Beyond Instinct.

~03. Mate!

Hazel's POV.

October 9th, 2023.

I closed the door of my house softly before turning my back to it and walking down the road. Each step I took reminded me of what today is. A sigh escaped my lips as I felt the chilly weather despite the scorching sun glistening at me. I pulled my black denim jacket around me, hugging my petite frame. I'm glad I took one with me. My hair framed my face, blocking the sun from entering my eyes as I walked.

The gravel stones crunched under my feet as I walked, the weather felt chilly today, with a crisp autumn breeze rustling through the tree. The sky is overcast, casting a somber tone over me. Looks like I'm not the only one sad today. I laughed humorlessly at my joke.

As I walked into the cemetery, my footsteps were heavy with the weight of my emotions, the gravel stones crunched beneath my feet, creating a somber soundtrack to my ears as I continued my journey through the cemetery. The weather, cool and crisp, sent shivers down my spine as the wind whispered through the trees. The cemetery itself was a solemn place with rows of tombstones standing like silent sentinels. I walked past the security home, a small house near the gate of the cemetery, adding a sense of protection and tranquility to the surroundings.

With a mix of sadness and trepidation, I walked towards the tombstones I had come to visit. The tombstones adorned with intricate carvings bore their names and a touching epitaph, forever preserving their memory. I knelt down in the middle of their tombstones, each hand tracing the carvings of their names written on the stones.

'In loving memory,

Daisy Hooke,

Wife, mother and friend.

October 9th, 2007.'

'In loving memory,

Robert Hooke,

Husband, father and friend.

October 9th, 2021.'

Tears streamed down my face as I sat on my legs. Coincidentally, they both died the same day but in different years. I don't remember much about my mother, but my dad made sure to tell me stories about her. Sniffing, I began to talk to both of their tombstones, imagining they're here with me.

"I miss you, Papa and Mama." I said, tears trailing down my face. "I miss you both so much. It's never been the same without you here, Papa. The house is the only thing keeping me closer to you. I do not have any friends, not when I was in school or now, it's so lonely without your company." I sobbed, "No one understands me like you do, I—" despite hiccupping, I carried on. "I can't do this anymore, Papa. I'm thinking of going to the werewolf realm. I-I know you told me not to, but I promise to keep my identity a secret…I just need to belong, and that's only possible if I'm with the same people as I am." I wiped the tears away from my face before smiling sadly. "You know, Papa, Mrs. Beth is such a lovely lady, she'd scold me whenever I forgot to eat lunch and complain about how slim I am," I chuckled. "You both will be so great together." The smile went off my face as my eyes watered again, "I promise to come visit you from time to time." I said.

Standing back up, I turned to my Mom's tombstone. "Mama, Papa always told me how Gerbera Daisy is your favorite flower." I lowered the orange-ish flower on her tombstone before turning to my Dad's. "Good thing we both love tulips, eh?" I chuckled lightly before laying the flower as I did with mom's. Sighing, I said, "I'll miss you both."

With a lighter heart and a soft smile on my face, I turned and walked out of the cemetery.

~~~

"Haz?" I heard Mrs. Beth cried out to me. Standing up straight, I let out a quiet sigh as I carried the already used empty cups and mugs to the kitchen. "Hazel, I know you heard me, little girl!" She yelled out, "answer me when I call you," before adding.

"Yes, Mrs. Beth?" I groaned.

I dropped the cups and mugs in the sink before I tutted my tongue in annoyance. I love Mrs. Beth in my life, but she can be a bit overbearing.

"Did you just tut at me, young lady?" She asked with her hands on her hips. "And I've told you not to call me that anymore!" She raised her voice as I winced at the high volume.

She always hated it when I called her Mrs. Beth claimed it made her sound too old, but didn't she? I mean, she could pass out as my grandmother. She gave me special treatment because my purity attracted her –that was what she said, which I found absurd –but her giving me a free pass and special treatment made the other waiters not too fond of me, and I'm not about to make enemies.

"I'd never, Mrs. Beth." I said, innocently battling my eyes at her. I rounded the arched corner before walking up to her.

She eyed me disapprovingly, like she would her child. And I consider her my grandmother that I never had. "Have you eaten lunch?" She asked.

"Oh," my mouth parted in the realization that I didn't. "I think I forgot?" It came out as a question instead. With the glare she sent my way, I understood her hidden message. Quickly, I ran out of the kitchen to the lounge to eat my lunch before resuming work.

Mrs. Beth had always been there for my father and I. She welcomed us both with open arms when we had first moved here 16 years ago. She helped my father with me, took care of me whenever my dad went to work and showed us how the human realm worked. Despite always being there, we never told her the reason we moved or our hidden identity in order not to put her in danger if someone came looking for us. But on the day I shifted into my wolf 2 years ago, on my 19th birthday, she happened to be at our home. For a few weeks after, she avoided us, but Papa said to give her space, and we did that. When she came around, I was happy, but that was when Papa died.

When I finished my medical school 3 weeks ago, I decided I needed a break before applying for my residency at a private hospital, so Mrs. Beth asked me to work for her. I still do not know how I'm going to tell her about my departure for my world tomorrow, and if I'm being honest, I dread having that conversation with her.

When I was done eating, I put away the plate, drank some water, and dusted the crumbs off my clothes. What can I say? I'm a messy eater.

Making my way to the counter, I started to attend to customers with a smile on my face. Sarah, a regular face, showed up.

"Hey, Hazel." She greeted me, smiling.

"Hi, Sarah. What would you like today?" I asked politely as I returned her smile with a matching one.

"I'd like a cup of caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso, please."

"To-go?"

"Yes,"

I nodded and got to work. Expertly, I grinded the coffee beans and pulled shots of espresso. The steam of the machine billowed around me as I frothed the milk, creating a velvety texture. Carefully, I poured the espresso into a to-go coffee cup, adding the caramel syrup and the frothy milk on top.

When I was done, I handed the cup of caramel macchiato coffee to her. "That'd be $10."

She opened her purse and fished out $20, and handed it to me. "Keep the change."

"Thank you!" I called after her as she opened the door, making the signaling bell resonate through the room as she walked out.

My gaze shifted to the person next in line, and a grin made its way over to my face when I saw who it was. "Hey, Robin," another regular at the café. "The usual?" He always ordered a black coffee.

He nodded, a grin on his face. "You know me too well, Hazel." He chuckled lightly.

I got to work, pouring hot water into the freshly grounded coffee beans. The rich aroma filled the air, making me sigh in content. I handed the steamy cup to a still smiling Robin. "You seem happy today." I could not help but mention it.

"Very much, yes. We sorted a good business deal today." He said to me, a grin still present on his face.

Before I could answer him, my wolf, Glen, shifted in on me. 'What?' I asked.

'Can you smell that? Can you feel that?' She asked. Then I felt it, I felt eyes on me, like someone was watching me. My gaze shifted from Robin to the front of the café, and what-who I saw left me speechless, as quickly my eyes left his and reconnected with Robin as I smiled at him, "I'm happy for you."

He handed me the money for the black coffee with a tip, "Have a nice day." He said before walking out.

Suddenly, an intoxicating scent hit me like a block, making me almost lose my footing. My senses came to life as I smelt the heaven on earth scent, a symphony of captivating aromas. The air carried the rich musk of his dominance, intertwined with an earthy smell of the forest floor, a touch of warm sandalwood lingered around it, adding a layer of strength and allure. The scent spoke power, protection and dominance.

And when my eyes met his, I knew I was right. There he stood, a few steps away from the door, looking like a directed sculpture made by some god. He, he is a god. He stood idle and sturdy. His skin is light in color, opposite of mine, his chin is square and shaped…sharp even, like I'd cut myself if I touched it. He has high cheekbones, his eyelashes so long that they touch his cheekbones. My eyes moved up, connected with his, and it pulled me in. Almond emerald met doe hazel, his eyes had a golden ring around the emerald, beautiful yet deep. I'd forced my eyes to move up, I noticed his slightly full eyebrows before moving to his slick brown hair that was styled in a half cut undercut.

My gaze traveled down his clothes. He was putting on a gray three-piece suit, a fitted tie around his neck, and designed golden cufflinks adorned his suit with a Rolex watch that was made for his hand. Moving down, I looked at his well-polished black shoes. From the way he dresses, he's wealthy. His aura screamed authority and dominance.

Glen squealed into my head, lovingly. 'Mate!'