Claire sat on the warm sand of Bondi Beach, toes buried in the golden grains as the Australian sun kissed her skin. For the first time in days, she felt something close to peace. Elsa was building a ridiculous sandcastle beside her, Joyce was taking dramatic selfies with the waves crashing behind her, and Lily was humming an old song they used to sing in high school. The familiar sounds of laughter and the ocean helped dull the constant ache in her chest.
The mate bond was still there — a quiet, painful tug — but being here made it easier to breathe. Easier to pretend her heart wasn’t shattered.
Her phone rang, breaking the moment.
Claire glanced at the screen. Alissa.
She answered with a small smile. “Hey, Alissa. Missing me already?”
There was no cheerful greeting on the other end.
