Page 35 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

Stepping into the kitchen, I noticed the room was empty, save for the ticking clock and a note on the fridge that read, "Gone hunting. Don't wait up."

"Great,"I muttered. "It's another cozy evening alone."I snatched an apple from the bowl on the counter and sank my teeth into it, relishing the crisp sound more than the taste. It would be one of those nights—quiet and reflective—where your company feels like a crowd.

"Okay, Mazie,"I addressed my reflection in the toaster, "you've got two choices: wallow in self-pity or do something productive."The Mazie in the chrome smirked back at me, her eyes challenging.

"Productive it is,"I announced, tossing the apple core into the compost bin and heading for the living room. Books were strewn across the coffee table, representing my scattered thoughts. I pickedup a romance novel, its cover featuring a chiseled hunk with a penchant for plaid and axes.

"I hope it's heavy on the smut and light on the angst,"I quipped to the empty room, then groaned. "Talking to myself. Great sign, Mazie. Peak sanity achieved."

I couldn't shake the image of Kayla's face when Raylene had appeared earlier, the way her eyes had dimmed like headlights in fog. Despite my best efforts, concern knotted in my stomach, twisting tighter with each thought of the young girl's situation.

"Focus on the hunky lumberjack,"I instructed myself, flipping open the book. But the words blurred before me, sentences running together like they were late for something I hadn't been invited to.

"Ugh, useless."Tossing the novel aside, I stood up, restless energy propelling me towards the window. Outside, the trees stood like silent sentinels against the night sky, their leaves whispering secrets I yearned to understand. I couldn't see Ajax, but I wished he was beside me.

"Maybe you're not cut out for umbra politics,"I told the nearest maple, whose branches swayed noncommittally. "But if there's one thing I know, it's how to stand my ground—even if that ground is shaking like a leaf blower in a tremor."

The thought brought a smile to my lips, a reminder that humor could be my shield, even against the likes of Raylene. With newfound resolve, I headed upstairs to my room, plotting my next move in this strange new world that had claimed me as its own.

"Tomorrow, Raylene,"I said, slipping beneath the covers and turning off the light. We're going to chat—and I'm bringing my A-game."

13

MAZIE

As I walked through the pack's common area, the air felt different, almost charged. My fingers brushed against my throat, tracing the delicate curve of the necklace Ajax had given me just a few nights ago. That night had been magical and intimate, but now something seemed off. The laughter and conversations around me seemed forced, their eyes darting away when they saw me approaching.

"Hey, Mazie!" A woman I'd just recently met named Cassie greeted me with a forced smile. Her words were warm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of distrust.

"Hi, Cassie," I replied, smiling back at her despite the gnawing feeling in my gut. I couldn't pinpoint what was causing this growing unease, but I refused to let it dim the newfound confidence that had taken root within me since joining the pack.

As I moved through the room, an unsettling sensation settled over me. Whispers trailed behind me like a shadow I couldn't shake. Ignoring the subtle actions and comments indicating the pack members' growing distrust towards me became increasingly difficult. But why?

Ajax had been distant during the day, his focus consumed bypack matters. I couldn't decide if it was my imagination or he was intentionally pulling away from me. Our shared nights, however, were achingly passionate and intensely intimate—a stark contrast to the widening gap between us in daylight hours.

"Hey," Ajax said softly, appearing beside me. He placed a hand on my arm, his touch radiating warmth through me. "Is everything okay?"

I hesitated, searching his piercing blue eyes for any hint of the same doubt I felt creeping into my heart. "Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, hoping my smile would mask my turmoil. "Tired."

"Alright." His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he nodded and turned away, leaving me alone once more.

The rift between us seemed to widen as the day continued until it felt like an insurmountable obstacle. I yearned for the safety and comfort of our passionate embraces in the dark, but they seemed like a distant memory now. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was teetering on the edge of something significant, yet I had no idea what.

My heart ached with loneliness and doubt as I questioned my decision to stay with the pack. The more time passed, the more convinced I became I didn't truly belong. My love for Ajax warred with the hostility and tension brewing within the pack. As much as I wanted to believe we could overcome this storm together, I couldn't help but wonder if they would be better off without me.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. I wandered among the trees, feeling like a ghost in my life. The air was thick with anticipation, and my heart hammered in my chest as if it sensed something I couldn't yet see. It was as though a storm was brewing, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

"Hey!" Janica's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife, startling me. She stormed towards me, her face twisted in anger. "Why are you talking trash about Nanny Kae? You've got some nerve!"

"Wait, what?" I blinked, thrown by her accusation. My mind raced, pinpointing any moment I might have even mentioned Nanny Kae. "I said nothing about her."

Janica sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. "You think we wouldn't find out? Nice try, Mazie. But we don't need someone like you stirring up trouble here."

"I swear, Janica," I insisted, feeling my frustration rise. "I said nothing bad about her. We’ve barely even spoken! You've got it all wrong."

"Right." Her eyes narrowed, appraising me with open distrust. "Just remember, we're watching you."

As she stomped off, my hands trembled with fury and helplessness. What had I done to deserve this? I felt like an outsider peering in through a window, unable to break through the glass that separated me from everyone else.

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