What Am I?!

A New Perspective

Natalie's POV:

"You're my mate."

*SLAP*

*PFFFFFTTT* "HAHAHAHAHA!"

Yeah. It happened that fast. I fell in love. This sandy-blonde, forest-green-eyed, 6'2", demigod teenager walked into the diner, sniffed the air, walked up to my table and told me that I was his "mate," whatever that means.

'How dare he insult my intelligence with such a corny line!' With a line of the song in my head, "I may be young but I ain't stupid," I slapped him as hard as I could.

The young man had walked in with an equally gorgeous red-head with a tapering of nose freckles and coffee brown eyes. The redhead just taken a sip of his pop when I slapped the blonde one, causing red to spew his pop all over the counter and floor in front of him.

My name is Natalie. I'm 5'2", 98 lb, long blonde hair and light blue eyes. People would describe me as perky, but I have an attitude to back it up. I've always had a good sense of someone's character when I met them, and could sense when people try to lie to me. I'm strong-willed and smart but I don't tolerate fake friends or liars. I'm a realist. Life happens. You need to adapt quickly or you'll miss out. Mom taught me that.

As for boys. Most of them lied. I could tell Leo was different from the moment he spoke. He didn't talk down to me. He's patient and kind, but we'll get to that later. Let's just say, he was the first person that I wanted to date.

Rubbing his cheek, the blond spoke cautiously, "Let me try this again. My name is Leo, and my friend, who just volunteered to clean up after himself, is Kevin. May I join you?"

'Much better approach,' I think to myself. I cautiously nod, and he sits. Kevin gave us a little bow and asked me if I knew where he could find the cleaning supplies. Since Mom worked here, I pointed to the maintenance closet. He nodded again and got to work. Kevin was also about 6 feet tall with an athletic build without being bulky. The mischievous grin probably got him into trouble as often as it got him out of it. Cute, but not my type.

Leo, on the other hand, looked more solid, like the immovable linebacker that could pick you up and keep you on the scrimmage line. No screaming, no drama, just stopped. We talked like we were already friends. He helped with homework.

Amber, the 17-year-old waitress, got Kevin his burger and fries and another drink. Then she sashayed over, slumped onto the table so Leo and I could see down her shirt and said, "What can I get ya, babe?" She looked straight at Leo, ignoring me.

Yeah, she thinks she can have any guy she wants. 'Not this one, bitch.' "He'll have the burger special with two orders of chili cheese fries." I stared at her until she turned to me.

"Fine, whatever," she scoffed as she walked away. Kevin catches my eye, gives me a wink and a thumbs up before returning to his food.

Leo's gaze was scrutinizing. "What?" I asked, confused.

He puts a hand to his chest, dramatically, "Thank you for defending my honor." I hear Kevin chuckle at the counter.

I shook my head. "Pay me back by helping me with Chemistry." I pulled out my chemistry assignment and textbook. He smiled and nodded. We talked for two hours and ate our food.

Mr. Jeffrey came in, signalling the start of the Friday dinner rush. They had to go and I had to get ready to work. I bussed tables for two to four hours on the weekends, only for the dinner rush. That's the only reason I took a taxi every Friday after school. I paid for it. For Saturday and Sunday I came in with Mom and took the bus to Pullman Square. Huntington had so much more happening than Kenova. Kenova had freight trains. Huntington had Marshall University.

While we talked, Kevin kept busy playing with his phone and doing another quick wipe down on the counter and floor, making sure it wasn't going to be sticky. When Mr. Jeffrey came in, he and Leo noticed my change in attitude, I guess. Kevin, said, "Sorry I made a mess."

"At least you cleaned it up," I replied. I walked them to their SUV. Leo and I exchanged numbers and have been talking ever since.

We've had two weekly dates and talk almost every day. We have shared everything. He has brought me to his town and shown me his wolf, whose name is Frode. He has even told me why he called me his "mate." You see, he's a werewolf. Frode is his other half. Frode said that I'm special, but he hasn't told me how. I'm guessing only exceptional humans can qualify as werewolf mates, especially since Leo is training to be Alpha for West Virginia.

Leo's mother died in childbirth, after being viciously attacked. His father, the current Alpha, is gruff, but fair, by all accounts. Alpha Dad said that he welcomes me because I make Leo happy. Leo makes me happy, too. I think that's a fair exchange.

As for me, my mom got pregnant and her boyfriend left the next day, the day after her parents died. Thankfully, she's a hard worker and decided to keep me when she found out she was pregnant. No nonsense, no excuses for my mom. I'm proud to have a great example. She always cared for me, and any friend that I brought home. Not that anyone stayed a friend long enough to be long term. Mom and I always seemed to be the odd one out.

Did I wish I had a dad growing up? Sure. Mom's picky, though. She also says that she doesn't have time for dating, since she's a single mom, with only one paycheck. Besides, to have the man that left my mom high and dry in my life? No thanks! Deadbeats need to keep walking. She deserves better.

Now that Leo and I are seriously dating, I have to have the serious dating talk with Mom. Not the s*x talk. That was awkward as hell a month after I got my first period. She was mostly technical about it, but she told me that her first time resulted in having me, which was a decision that she "never regretted." Still, she wanted me to know that I will never have to make the same decision alone as long as she lived.

But werewolves? I told Leo and his dad that Mom had to be informed. I was not going to disappear on my only relative. She will be fully informed and we will decide what to do as a family. Alpha Dad didn't look too happy, but Leo decided we needed an announcement that he had found his mate. His Aunt Claudia insisted on a ball, with elegant dresses and a huge meal. (Sigh!) "Goddess, if You're listening, please convince my mom to join us on packlands. I want her to be as cared for as she has cared for others, including me."