I wake up, hearing my alarm going off. I roll over and realize that I'm late for school, or at least I will be if I don't hurry up. I never wake up late. I always go to bed at a decent time, and always get up with no issues. But last night I tossed and turned, a lot. I don't know why either. Nothing I can think of can explain it. Regardless, my lack of deep sleep is already impacting me. Hurrying to get dressed I slip on some leggings, boots, and a shirt of my dad's. I'm sure I look frumpy but who cares, I never look fantastic anyway. I'm comfortable and out the door. That's all that matters.
Luckily, I am able to slip into homeroom with no issues from Mrs. Farrow and the day goes pleasantly smooth after that. Nothing happens today and only the Goddess knows how thankful I am for that. Once school gets out, I head to work. Luckily since I work int he back, no one really cares what I wear. That means I don't have to bother with stopping at home to change.
I wave at Thomas on the way in and start walking toward the storeroom, but he stops me. "There is a big wig coming by today who has been looking at a lot of area businesses. Seems like he's interested in the area and is scoping it out. Word is that he might make some major investments if he likes what he sees! He's been taking tours of the area to see if we fit his style, I guess. The teller at the bank told me that he would likely be around and a I got a call from his secretary who said he'd be here within the next few hours!" He's overly giddy about this. "Isn't that exciting? Our little town may be getting a bit bigger." Yup giddy is the perfect word.
He continues to go on and on about the other businesses that have been visited and how lucky he was that our small-town grocer made 'the list'. The teller must have let off some serious gossip, because he starts going on about how this 'big wig' just reeks of money. Thomas isn't easily bought, but he does like the idea of our town prospering more.
"Sounds pretty cool. I'll stay in the back when they're here, I don't want to get in anyone's way." I smile at him, so he thinks that I'm just shy and don't want any attention. That's partially true at least. I'm not shy with people I trust, but I really don't want any attention.
"You know you don't have to. You're the hardest worker I've ever seen, I'd have no problem telling anyone that and showing you off. In fact, that might be a good idea, get your face out there. Networking you know?"
"NO!" Shit. Back-peddle! Back-peddle! "I mean, I'm not into spotlight and I'm looking at collages out of the area anyway. I appreciate the thought but there's no need to showcase me." Think girl, get out of this. "I mean, look, I'm not even dressed for this kind of thing. I'd be embarrassed and feel like I wasn't showing the right image." Please don't do anything stupid Thomas.
"Okay, okay. I'll let you hide away in that cold back room. All alone. With no one to talk to." He looks sad about this, like he was going to show me off as a trophy or something. I'm no trophy.
I quickly thank him, then run back to the storeroom and get started on organizing everything that came in today. Thinking back to our conversation, it makes sense the way that Alpha Meiers' visit has been explained to the humans. That way the Alpha can get a full tour and at the same time, there's nothing odd or eye catching about it. I mean, how else would you explain some well-dressed (I assume) man with an entourage running all around him like he was the most important think in their lives. Businessman—perfect. Investment interests—all businesses open to review. And if treaties are expanded, there would likely be growth in town, matings and all. So, it really fits perfectly.
If it wasn't for the fact that Chase and Jace would definitely find out, I would probably have taken Thomas up on his offer. Treaties between packs allow for easier pack transfers too. If I didn't get into a school I wanted, I could always look at a pack transfer to get the hell away from here.
After some time ruminating on those thoughts, I hear more voices out front. That must be the tour. I put in my earbuds and turn my music up. There's no point in me snooping in on any conversations, might as well focus on what I'm supposed to be doing. I'll be less curious if I just zone out.
My playlist lands on Hero by Skillet and I turn the volume all the way up. I'm not ashamed to say that I like to dance to the songs I listen to, even if no one knows why I'm dancing. I do it a lot while working too. Thomas has caught me a few times and laughed at me, but all the movement just keeps me going faster so no harm right.
A few songs later I get a tap on my shoulder, which scares the shit out of me. Embarrassing enough that I'm wacky dancing to random metal and rock songs but then let's add being a wolf and being snuck up on. Oh, and to top it off, I had to let out a small shriek.
Turning around I see the same man who tapped my shoulder in the library yesterday. Fuck me. Damn it.
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Eli
We have been touring businesses in town all day. They have a good mix of human and wolf run establishments. And it seems like they have a pretty good handle on how to co-mingle with humans without being exposed. Lunarhills is a huge pack in comparison and the town is bigger than Crestwater's. Our entire population is made up of wolves as well. We don't have any humans that live in town. The closest humans' homesteads are a few hours away. This makes the prospect of co-mingling pretty interesting to us.
Although these tours are better than the ones yesterday, thank the Goddess, we're almost done for the day. The last stop is a small grocery store which the Crestwater Alpha, Alex Nielsen, says makes the best baked good around. We get introduced to the manager and then led back to the bakery. At least he was right, they do have some excellent treats.
Then I catch her scent again. In fact, it's all around the store but it is coming on stronger here than it was when I walked in.
MATE! My wolf screams in my head. Catch mate! Don't let her get away again! He's already pushing me, if I don't start moving he's going to try to take control.
I mind link over to my father to let him know what's up and then sneak away from the group. He can distract them or excuse my absence. Following the scent, I make it to the back of the store and into the storerooms.
There she is, working over a pallet of goods and stacking them up on carts. All while dancing around. What a view. She looks so damn cute; except she's obviously wearing someone else's shirt. She's so tiny that she had to tie it up or else she'd be swimming in it. It should be mine that she's wearing but we'll get to that later.
Mate shouldn't be working, it's beneath her! My wolf whines out.
Although I agree with that sentiment, I just tell him to hush. I somehow doubt saying that to her would get me any brownie points. I know if someone said that to my mother, she'd outright kick their ass and tell them to shove their opinions in the same, if not a worse, place.
"Hello again." No response. Is she ignoring me?
No, as she turns a bit to set something up, I see she's got headphones in. She must be listening to something, which explains the dancing. I tab on her shoulder to get her attention.
"AAAHHHHHHH!" She pulls out her headphones while backing into the pallet behind her.
"I'm sorry! I was trying to get your attention." I really didn't mean to scare her. Even if it was just for a second, the look of fright on her face made my heart clench.
"Why are you following me?" She eyes me suspiciously, like she doesn't trust someone wanting to say hello.
"I want to know your name. Mate." There, I said it, maybe that'll ease her mind.
"What? No, not possible."
What. The. Hell. " I'm quite serious. Wait, how old are you?"
"Not that it's any of your business but I'm 18. I don't appreciate you joking about something like that. In fact, you should probably go. I don't want to get into any trouble." She starts to move away from me, but I catch her hand, gently, and pull her back. Sparks travel up my arm.
"I feel it, just from holding your hand, that small electrical current that one is supposed to feel when they touch their mate. Are you saying you don't feel anything?"
"No, I really don't. Please, I need to get back to work." She tries to pull away from me.
I hear my father cough behind me, he must have heard her shriek when I scared her. It's alright, but we'll talk later. I say through our link.
"Can you please tell me your name?"
"Will you let go if I do?" I nod in agreement.
"Aurelia. Now please, let go, I have work to do." She pulls her hand away and turns back around, going back to her work. Like I wasn't even there. Like my declaration meant absolutely nothing.
Something is wrong. I know she has a wolf; I can feel her. But I've never heard of someone not feeling the mate bond and being of age.
I walk back to the front and nod at my father. The Alpha, Alex, and his son Chase just look at me, I'm sure they are wondering what happened. We thank the manager and leave the store, ready to head back for the night.
"I have a name I want to add to the interview list. Aurelia, ummm, I don't know her last name, but I assume you can figure out who she is?" Alpha Alex nods and tells Chase to schedule her. I see a flash of emotion on his face, but I can't really tell what it was.
As we head back to the Pack House, I give my father a rundown of what happened.
Hrm, we can question her more tomorrow. From what I've gathered, sometimes when one has experienced trauma or severe emotional distress, they may have a more difficult time communicating with their wolves. That could impact the person feeling the bond since it's derived from the connection. It's a pretty rare occurrence though. I don't like that my mate may have suffered in any way.
What do you mean trauma? Like abuse or.... This isn't going the direction I want. Not that I knew what direction it would go anyway.
Any type of trauma could do it. The only way to awaken the bond in those type of situations would probably be physical bonding. Physical proximity deepens our bonds the most. The more physical the better. Then he winks at me. Gross. I know where he's going with this and it is not a conversation I'm going to have with my dad.
Gotcha, after we get back, I'm going to slip out. She seemed to dislike the prospect of being seen with me, so I'll just have to catch her when no one is around. Then figure out what's going on.
By this time we're back at the Pack House and adjourning to our rooms. I wait for a bit and sneak out to go back. I can hang around until she's off work. She's going to accuse me of stalking her next.
I get back to the store, but it's closed up. I can still smell her, so I follow the scent. Being of Alpha blood has its benefits. Heightened senses above most others is one of them. Might as well be a damn blood hound.
I follow her scent into the woods, winding around the trees.
It's very calming out here. Peaceful. My wolf says. They always love the feel of wooded areas. That's the reason we usually keep our packs deep in the woods and away from humans. We can stay more connected to nature.
It's beautiful. The woods near home are too, but I love these almost as much. Even though I'm tracking my mate, I'm very relaxed. I keep following the scent until I start to hear voices. I hear her, and someone else.
And suddenly, I'm not so relaxed anymore.