Page 4 of Twisted Destiny

“At Twisted Tail? Pass, thank you.” However, her wolf had several points that couldn’t be entirely discounted.

Night after night, her wolf’s persistent badgering took its toll, chipping away at her willpower. Being reminded about her lonely existence didn’t help matters much. However, in the end, it was really Willow’s comment about the universe resetting itself that changed her mind. Could Willow be right? Was Twisted Tail a completely different pack than the one she had left?

The following Saturday morning, she and Willow met again at their favorite café. Without being asked, Hayley placed a sheet of paper on the table.

“Another letter?”

“No. It’s an itinerary. I’ve booked a flight and reserved a rental car. I’m taking your advice.” Even though butterflies swarmed in her belly at the thought of getting on the plane and going home, Hayley knew it was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. She had to put the past behind her and face her fears if she ever truly wanted to live her own life without the anxiety of always looking over her shoulder.

“This is great news. I know you won’t regret it.” Willow smiled at her.

“I wouldn’t get too excited. I’ll only be gone for a week. I’m hoping that will give me enough time to take care of whatever arrangements will be needed in order to get the house on the market.”

Willow’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “Well, a lot can happen in a week.”

Why did Hayley have the feeling that Willow was up to no good?

3

Jackson Whelan pulled his truck into what seemed to be the last available parking spot in the flooded yard across from Cam’s Diner. Pulling the hood up on his rain poncho, he growled and trudged through the driving rain.

“Hey, Jackson, shake yourself off outside before you drip all over the diner!” Cam said, her laughter nearly drowned out by the diner’s usual cacophony of clinking dishes, utensils, and chattering patrons.

“So ungrateful! I was just bringing you some liquid sunshine, Cam,” he replied, not even turning to face her. He hung up his poncho and took a seat at the counter.

“Here you go, Jackson. Fresh pot,” Callie Dupree said, pouring him a cup.

“Thanks, Callie. I’ll take a piece of apple pie, too,” he replied, drying his face with a napkin. He knew he probably didn’t share his true gratitude with everyone who worked at Cam’s, but on days like the one he was having, he appreciated all of them.

“Everything okay with you today?” Callie asked, setting a generous slice of pie in front of him.

“It’s just this damn weather. We’ve had three full days of rain with no sign of it letting up. It wouldn’t be a big deal, except I finished my last job over the weekend. I figured I could get in some excavating work on the side until I pick up another contract, but not with this rain.”

“Ah, the life and times of a one-man construction contractor. Sounds like it’s feast or famine.”

“Sounds about right but working for myself and by myself makes it all worth it.” He scooped up a forkful of apple pie.

There was a rare lull in the background noise, and he caught a sliver of Cam’s conversation with another customer. “If you need someone to get that place fixed up, I know just the guy.”

Jackson tried to tune in and figure out what Cam was saying. It seemed to him she was recommending him for a job.

“Just in case your day isn’t bad enough,” Callie said without further explanation. She quickly moved on to another customer as if she wanted to avoid a conflict.

“Damn it,” Jackson grumbled, spotting his ex-girlfriend, Sherry walking towards him.

“Hey, Jackson. Hard at work, as usual, I see.”

Ignoring her, he turned his attention to the slice of pie in front of him. If he didn’t have respect for Cam and her business, he would have told Sherry to fuck off and that he didn’t owe her an explanation about jack shit.

“You should’ve taken me up on my offer and came over to Red Fang. At least you could make a decent living without having to do odd jobs like some sort of lowly beggar.” Her words dripped with her usual toxic, condescending tone. She just had to do it. She knew exactly the thing to say, and how to say it to push his buttons.

“Go to Hell. Better yet, go back to your pack of derelicts and misfits at Red Fang. By the way, does Calder know you’re here?”

“Listen to you, big bad wolf. Do you really need to run to Calder to handle me?”

“What are you doing here anyway, Sherry?”

“I came to see you. I wanted to let you know that their offer still stands, Jackson. They could use a good soldier like you—someone who does what he’s told. And I could use some of your other skills.”

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