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2: Spiraling Thoughts (Lucky's POV)

I stared into the mirror and took a long look at myself. My eyes were a blinding emerald green. My thin eyebrows still reflected the dark black that my hair had once been. I was short and slightly pale, but not pasty. I was thin for my height currently, a direct result of the rising cost of groceries. My hair– which had once been a stark black and long like a mermaid's – had turned into an ice - blonde color that I kept shoulder length. It had been that way since I’d told Reika to leave me.

I felt the usual urge when I was alone lately. I was almost 18, and I had shut myself off from my wolf for almost three years. I wanted to talk to her– to find her– but I couldn’t let myself. Not yet. I’d need to be on neutral territory and this part of Kentucky was definitely not it.

The safest thing I could do was to blend in with the humans on pack territory. I still wasn’t sure how I was doing it. There was no way I should have been able to mask my scent or presence as a rogue beta, but I was. When I’d told Reika to go away and that I didn’t trust her anymore, I didn’t think it was possible to completely separate myself from her. I didn’t know I wouldn’t hear her, or that I would essentially pass for human. I no longer even shifted under a full moon.

Ultimately, I was thankful. No one from my previous pack would suspect that I would have stayed on pack land, and especially not under the same Dominion. They’d never even look. There was a downside though. I’d also lost my ability to sense another wolf. It made me feel especially vulnerable. I was sure news of what had happened previously had made it’s way through the 12 Appalachian packs and that I was hunted by all off territory. If I couldn’t sense another wolf when I needed to… I was in trouble.

I had told myself I needed to be even more careful the closer I got to my 18th birthday. This was unknown territory for me in more ways than one. I was supposed to be able to sense the mate bond as of my 18th birthday and what would happen if the Moon Goddess had blessed me? Surely I would be rejected, especially if I couldn't reconnect with Reika and prove that I was not human. I couldn’t help feeling I’d fought hard the last 2 years for nothing, the closer I got to this birthday. Surely this would be what broke me.

With a sigh, I reached out and lathered some soap onto my arms. Even more than I missed my wolf or the camaraderie of what my pack used to be… I missed actual showers. I had no idea how I managed to smell good enough at work for Mike to be friendly to me. It didn’t feel like these sponge baths did much.

After I finished rinsing myself down, I headed back to the bed and made some instant ramen in the microwave. Despite all of the pep talks I was giving myself about needing to keep a low profile and not lay down roots of any kind… I still found myself daydreaming about Wednesdays at the coffee shop. I even found myself looking forward to what Wyatt might say… Even if I had insulted him.


The next morning started my official seven day countdown to being eighteen. If I was back in my pack, I would have been excited and doing everything I could to get myself ready for the ability to find my mate. I would be making sure I was groomed properly in every way with a bikini wax, a haircut and a fresh shave of the legs. I would have gotten my nails done and gossiped with my old friends and even my mother.

But, this was not my fate. Instead, I didn’t have the money for so much as a razor, so I was completely ungroomed. I didn’t have any family or werewolf friends around to be nervous and excited with. There were no prospects or cute werewolves for me to be hopeful about. I wasn’t even sure I’d get a mate, or even if I was connected to the Moon Goddess at all anymore.

Honestly, it was depressing.

I was trying to be upbeat as I dragged myself down the stairs to unlock the cafe at 6am, but not even Mike’s cheesy grin could get my heart into it. As I shrugged at him, he furrowed his eyebrows but stayed silent. We started our morning prep – Mike in the dining area and counter and me in the kitchen.

Making some baked goods usually put a smile on my face, and as I found my rhythm, it still rang true. I finished the croissants and a few english muffins and started prepping to slice the fresh loaves of bread that Sandy had dropped off. It was a Thursday, and we usually didn’t have a ton of food orders so I was taking it easy. If we ran out of something, I had a few fresh doughs I could whip up or we would just tell them we were out and run with it depending on the time of day.

By 7:55, I was swapping my flour ridden apron for a new one and heading out to assist Mike with the actual opening of the cafe. I normally didn’t have him in the mornings because of school. He usually worked weekends with Sandy or Adam, and afternoons and evenings with me during the week. I’d asked him a few weeks ago why he was able to work it and he’d said something about senior ditch day. I knew he was a senior and that he had a pretty light schedule. I’d even heard some of the girls his age talking about him being a genius and all that.

It wasn’t a surprise he was a little bit of a loner. I didn’t want to pry and I was glad for the extra help, but Mike should have been out doing things with classmates today instead of working.

Mike waved a hand in front of my face, “You just gonna stare at me, or ya gonna tell me what’s going on?”

I blinked, “Wanna leave early today? Maybe go hang out with some friends or something?”

“I’m good,” he shrugged, stepping over to the POS and signing in, “Could use the extra cash, honestly.”

“At least it’s a Thursday,” I shot him a small smile, patting him on the back as I walked to the espresso machine.

“And Spring,” he added cheerfully, “Should be pretty–” he was interrupted by the bell over the door and a group of about six or seven students coming in, “Oh, hey guys. What can I get going for you?”

They all gave rapid fire answers, each one attempting to talk over the others. There were loud guffaws of laughter filling the space. I sent out a few frappuccinos and a couple macchiatos and a few lemonades. All the while, I held a pretty good banter with Mike. He seemed a little oblivious of the fact that a few of these people were definitely making fun of him– either that or he was pretty good at hiding that it bothered him.

As they left, Mike looked at me and said with a completely straight face, “Was it just me or were those guys assholes?”

I laughed, “Not just you. I was wondering if you’d noticed.”

“Fake it til you make it,” he sang out, turning back toward the dining area as the door chimed, “Well, well, well. We’re breaking routines! How’s it going Wyatt?”

My hand, which had been using a rag to wipe up a spill, FROZE! Wyatt stepped up to the counter and leaned over slightly, “Hey Mike. Lucky here?”

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