Chapter 1: Mate
Chapter 1: Mate
Pushing open the clinic door, the smell of antiseptic and old wood filled Emma’s nostrils. The room was dimly lit, with dust motes floating in the sunlight that filtered through the windows. The reception area was small, with a worn counter and a couple of chairs against the wall.
Emma moved further into the clinic, her footsteps echoing softly. It felt strange, being here, knowing that this would be her new reality.
A noise from the back of the clinic made her freeze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head, listening. It sounded like someone moving—rustling, the clink of metal. Emma swallowed, her pulse quickening. She took a cautious step forward, her eyes narrowing as she peered down the hallway that led to the exam rooms.
"Hello?" she called, her voice barely above a whisper.
No answer.
Emma moved closer, her gaze fixed on the partially open door at the end of the hallway. Her palms felt clammy, and she wiped them on her jeans, inching forward. She reached the door, her fingers brushing against the wood as she pushed it open.
A man was crouched near a cabinet, rummaging through the supplies. Bandages, clips, packets and antibacterial wipes lay at his feet, and he was bleeing from a small cut on his back. He looked up, startled, his eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, neither of them moved. He was tall, with dark hair that fell across his forehead, and his eyes were an intense shade of gray that seemed almost otherworldly. His features were sharp yet inviting, and a small, almost apologetic smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Mate," he said softly, his intense gaze never leaving hers.
Emma inhaled sharply. He was young, undeniably handsome, with a strong jawline and a physique that suggested strength and agility. The word he spoke confused her, and she wasn’t sure if she’d heard him correctly. "What are you doing here?" she managed to ask, her voice shaky.
The man didn’t answer. He stood slowly, his gaze still locked on hers, his expression gentle, his eyes softening as if to reassure her. He took a step back, then another, before turning and slipping out the back door without another word.
Emma stood frozen, her heart pounding in her ears. She heard the door click shut, the quiet settling around her once more. She took a shaky breath, her mind racing. Who was he? And what did he mean by "mate"?
Emma moved as if on auto pilot, peering out of the small window the back. The forest line was thick and she wondered why anyone would battle their way through the undergrowth.
Footsteps approached from behind, and Emma turned quickly, her parents coming in through the front door.
"Everything alright, Em?" her dad asked, noticing the look on her face.
Emma hesitated, her eyes flicking back to the door at the end, still ajar, the room empty now. Packets and bandages still lay on the floor by the cabinet. She forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah, I’m fine," she said, though her voice didn’t sound quite right. "Just... getting used to the place."
Her mom smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It’ll feel like home soon enough," she said, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Come on, come check out those stables."
Emma nodded, letting her mom guide her out of the clinic. But as they stepped outside, she couldn’t shake the image of the man’s eyes, the way they seemed to see right through her, or the strange word he had spoken.
Something about Ashgrove was different, and the drive had felt like it would never end. Emma had spent most of it leaning her head against the window, watching the dense forest blur past as the winding road seemed to go on forever. The trees were tall and thick, pressing in on both sides of the road, casting long shadows that shifted in the afternoon light. It was a stark contrast to the suburban landscape she was used to, where everything felt open and connected. Here, it was just trees—endless, dark, and isolating.
Her parents had been excited about the move. Her dad had taken a job at the Ashgrove Veterinary Clinic, hoping for a quieter life away from the bustle of the city. Emma's mom had been fully on board, talking about how great it would be for all of them to have a fresh start. After the events, the affair, the heartbreak that had been the catalyst for this change she was surprised to see her parents so happy.
Emma had tried to share in their enthusiasm, but the thought of leaving behind everything she knew—even if she didn’t have many close friends—had made her feel uneasy. She was on the cusp of turning 18, and moving to a small town felt like her life was stalling, not beginning. How was she supposed to spread her wings in a town like this?
The town of Ashgrove was small, quaint, and almost otherworldly. As they had driven through the narrow main street, Emma had noticed the rows of houses, the handful of shops, and the general store that all seemed like relics of a different era, buildings that looked like they hadn’t changed in decades. Her parents had been so excited to have a clinic and business of their own.
Now, standing there with her parents, Emma tried to push aside her unease. The stables were musty and needed new straw, and the ground was sunken in one spot as if something had been living there recently, but Emma didn't notice.
She was still thinking about him. His gentle smile, his piercing gaze. His look of utter confusion upon seeing her. Who was he? He couldn't have been older than 21, he didn't look homeless, but he was injured. Maybe Ashgrove was going to be more exciting than she had first thought.
