My Scared Mate

I pushed in the rear door of the Honeysuckle Café, where I worked, while most of the world was still asleep. Long shadows swirled on the deserted streets of my small town as the early morning light crept in. In the midst of the anxiousness that clung to me like an unwelcome second skin, I inhaled the comforting aroma of coffee beans and pastries.My strawberry blonde hair flew across my face as a surge of chilly wind blew through the entrance. I shrugged it off and got to work, preparing the morning's first batch of coffee. As I poured the water, a lingering memory of the life I left behind and of the guy I dreaded caused my hands to tremble a little.In this town, I had no friends and no relatives to turn to. I was completely alone, but it was better than having to live in fear of my abusive ex-boyfriend all the time. The fact that I didn't know who or where my parents were simply made me feel more alone. However, I had succeeded thus far, and I was determined to continue.The door ch

A few days had passed since I last saw the towering stranger. The Honeysuckle Café, usually bustling with warmth and chatter, felt somewhat empty. An odd sensation gnawed at me – a sense of unease that I found hard to shake off. I didn't even know the man's name. He was just another face in the crowd of patrons I served day in and day out. A face that was slightly more familiar, perhaps, and a presence that was decidedly more intense, but still just a customer. And yet, here I was, acutely aware of his absence. The day wore on as usual. Maggie bustled around, her cheer infectious despite the dampened mood I found myself in. Customers came and went, the bell above the door jingling with each entry and exit. Coffee was brewed, pastries were served, and yet that inexplicable void seemed to hang in the air.I tried to brush it off. Maybe it was just the monotony of my life finally catching up to me. But as the day drew to a close and there was still no sign of the man, the feeling of di

The days turned into a routine. Waking up, working at the café, going back home. The days were blending into one another, and yet, the absence of the stranger was palpably felt. His intense gaze, the feeling of being watched, being cared for... it was oddly comforting. And now that it was gone, I felt an emptiness I couldn't comprehend. Heather tried to coax me into joining her for some fun many times, but I always declined. Part of me wanted to experience life like a regular 19-year-old, to have friends and go out. But the other part, the more dominant part, was afraid. Afraid of getting close to people, afraid of being hurt. I had just finished cleaning the tables when Maggie walked up to me, "Are you okay, dear? You've been very quiet." "I'm fine, just a bit tired," I lied, forcing a smile. I didn't want to worry her, nor did I want to discuss what was bothering me. After all, what would I say? That I was missing a stranger who probably didn't even know my name? Days turned into

This is too much. It's all too much. I make my way back to my apartment, the late-night air crisp against my skin. The walk, short as it is, gives me time to think. The revelation about Heather and Michael, Jayleen's words, the world I've been thrust into – it's like waking up from a nightmare only to find out it's all real. Heather is mated to a werewolf. And Jayleen... Jayleen says he is my mate. The concept is foreign, completely out of my realm of understanding. But there's a certain pull, an undeniable connection that makes me want to believe him. I push open the door to my apartment, the dimly lit space offering me a sense of familiarity and comfort. As I shed my coat and kick off my shoes, I let my mind wander back to the conversation earlier tonight. "We were meant to be," Michael's words ring in my ears. "Just like you and Jayleen are." Meant to be. The phrase is heavy, weighted with a sense of destiny and fate. It's overwhelming, daunting even. But why does it also feel

"Just make sure our patrol schedules are reinforced," I told Michael, my eyes not leaving the sight of Skye's apartment building. A few lights flickered on, casting a warm glow that cut through the inky darkness. She was home. "Already done," he replied, glancing at me sideways, a silent understanding passing between us. We've been through a lot together, but the challenges we were about to face seemed to weigh heavier. Michael then turned away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. It wasn't just the threat of Kain that loomed over us, it was the fear of what he could do to Skye, of what he might have already done. The thought alone made my blood boil. Forcing down the rage, I turned my focus back to Skye's apartment. I could feel her through our mate bond, a steady presence that filled a part of my mind. She was scared, confused, and hurt. I wished more than anything to be able to comfort her, but the reality of the situation was that she was still gett