Second chances and new starts

Hope turns to fear

When I wake up the next morning, I remember what today is. I hope we find her mate. The thought depresses me as it gives me hope. I want her to have someone that will love her, but I also fear that once she finds him, we won’t still have our connection. I bury that fear deep. Rose is more important than anything else.

I consider taking my car to school, but the weather is so nice that I know we will both want to walk.

Rose.

I have a bounce in my step. I know I do. But I am so anxious. What if I meet my mate? The pit of my stomach whirled and we walk to whole way to school in silence. I know it’s because Ray can see I am jumpy. She is letting me find my equilibrium. I am always surprised by how well she knows what I need.

As we walk through the door I am hit with a scent that makes my heart flutter. Mate. I can hear my wolf cry and we look around for the source of that smell. Like freshly squeezed lime and wood smoke.

Oh my gosh. It’s Peter. The son of the alpha. I gulp as he walks up to me. A smile on his face. “hello" he says as he reaches up and strokes my cheek. I lean into his hand, rubbing it against his warm , rough hand. The tingles spread down my neck and around my body.

Raya

Him?! While I wouldn’t say he is a great guy, I don’t have any negative feelings towards him. Plus, he is the son of the alpha. I am pleased. I have confidence that her will be able to protect her. She spends the rest of the day in a dreamy fog, chatting with Peter and getting to know each other. I quietly follow along. Watching her so happy makes me feel warm inside. All the jealousy and concern I had melt away. I just feel happy and mostly relieved.

Rose

Today felt like a dream. However it soon became a nightmare. After school, Peter walked me home. I just... I never wanted him to leave my side. But I have things to do before dad get home. I clean the house and cook 3 different dinners. Spaghetti, steak and veg and fried chicken. Everything is kept in the oven to keep warm since I know he will be home very soon. I double check the fridge to make sure there is lots of cold beer and open the liquor cabinet and grab his whisky and put it on the table. I hear the door open and quickly race to grab a glass, putting it next to the bottle as he walks in. He isn’t alone. Feelings of dread nearly overwhelm me when I see my uncle, his brother by his side.

My dad was half way drunk. An accomplishment that he works very had to repeatedly achieve. With our werewolf bodies, we are difficult to feel the effects of alcohol. But it doesn’t stop him.

My uncle on the other hand is stone cold sober and giving me a look that chills me to my core. I start to back out the room when he moves his lips into a greasy smile “we heard you found your mate. The Alpha's son. Such a proud accomplishment. “ her father chimes in with a gruff and slurred “yeah right. Like his going to accept this filthy little mistake. “ he takes another swig from his beer and as he stumbles away, he orders me to get another case from the carport. I turn and walk out the room. Wanting to get as far away from them as possible.