Relief

3- "Mine!"

I almost had you! But don't worry my beautiful mate! I will find you and make you mine!

I both cringed and danced at the thought. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? But also, why couldn't he just catch up.

Hold that thought, rewind. No. Can't run the risk of that happening.

'But you like the thought, admit it.'

Ugh, shut up wolfie. You ruin everything with your primal instincts and your high intensive passion.

I entered my cozy home and shut the door lightly so as not to wake my mom up. I was about to go upstairs when a voice stopped me.

"Well, look who decided to finally show up?" My mom asked, sarcastically.

I retraced my steps and faced her in the kitchen. She was sitting down on a stool, a glass of water half drunk on the marble island, arms crossed, being the ever strong woman I knew her to be; black wavy tresses pulled back into a low pony, beautiful tan face that hasn't aged a day. Seriously, what even are wrinkles? I see none on her. "Yeah, I think fashionably late is my way to go, no?" I smiled at her.

"Terra Lisa Fern, don't you sass me. You're late and I don't like you being out at this hour." She retorted, pointy finger and all.

"It's only 10:30--" She interrupted my rationalizations with a glare. "Okay, okay, I won't break curfew anymore. I'm sorry. Hug time now?"

She pursed her lips but extended her arms out. I smiled and all but jumped into her arms. "Love you, Ma."

"Yeah, yeah, love you too, kiddo." She rocked me in her arms and pat me on the back, both of us basking in each others warmth and comfort.

I could tell she was still a little worried so I pulled away a little and joked, "Hey, you're lucky I'm not coming in at 2 in the morning, selling drugs, getting drunk, or sexing it up in the seedy part of town or whatever. Just saying. . . ." I put my hands up and make my way over the the fridge.

She shook her head, hitting me playfully. "Yeah, lucky me. I struck the jackpot."

I nodded. "You really did, though. You should be grateful." I got myself a water bottle and closed the fridge door.

"Uh huh, you should be grateful I'm not beating your ass, Terra." She laughed and pinched my cheeks as I walked past her.

"Ow! You got me there, Ma." I smiled, and took a seat next to her, guzzling almost the entire bottle of water. She started to rub my head and back. It was really soothing after that long ass run.

"What were you doing at this hour anyway? Wait, what is this? Is that a leaf in your hair?" She pulled out an orange, brownish leaf that seemed to be tangled in my hair. Wow, that one was really hidden. I thought I'd gotten all of them out on my way here.

"Whaaaaaat? How did that get there?" I feigned innocence. Maybe she'll let it slide.

"Terra-"

"Okay. I was running out in the woods. I needed some air." I said.

"But it's not even a full moon yet. You usually don't get this way."

"I just have a lot on my mind, is all." I try to explain, as vaguely as I can. But let's be real, it's my mom. Big mistake to be vague.

"You can tell me. You know, I'll help you in anything." Curse her therapeutic and spiritual knowledge. It blows having a psychology degree major turned therapist running an herbal apothecary on the side/ superwoman as a mom... but sometimes, not really. It's comforting knowing she has my back and she's not just going all shrink on me. I mean, with that warm, soft voice and smile, I was contemplating telling her about my mate situation. But what good will that do?