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The only clue that anyone was outside was the lingering scent of a cat. An enormous cat. One I’ve smelled before.

I figured that if Primal was outside my house, Justice might have sent him to check in on me. Though the thought of Primal staring at me through the window is quite enough. I find myself annoyed, yet safe with the thought.

But it doesn’t stop the paranoia. It didn’t feel like it was just someone checking up on me. It felt like someone was watching me, waiting to hurt me.

Primal wouldn’t do that. As much as we get on each other’s nerves, I don’t think that man would ever intentionally hurt a hair on my head.

Today was the end of all that, though. I can’t stay away any longer. I need to get out, not just go to the shop. I don’t know what’s going on with my abilities or these backward visions I’ve been having, but I’m not going to let them affect me any longer than they already have. I need to see Arely. Get back to the woman I’ve always been.

I need to go back to the clubhouse.

Just thinking about it puts me in a better mood and clears my head.

With a clear goal in mind, I move faster than I have in the past few days to get myself washed up and ready to go out. I take my time choosing an outfit.

After changing my shirt for the third time, I realize how ridiculous I’m being. I’m not going to the clubhouse to impress anyone. For all I know, they’re having a party or something, and they won’t even notice I’m there.

Won’t realize and won’t care.

Once I finish getting ready, I take a quick second to look around the house to make sure I’m not leaving anything I need or forgetting to do something like turn the fireplace off, not that I need it to keep warm, but I like to look at it. Everything is in its place, as it should be. With nothing to do but stew about what is going on with my visions, I took to deep cleaning my place to keep my head clear. Now, my home is utterly spotless.

With a nod, I grab my keys and walk out the door. The second I do, the feeling of being watched slams into me once more.

My heart races, and I feel sweat clinging to the back of my neck.

I scan the trees surrounding my home on all sides. I can’t see anyone or anything.

Softly, I whisper, “Kitty, is that you? Are you out there?” A huge part of me wants it to be him out there, for Primal to step out of the shadows just so I can rip him a new one. Of course, he doesn’t. No one moves.

Because there is nothing there.

“Ugh, I’m being ridiculous.” In a huff, I turn, lock my door, and walk with purpose down the road. I need to get out of my head, and there’s only one way to do that. I need to get away from here.

It doesn’t take me long to get to the clubhouse.

I’m surprised by two things when I make it inside. How at peace I feel the second I cross the threshold, and how happy some of the guys are to see me. Karsyn and the other ladies all grin at me when they spot me.

It’s as if I’ve been gone for years instead of just a few days.

“Where have you been? I was beginning to think you didn’t like us anymore,” Abel jokes as he walks over to me with a bottle of water.

I grab the bottle from him.

“How could I dislike any of you?” I ask with a laugh.

I take a step forward but stop before I can move. “Well, I should rephrase that," I say to Abel. "I don’t dislike the majority of you.” I switch my genuine smile to one of pure sarcasm as I spy Primal leaning against the back wall.

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual,” he spits back in my direction.

“Are you sure about that? If you want me gone so badly, why spend so much time outside my home?” I turn my attention from Primal to Justice and Corbin. “You really need to remind your cat to stay indoors.”

Corbin wasn’t paying me or my quip any mind. “Outside her house, huh? What is she talking about, Primal?”

Uh oh.

The air in the room shifts instantly. No one was joking around anymore, and when I shift my gaze back to Primal, I realize what I just shared wasn’t exactly general knowledge. All this time, I thought it was Corbin or Justice who must have sent him there to check on me. Turns out he’s been checking on me of his own free will. He’d been doing something nice for me, and I might have just gotten him into trouble for it.

Now, I really felt like a bitch.