I lumbered into the loft; the open-plan office was where I spent a large portion of my time. The Starsmoon kept a complex of buildings here in which to manage our various businesses.
We ran a diverse range of trades, which allowed our community to be autonomous and sustain us. We managed a few farms, a large amount of forestry, and a timber and silage business. All of these things required day-to-day admin tasks.
Yet, I couldn’t focus on the dozen or so tasks that had racked up because all I could think about was her.
Cherry.
And the spectacular mess I’d made of things. I hadn’t thought it could get any worse than playing house and being trapped in a life I didn’t want. Well, it could. And it had. Through drunken sex, my life had reached the breaking point.
I swept a hand tiredly across my face, still feeling groggy from the party two nights ago. I didn’t usually drink much. A beer or two with Bert or the other guys in the pack was usually the limit. Whereas at the party, I remembered downing mouthful after mouthful of champagne right from the bottle.
And then, everything went blank.
Well, not a complete blank. Last night, fragmented memories had returned from the blackness: to torment me. Flashes of smooth skin, the echo of moans, the feel of juicy lips, hot breath, and the memory of my wolf rising in me, telling me to claim her.