Soul Mate

Chapter 13

River's pov

For the past two months, Greta and Bay had been trying to help me shift. It just wasn't happening. None of us could understand why he couldn't come out in his true form, yet he could take over my human form. It just wasn't making any sense. Ever since that incident two months ago, he hadn't come forward again. No matter how hard I tried to bring him forward. He just wouldn't burge.
We were out in the woods, Bay and Greta flanked my sides in their wolf form. Greta's wolf was a deep brown, while Bay's wolf was ash grey with black streaks.  They were beautiful. In both forms.
I sat down in the grass next to the stream and they lay down next to me enjoying the sun.

" We should just give up on this and accept the fact that I'll never shift. Knowing I have him is enough for me, I can survive without growing fur on my body."  I say to no one in particular.
Shifting was alot of work anyway.
Greta's wolf lifts itself and nuzzles my neck. I guess it was her way of consoling me. I run my fingers through her soft fur. Then she lifts her head and stares at Bay for a couple seconds. They were probably talking through the mind link. Then before I know it, they both jump and tackle me to the ground. And their wolf tongues start to lick me. My giggles fill the air. Yes it was official; with these two, I could deal with anything.. I could take on the world.

During the past month, I had resumed work at the dinner. Being around people had helped alot. I did not have the time to wallow in self pity since I was up and down. Which was a good thing I guess. I took on early morning to late night shifts. I made sure I didn't give myself time to contemplate on my troubles. The less I thought about them, the better. I had convinced myself that if I didn't dwell on them, they'd go away. Wishful thinking, I know. But what can a guy do??

I was piping icing sugar on cupcakes when I smelt it. Vanilla mixed with the smell of the woods after a down pour.
It couldn't be!! It had been three months. Three dreadful months.
But it couldn't be him, perhaps I had just imagined the scent; that's probably it.
My wolf begins to stir and pace with excitement..

"Mate!" he says

Crap!
Here?? Now?? why??
After months of waiting for this moment, I wasn't sure how to react.
I slowly placed the pipe on the counter and leaned against the fridge. My heart was thundering in my chest and I was starting to hyperventilate. This wasn't the reaction I expected to have. I thought I'd be elated, happy that he had come back. But it was quite the opposite. Beads of sweat were starting to form on my forehead and my palms. I wiped them on my apron. The kitchen door burst open and mom walked in. With her came the vanilla woody scent that was sending me into a full blown panic attack. I was really panicking now. I seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.
Mom rushed to me the same time I slid to the floor. She dropped down next to me and held my head between her hands.

"Breathe sweetie, just breathe. Follow my breathing.. in out, in out. That's it. Keep doing it.." she encouraged.
I mimicked her breathing and slowly my breathing returned to normal. But I was still panicked.

" You need to come the fuck down. Don't want you passing out on me again. Making me look bad infront of our mate. Get your shit together human!" Zane, my wolf snaps.

"Quit the attitude! You left me all alone to deal with his absence and now your back and acting mean! Do not test my patience wolf!" I reply. I was now annoyed. My idiot of a wolf knew how to push my buttons.

" Don't call me an idiot!" zane says

"Don't act like one then. If your so brave why not come forward and deal with Sebastian!" I say

He shut up. The coward!!!
And retreated to the far corners of my mind.
Idiot indeed!
"How are you feeling?".  Mom's voice brings me back from the mental dialogue with zane. She's looking at me with a worried expression.

"Am okay mom thanks. Was just caught out in an argument with my wolf. Is.. is Sebastian really out there?" I ask.
She simply nods.

" Greta is handling it. She thought it was best for now" she says.
I swallow a lump in my throat and my fingers start to play with a loose thread on my apron. Mom grabs my hand and holds it between hers.

" It's going to be okay.. he came back. That's what you should focus on for now. Okay. Trust me." She gives me a loving smile.

"Okay." I whisper.

The kitchen door bursts open and Bay walks in. I get off the floor and she walks towards me.

" Your support system has arrived." Mom claps her hands, then leaves to go back to the register.

" I came as soon as I heard. Thought you might need back up."

" Huh!" I was lost.
She sees my expression and explains further.

" Greta mind linked me as soon as your runaway mate set foot in the dinner. I dropped what I was doing and came straight here." She gives me a once over.. taking in my appearance.
" Great! You're still standing. That's an improvement from the last time. Thought I might have to pick you off the ground like before." She comments.
I roll my eyes.

"How does he look?" I can't help but ask as I grab seats for the both of us.
" He looks alright. Abit like a tormented soul. He did terrible things after all. . but you will have to be the judge of that" she says and drops into the chair next to me
Greta then walks in with an unreadable expression on her face. We both give her questioning looks.

"What?? What did he say?" Bay jumps right in
Greta leans against the kitchen counter and looks directly at me.

" He wants you to meet him in the park at 8 this evening." She says, and my heart resumes it's hammering against my ribcage. I slowly breathe in and out.
This was what I wanted from the beginning, even before I knew we were mates, and now that it's about to happen, I was in panic mode.

" You look scared.." Greta comments.

No I wasn't scared, I was fuckin terrified!