Taboo: Her Married Mate

Separate Paths

“Okay, so we have a history paper and an English assignment to do before next week. I think we've got this pretty much handled. Do you think that we could at least spare a few hours to plan my party? I want to make sure that everything is in order. Before the party planner gets here. I would like a pre-plan before she thinks that she is going to put her hands on anything.” Annie said she had been dreaming of her nineteenth birthday since Aurora could remember. Always talking about getting her wolf, what she would do with her mate, what they would do together in their future. Annie was obsessed. She was living in her own movie.

“Yeah, I don't see why not. Let's pull out your party book. And make sure that we have got everything ready for your planner. Does your mom know that you changed your mind on the venue?” Aurora asked. Annie stopped and stared at her for a bit after that. “The venue that I wanted to change the party to is it not available for the night that we want to have the party, unless we make it a girls-only get together? So we're just gonna have to stick in our original place because I'm definitely not going to limit my chances of meeting my mate.” Annie said with a slight giggle.

Ever since the girls had turned fifteen, Annie was obsessed with the idea of her mate and s*x. It would make Aurora embarrassed at the idea that she, too, would be finding a mate. Annie pulled out a big glue binder with glitter writing on the front that said ‘Annie's Nineteenth’ in big letters. She had been scrapbooking for her party since they turned nine, and they learned what happens when they get their wolf.

Opening up the huge binder, Annie skipped a few pages and went to the page with the venue. She had cutouts from online pictures and pamphlets that she would pick up from around town. Aurora absolutely loved Annie's sense of detail. She always made sure that when they did group projects, Annie was on decoration. Aurora would do the writing and the research parts of the assignment. Together, they always made an effective team.

After a few hours of giggling and cutting and pasting images into Annie's giant birthday scrapbook, there was a knock on Annie's bedroom door. “Come in,” Annie said cheerfully.

Charles popped his head through the door. “I just wanted to check on you girls and see if you guys were almost ready for dinner. Your mom is downstairs whipping up something that smells great. I didn't think that she had it in her!” Annie started to chuckle, “That's because it's not her cooking. I overheard her hiring another dinner chef the other day. I think he's going to be a permanent replacement.”

Annie's mom was never one for cooking or anything to do with being a homemaker.

“Well, regardless, girls, it is time to come on down. Also, you will save me from the boredom of being down there by myself,” Charles said with a slight crooked smile. He closed the door, and you could hear his footsteps descend into the hall and then down the stairs. Annie looked over at Aurora.

Quickly looking down, knowing that she had a bashful look on her face. Annie let out a slight giggle and spoke “Come on, Aurora, let's go eat.”

Dinner was fantastic and was definitely a chef-made meal. Aurora could not help but notice all the little bursts of flavor with every bite she had. It was a pasta with a very creamy cheese sauce.

Knowing Aurora's parents, they were probably ordering takeout and eating it in their bedroom or on their sides of the house as well.

One thing Annie and Aurora’s parents had in common, especially after Annie's mom had married Charles, was that their parents were never seen together. Always eating in their separate sections of the house, unless one of the girls had the other over. Then everyone always sat together at the table, pretending to be the most perfect family.

“Aurora honey, I was chatting with your mother about your end of the school year plans the other day. I had no idea that you were considering teaching. That's really awesome. What grade are you thinking of? Is there any subject in mind?” Annie's mom said, looking over at Aurora. “Well, I'm considering teaching in elementary school. Probably third or fourth grade. I am definitely favoring math as a specialty subject, but I am also open to changing my mind if needed.” Aurora answered.

“That's quite a goal”, Charles said. “My late wife was a teacher. She absolutely loved it.” he finished. The room fell silent. Annie's mom cleared her throat, bringing attention to a new subject.

“So, Annie, did you tell Aurora that you have decided not to attend college next year?” Annie's mom said with a big gleeful smile. Annie put her fork down and looked at her mom. “No, mom, I have not been able to discuss this yet with Aurora, but now that you bring it up. I guess I have no choice but to talk about it now.” Annie said, turning her gaze to Aurora and instantly feeling as if somehow Annie and her mom were using Aurora as a buffer to avoid a fight.

“So, Aurora, as you know, I am going to be nineteen in about a week.” Annie said with her smile getting bigger. She loved to talk about her nineteenth birthday. “Well, anyway, I've decided to do that instead of going to school. I am going to settle down after finding my mate, and I'm going to go work with my mother in the meantime. She has an open opportunity for me. That way, I can then focus on myself and my future cubs.” Annie said, putting her hands in her lap. She knew how Aurora felt about furthering their education and not putting their lives aside for their mates and cubs. But Aurora already knew how she felt about the idea of family and her future mate.

The one subject the girls could not agree upon.

“Wow, Annie, that is a big decision.

I can not say I am surprised; you have only been talking about wanting to do this with your life, since we were little girls," Aurora had fought back what she genuinely wanted to say. Annie knew that Aurora was biting her tongue on the subject and decided to get up and start clearing the table. "Anyway, well, I am so stuffed. Here, I will help with the dishes. Aurora, when you are done, just bring your plate to the back. And then you can go back upstairs if you want." she said, grabbing as much stuff as she could, trying to avoid any further discussion on the subject. Aurora knew that somehow an argument was approaching and wanted to avoid it at all costs. Annie was a bit dramatic when it came to their fights. And Aurora would do anything to avoid that. “Actually, Annie. I was thinking I was going to walk home instead of staying the night tonight. Would that be okay?”

Annie stopped dead in her tracks before entering the door that led to the back kitchen. “Oh really? Are you sure? If you want, I can just walk with you early in the morning. And we can go to bed early tonight. I'm tired, too.” The girls just stared at each other silently for a moment. Aurora already knew that if she left early, Annie would be sad and would take it offensively.

“OK Annie, sure, I will just go home early in the morning.” Aurora said, standing up and collecting her plates. She followed Annie into the kitchen and put her stuff in the sink. “Don't worry about helping with washing any of this stuff. We can do it tomorrow, or I will do it myself after you go home,” Annie said. They were both avoiding a fight. Conversations on the topic of graduation and college did that.

Aurora shook her head at Annie and went back out the door to the dining hall where Annie's mother and Charles were sitting. The room was quiet, and they were awkwardly eating their food across the table from each other.

“Good night,” Aurora said as she walked past them and out the dining room door towards the foyer.

Quickly heading up the stairs back to Annie's room. Aurora threw herself down on Annie's spare bed and closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep.

One day, Annie and Aurora were not going to be as close as they were. That scared Aurora.