Zack Adamos' POV

I was staring at the river for the longest time that I can remember. I was staring at my reflection before I made the decision to run to Alpha's house and maybe ask for my leave today. I was shifting into my wolf before I was running to Alpha.

'Alpha, are you home?' I asked Caleb as I was standing in front of his house. I don't think he would be up but he was.

'Yes, Zack. I'm here. Is something wrong?' He asked before I cleared my throat and I was staring at the door.

'I wish to have a break for the day. Is that okay? The pack was not in any threat that we should be worried about. If you want, I can tell Arthur to take care of the pack for the day,' I said as I was looking at the door. I heard Caleb was thinking before he replied.

'Very well. You may have your leave but make sure Arthur knows,' he said before I sighed.

'Thank you,' I said before I was running toward my brother's house.

Half, Damien always make sure that I remembered only half of my brother's heritage and it was only our father that we have in common.

'Arthur?' I asked as I was pacing outside the house. I don't want to get inside as Arthur was very protective of his mate, Diana, and their daughter. I know my place even with my brother.

'What is it, Zack? Is something wrong?' He asked me before I laughed.

'No, I just wanted to say that I will be out of duty today. Caleb gave me the green light so I thought I might let you know,' I said as Arthur sighed in relief.

'I thought that there was an emergency or something,' he said. I rolled my eyes as I was still pacing in front of his house.

'Why don' you come inside and have breakfast with us?' He offered before I shook my head.

'No, I have somewhere to go. But I will after I was done with that,' I said as Arthur was amused with my answer.

'Why are you in a hurry?' He asked as I just ran off from his house, not wanting to give more than I should.

But I think I did that with my action anyway.

I was running to the woods as I wanted to get away from everyone as I wanted to make sure that no one finds out why I was taking a break right now. And maybe, I will find peace after this.

I was running into the woods near the edge of the territory of the community. It was advisable to go there in my wolf form as I know there were poachers around to kill wolves. I was grimacing as I wanted to get some action as well.

I came across with something as I was looking around the woods. It was a cave. I sniffed the air and it was not being habituated by any other animals. I might as well took it for my sanctuary for the day.

My wolf whimpered when I shifted back and I was looking into the darkness of the cave. It was perfect for my spot before I was making some notes in my mind to make some changes around the cave.

I sighed as I was looking around before I was walking even more inside the cave and I found there was a natural freshwater accumulated for my drinks. I nodded before I was looking at the sunlight that was beginning to light the way.

I can use this time to build it. I think I might take this cave and change it into a place that I might use shortly if I have to.

Samantha Lykos' POV

I was looking around the cafe as I was staring out the window. There was lumber delivery but I don't see my mate. I mean, rejected mate, Zack. He was always the one that made sure the delivery was smooth sailing. But today, I saw his brother, Arthur was making sure of that.

"What are you staring at?" Karisa asked me as I was looking at her. She was the daughter of Mr. Papadaupoulus, the carpenter that made sure the export of his furniture will bring the economy of the town to a higher level.

"Oh. Nothing, just looking at the sunshine," I said as I was smiling at her. She was eyeing the guys that were moving the lumbers. Usually, when they picked the lumber in the woods, it was two people but the humans did not know about us. Not everyone.

Only some are the exception to the legend.

"Do you even what I just said?" Karisa asked me as she was waving her hand in front of me.

"Huh? Oh yeah, totally," I said as I was still arranging the cups and something to keep myself busy.

"Are you checking someone out?" Karisa said that made me turned to her sharply. She was smirking at me as she was playing with the straw of her drink. I rolled my eyes at her before I was looking at the cafe.

It was not crowded as it was not rush hour right now. Only some tourists and locals that came to eat their breakfast here.

"What makes you say that? And for the record, I don't check guys out. They check me out," I said cheekily before Karisa was rolling her eyes at me. I laughed at her reaction.

"Whatever. So, I heard there will be another Folk Festival this weekend. Do you want to come? It would be a good time for us to go around the town and let the guys check you out," she said as she was wiggling her eyebrows. I chuckled at Karisa before I was staring at the jeeps that used to carry the lumber to town.

"I'll think about it," I said as I was making sure that I will not give Karisa a promise that I will not be able to keep.

"Truly? Oh, that's wonderful news. I cannot wait to wear a special dress that I save for this occasion. I finally have come of age and my dad finally let me go out to the Folk Festival by myself," Karisa said as she was looking at her drinks.

"Wait, you just come of age. Same," I said as I was smiling at Karisa. She rolled her eyes at me.

"Duh, we're twins. Do you forget?"

"Best friends, okay?" I said as I was rolling my eyes at her. Karisa just smiled at me.

"Whatever. It was a twin thing to correct others," she said. I scoffed at her.

"No it was not,'' I said before Karisa was waving her hands dismissively at me. There was a new customer and they were ready to make some order.

"I'll be right back. I need to take care of the customers now,'' I said before Karisa was nodding at me.

"Take your time. I will be here," she said as she was looking at the book that my brother used to read.

I think it was A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. I never knew that Karisa was a Vernian and I smiled as I was remembering my reclusive brother.

Wait, did she said a request by a reclusive customer?

Nah, my brother doesn't like to be in contact with the town people. He said they make him sick.