Her Wolf Mate

4

“Hey! I didn’t mean to upset you! If you want something else-”

“No,” I rub my eyes fiercely, my heart aching. “I’m sorry. I just – You’re being really kind to me, and I – I’ve not had that for a while.”

She hesitates before pulling out the chair across from me and sitting down, “Ah, I’ve seen you around, you know. My friend, Lacy, brought her kitten to the clinic a couple of months ago. I think you were the one who treated the cat. She mentioned you.”

I give her a tiny smile, “The fawn-colored baby. She had to be dewormed. Nothing spectacular.”

Seline’s lips curve, “Well, my friend was terrified, and you were really nice to her from what she said.”

“Oh.”

“I’m Seline, by the way,” she sticks out her hand, and I have no choice but to shake it.

The moment my hand comes into contact with hers, I feel a sharp electrical current move through me, and I let out a sharp gasp, releasing her hand. However, she grips my hand, forcing it over, her eyes narrowed.

“What is this?” she hisses, staring at the mark on my wrist, “You’re an Other.”

I try to pull back my hand, but she doesn’t let go, “Who put this on you?”

“Please,” I whimper, terrified, glancing towards the window. “Somebody will see!”

“This is dark magic,” Seline says coldly. “It’s constricting your abilities.”

I don’t know how she knows this, but I’m about to have a panic attack right about now.

“Please let go!” I whisper, tears in my eyes.

If any of my brothers sees this, they will kill me! This seal was supposed to be a secret, a punishment. If-

“This is killing your animal,” Seline tells me darkly, letting go of my hand. “I can remove it for you.”

I see the kitchen door open, and a large man walks out, his eyes narrowed, “What’s all the screaming?”

“It’s nothing, Lexi,” Seline tells him before glancing at me. “I can help you, you know.”

“N-No, you can’t,” I stammer. “If my brothers find out-”

“They put this on you?!” She hisses. “Don’t they know that a dark seal like this can drain you of your life?!”

I bite my tongue, admitting slowly, “Probably.”

“What seal?” Lexi walks over, and I get a closer look at the shaggy-haired man.

He’s built in the way bodybuilders are, his frame thick but his waist trim. He has dark brown eyes and thin lips, which border on cruel. Yet, he doesn’t look very mean. He’s almost handsome.

But right now, I’m not concerned with his looks.

I try to hide my hand under the table, and Seline scowls over her shoulder at Lexi, “You’re scaring the girl.”

“I just want to see!” he complains but backs off. However, he doesn’t go far, lingering near the counter, his eyes trained on me.

Something within me tightens, but I dismiss it as fear.

“You’re a shifter, right?” Seline studies me. “I can feel it. Which kind?”

I shrink.

The one thing I know for sure in this place is that wolves and Panthers don’t get along. It’s some animal thing. My brothers openly despise the wolves, and some of Nolan’s tribe members tried to attack Seline once.

“I – I would rather not say,” I mutter, hiding my hands under the table.

I can see the way she watches me as if the wheels in her head are turning. Her voice is slow, “We don’t have any Lynx shifters in the area, and since you work in town, you must be a long-time resident.” Her eyes narrow, “Don’t tell me you’re a panther?”

I close my eyes, readying myself to be kicked out of the restaurant, but when nothing happens, aside from a snarl coming from Lexi’s direction, I open my eyes and see a wry smile forming on Seline’s face.

“Sorry,” I mumble.

“For what?” Seline laughs lightly. “You shouldn’t be sorry you’re a Panther.”

“But I know that Panthers and Wolves-”

“Oh, forget about that,” she leans forward, and when Lexi’s growl intensifies in volume, she snaps, “Zip it, Lexi. Go in the kitchen if you have a problem with her!”

He falls into a sullen silence, but I can see him staring at me, and I feel a stab of fear. His wolf is in his eyes, and I know that if I make one false move, it’s lights out for me.

Seline turns her attention towards me, “I can help you remove this seal.”

I look down at my hand and desperately want to say yes, my heart thudding. Common sense dictates that I say yes and then escape my brothers. But the fear they have instilled within me is no small thing. I’m terrified of what they will do to me if they find me.

“N-No,” I shake my head. “I can’t risk it.”

I feel stupid and weak right now, but a lifetime of abuse leaves its marks.

“Look-”

I get to my feet, shaking now, “You don’t understand! I can’t!”

Seline looks at me in shock, “Okay. Okay, why don’t you-”

“I should go,” I grab my bag, trembling. “I’m sorry. I should – I’m sorry-”

I rush out, and no one stops me.

My appetite is long gone, and I run all the way to the clinic. My heart is racing when I stumble to a stop, searching for my keys and fumbling with the lock.

As soon as I enter, I close and latch the door before slumping to the floor.

When did I become so weak and helpless?

My arms are tight around my knees as I rock back and forth, my tears hot and relentless. I wish I was stronger like Seline or had the self-confidence that Universe wore like a second skin. But everything I was has been meticulously beaten out of me. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I don’t know what I like. I don’t know how to exist without fear.

A strangled cry of misery rips from my throat.

I need an out. I don’t want to die a painful death.

My eyes flick toward the back room where all the medicines are kept.