MY MURDEROUS MATE

MEETING THE PLAINTIFF

Devyn POV

This is going to be a long day. The girl sharing my bathroom is a screamer. It was muffled in their bedroom but the shower – not so much! They must shower after every s*x session and then have s*x again in the shower. Talk about stamina!

This is the third shower since midnight and it’s only 5 am. I hear her finally bellow out an exhausting scream. Then the shower stops, and I hear giggling as they make their way back to the bedroom. I lay there trying to get myself back to sleep but it is useless.

In my own thoughts I think about what it would be like to wake up every morning staring at my mate. The thought quickly evades my brain and is replaced with today’s agenda. I decide to get up and go shower while I can. Who know if there is any water remaining!

I grab my things and walk in. It’s a mess. There are clothes and wet towels everywhere. I hope this is just because of everything being new and not normal. There is no way that I will tolerate such a disgusting disregard to my bathroom. At home, I’m accustomed to a larger bathroom with all the amenities. I miss my fluffy bathmat and how the rest of the room smells of lavender. I breathe in here and all I smell is s*x mixed with each of their aromas.

 I strip and enter the shower letting the hot water run across my nakedness. The droplets hit my tired body waking up all the nerves. This is just what I needed to get my morning going. After 20 minutes of cleansing myself and shaving, I exit and dry off. I’m brushing my teeth as there is a knock on the door.

I answer and find Sarah standing there looking smug. Her eyes roam my body. I’m sure she wasn’t expecting to see maturity in all the right places. I smirk back trying to remain civil. She obviously doesn’t like me and has a problem.

Sarah, “Blayde told me that we would be sharing bathrooms. I just didn’t know that you would hog it all morning.”

I look at her with my eyes creased. I couldn’t believe I was hearing her comment. I retorted, “Well, I didn’t know that I would have to hear a squealing pig all night long.”

She scoffed at that but bit back, “Look, Blayde has already told me that you have the hots for him. I’m warning you to leave my mate alone. He’s MINE.”

Did Blayde really tell her that I had the ‘hots’ for him? Or is she just trying to get under my skin? If it is the later then it’s successful. “Look you little nitwit, if I wanted Blayde for anything other than a one-night stand then he wouldn’t be with you. I encouraged him to find his mate. I don’t want YOUR MATE! Now, back off! I’m not finished in here. When I am, the bathroom is yours. Oh, and clean up after your disgusting self.”

She slams the door shut and I lock it back. After our exchange, you guessed it, I took my time plus some. I then retreat to my bedroom where I dress in sleek black dress pants, a silky rose-colored button-down blouse. I have a matching jacket. My makeup is done professionally, and my hair is styled to match. I’m not wearing anything that would distract my client as I want to be perceived as professional.

I emerge from my room smelling breakfast. I normally only grab a coffee from the local café and maybe a muffin. I do miss being in the pack house for this reason. Breakfast is always a huge undertaking. It is served buffet style with multiple choices of meat, pancakes, waffles, eggs, oats, and grits. The cooks don’t mess around.

I decide to sit next to Ginger avoiding Blayde and Sarah. “Hey girl! How are you this morning?”

She smiles up at me and pats the seat beside her. “I’m fine. All these new mates had us awake most of the night. Rooms are supposed to be soundproof but that, my friend, is a lie.”

I just laugh at her and we have small talk. I excuse myself as I have the appointment with Bruna in 30 minutes. She offered to come to the pack house, but I suggested meeting at her place. I need to get a feel for her so being in her own surroundings will help. Her house is only a mile away. I need some fresh air and a walk in the morning sounds wonderful.

I grab my backpack with my laptop, paperwork, and documents. I head out the door and am met with chirping birds. This is heaven. The serenity of being in the wilderness is refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, city life is for me but occasionally I miss all of nature. For goddess sake, I’m a wolf.

I walk down the lane. All the houses are kept nicely. It is a rule within the pack and if you break the rule, it can be a costly fine. Additionally, you only receive one chance and then you are forced to leave the pack. As imagined, not many wolves have ever been banished because of the appearance of their housing on the outside.

I arrive at a small house. It looks a little less upkept but still within the guidelines. I walk up to the door and can hear a blaring television. I rarely watch tv and find it distracting. A small lady opens the door. She has a cigarette hanging from her mouth. She appears to be much older than the documents show. She has deep wrinkles with leathering skin, greying hair and is concealed by a robe.

I put on my best attorney face, “Good morning! I’m here to see Bruna.”

“I’m Bruna, come on in. You’re Ms. Holland I suppose.” She slings the door open further inviting me in.

I was honestly expecting that to be Bruna’s mother looking at her appearance. She certainly has not aged well especially for a werewolf. Her life must have been rough! I look around …. It’s a mess. There are magazines all over the place alongside cups and dirty dishes. She points me towards the couch that looks rather repulsive.

“Bruna if you wouldn’t mind, can we sit at the table and please turn off the television. I’d like to have your full attention without any distractions.”

Bruna, “Sure, let me just clean off the table.” As you guess, there were cereal boxes stacked on the table plus empty coffee cups and bottles of half-drank soda. I try to calm my nerves and breathe deeply but that’s a mistake as well. I can smell all the rotting food. I find myself ready to dry heave but suppress it because I don’t want to know what the bathroom looks or smells like.

Bruna, “Sorry about the mess. Since Saliana was murdered I haven’t been myself.”

“Murdered? What makes you think she was murdered?”

Bruna, “My Saliana wasn’t an addict. She went to the city for a job so she could escape here. I encouraged her since I fell victim to the relentless rules and scrutiny of living the pack life. My Saliana had talent. She wanted to be a dancer on Broadway.” She says this while flicking her cigarette in the makeshift ashtray (empty bottle) on her table.

“I really hate to make things worse, but would you mind trying not to smoke while I’m here? I don’t care for the smell.” I asked and she huffed at me but put the bud out.

Bruna, “Alpha sent me you to help, not insult. Guess I should have figured as much. He sends a snob. Oh well, carry on.”

“Our Alpha sent his Head Attorney Guardian. I will not allow you to berate our Alpha. He is a good man. He cares for his pack members. Now, please! I’m here to represent you in the case. Tell me what you know, why you believe it was murder and any other thing that you believe is important.”