Heiress by law, mate by fate

New Orleans

***Lucinda’s POV***

New Orleans was not what I had expected. I knew that New Orleans was neutral territory, but it felt almost sacred when I crossed the city borders. And I felt the omnipresence of wolves in the city almost like a pack but that was not possible. I stopped at a small diner for breakfast before I wanted to look for Ava. Hilarious, I thought, I didn’t even have clue where to start my search and I wondered whether my mother had sent me on a fool’s errand. Deciding not to fret to much about my last thought, I went into the diner and was greeted by the most amazing smelling coffee. “Table 2 is free,” a waitress about my age with a blond ponytail said by greeting and I found my seat. Only a couple minutes later she came to my table, handed me a mug full of steaming coffee and a menu. “You are new here?”, she said cheerily. I looked at her then. Really looked for the first time. She was beautiful. Her blond hair curled slightly in her ponytail. Her face was heart shaped and her skin looked perfectly smooth. She smelled like chocolate brownies and caramel. Brown eyes, like molten chocolate, stared back at me friendly and welcoming – almost as if she knew I was a werewolf. On impulse I stated: “Yes, I am new to all this,” and held my hands up indicating that I meant everything. “Ohhhh,” she mouthed and took me in again. “You know what, the coffee is on me and I highly recommend the pancakes. I am on break in 15 minutes, if you’d like I could give you a quick guide on ‘all this’.” Confused by the offer, I ordered the pancakes and accepted her invitation. When she returned 15 minutes later with a huge portion of pancakes, she said flatly: “Eat, I’ll do the talking for now.” I raised my brow on the command but followed because I couldn’t resist the heavenly smell of said pancakes.

“I am Mia, and about three years ago, I was in the same situation you are now. I am sorry that you’ve lost your pack.” I froze in the middle of putting another forkful of my delicious pancakes into my mouth. Shocked I stared at Mia. I didn’t sense before that she was wolf but now with her words I could finally place my earlier eerie sensation when she spoke to me the first time. “How…”, I started but she just shrugged and explained: “It is no secret, any wolf that is fully attuned to their senses can distinguish a fellow werewolf from humans. It is all a matter of awareness you’ll learn in no time, promise.” I blinked and let that piece of information sink in. I always believed that only wolves in a pack were able to tell the species apart.  “No, even rogues can, and here in New Orleans easier than everywhere else,” she answered matter-of-factly. Again, I was shocked into a stupor. I hadn’t spoken. “Don’t panic! I can’t read your thoughts, but I could read the question all over your face and eyes.” 

“So you are saying that most of the wolves in this city are aware of each other?”, I asked again. “Yep, and there are even some humans that are aware of us. They have been forever. It is part of New Orleans. It is New Orleans where many young rogues go to because here, we can easily adjust. The old laws protect this place and make it a haven for all rogues that want to live peacefully. Once a year all the alphas from the legally approved packs convene here and they take in any rogue that swears loyalty to them and their packs. The meeting takes place during Mardi Gras in case you wondered how such a meeting would not be known to the world.” Around a mouthful of pancakes, I asked: “How does that work? I was taught that any rogue becomes savage the longer he or she is without a pack but you seem rather sane to me – no offense meant!” Mia sighed, “Usually you are correct, the longer a rogue lives without a pack, the more likely their wolf takes over. But, here in New Orleans old powers are in place and as long as you abide by the major laws you are safe”. “The major laws as in the universal laws given by the moon goddess?”, I asked for clarification and Mia nodded. “Seems like you have got quite the education in our culture and believes. I wasn’t that good off when I became a rogue. I was a member of a small pack and we were raided one night by real rogues… They killed most of the pack, but my mother and brother had hidden me in a cupboard. The rogues didn’t even bother to check for survivors.” I immediately felt sorry for this girl.

“Mia, your break is almost over”, an older lady shouted from the counter and Mia rolled her eyes. “Do you have a place you can stay at tonight?”, Mia asked. I shrugged and nodded towards my car. “Goodness, no! You can crash on my couch. It’s not much but it is better than a Honda, trust me!”, she said sincerely. “You are probably right,” I responded and took her offer. “Great, meet me here at 4 p.m.” With that she took my now empty plate, quickly returned with the check. I said my goodbyes and went into the city shopping for some nightclothes and essentials.

 ***Mia’s POV***

The girl looked like a lost puppy. Her black hair looked messed up, as if she hadn’t combed it in days and her emerald eyes seemed haunted. I immediately remembered my own first day’s in the city and in this life and called out to her. It was easy to talk to her. She was like an open book. Every emotion was written so raw in her face: shock, surprise, fear, hope and even trust. I couldn’t place my attraction to her. Something in her whole being draw me to her. She was smart.

I invited her to stay with me on impulse and her relief was almost tangible. In my second break that day I decided to call Papa Odi to tell him that I’d bring someone with me tonight. He didn’t ask for details. He never did. “Another lost one?”, he remarked. “I’ll do my best to find a place for her to stay for good, but with the Beta’s birthday up, there is only so much I can do”, he said before the line went dead again. Papa Odi was one of the oldest rogues in the city. He was wise and never turned away from a soul in need. I promised myself that I’d one day find a way to return the favor. 

At the end of my shift, I half expected Lucinda not to show up. But when I left the diner, she stood in front of her car with a bag from the grocery store at the corner. “I thought if I am to take your offer tonight, I could at least organize some food”, she said and shrugged. “Perfect thinking! Let’s go”.

***Lucinda’s POV***