ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 17 - Part A

"Can I get that in white, preferably leather?" I ask the lady near the counter, pointing to the grey linen huge corner sofa.

"We only have it available in black leather in store, but if you're willing to wait four to six weeks, we offer a custom option online. You tell us exactly how you want it to look, and we'll deliver it." The lady smiles.

I'll admit it, she's good. I'm definitely buying this.

"That's great, thank you." I say with a smile, placing the throws and cushions on the counter top along with my card.

I've never had to go shopping for everything a house needs, finally being able to do that is both slightly strange and challenging. Having to choose colours and fabrics, I thought it would be extremely stressful but it's actually kind of fun.

After paying I exit the shop with my arms weighed down heavily with bags, glancing into shop windows as I walk down the half busy street. No one bothers to second glance me, or whisper about a new person in town, I like that. No one pays me any attention, it feels nice. No attention means no knowledge, which means they have no idea that I'm partially psychotic, or a known murderer.

That's without my wolf. The infamous bloodlust and unstable temper, I'm not exactly someone you'd expect to see walking around your neighbourhood. Humans are in the dark about wolves, it makes sense that I'm nothing special to them.

Just another pretty face.

I won't lie, five years without my mate have been...harder than I'll ever admit. I had to get used to living without him, and that sucked more than being locked in a cage in my parents basement. If I'm honest, it's harder than the aftermath of loosing my pups, for the second time.

That's why I went back, I was so close to just ending everything, so I figured I'd go home before I went through with it. The words that he said, it damaged something within me, in my wolf, and she's been dormant ever since.

"Hi! Can I help you with anything?" A cheery voice echoes behind me, startling me slightly.

"Uh...no, thank you. I'm just browsing." I awkwardly smile at the woman, turning back to the weird multicoloured bird that screeches as I near its large cage.

The label says it's a female, a blue and gold macaw. Clearly this thing doesn't like predators. It reminds me of Apollo, when I first got him. He was untameable too, but I suppose it's different with a horse, they're very intelligent animals.

For a while I just walk around the pet store, curious about the animals that scamper away into their homes or dens, as if they sense me near.

The only animal to catch my eye, is the large dog panting behind the counter. It eyes me up like I'm about to lunge over the counter and take it's head off.

"Cute dog, is it yours?" I ask the woman, glancing between her and the golden fluffy mutt. It's pretty, for a dog anyway.

"Yeah, she's called Athena. Do you have any dogs?" She asks with a smile, seemingly happy to have some conversation considering how dead the store is.

"No, but I do have a horse." I say, watching as she strokes her dog, like she's aware of it moving closer to her.

It reminds me of my wolf, when she bonded with the pups after the first pregnancy. My wolf was in tune with them, knew what they needed by instinct. This woman and her dog, it's much like that.

"What breed?" She asks curiously.

"Friesian stallion."

"Pure blooded?" She seems surprised when I nod.