THE NOCTURNE [first and only human mate in history]

A novel by Celestial Athena, Prologue I can still remember the day that I met him. I was at work, in the cinema, waiting for time to pass by as I tried to fake a smile at every customer I serve. Don't get me wrong, I do like working here because it's fun and all. But sometimes, customers are just annoying as hell. "Hey, you're almost done with your shift." Yes, finally. "I know," I smiled at my manager. This time, it was genuine. I need to leave as soon as possible. "I have an exam tomorrow." "Is that so?" He asked and I nodded. "Then, go ahead. I can finish up here. I'll take care of your timesheet." Well, that was unexpected. I don't know what the heck is going on and why he's in such a good mood, but I'm not going to contest it. I grinned and internally thanked him forever. "Wait, really? Cause I'll do it." I warned him. "Yeah," he confirmed. "Go home and study." Wow, OK! "Thank you." I immediately ran towards the employee lounge to get my stuff. It was really heavy. I have a backpack, with my laptop in it and several books I've borrowed from my library. I also had a pocketbook with me about werewolves. Lately, I've been crazy about them. I first read about them in an electronic book and since then, I've been hooked. Good thing I was able to buy an actual hardcopy of the book. I don't know, the stories about Alphas seem to really interest me. Wouldn't it be easier if you were predestined to be with someone? And would you would you be able to tell? I bet 50% of divorces in the United States would go down if that were the case. Sometimes I feel like the uncertainty of "what ifs" is what kills relationships. If the universe tells you you're meant to be with someone, wouldn't you want to just stick with it? Ah, the lives of the werewolves in these books are so easy. You meet, you instantly feel the love, and you stay together - bonus: everyone around you will respect that fact. Unlike humans, it doesn't matter if you have a ring on your finger, you can never trust anyone. "You're deep in your thoughts right now, huh?" I was startled a little bit when I heard my best friend, Faye's voice. "Hey, I didn't know you were here!" "Ugh," she groaned while trying to find her ID. "I got called in." She works in the same mall as I do. Faye is an amazing person. She's always been there for me, and we met at work before we both went to college. Now, we're almost seniors. "Sucks for you. I got sent home because of my exam," I bragged, and she raised her eyebrows. "Exam my ass." she snorted. "I do have an exam." I laughed and she rolled her eyes. "Well, I'll see you later then. Be careful, it's snowing." I grimaced. "Yeah, thanks. See you." She giggled before walking away from me. I checked my phone as I walked past through the crowd. It's below freezing. It's cold because it's winter, and while Faye hates it, I secretly find solace seeing the snow and feeling the frosty air. I don't know. There's just something natural about the winter that I really love. Faye finds it odd that I love taking walks during below freezing weather. I'm much thicker skinned than her. It's my dream to live in Alaska and just be out there on my own, in a cabin, without anyone to worry about. "Beautiful," I exclaimed when I got out of the mall and caught sight of the snow. I held out my hand and caught snowflakes. I excitedly got into my car and connected my phone. I immediately played music and decided to drive the long route. "You have an exam," I reminded myself. "But you also need some peace before you study. You know it's good for concentration." Good point, self. Good point. Self-love. "Oh god, so beautiful!" I exclaimed. I decided to park my car and take a short walk in the woods. This trail leads to a very beautiful view. I usually come here alone in the morning, but I've never been here at night. Because of the snow, it's brighter. It's around 9pm at night but still, everything is visible. The snow reflects the light, and everything is just breathtaking. I don't mind the cold. I wrapped my body with a warm shawl Faye made me. As I walked closer to the woods and onto the trail, I felt the chilly wind. "Almost there, Z." I chirped. My ears were almost going numb, but I carefully stopped walking when I heard footsteps behind me. I nervously looked behind me but didn't see anyone walking or riding the bike. I'm pretty sure my heart rate is up to the 130s now. Who the hell is walking in the woods and not in the trail? Am I hallucinating, or is someone following me? "Holy fuck." I almost slipped when a voice startled my whole being. I couldn't feel the cold anymore. All I could feel was adrenalin, the rush, the horror. I still cannot see who was talking. It was a deep voice and I felt like he was taken aback too. By what? I don't know. I started looking at every corner of my eyes while tightly holding onto my phone, ready to call 911 if something bad happened. I almost screamed in surprise when my peripheral vision caught a man emerging from the trees. My eyes widened in fear when I saw him, followed by a group. They aren't wearing any coats, just regular clothes. "She's looking at us." He said as if he feared me, too. A woman behind them giggled and hit him on the head. "Stop being so scared of humans. You're human too." Humans? What the hell are they talking about? I wanted to say, "What?" but I couldn't say anything. My throat felt very tight. I don't know why, but this isn't how I feel whenever I see people in this location. This meeting felt very bizarre, out of the ordinary. "Part human." He corrected her. WHAT? Is this a joke? I was pinching myself and I could feel every bit of it. I'm awake, I think. "She's still staring at us." He spoke. "Calm down. She can't see us." She replied. "Yeah, probably just cold or something. Or maybe having a stroke." Another person giggled. They were laughing and some of them saw me but didn't mind. While I was frantically and internally panicking, they just treated me as if I was invisible. They all walked past me, not caring that I was staring at them. They weren't just average men, though; they were all extremely tall. Their muscles were highly defined and, judging by the way they don't wear coats, they looked extremely warm. The men started to walk when I gasped as a red wolf came out behind them. My eyes grew bigger and bigger, and I knew that they had stopped walking and talking as I stumbled back. I didn't want to look away, so I started walking out in a backward manner, but only caused me to fall on my butt. It was a gentle fall, but it seemed and felt louder as everyone grew silent. Their attention was drawn back to me, they were taken aback by my expression. I felt a great rush of adrenalin as I knew exactly what they were. The silver wolf's eyes snapped into my area and stared at me. I heard a loud growl from him that sent numerous shivers through my body. He was about to step forward with his canines slowly showing off and scaring me when a man put his hand in front of the wolf. The wolf stopped in his tracks and subtly bowed down. All their eyes were on me and as soon as another strong-looking and tall man appeared right in front of my eyes, the words came out of my mouth in great horror. "Werewolves?" I whispered. I saw how the expressions of unimaginable shock appeared on their faces, as if I was not supposed to see them or know what they were.