The Shift

Chapter 2

Sighing I pulled my cardigan closer to my body as my feet quickly traveled down the sidewalk hoping that it would provide some degree of warmth on my walk home from work. For a spring day it was mighty cold out tonight, in the night's defense it's a lot later in the evening than I hoped it would be. I was planning to leave work around 3 pm but Mark asked me to stay a little later to help him unload the new shipment of fantasy novels. A truck ended up getting delayed and pulled in right around closing time. I know he really needs the help now that he is getting up there in age and carry all the boxes into the store and unpacking them by himself is not an option. It only took ant two extra hours and I really couldn't say no to him and his sweet smile. He and his wife gave me a job at their little book store two years ago when no one else would hire me, some people in the community were still trying to pressure me into befriending my deceased mom's "mate". Also, I just loved him and his wife Mary they were an aging couple who never had children and treated me as if I was one of their own. If I had a bad day at school Mary used to bake cookies and would bring them into the store while I was working for me, Mark always gave life advice granted it was never asked for and normally it was really bad life advice but it never failed to make me smile. They had become part of my family and more family never hurts.

Right now I am seriously regretting the choice to stay late as the wolves come out at night no pun intended, they seem to thrive at night and I try to avoid them as much as possible. Humans who didn't like them tended to close up shop a lot earlier than they used to just to avoid coming into contact with the beasts.  Honestly, I don't blame them with their quick tempers and overbearing attitudes I prefer not to keep them as company myself. Picking up my speed slighting I looking around to gauge my surroundings, letting my eyes settle on a  young man on the other side of the road. He couldn't have been much older than 17 cuddled into the side of a beautiful woman who proudly had her arm wrapped around him as they walked down the street. Shaking my head I pity that poor boy he is resigned to a life bending to his mate's wishes, he is no longer his own person, her wishes are now his wishes even if he doesn't agree. Mates tend to be possessive, overbearing, and protective and I for one am glad I have made it the last two years without one. There is always a chance I might have one but it is most common to find them when you turn 16 and by the time you hit 20 there is a slim to no chance you have one if they haven't found you yet and I am counting down the days till then. There is nothing I can do to help the boy and all I can do is continue walking. My feet continue on autopilot down the familiar streets as the thoughts of "what if" float through my head. For the last two years since I turned 16 these were common thoughts, wolves weren't allowed to claim their mates until they were 16 meaning the last two years have been filled with always looking over my shoulder. If I had a mate out there what would I do? I'm not really sure at this point I have my dad to live for I can't just up and leave. I would like to fall in love someday, like what mom and dad had before they weren't only husband and wife but best friends. Only two more years until I can do that, a smile crosses my face as I see the familiar blue door of my house come into view. A soft glow is emitted from the windows of the house, dad must have beat me home from work today.

"Dad I'm home." I yelled closing the door behind me.

Dad popped his head out of the kitchen before shaking his head at me.

"Thought you ran away with the circus" he laughed

I shook my head at his antics but I know deep down he worries every time I leave the house. He worries just like me that a wolf will claim me and we will never see each other again. I shake that thought out of my head I can't dwell on that, the chances of me finding out I had a mate were low anyway. I could smell pasta cooking as I made my way through the living room looking at the family photos that still hung on the wall. We kept them hanging to never forget the good times and to never forget mom. Continuing into the kitchen I giggle to myself before stealing a spoonful of the pasta from the pot on the stove. Dad shot a playful glare towards me as I shoved the spoonful of pasta into my mouth. He shook his head and laughed slightly before passing me a plate. I reached down grabbing a large scoop of pasta before placing it on my plate and walking over to the dinner table and tucking into my food.