me, but he said he could help. So, I went with him and he taught me about werewolves. I was perfectly safe all this time. I’m sorry that I worried you like that, but I was scared that I’d accidentally hurt you or turn you into wolves too.”

Mom and dad were silent for a while. Em could tell they didn’t believe a word she had said.

“Darling,” mom started, “we understand if you don’t want to tell us. We’d appreciate it, but we won’t force you. But at least say so and don’t come up with these ridiculous lies. Werewolves? Did the boys give you some weird pills or powders? You didn’t take them, did you?”

“What? Are you trying to say I’m on drugs?”

“No, of course not… Your story just…” Dad was clearly uncomfortable.

“It’s ridiculous.”

“It’s the truth!”

“Honey, you have had a tough time and you must be tired. How about you go to your room and rest? Actually, take a shower first. I’ll have to…discuss things with you dad.”

“Fine…” Em didn’t feel like arguing over this. No one would believe her anyway, so she might as well do as mom said. She stood up, Poppy jumped down from the couch and the two of them headed upstairs. Mom and dad waited until they heard a door close. Mom sighed deeply.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“I don’t really know. She seems to believe it herself but it’s just a crazy story,” dad replied.

“Do you think we should take her to see…someone? A doctor maybe.”

“You mean a therapist or something?”

“I don’t know? I’m worried about her. If she thinks she’s some kind of mythical monster, she might run away again. Or do something to herself.”

“That’s true. Maybe we could keep an eye on her for a few days first? Maybe she’ll get over it now that she’s back home.”

“That’s a good idea. But we have to make sure we don’t let her go out alone. I…I honestly think she might run away again if we leave her. Or what if the boys come to get her?”

“Calm down, darling. I’m sure she’ll be fine. We just have to be here for her.”

“You’re right, honey. But we have to take her to a doctor still. She’s been who knows where for a month. We have to make sure she’s okay.”

Upstairs, in her room Em was lying on her bed. Poppy had curled on the bed as well happy that her owner was finally back. Em was happy to be with Poppy too but apart from that she felt empty. Soft bed didn’t feel as nice as she had thought. The smell of detergent in her clean and fresh clothes was too strong. Cars outside on the street were noisy. Even the water tasted weird. But it did feel nice to have clean clothes and properly washed body. She smelled like strawberries and honey instead of dirt and forest. But the smell of forest was nice too. The freshness, the scent of rain, moss and berries, it was all so very nice. She should be happy, but she really wasn’t.

“Do you believe me Poppy?” Em asked. “Mom and dad think I’m crazy but it’s the truth. I know it’s hard to believe but you do, right?”

Poppy yawned and rolled on her back. Em smiled.

“Of course. Don’t worry about it and keep dreaming. I’ll figure out something.” She couldn’t help but think what Remy was doing. Was he sad? Did he even care? Now there was one less mouth to feed. It’d make things easier for him. The though that Remy wouldn’t miss her made Em sad. She had been separated from Remy for a few hours and she already missed him so much. It made her chest hurt.

“Hey, I know she’s gone now but she might come back. Or you could go get her?” Carter said.

Remy didn’t reply. He didn’t even seem to react. He hadn’t said anything for hours and Carter was getting worried. He had never seen Remy like this. Not even during the whole ordeal with Liv when Remy had been extremely shocked and hurt. After the police car had taken Em, Remy had run after it, screamed and then fallen into this almost unresponsive state.

Now they were sitting on the same bench next to the food truck that had closed its doors for the day. Remy hadn’t even finished his food.

“Remy, do you hear me? She’s not gone. You can go get her back. She might come looking for you. I can see she cares about you and you care about her… And she’s a strong girl, she won’t let it end like this.”

Remy remained quiet and Carter sighed. Maybe he shouldn’t push it. Remy was clearly in shock. Carter wasn’t an expert in wolf relationships, but he was very sure this was what happened when mates were separated from each other by force. Because even though Remy so adamantly denied that he had any kind of romantic feelings towards Em, it was clear to Carter that they were mates, or at least one the way to become ones. But now he felt helpless. How could he help Remy in any way when he didn’t react to anything?

Suddenly Remy stood up and Carter jumped on his feet too. “Remy?”

“I’m going home,” he said with a monotonous, empty voice.

“What? You’re not going to her?”

“No, ”Remy said, “she’s home now. That’s better for her.”

“You can’t be serious! You clearly miss her.”

“She got back to her parents who can take better care of her than me. It’s better that way.”

“You’re such a drama queen Remy. You think it’s better that way but what does Em think?”

Remy stayed quiet again. Carter rubbed his forehead.

“Okay, maybe you have to think about this for a little while. But I won’t back down on my words. You need to go to her.”

“Don’t you have to get back to the pack already?” Remy retorted.

“…I guess.” Carter didn’t want to leave Remy alone, but it looked like it’d be better for Remy. He probably wanted to be alone.

“I’ll be fine,” Remy said then more softly and quietly. “I just…need to think about things.”

“It’s alright. We understand,” Carter said. Mikey had been sitting on the bench feeling very awkward because he had no idea what to say about this situation, but now he nodded too.

“Thanks,” Remy said and then he just walked away. Carter and Mikey looked at each other. This wasn’t exactly what they had planned for the afternoon.

After a while they could hear a distant and sad howl. A few people walking past them looked around and they seemed confused.

“I really hope Remy goes to her,” Carter said.

“Yeah. They’re clearly a couple,” Mikey replied.

“I know right? Remy’s just so dense that he doesn’t want to admit it.”