Two

Amberly POV

Mate?

The way he had held my neck as though I was an abomination when he heard the word ‘mate’ made my heart skip.

I was sure if I didn't try as possible to push his hands away from me and run like my life depended on it, I would have been dead by now.

A shaky breath escaped out of my lips as I shoved my trembling hands into the pocket of my hoodie, staring at my back to see if he was following me while I walked down the lane road leading away from campus.

“I'm not your mate!” He'd yelled, and I didn't miss the fear across his face.

Why does fate have to always make things infinitely more complicated for me? Always ruining my carefully laid plans?

I rubbed my wrist unconsciously, remembering the heat of his hand when he grabbed me outside the lecture hall. Even now, I could still feel pain as I tried to straighten it.

This was bad, really bad.

I was already hiding from a pack that believed I was connected to treason. Already living under a false identity. Yet, the moment I stepped into this college, everything got ruined.

Adding a mate to that equation? A mate who was clearly influential and observant?

Oh, pure and total Disaster!

Because eventually… he would figure it out.

He would notice me very soon. Especially when we would be working closer together. He wouldn't want to agree that the mate the moon goddess had given him was a man.

My stomach twisted painfully. Gosh, can I just run into the unseen villa?

“A mate just had to exist,” I muttered under my breath, half bitter, half terrified. “Didn't you?”

I do not need to worry about something that could be avoided. I would just go to school early and return early to avoid seeing his face forever!

I exhaled slowly, forcing my thoughts toward something else.

That could make me survive more.

Money! I needed money.

Grandma Alder had taken me in without hesitation when she found me collapsed near her property weeks ago. I was starving, exhausted, and barely conscious. Even my long hair had now gotten short. She fed me regardless of who I was, dressed me and gave me a place to sleep. She never questioned me when I said I was a boy.

She just took me in with love. Cared even when she had little to nothing  

I was going to repay her kindness. I can't keep depending on a woman who was also struggling.

My eyes drifted across the storefronts lining the town street until a sign board against a door caught my attention.  

HELP WANTED — PART-TIME WAITER

I stopped walking and traced where the sign was. It was fixated on a door that was opening and closing as customers entered.

A coffee shop!

A job meant independence and independence meant I wouldn't be a burden.

I pushed the door open and a bell rang. The inside smelt of coffee, sugar and baked bread that made my stomach rumble, reminding me I hadn't eaten since morning.

I didn't even make enquiries about the college before I ran off.  

A woman behind the counter looked up as soon as I got closer to her. A questioning look fixated on her face.  “Yes?”

“I saw the sign,” I said, gulping hard and trying to make my voice masculine. “About the job.”

She eyed me quickly, taking in my short hair, slight frame, and student clothes.“You a student?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You got experience?”

Experience? I had known. I have only been to the garden to pluck out flowers because my mother sells flowers.

“I learn fast.”

She considered me for a moment, then shrugged.“Can you start tomorrow?”

Relief washed over me so fast that I almost swayed with joy in my eyes. “Yes.”

“Three o’clock. Don’t be late or you will have to find another job tomorrow.” She handed me a small schedule paper.

“I won’t. Thank you.”

I stepped back outside holding the small schedule paper like it was the only precious thing I had now.

Maybe I could make this work, maybe life wouldn't completely fall apart.

Grandma Alder would be so happy to hear this great news!

By the time I reached the cottage of grandma Alder's house, a soft sigh escaped from my lips. A sigh of relief.

The small house was surrounded by wildflowers and the vegetable patched Grandma Alder loved so much. Something I have always come to love.

But something felt off immediately I stepped closer, the vegetable patch was still intact and not yet cut.

On a normal day, grandma Alder would have cut off ten vegetable patches to cook and wait for the next day for another one to grow.

I pushed the door open.“Grandma?” I called, waiting for a response but silence greeted me instead which even made me get more worried.

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me, staring around the small room.

Everywhere was eerily quiet and all I could do was become anxious.  “Grandma Alder?”

Still no answer. My heartbeat quickened.

Maybe she was outside or she had gone into town. Or…

A shape near the couch caught my eye and my breath stopped functioning for a minute.

She was there, lying on the floor and for a second, my brain refused to understand what I was seeing.

What?

Panic came crushing inside my bones. “Grandma!” I screamed, rushing forward, flinging my backpack and dropping to my knees beside her. Her gray hair spread across the boards and her body was  frighteningly still, one arm bent awkwardly under her.

“No…no…please!” My hands shook violently as I touched her shoulder. Her skin was now too cold.

Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head. She couldn’t die, not just like this. She was the only woman who cared about me,  given me safety and cooked extra portions because she thought I was a ‘growing boy ‘

What's going on? She was fine this morning, smiling and reminding me I could be free with anybody in school.

What should I do now?

My fingers pressed against her neck, checking her pulse.

It was weak, but she was still alive and that was my little hope.

“She’s alive,” I whispered. “Okay… okay…” But I didn’t know what to do next.

I didn’t know about healing techniques or medicine, except how to run which was really crazy.

I could feel my chest beating rapidly, my hands shaking as I stared clueless at the woman in front of me.

A little creak coming from the door made everything worse.  It felt as though somebody was trying to find their way into the house but quietly.

I spun around and a tall figure stood in the doorway. He must have entered while I was distracted.

Fear exploded in my chest and a scream escaped from my mouth.

At the exact same moment…

“Shit—!”

The figure jerked back with his own startled shout and we both froze as the recognition slammed my face.

It was him.

He widened his eyes in shock the same way mine did.

“You..?!” We both said simultaneously.