Central Cities

It might have taken ten years for Mack to fall apart, but now he has disappeared. He's been the heart of our community since Impact, keeping all of us alive in a hostile, unstable world. Now he's been hurt after fighting one too many battles. He's retreated into a massive, dangerous forest to live on his own, and he won't come out. Mack and I had an on-and-off relationship for years, but it's always been no strings attached. After a toxic marriage, I can't commit to another man until I'm confident I can stand on my own. But some things are more important than the emotional baggage I've always carried. Mack is more important. And it's time to bring him home.

I never set out to be a leader. I only fought to survive in a cruel, broken world. But now I lead a rebel group, plotting and acting against the oppressive Central Cities government. It's important work, and it's the only thing that can matter to me. At my right hand has always stood Ben. He's my second, my advisor, my friend, and often my bodyguard. He's never let me down. But something is changing. He's wanting more. From me. From us. But yielding in this would disrupt our mission and possibly our world. He's always at my side, but he can never be in my heart.