The Alchemist

proper introductions

- Daniel -

I couldn't be prouder of my mate, and I was desperate to formulate a solid plan to woo her. The first step was to catch her. She slipped away right after her speech and I had trouble getting away from that clingy Swiss woman. I heard my mate, supporting students was her priority, so our next encounter would be at the student poster session and my intuition was she would attend the poorer university where discrimination would be highest. I needed to think fast, and I spent my next hour over the phone with a not-so-happy Sharon (I kind of forgot about the time difference) to formulate a plan on how our company could help my mate's cause.

Now I had to meet her and make a better impression. The thing was, I had no idea how to seduce a woman to start with. I never really had to try, being alpha in line and all that was pretty easy, and I always thought my mate would be a wolf, so with the mate bond, no need to court each other. But my mate was human and unaware of our existing life, let alone our ways and traditions. That was going to be challenging, but my future and my pack were on the line, so I was willing to do my best.

After organizing a few things, everything was ready, and I headed out to the student poster session. Some of the students were looking really promising. I really wanted to show her that I had listened, and heard her.

I smelt her before I saw her, and there she was in deep conversation with a student from a local university who could attend the conference on a bursary. I willed myself to appear normal instead of a lovesick pup. I wiped my clammy hands on my trousers. I waited until she finished her conversation before approaching her.

"_ Camille, huh. I guess I finally caught your name.

_ You got me, Daniel.

_ I guess I owe you an apology for assuming you were a man. I thought your speech this morning was an eye-opener. I guess I was never aware of my own bias.

_ Well, you're the first man admitting to his mistake. Hope your pride is not too bruised.

_ No, not at all. I guess learning from mistakes and correcting them is the only way to better yourself, don't you think?

_ I... couldn't say it better myself."

Yeees! I could see she was impressed, my wolf was preening and moon walking, that goofball. Now to the wooing, I had to carry on before her enticing smell and her looks were too distracting.

"_ Your speech was so thought-provoking that I pulled some strings. My tech company will fund an inclusive program from students all over the world in STEM based on merit and talent only, rather than biased by money and prestige.

_ You will? I honestly don't know what to say. I'm glad my cause inspired you.

_ Maybe it is also how you advocated for it, so much passion, it looks important to you.

_ It is, I'm touched.

_ So, would you allow me to talk to you about it more in detail around dinner?

_ Hmm, dinner, huh...

_ Yes, dinner, my treat.

_ Is it a ploy to get me out on a date?

_ Would you say no if it was a date?

_ I never mix work with pleasure.

_ Well, my program is not finalized yet, and I would like to have your expert opinion on some details. On a very professional level. But I wouldn't mind getting to know more about you.

_ You're not going to give up, right?

_ Unlikely. You're free tonight? Say 6pm?

_ Only because your program does sound interesting and could benefit a lot of students.

_ Is that a yes?

_ 7pm, lobby, be sharp."

I was all smiles and so glad this conversation went a lot better than the previous day. This was progress. I had to plan the perfect date. I let her get on with the other students and went back on the phone to Sharon now the time differences were better aligned to discuss this program in more depth. I worked with Sharon between all the other meetings I had scheduled that afternoon, and it was already time to be ready for our date. I was so nervous... how did you do this dating thing? I needed a pep talk and had a phone call to make. Asap!

"_ Hello big Bro! How are the wursts over Germany?

_ Wurst? Theo! I need you help.

_ Yeah, wurst, the sausages, nevermind. You? You need my help? That is a first... Spill.

_ Well, I met my mate...

_ Wow, awesome Brother, I'm happy for you.

_ She's human.

_ Oh boy...

_Yeah... I don't even know where to start in this courtship and I have a date with her tonight.

_ You're in trouble, Daniel. Humans don't know our ways and don't feel the bond. But... Can I just laugh at your predicament?! YOU... asking ME for advice about females. It is hilarious.

_ Stop it... I'm not stupid, I know you're popular with females, both humans and wolves.

_ Aww, is that a compliment? I'm touched. First, you need to dress to impress. You need to pay attention to what she says, pay her compliments, tell her she's special, all those kinds of things. Humans are gullible and they love that stuff.

_ Well, my human mate is a bit more complex... she's super-intelligent and successful... and Moon Goddess, her beauty is outside of this world.

_ Hahaha, you already sound like a lovesick puppy, dude... Well, no offense to you, Brother, but if she's all that, how come she's still single? You know as well as I do that humans do not wait for their mates. I didn't even know humans could have mates...

_ I don't think she likes men very much...

_ Dating her sounds like a walk in the park, hahaha!

_ Shut up and help me. How do you seduce a human female? You had plenty of exposure!

_ Oh yeah, well I just go in, my looks do most of the work, and I play nice. I make tons of innuendos, I am light and funny, and 9 times out of 10, I score! I make sure the females are left satisfied, and I leave them nicely, playing my adventurer card and that's it.

_ Well, I haven't told you everything... Our first encounter was weird.

_ Weird? What did you do? Bored her with your estates and business crap?

_ I... no... I thought she was somebody else, but she actually was the scientist I was after for the cure project.

_ Well, that's even better! She's becoming more attractive by the day!

_ You don't get it... I thought she was a man, like everybody else.

_ Whaaaaat? Hang on, does she look like a man? Dude! You say she was pretty!

_ No! You fool! She definitely looks like a woman... so beautiful that I couldn't help but keeping staring at her. I mean she's so pretty, she struck me.

_ So she thinks you're a retard...

_ No! Well... Kind of... Maybe? I hope not...

_ Man, I wish I was there and could hide in the background to see you handle this date / business meeting with your mate!

_ Shush, you i***t! I need a plan!

_ Whatever. So if I sum up your situation, you're asking me, a notorious man-w***e, for advice to woo your mate, a brilliant and beautiful human who thinks you are a sexist retard...

_ Hey! Well, that's one way to put it... I do sound like a desperate douchebag... but, yes, it is basically it.

_ I'm sorry to tell you, but you're screwed."

Theo was right... I was screwed. I could only wear my best suit and send a prayer to the Moon Goddess to help me salvage things with my mate.