Page 27 of Taken By the Pack

But for now? I just need to get a lay of the land. So, I pull my phone out and snap a few pictures of the water, the rocks, the lighthouse. I need this moment to be saved somewhere besides in my memory.

Something about the calm of it makes me realize I’m ready for whatever comes next.

I need to keep my eyes open—stay alert—but right now, there’s nothing more I want than to enjoy this stillness.

Driftwood Cove is growing on me. I can already tell it’s going to be an adventure. And I can’t wait to see what else it’s got in store.

Before I leave, I take one more look out at the lighthouse. It’s still shining its light through the fog, strong and constant.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I’m excited to start on the project I was sent here to accomplish.

Tomorrow, I’ll get to work.

8

GRACE

The chocolates melt against my tongue, sweet and a little bitter, just like the mood I’m in. I pop another one in my mouth, chewing slower this time, letting it work its magic. God knows I need it.

Driving all the way to the gas station for these was definitely worth it. Anything to calm my nerves.

I glance around the hospital lobby. It’s too clean, too quiet. The kind of quiet that only makes my thoughts louder.

I sigh, leaning back into the chair, tapping my foot against the tile floor. I feel like crap for snapping at Jake earlier.

He didn’t deserve it. He’s always been… well, Jake. The guy who puts up with my moods and doesn’t ask for much in return. But I couldn’t deal with him after what happened yesterday.

Rowan. Damn it, Rowan.

I shake my head, stuffing another chocolate into my mouth, hoping it’ll block out the memory. It doesn’t, of course. I glance at the receptionist, who’s busy tapping away on her computer, not paying me any attention.

Good. The last thing I need is someone asking me what’s wrong.

What’s wrong? Everything.

I shouldn’t even be here, but I need to get this suppressant mess sorted. If they had worked like they were supposed to, I wouldn’t have been caught off guard like that.

I wouldn’t have ended up… No. Not thinking about that.

“Grace Halloway?” A nurse pokes her head out of the door, her smile too bright for this miserable day.

I shove the chocolate wrapper into my bag, standing up. “That’s me.”

“Dr. Avery’s ready for you.”

I nod, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans before walking in. My stomach twists as I step into the exam room, the familiar scent of antiseptic and something floral hitting me.

Dr. Avery’s sitting at the computer, her hair pulled into a neat bun, her glasses perched low on her nose. She looks up and smiles warmly.

“Grace. Come in, have a seat.”

I drop into the chair across from her, folding my hands in my lap. “Thanks.”

She studies me for a second, then leans back. “So, what’s going on? You sounded…stressed when you called.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I tell her, scratching at the edge of my sleeve. “The suppressants didn’t work.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Didn’t work?”

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