Arunia

Vacation

*Arunia’s POV*

It had been about an hour after closing time, which was 3 am. I’d told everyone else to go home and I’d stay and clean up. It took forever but I finally got it done, using the time to think about my weird encounter that night. I sighed and looked around, happy with my job. Everything was ready for tonight, I even prepped some of the drinks, so they were ready to pour. I had the night off, but I didn’t like staying at home. I lived in a dingy one bedroom apartment with barely any hot water or space, but it was all I could find after Sara and Blane got married and pregnant on their vacation. Neither of them talked to me much anymore. As I was leaving I noticed a note on my desk. It was from Bud. It had a ticket to some place in the mountains.

“ Hey Rune,

You work so hard and constantly that we thought for your 23rd birthday, we’d all pitch in and get you this ticket to go stay in the mountains, like you always say you want to. You’re on vacation for the next two weeks. We love you!

Love,

All of us at the Club”

I smiled and shook my head. The whole time I’d lived in this place, counting the collage years too, I’d always told Bud I felt this strange pull to the mountains, like it was calling me. It was strange.

>Later that dayRing ring ring

Ring ring ring

“Hey Rune! It’s been a while, what’s up?” Sara sounded exhausted. I smiled sadly at the thought.

“Just seeing how you guys have been. And letting you know I’m finally going on a vacation.” I waited a moment before finishing. “I miss you guys. I hope you’ve been okay.”

“Oh yeah we’ve just been getting ready for the baby. Then we found out it’s babies. As in two. It’s exhausting honestly.” She yawned and took a sip of her drink.

“Well I won’t keep you long, I just wanted to let you know I’m finally going to the mountains. I’ll be back in a week or two.” I held my breath waiting for her reply. She’d been against me going to there since I started talking about vacation years ago.

“Alright, we’ll make sure to check in so I know not to send out a search party. “ she laughed and said goodbye before hanging up. I took one more look around my apartment and couldn’t help but feel like I had before leaving for collage.

••••••••••

*Darian’s POV*

I had went back home after my interaction with Rune. I couldn’t believe my mate was human! Of all the possible things to happen, why did she have to be a human?

“D, if you keep sighing I’m going to have to ask you what’s wrong.” My Beta, Liam, said from across the conference table. It was just me and him filling out business work for the day. I’d been home all of a week, and people noticed a difference. I just couldn’t shake this feeling.

“Nothing is wrong, I’m just tired. I need a vacation.” I kept doing my work but Liam stopped, his mouth wide open, like an i***t.

“Dude. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say you need a vacation before. Something is DEFINITELY wrong. What’s up?” He put his papers down and pulled up a chair beside me. I sighed again and put my head in my hands. I had to tell him sooner or later. I’d just hoped it’d be later.

“I met my mate last week...” it was a simple sentence, but it made my heart break. Not saying it, admitting it to myself, was the only thing I had keeping me together. I was the Alpha of my pack. I was a leader of 200 people. I had no time for weakness, for emotions. I’d never let it get to me before.

“I take it it didn’t go well?...” Liam spoke quietly, not wanting to show how upset he was for me. He was a good friend, and a good Beta.

“It went fine, great even. She talked and told me her name, but..... she’s a human...” I laid my head on the table and sighed again.

“Oh man... humans never do well in our world... I’m so sorry Alpha...” Liam patted me on the back and gave me some space. He probably went to narc on me to my mother. Not that I could do anything about it.

Oh boy what a day this was going to be.

*Arunia’s POV*

I’d made it to the mountains and had decided to camp out at one of the cabins that had long been forgotten, but still stood. They had water and electricity and working toilets thank god. As soon as I stepped out of my car, I felt a weight I didn’t know was on me, lift off my shoulders. I felt like I belonged here. I finally felt happy.

(A few days later)

I’d made myself a routine. Wake up with the sun, make coffee or tea, whichever I felt like drinking. Then I’d make breakfast, usually a simple meal like eggs and toast or bacon. Then a hike, and lunch, then back home to sit on the porch to relax until sunset. I didn’t want to leave.

It was dark out and I was making dinner when I heard a growl outside the back door. I stopped and made sure it was locked, and the front, before finishing my cooking. I couldn’t focus so I ended up burning it a little. I didn’t hear the noise again, but I was still on high alert when I laid down that night. I was right to be.

Because I woke up in a completely different place.