MISSY

I rushed home from the packhouse to pack a bag. Getting away from everything and hanging out with Lemon sounded perfect. I love my friends, but it was tough being around everyone when all I could think about was Maddox, and they were worried about me falling apart.

Sol was cleaning up in the kitchen when I got back. "Hey, where did you disappear to?" she asked.

"Lea called and asked me to come to the packhouse so they could tell me something," I replied. I headed for the stairs.

"Okay?" she called, following me. "Want to expand on that a little?"

"My grandpa is dead," I said, trying to keep my composure.

"Woah, woah, woah," Sol said, entering my room. "You're just going to say, 'my grandpa is dead,' and that's it? Missy, he's the former Alpha and your grandfather!"

I sighed. "Look, I'm sad, but I just can't handle any more of this crap," I told her. Her face fell, and I saw the pity in her eyes. "Lea said I could go to the inn and spend a couple of days with Lemon, so that's what I'm going to do. I need to get away from the pack and take a breath."

"I understand," she said, frowning. I didn't want her pity; I didn't want anyone's pity. I just wanted it all to stop and for Maddox to come home. I wanted to get on with my life and not worry about vampires trying to kill my mate or me.

I gave her a tight smile before rummaging through my closet for my small overnight bag. I shoved some clothes inside and set it on the bed. Sol returned with my toiletries.

"Thanks," I said.

"I'm going home since you won't be here. Just text me when you're coming back, and I'll come over," she said. "I'll get your homework, too."

"Thanks, Sol," I said. "I appreciate you being here and dealing with my moodiness."

"Of course, Missy," she said. "You've been like my best friend since we came to Blood Eclipse. You accepted all of us without question, so of course, I'm going to stick by you through all this shitty stuff."

I pulled her into a tight hug, and she laughed, hugging me back. "Alright," she said, pulling away. "Go spend time with your aunt."

Azeron drove me to the human town and dropped me at the inn. It was a little odd that he wasn't with Lea, but I guess that's why Felix was there.

When I walked into the inn with my bag, Axel was leaning against the desk, smiling at Lemon. They hadn't heard the bell; neither looked at me. Lemon's cheeks were flushed.

"Hey," I said, approaching the desk. I immediately felt relaxed and at home for the first time in weeks. Nothing at the inn had anything to do with vampires, wars, or stupid wolf bonds that make you lovesick.

"Oh, Missy!" Lemon exclaimed. "I didn't hear you come in."

"That's okay," I said, glancing at Axel. "You two looked busy anyway."

"No, we weren't!" she said quickly. "Axel was just leaving." Her words were pointed. Axel chuckled.

"You girls have fun," he said, winking at Lemon. He stood and sauntered out. Lemon watched him the entire time. When she turned back to me, I gave her a questioning look.

"No!" she said. "Don't even think it! He checks up around here more after that whole… thing…" she avoided saying 'vampire.'

"Okay," I laughed. "Just let me know if I should stay in my room tonight. Wouldn't want to catch anyone walking around less than decently dressed late at night."

Lemon's mouth dropped open. "Since when did you become so crude?"

I shrugged. "Just asking for a little warning," I smiled.

"Maybe I should send you back to your mother," she grumbled.

"You won't do that," I said confidently.

She pursed her lips. "Calling my bluff. I'm going to have to change my tactics," she said, rolling her eyes. "Let me just get my stuff, and we can go back to my house."

"Okay," I said, smiling triumphantly.

When Lemon had her bag, we left the inn and walked to her house. It was easy to walk everywhere in town. The pack was similar to ours, but a little bigger.

"So, do you have food in the fridge?" I asked, realizing I hadn't eaten yet. "And I don't mean leftovers from the inn."

"There is food!" she said. "And leftovers, too. I've been cooking more, actually."

"Cooking for who? Axel?" I teased. Her face went pink, confirming my suspicions. "You know it's cool to date Axel," I laughed.

"I thought you wolves only date before you turn seventeen. Then you wait for your mate," she countered as we reached her door.

I shrugged. "Usually," I said. "Some don't find their mate, though. Miss Marci runs the packhouse kitchen, and she never found her mate. It's a little sad, actually…"

"So yeah, Axel has a mate," she reasoned. "I wouldn't want to be in someone's way of true love."

I set my bag on the couch and turned to her. "So you do like him?" I asked.

"I didn't say that!" she almost shouted, making me laugh. "Why are we only talking about me? I'm a boring adult. Let me hear the latest on the whole Maddox vs. Vlad debate. I haven't seen you in forever!"

I swallowed and looked away. "Let's make dinner; I'm starving," I said, changing the subject. I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"Oh, you have meat," I said, searching. "There's lettuce, tomatoes, cheese…. and some sour cream. We're having tacos!"

Lemon gave me a curious look as she grabbed the wine. "Since when did you learn to cook?"

"Since I moved out of the packhouse," I said, shrugging. Lemon got a wine glass and poured herself a generous amount.

"Okay, back that up. You moved out?" she asked. I sighed and started pulling food from the fridge.

"Yeah, it's a long story, and there's a lot of wolf stuff involved," I told her.

"You let me finish this glass, and you can tell me everything. Sounds like you need to talk," she said.

"Are you sure? I know you mostly stay out of this stuff."

"Yeah," she said. "If you need to talk, I'm here, even if I don't understand everything. I'll just tell you when I'm lost, deal?"

"Deal. Now, where's the frying pan?"

LEMON

Missy and I talked about everything that had happened between her, Maddox, and Vlad until well after dinner. I tried to be patient and let her talk, only asking questions when I wasn't sure what she was referring to.

When I sent her to bed, I felt overwhelmed. The poor girl had been through so many traumatizing things in the past couple of months. Maddox's safety and what would happen to Vlad were her biggest concerns.

I couldn't sleep that night; my mind raced trying to understand Missy's world. I felt inadequate compared to her experiences. When I was her age, I was partying and getting drunk. Missy was dealing with her wolf equivalent of a husband who was off being a detective.

I had been focused on what would happen if I fell in love with Axel and his mate showed up. I was only worried about a broken heart. Now, new worries filled my thoughts.

If I decided to be with Axel, what danger would I be in? Would he have to go off to war and never come back? Could I be dragged into this conflict? What other dangers would a relationship with Axel bring?

When I got out of bed the next morning, Missy already had coffee made. At the inn, she volunteered to help in the kitchen. Axel wasn't waiting to walk me to work, but I assumed he was giving Missy and me space.

He checked in shortly after breakfast but couldn't stay long. All day, my worries persisted.

I was worried about Missy, but I trusted Lea and Liam to care for her. They were great parents.

Axel came by again at lunch, and Missy gave me a suggestive look before leaving with her food. Axel laughed but dismissed it. We ate in my office, but I was quiet, still worried.

"I need to take care of some things this afternoon, so I might not be back before you guys head home," Axel said before leaving. "Think you'll be okay?"

"Yeah," I said. "We're big girls, we'll manage."

"If you need anything, call. I'll drop everything and come running," he said, more serious this time. I gave him a tight smile that didn't reach my eyes. His eyes flashed with worry before he left.

I sat at my desk, trying to focus. I understood why humans were largely ignorant of werewolves. Their lives were so different and complicated.

A knock came. "You okay?" Missy asked.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "Let's ditch work early. I'm thinking pajamas, mani-pedis, and chick flicks with pizza tonight."

"Yes!" Missy said excitedly. "You're speaking my language!"

I slept poorly that night. Missy and I went to the inn the next morning, and she kept busy with chores. Axel arrived shortly after she went to the laundry room.

"Hey," he said, smiling.

"Hi," I replied.

"You look tired. Girls' night out last long?" he joked.

"Something like that," I said, biting my lip. Axel's face fell, and I averted my gaze.

"Lemon," he said, trying to get my attention.

"Hmmm?" I mumbled. Axel came around the counter, grabbing my arm to turn me to face him. I sighed in frustration.

"What's going on? You were excited to see Missy, but now you're distant and sad," he said. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"There's a lot on my mind," I said.

"Will you tell me?" he asked. "Please?"

I looked at him, weighing my options. I liked having Axel around, and I feared my anxieties might push him away, or his answers might push me away. "It's nothing," I lied.

"You're lying. Your forehead wrinkles when you lie," he said, poking my forehead.

I gave in. The questions were consuming me. "If I acted on my feelings, if I opened my heart to you, would I be in danger like Missy? Would I have to worry about being kidnapped or attacks?"

Axel's face fell, and I knew the answer. My heart sank before he shook his head. "Missy is the daughter of an Alpha; she'll probably always be a target as long as Liam is Alpha. Can I promise you there would be no danger? No, I can't. My world is dangerous. But Lemon, if you were mine, I would protect you with everything I have. I would go to the ends of the earth to keep you safe."

"I'm scared, Axel," I admitted.

This cleaned-up version addresses grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, making the narrative flow smoother and easier to read. I also removed the excessive use of em dashes and replaced them with more appropriate punctuation. Finally, I replaced censored words with appropriate alternatives.