Mated Runaway

Hope

Addison’s POV

I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand after taking the pan of muffins out the oven. This is the longest I’ve stayed in one place since I left home. It feels nice being clean and having fresh clothes to put on. After I finished washing dishes Sunday, Mable show me a little apartment above the bakery. She offered to let me stay here and work in the bakery as long as I needed to. At first, I was skeptical and told her I would just be staying one night, but Monday morning when I woke up she had left a bag of new clothes at the door. I forgot what it feels like to wear clothes that aren’t worn and dirty. And the shower! I can’t remember the last time I got to take an actual hot shower. I didn’t even mind when the water started getting colder. I just let it wash over me. In a way it was as if each drop was hope. The more water that touched me, the more drawn I was to staying. When I walked downstairs that morning, I heard Mable in the kitchen and went to let her know that I decided to stay. I couldn’t say for how long, but for now, I’m here and I feel hopeful.

The work has been steady. I’m either measuring ingredients, putting something in the oven, taking something out the oven, or washing dishes. I underestimated how much work goes into a bakery. No wonder Mable looked so tired when I first came in. The thought of Mable being on her own makes me sad and I catch myself biting my lip. Something about her makes me feel at home here. I haven’t felt that since I lost Mom and I can’t say that I haven’t missed it. Once I finish up the last sink full of dishes we’ll be done for the day. Mable told me she wanted to introduce me to a few of her friends later at dinner and I’m a little nervous. I’m not all that great at being social. I just hope that they’re not expecting me to answer 1000 questions about myself and my past. If I hurry I can go for a run and be back in time to still get ready. It always eases my nerves to let my wolf take control. I dry off the last pan and put it in the cupboard and run upstairs to grab a bag for my clothes and head to the forest. Luckily this forest has enough trees that keep their leaves year round that I will be able to shift without being seen. Once I’m far enough in the trees I undress and put all my clothes in my bag. I allow myself to shift enjoying the peace that washes over me.

My wolf is beautiful. My fur is white at the roots and gradually darkens to tan and again to a rust color on the tips, it makes my blue wolf eyes pop. It’s a dramatic change from my plain human form of flat dull brown hair and brown eyes. I take off at full speed and notice the increased amount of energy I have from a good nights sleep and real food. The cold December air feels amazing. After a few minutes I slow to a walk and cherish the feel of the rich dirt under my paws and the smell of the forest around me. I walk a few minutes more before I catch a scent that stops me in my tracks. Another wolf. How could I have possibly not noticed this before? Not knowing if this is a rogue or possibly the outskirts of a pack’s territory, I turn to leave. I can’t risk the chance of finding out either way. I run as quick as I can back to the tree I left my bag at. I need to get out of this forest. I get back and quickly shift and get dressed. As I’m stepping out into the clearing I hear a snap. I glance back and see a huge grey wolf running the opposite way. So, there is another wolf around.

I feel my heart sink, I really wanted to stay here. I had let myself relish in the hope I felt of a new life. But what if its just a rogue and they thought the same as me and are moving on? Maybe that’s why they were running away. I want to let myself believe that but I can’t risk the chance of accidentally being mated. I feel my eyes sting from tears threatening to spill over. “But we’re happy here,” whines my wolf. “Are we though?”, I snap back. Yes, I enjoy the bed and being able to take a shower each day. Yes, I enjoy regular meals and not feeling a constant pang of hunger. But how long will that last knowing there’s a possibility of running into any other wolves?

I slowly climb the stairs to my apartment, still arguing with myself about what I’m going to do not noticing that my door was partially opened. The hair stands up on the back of my neck when I realize someone has been in here. I don’t have anything for anyone to take so I immediately think of Mable. Is she ok? Is someone trying to hurt her? I feel my wolf getting defensive over the thought of anything bad happening to her. I turn and go back downstairs making a point to focus on anything out of place. When I get to the front of the bakery I see nothing else seems to have been disturbed. I stand there for a minute trying to make sense of things. Could Mable be the one that was in my room? Well technically it’s hers so she has the right, but why would she do that when she seemed so content with trusting me and not prying? I head back upstairs to get ready for dinner and decided to question Mable on the way. If I’m going to stay here I need some answers and privacy.