The Missing Mate

Chapter 2: Once In A Blue Moon

Mave

I looked over at Scarlett, her burgundy hair getting caught in her nose ring as she slept. She was thrashing around again and was restless. She must be dreaming of him again. He's haunted her every time she closed her eyes this month, before it was only on a full moon. He was trying to get her attention and I think I knew why. The blue moon was coming up. I remember her first blue moon without him, she was bent over in pain and unable to move for a week, screaming and clutching her head. Back then I didn't know what was happening, but a lot has changed since then. If her nightmares kept getting worse and she kept getting more tired I'd know we were headed in the right direction. I didn't know exactly what we were getting into. That mainly depended on what kind of guy Ryan was. For Scarlett's and Adira's sake I hoped he was a good guy, otherwise we were all in a lot of trouble. I looked at Adi in the back seat still fast asleep. She deserved a dad, someone who adored her, loved her and protected her fiercely. Her mom and I had been doing that since the day she came into this world and that would never change. I met Scarlett while she was mid shift and mid labor in the woods, she was trying to get away from everyone when she ran straight into me. Her fur was grown in on her arms, in place of her hands were paws. She freaked out thinking she had run into a human and would have to kill me and give birth all at the same time. I transformed my paw while telling her it was ok. I wouldn't hurt her. But we could both sense the danger around us. There were rogues closing in, they must have smelled the blood, there was no easier target than a lone wolf and a newborn pup. They had waited until the very moment Adi was born to attack. We were on the edge of a cliff and surrounded. We pushed Adi behind us and Scarlett and I fought side by side just like we've been doing ever since. She became my sister that day, she says I saved her but she saved me too. She just didn't know it. Unfortunately there were some secrets that she just couldn't know. Not yet.

Scarlett

It was dark, the fog too thick to see. I could hear the growling, the snarling, the snap of teeth when one got too close to us. Then we were on the edge and there he was backed against the ledge, his wolf slipping on the rocks, he was gone falling down, screaming but it was him in human form. I tried so hard to grab hold of his hand but I was too late. My shift took too long. He was gone. I woke up with a start, looking around, taking in my surroundings. It was a dream, it was only a dream. "Hey you ok?" Mave asked, she was still driving. "Yeah this dream was different, there was more to it." I Was clutching my head. I always got headaches after these dreams. Like reliving my mates death wasn't bad enough. "Hey can we pull over at the next gas station?" She nodded and when the next one came she pulled over. I climbed out of the truck, walking into the station and going straight for the Tylenol. I grabbed a few waters and some snacks. We'd have to stop in the morning at a diner to get a proper breakfast for Adi. I mindlessly thought while buying everything. I walked out to Mave who was filling the tank. I shoved a few Tylenol and some water in my mouth before walking to the drivers side. There was a few hours til sunrise, I had only slept 2 hours but I didn't want to close my eyes anymore. "You sure you want to drive? You can sleep if you want. I'm good driving." Mave was sweet for offering but I needed to drive. I nodded my head and we pulled out of the gas station lot.

Mave

I was thankful for getting out of the station lot. Something made the hair on the back of my neck stand up but I didn't know what it was. I wish Scarlett would have slept longer though she looks rough. Also her dreaming would have helped a little more to gauge just how close we were. When she told me her dream had more to it then every other time, I knew we were on the right path. For now that would have to be enough.

I pulled into a small diner outside of a large city. If I was being honest I had no idea where we were. I just knew we were west of where we've been and headed to the last place I saw Ryan. I woke Mave before waking and unbuckling Adira from her car seat. Walking in the diner something smelled like vanilla and fresh berries. It made my mouth water, it smelled so amazing. We quickly took a booth seat and menus were dumped in front of us. "What is that amazing smell?" I asked our waitress and she smiled at me. "It's the pancakes hun. We make them with fresh berries, we have a local who brings them in." I nodded and ordered the pancakes with a coffee. "And what will it be for you sweetheart?" She asked Adi. "Can I have pantakes to?" She asked. The waitress looked at me for confirmation, after I nodded she jotted it down on her notepad. She looked at Mave next who seemed unsettled. "Uh a coffee and an omelet would be great." She said but it didn't seem like she was all there. When the waitress left I leaned over the table. "Are you ok? You don't seem yourself." Mave looked up at me. "Yeah just ready to get to the next town." There was still something off but I accepted what she said for now. The waitress came back shortly with our food and we dug in. I'm sure we looked like we hadn't eaten in forever.

Mave

The bell over the door rang, a tall man with dark hair walked in, he was wearing a white t-shirt that his muscles peaked through, a black baseball cap and a pair of jeans that cupped his ass. He was carrying a crate of fruit. And then the smell hit me. I shrank down in my seat hoping he would leave without seeing me. When he turned and walked out the door I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I watched as he climbed into his truck and pulled out of the parking lot. "OK seriously are you ok?" Scarlett looked at me, concern riddled all over her face. "Yeah, I just really need a shower." I said wiping my hand down my face. I looked at their plates that were now empty. "I think we should go." I threw some money on the table and led Scarlett and Adi outside. The smell filled my nose again but it was too late. Before I knew it, all I saw was black.