Lucas ran fingers through his hair. “I know that no matter how many times I apologize, it doesn’t change anything.”

Mabel lifted her hand to her mouth, trying to stop the laughter. “I’m so sorry. I don’t even know why I’m laughing. It’s just…” She stopped and continued to laugh.

It wasn’t long before Lucas joined her.

She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite after the giggles had subsided. “I don’t even know why I’m laughing.”

“I know sorry isn’t going to make up for all the years of pain.”

She lifted her hand. “How about we don’t talk about that right now? You’re right. Sorry doesn’t make up for everything. I’m struggling here with everything.”

One year. One year of being in his company.

Did Lucas even think about what would happen during the full moon? There was no way to remove the energy that surged through them or the arousal that would often claim during that time.

Pushing her hair off her forehead, she made a vow to avoid him.

There was no way they were going to last. In a month or two, if she was lucky, perhaps a week, he’d see sense. Mates they may be, but they weren’t right for each other. No matter what anyone said, neither of them were supposed to be together.

Eating her food, she looked over at him. Lucas watched her.

As she returned her gaze to her bowl, in her mind, she knew she had to start setting so many new boundaries. Like now, she wouldn’t look at him over food. She’d avoid being alone in intimate settings. Once night fell, she’d remain in her room.

All these conditions would help her to survive as long as she needed for others to realize they were not suitable.

Lucas had been a bully. One of the worst in her life, and she wasn’t just going to forgive and forget.

****

A week had passed and Lucas stood out near the ocean, extremely pissed with himself.

One week of Mabel avoiding him.

One week of constantly trying to find a reason to seek her out. This wasn’t what he had planned. This couldn’t continue. Not for much longer. Glancing up at the sky, he took several deep breaths in an attempt to try to gain some composure.

They didn’t even eat meals together.

He’d cook and leave out a dish for her. Sometimes it would be gone, other times, he’d return to the kitchen to find it still there.

“What the fuck do I do?” he asked.

Looking up at the sky, he found no answers.

It was dark, and with the full moon so close, his wolf wanted to run. He didn’t just want to run, he craved Mabel.