My Own Destiny

A Morning Out

Aurora

Sitting at a table outside the little café, I could not hold the yawn back. I went out earlier than usual to make it to a little café a few towns over that had computers and gaming.

I know I had told Natalia I would not be able to contact her today, but I decided to risk going out to contact her again this morning since it is her birthday. I was sad not being able to be there for her, but I could not go back just yet.

I had grown to like the little life I had created for myself here. I have been working the late shift waiting tables over night at the diner. That is part of why the early rise this morning had me exhausted.

I had even almost fallen asleep on the train ride back to town.

Seth offered to let me take his car, but since I did not have my license I refused.

Seth taught me to drive. I had considered taking the drivers test, at least until I realized I would need to give proof of ID. That squashed that idea.

Seth and his family have been amazing over the past few months. He and I have grown very close.

‘A little too close.’ Mia added as she always did.

‘We have done nothing wrong, in fact we have never even kissed.’ I threw back at her, although we had come close a few times.

I stifled another yawn as the waitress made her way over.

The waitress, Demi, looked younger than she was, she was actually a year older than I am, and waitressed while attending the community college nearby.

Seth and I come here often for lunch. It was a nice little cafe that had breakfast and lunch. I loved the outside seating with the little glass tables with pretty pastel umbrellas that blocked the sun.

Demi gave me her sweet smile.

“By yourself today.” She asked as she gave a quick glance around.

I smiled back, “Yes Seth is working.”

I saw her smile twitch just a little and wondered.

We saw her all the time and she was always friendly.

Mia rolled her eyes at me, ‘She has the hots for your little boy toy.’

I let out a groan at her, ‘Seth is not a boy toy of any sort and he certainly isn’t mine….wait, what? Demi likes Seth?’

My question earned me another eye roll from Mia, ‘Yes, she likes Seth.’

I could not help but frown, then realized Demi had been speaking to me.

I gave my head a little shake, “Sorry, I am over tired.”

“Do you want to see the specials or want your usual?”

I had been eating lighter the last couple of months, not getting as much exercise, but today my old appetite is back.

“I think I will have a burger today, all the fixings and the fries.”

A little while later, when my food arrived, Demi started some small talk. The cafe was slow being the middle of the week and the lunch rush hadn’t arrived yet.

“I love this town; I’m going to be sad when I leave.” I added to the conversation.

This got me a surprised look from Demi.

“Leave? I thought…” She let herself trail off.

I gave her a smile, “I have grown to care about Seth, deeper than I planned, but we are only friends and are not together. I will be returning home in another month or so.”

Demi shifted her stance, “You mean you are not?” She let her question hang in the air.

“Seth and I are not dating; we are very close friends but…” I sighed. “I was up front with him right from the start. I have someone back home, not that I haven’t given it a second thought about trying with Seth, but….I just can’t.Seth is very sweet and I would hate to hurt him.”

Demi furrowed her brows and glanced around before asking, “So, Seth isn’t dating anyone?”

“No.” I said innocently, like I did not know what she was thinking.

‘Here you have the hots for Seth and you’re practically setting him up with Demi.’ Mia gave me a confused look.

‘Mia, as much as I like Seth, you said it yourself, he is human, it is very unlikely he is my mate. It makes me sad, but knowing maybe he has a chance at happiness with someone,” I let out another sigh, “It will eventually make me happy too.’

Mia looked sad, ‘See I knew you liked him too.’ I added, seeing the sadness on her face.

‘Yeah, you know if we don’t find our mate we could always come back to visit, you know, just to make sure.’

I just nodded.

“I had better get back to work. Tell Seth I said hi.” Demi said, pulling me out of my conversation with Mia.

I started to devour my food as soon as she left.

In the middle of my lunch I suddenly got goose bumps. I nonchalantly glanced around but didn’t notice anything out of place.

It was the usual traffic driving by and people walking from one place to another. Nothing seemed out of place.

Continuing to eat I stayed alert as I slowly finished while keeping an eye out for anything out of place.

As I walked back towards Seth’s condo, one of the little stores caught my attention. It was one of those cute little shops that had a mixture of clothing, jewelry, and gifts.

Most of the jewelry was relatively inexpensive, but I noticed a necklace with a pretty butterfly pendant.

This item was one of the more expensive items they had but I had been working hard and knew Natalia would love it.

It would make the perfect birthday gift for when I return home.

My mood had improved drastically as I walked out of the store feeling like I had a nice spring in my step.

Stopping at the corner, I sat on the bench to wait for the bus that was due at any moment.

I was lost in thought thinking about my friends and family back home. I missed many of them and could almost not wait to see them all again, although I dreaded the fact that Jaques and Jullian had been spending so much time in my pack since my departure.

I jumped in surprise when the bus pulled up, letting out a sigh, I stood and moved towards the street. Glancing at my watch, I would have time to take a nap before Seth came home. I was due to work again tonight.

When I first started using public transportation, I was reluctant to do so, with all the strangers, not to mention some of the smells, but all in all, it turned out to be not so bad of an experience.

I used this bus stop often enough that I knew many of the drivers. Today was no different, as the bus stopped and I saw a familiar face.

“Good morning.” The chipper older bus driver said with a smile.

I gave George that look I usually did, “It's afternoon now George.”

“Well then, Good afternoon my dear. Come on, don’t hold the line up.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked behind me, “Does anyone else ever even use this stop?”

“Of course they do.” George said as I got on to the bus and started down the aisle.

It wasn’t very full this time of day. There was a mother with an infant in a car seat. There was a businessman reading the paper, a couple of teenagers near the back.

I took one of my usual seats near the middle and expected to hear the swish sound of the door closing, but instead that was when I felt it. There was another wolf close by.

My heart began to race, Mia was a conflict of emotions, missing her own kind, but what if this was someone Jullian sent to find me?

I heard the door close as the person that I could feel was a werewolf came into view.

All I could see was golden blonde hair until he turned my way and I saw the vaguely familiar pair of green eyes.