Page 2 of Echo Of A Wolf

I still felt violated and didn’t think I’d ever fully recover from that situation. Having someone inside your head, holding you hostage mentally and forcing you to attack others like you were their personal pawn to use as they saw fit wasn’t something you recovered from easily.

At least not me.

I didn’t think any shifter had the right to hold that much power over another. Thank goodness Lucius had been dealt with by the Ashen Tribe weeks ago.

Even so, I was now in an intense hermit phase as a result.

While I’d always been more of a wallflower, my desire to be around people had decreased drastically as of late. It had been days since I’d left my apartment. My sleep was off. My work was off. Heck, even my raven felt off.

The timer on my computer chimed, letting me know it was time to get up and move around. I placed my head in my hands and exhaled a slow breath.

“I’m never going to finish this book,” I muttered.

Being a ghostwriter had been my dream job, but lately, it felt more like a nightmare. There was so much pressure to produce quality work, and I wasn’t feeling it. My creative well seemed to have dried up.

However, deadlines waited for no one—not even my muse.

Which meant I needed to get the ball rolling somehow. I glanced at my document, noticing the blank screen and blinking cursor. Overwhelm filled me. Rubbing my temples, I pulled in a few deep breaths, trying to push through the tension tightening my body, but it was like running through quicksand.

Impossible.

“This isn’t working.” I closed the laptop, deciding I needed a change of scenery.

My apartment walls felt like they were closing in on me. The air was too thick and heavy with the stale scent of despair. I needed to get out of here. Opening a window or burning a candle wasn’t going to cut it. Working from my balcony wouldn’t either.

I needed a coffee shop work date with myself.

It had been forever since I’d had one of those. A dose of caffeine and some new scenery should do the trick. I’d be filled with inspiration in no time. Plus, the idea of people-watching with the noise of a bustling café in the background sounded appealing.

Some of my best scenes with dialogue came from overhearing random coffee shop conversations.

After I shoved my laptop into my tote bag, I grabbed my keys and then gave myself a quick glance in the mirror near my front door. Dark circles rimmed my eyes and there was a general disheveled look to my appearance that went beyond lack of sleep and stress.

I looked like I’d been to hell and back.

“Lovely,” I muttered with a frown.

There was no time for dabs of concealer or primping, though. If I was headed to the coffee shop, I needed to leave now before I talked myself out of it. The way I looked would have to do.

The drive to The Caffeinated Fox from my apartment was quick, but it still felt good. I’d forgotten how much driving cleared my head.

Why didn’t I do this more often?

After all, it wasn’t as though there was a shortage of back roads to venture down in this small town. My raven agreed. Driving reminded her of flying, which she enjoyed.

When I turned onto Main Street, it took me longer than I’d hoped to find a parking spot. Once I finally did, it was farther down from the coffee shop than I would have liked.

A walk might do me some good, though.

Grabbing my bag with my laptop and my wallet, I headed toward The Caffeinated Fox, trying to focus on enjoying the weather.

There was a slight chill in the air that excited me. Fall was my favorite time of year. I was all about wearing cozy sweaters, leggings, and boots. Halloween. Sipping hot drinks and having warm soups.

I loved it all so much it felt magical.

Swinging the door to The Caffeinated Fox open, I stepped inside and the first wisps of aromatic heaven hit my nose. There was no better smell. However, my moment of bliss came to acrashing halt as I noticed the line. It was nearly backed up to the door.

Wasn’t that what I’d wanted, though? The place to be filled with chatter of people?

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