The miracle mate

Since I didn't even slept three hours, I decide to go for a run. It always clear my head. That's good since my thoughts are flying like crazy. I change my underwear and put on some Lululemon leggings and sport bra. I put on a snug zipper hoodie and top it with a cap. Going out of my appartment, I see a guy lying on the floor, high as a kite. I check to be sure that he is breathing, and then get out of the building. Lightly stretching out, I go on the dirty streets, putting some Bon Jovi in my cheap earphones.

Sometimes, I can't believe I survived for fifty years. I went through so much shit. But the worst is the loneliness. I don't have many friends that survived. Before all of that, there was packs. Big ones. Strong ones. A big family where everyone have a place. My wolf instinct are crying to have a territory, a home. Now, alphas are just a legend. Mates are too. My mother told me that having a mate was the ultimate joy. That you could be whole. That's also the only way to have pups. I was one of the last ones born, fifty years ago. No mate, no pups, no packs. A lonely world.

The only thing I look forward every year, is the Moin Goddess gathering. All the werewolf of the region gather together, in hope that the Moin Goddess forgive us. After the Big Change, werewolf didn't stop their behavior, taking humans as slaves and trying everything to have pups. They raped, massacred, hurted. And then some woke up, stopped their bloodbath and started to try to make amends. It has been only ten years, and no change. Now, I think everyone are just depressed and don't know what to do.

The next gathering is in one week from now. It will be in the forest by the lake. I heard some rumors that are saying that some werewolf from the North are coming to our gathering. They are nomads. A group, not a pack. But it's better than nothing I guess.

I turn the corner of the street, and the most delicious breakfast smell is hitting me like a slap in the face. It's Rose's Breakfast. My mouth is watering so much and my belly is growling. Since I don't sleep and work out all day, I need sustenance.

I enter, being conscious that I probably smell like a dead cat. Mary is there, in her bright pink and white waitress attire.

« ALEEEEE! I has been like an ETERNITY since I last saw you!!!! »

I laugh, cause I was there just two days ago.

« I am happy to see you too Mary », I say with a smile. She come to give me a hug, but stop two feet away and pinch her nose.

« URGGHH you smell like a dead cat Alee! »

That's what I thought.

She takes my hand and bring my at one table.

« KARIN, I'M TAKING MY BREAK »

Karin grunt, barely acknowledging Mary. The place is empty anyway. It's Sunday at 6 o'clock, everybody's sleeping. Lucky ones.

« Sooooo, do you know what you will wear? »

« Wear? ». Mary rolls her eyes. She knows I am toying with her.

« Don't be stupid right now! The gathering! In one week!? »

« Hummm. I don't know. Probably some jeans and a black t-shirt. »

« OH NO PLEASE ALEE. You can do better. We will have some fresher arrive werewolves. Let's go shopping after my shift. »

Urgh I hate shopping. I don't like trying on clothes and spending money. But I know she won't let go and that she probably need my company since her little sister died two months ago. She was the same age as me, Mary being my elder by three years.

« Okay. But nothing too slutty OR shiny… or sparkly ». I take the menu, knowing full well I'll go with the exact same order as usual.

« You are NO fun, but deal. I, however, need something slutty and shiny! ». She proceed to squeek, dancing on her chair.

« Oh come on, you know you'll have the same order as you do every time. Let me go and fetch it for you. ». She leaves and go in the kitchen skipping. Karin comes and serves me and Mary a coffee each. I put some cream and sugar in hers and a dash of milk in mine. I check my flip phone, I have some texts from Andrew asking me to work on the gathering night. It's the third time he ask and I blew him off each times. I close it and put it in my crossbody bag.

She returns with two plates and a mountain of toasts. She got an order of blueberry pancakes and lots of bacon, while I have two eggs and all the meat I could possibly want. She sits and start devouring her breakfast.

« So, what's up with Chad? »

« Urgh, it ended as quickly as it started! I'm a person that likes to be in the moment you know and he wasn't spontaneous. I felt like I was with an accountant. BUT I started to see another one two days ago. Her name is Valentina, it's exotic right? »

She continued to go on. I liked to hear her talk, she seemed so happy. I can't comprehend of positive she could be. Even when life is throwing her lemons, she makes lemonade, lemon cake and lemon poppyseeds muffin. I wish I could be like her. I'm resilient, I just know that my life is not great.

After an hour, she needs to go back and I decide to take the time I have before the end of her shift to go in the forest.