My Innocent Mate

XV

I passed the gate and made my way toward the ramen shop while listening to some modern pop music. It wasn't my first choice, but playing my normal emo-rock music just reminded me of him. Either way, I still had to grab my recorder with all the peppy songs from the time when I was a happy child since my phone was with Asher. Besides, the butterflies were migrating and the flowers were blooming. What better day to take a stroll, away from all my problems? 

There weren't very many people around because, well, the ramen shop was just near the mansion full of werewolves. Alpha Steven's grandfather made sure the pack was placed somewhere somewhat isolated. 

Although, the pack still had neighbors, all of whom were discreet like them. So, everyone kept things to themselves and their own territory with only a few instances of greetings.

So, why was there a ramen shop randomly in the middle of all this isolation? Well, because who doesn't like a nice ramen shop?

It was a little shack the neighborhood pitched in for as a way to get away from their giant mansions. Sure, it was a rich area, but the rich aren't always happy with what they have. Some are lonely, some are distrustful, and some just want peace and not have people taking advantage of them. So, the ramen shop tried to fill the big shoes. The neighborhood also participated in running the restaurant, including the Moon River Pack.

It only took about five more minutes until I reached the ramen shop with its elegant name of "Aigami." There didn't appear to be very many people eating in there, which was a huge relief for me. At least there was no obligation to socialize.

Opening the door, an enormous smell of pure bliss went up to my nostrils. It was a delightful noodle smell, sweet but not too sweet. I could practically taste the ramen noodles being slurped into my mouth.

"Hello!" greeted a familiar voice. A guy with long black hair made his way toward me with a menu in hand.

A smile instantly lit up my face. "Is that Yuuto?"

"And is that Ella?" he replied.

Yuuto was also one of my childhood friends. He, Luciel, and I were the trio in the Moon River Pack who always made a mess of things. Well, it was mostly them. I just went along with it because there was nothing else to do unless I wanted to help Alpha Steven with his training to fill his father's shoes. And trust me, his training would leave your back sore for days and you limping for at least a month.

"It's been so long!" I said, giving him a huge hug. The last time I saw him was about two years ago.

Yuuto was one of those people who went to the gala multiple times, but it was to no avail. He never found his mate. So, he's been stuck in the Moon River Pack. He seemed fine with staying though.

Yuuto smiled. "I'm sorry we didn't get to say farewell on the train. I've been working non-stop here. Trying to save up for a trip to Japan."

I frowned. "Aren't your parents super rich? Why can't they buy your ticket?"

He responded with a shrug. "I like to work for my luxury. I try not to rely on them too much. They're across the world and it would be nice to see them on my own accord."

"Have they been trying to set you up again?" I asked, crossing my arms.

Yuuto responded with an exasperated sigh. "Yes, sadly. I've told them multiple times that my mate will come. Man and Moon just decided it wasn't the right time yet and I'm perfectly fine with waiting. Now, what's up with you?"

Great, I have to talk about him.

My childhood friend noticed the tension in mentioning what was up with me, so he responded with a small smile. "Let me direct you to a table."

I followed him to a table for one single, lonely person. "Thanks Yuuto, I really appreciate it."

He always knew how to comfort me without screaming or uttering a long essay. Like Luciel, they knew when something was wrong and how to deal with it.

"I'm assuming you want the tonkotsu ramen, medium?" he asked, getting out the little ordering sheet.

I responded with a nod. "Oh, and coke, please. Wait no, make it two."

Yuuto wrote down the soda with a frown. "I thought we got rid of your addiction."

"Well," I started, rubbing my shoulder. "It's back and ready to poison my body yet again."

He sighed and took away my menu, going to the back. Great, another childhood friend was disappointed in me. 

I felt as if I'd just been a burden to the Moon River Pack. Ever since I came back, there has been problem after problem. Yuuto was probably worried about me now along with Luciel.

I stared off into space for a couple of minutes, thinking about what I like to think best about, nothing. Then, my food arrived with its captivating aroma.

"Here you are," Yuuto said, placing down my bowl and the two cokes.

Instead of going back to the counter, he dragged a chair toward my table and sat.

"So, tell me what's going on."

I pouted and looked at him with a puffed expression. "I'm just trying to enjoy my ramen and you come along asking about all of my problems. What kind of customer service is this? You, sir, will receive one star on Yelp for such a rude question."

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. Now, I'm serious Ella, what's up?"

As I split my chopsticks, everything came cracking out. "Do you really want to know what's up? Do you really want to know about how I found my mate, but the first time I met him, he was snogging some chick who, by the way, was hot. Do you want to know how low my self-esteem plummeted that day? It was already low enough, but to think that I wasn't enough for my own mate just hurt so badly that I wanted to tear my heart out. Then, I was almost killed by these assassins or something, which made me encounter my mate again. We went to his pack and when I entered, everyone was just gaping at me with my bloody, white dress. They already hated me. Not to mention, I got into a huge argument with Ryan and the others and haven't been able to talk to them."

I took a breather before commencing.

"And you know what was the final straw? Do you really want to know how disappointed my mate was in who he was paired up with? He said how I wasn't at all what he expected. You should've heard his tone when talking about me and how disappointing I was. And now I'm burdening you!"

"That's why I told you to dump his ass," a familiar voice spoke.