We Are Monsters 🌕 Book 1 || gxg

Cain & Chase

For once, Sam wasn't the only early riser. Cain padded into the kitchen before dawn. Sam was already stirring and woke completely at the sound. The couch was just as comfy as it looked, she wasn't sore at all. She swung the afghan over the back of the couch and sat up.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Cain asked, carafe in one hand.

"No, I was waking up anyway." Sam rubbed sleep from her eye. "Are you always up so early?"

"Usually, yes." He put the carafe back in the machine. "Since you're up I'll use fresh beans."

"Won't that wake Aidan?" She glanced at his door where soft snores drifted from.

Cain chuckled. "Definitely not, that boy could sleep through a hurricane. Did you sleep all right?"

Sam shrugged. "I got some."

She joined him in the kitchen, climbing onto one of the stools at the island. Cain ground fresh coffee and took a French press out of the cupboard to use instead. Fresh coffee sounded amazing. She hadn't had French press coffee in years. Nothing was better.

"Is it your wolf?" His hushed tone was rich with understanding.

"I think so; I keep having these vivid dreams, but not really dreams; they're more like memories, and they don't usually repeat."

"Just the worst ones," he filled in, and she nodded. "I understand. How long has this been going on?"

"It has been really bad for the past week or so, but I think I first heard the voice the day we tried to capture Noah. There might have been some times before that, but that was the first clear intrusion."

"Unfortunately, it's only going to get worse. I'm sure Aidan has told you, but you will likely be faced with your worst memory, and if you can't handle facing it again, the wolf will overpower you, and you will perish."

Sam nodded. "I've already seen that memory; at least the start of it ..."

"This may all happen faster than I've seen before. The bitten folk I knew experienced these challenges in the first month, before their second full moon. You've already had four."

She met his gaze, unaware she had looked away. "I can handle it. I have to."

"That's exactly the kind of determination you need to hold onto. I hope you have something strong to live for." He smiled kindly, and she returned it.

She did have things to live for. There were plenty of things she wanted to do, like travel to Italy, kiss Ada, finish her novel. She hadn't touched it in years and couldn't seem to bring herself to. She had friends and family who loved her. She had a job she adored. Plenty of things to hold on for.

That memory, though ... she dreaded the day she had to face it again. It was always there, on the edges of her consciousness, just waiting for a chance to slip in. She wasn't ready. She had to be.

Her worst memory was not the mauling. It was not the unforgivable murder of Amalie Gaultier. Her worst memory happened years ago, and she hadn't talked about it since it happened. Not to anyone. Charlotte would know what she was referring to. Everyone in town would, but her new friends knew not, and she didn't know if she could bring herself to tell them.

"I can see this is causing distress," Cain murmured, dragging her back to reality. He passed her a mug and set out cream and sugar. "I may not know you yet, but I do know you're a good person. Whatever this thing you fear is, I can't imagine it being insurmountable with a great deal of bravery and support."

"I sure hope you're right." She gave a weak smile.

He returned it. "We're going to help you get through this."