Chapter 1

The pingsound from the laptop distracted Zeke from his daydreaming. He’d been wondering where he should spend the summer this year. He’d been all over places since he went to study at Ohio State here in Columbus. In fact, he’d never spent the holiday here. This was a great city but that was what it was—a city, certainly not a spot to relax or even make money during the season because others seemed to have the same idea with him, not staying around for the holiday. Now the question stayed: what should he do or where should he go?

Reluctantly Zeke got up from bed. He really didn’t have to check the email right away but with nothing else to do, he didn’t see why not. He’d finished all the papers and assignments. No more tutoring work, his one and only tutee had left for white beaches and chicks in bikinis in California. Not that Zeke envied him. The beaches, maybe, but certainly not the chicks.

Looking at his inbox, Zeke frowned. Only one unread message perched on top. He was quite diligent checking his email, replying to the important ones, moving the less urgent to a folder marked ‘to be read,’ and deleting the spam mails. Now this new mail was definitely not spam though Zeke couldn’t decide if it was important enough to be opened directly or if it belonged to that other folder. One thing he was sure of—he didn’t expect it. In fact, it had totally caught him off guard.

The letter was from his mom. No. Motherwould fit her more. Zeke never felt close to the woman who’d brought him into this world. This was actually her first email. No phone calls or visits since Zeke got to the university. It was true Zeke never lacked money in his life. The college tuition was paid full in advance and his account balance was more than he needed for his daily stipend. If he offered himself to give tutorials, it was more because he needed something to do, not because of the money.

“What do you want, Mother?” he asked behind gritted teeth. He didn’t mind his parents’ way of rearing their only son. Zeke had never heard about his father after he divorced Zeke’s mother when he was still in elementary school. After that, she got busier shooting for her movies or spending time abroad. Zeke still had his grandmother before she passed away about five years ago. Still, Zeke couldn’t be happier. No parents watching you like a hawk and bottomless pocket money—what’s not to like?

Zeke clicked the email open and ran his eyes slowly down the lines of the words. After the last sentence, he stilled and switched his gaze back up, not believing what he had just read, especially…missed you. Thought I’d spend this summer holiday with you.

Seriously? After all these years?

So, his mother wanted them to return to Oil Hills. To their home. Funny he’d never thought it as a homethough. For him home meant family and he never had a family. The only family he’d known was the Abrahams. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham always welcomed him at their house warmly. It didn’t matter if Nate was there or not, or when it was dinner time and Nate brought Paulina with him. To Nate’s parents, Zeke was just another son of theirs.

But that was the problem. He didn’t want to be their son. He had wanted more, something he couldn’t have. Zeke wasn’t sure he’d like to step his foot in Oil Hills ever again.

Zeke clicked on the reply button. Summer was still a month away. Who knew he could persuade his mother to meet somewhere else. He didn’t mind flying to Paris, for sure.

His mother’s reply came practically as soon as Zeke sent his email, making his head spin. He knew she was an actress and probably her reading comprehension ability was above average from much script reading. Still, from her fast response, she seemed to be able to read Zeke’s mind and to have prepared her answer beforehand.

“I really miss Oil Hills,” she wrote. “It will supposedly be our quarter of a century anniversary. I’m hoping you’ll be there for me. I can’t expect him to go there, can I?”

Zeke knew exactly who ‘him’ was. His mother never mentioned her ex-husband’s name anymore.

Another email came before Zeke got the chance to reply to the previous one.

“If you’re concerned about transportation, can’t get a ticket, and so on, I will ask someone to pick you up with a limo. It’s going to be comfortable enough for a long ride.”

Oh God. Zeke rubbed his chin. His mother hardly took no for answer.

“No limo, please. I’ll buy the plane ticket. It’s still one month from now. I’m sure I’ll get it.”

His mother’s reply came in an instant. “You’re going! I knew you’re always a good son.”

Zeke huffed as he shut the laptop. Great. He’d been manipulated so easily, by someone he couldn’t recall when they last met nonetheless. Where was the fierce Zeke Mitchell who fought and defeated the werewolves? Thank God he wasn’t this meek at that time.