2- Keep your mask on

CRYSTAL

"Two americano and one latte please," I rub my gloved hands together and bring them to my mouth to blow some hot air. It’s winter all over again. The air is cold and everyone is in coats. I'm wearing John's favourite brown coat and it's all the way down to my ankles.

I wonder if I can still call it his favourite if he hasn't worn it since last Winter. I sniff the material and rub my cheeks on it for closure. As expected, it no longer bears his scent.

It's either it has been too long or I've just sniffed out all of it.

"Here you go," the kid with the brown hair behind the counter beams at me and I smile as I take my order. I make my way through the small queue and head to my table where my friends are seated next to each other's arms and laughing over a joke I missed.

"Your waiter is here," I announce with glee as I slide into the booth to sit and drop the tray on the table.

"Thaaank you," Simeone sucks in a breathe and takes her hot americano in her gloved hands. "Although that took too long. I'll tell your manager," she teases with her bombastic side eye, bringing her cup to her lips.

I scowl at her, "Next time get your order yourself, ma'am."

"Mmm," she moans into her cup with her eyes wide and brows jerked up before she puts it down. "Gurl, don't play with me!" She continues the little drama and we giggle.

"Thanks, Crystal," Mike, her mate, says and takes his cup. He tucks his black hair behind his ears so they don't get in the way. "This smells nice. Although… the humans," he wrinkles his nose but shrugs later on.

"Come on," Simeone gently nudges him in the guts. "I really wanna know how bad it is someday." she lets out a dreamy sigh.

"It's not that bad," I say. "Humans just smell very… humanly."

"Yeah, that makes total sense," she rolls her eyes and puts her nose to her shoulder, trying to smell herself.

"You smell like dandelions," Mike compliments with his eyes closed as he savours his coffee and I can't help but smirk at the couple.

"Sometimes I wonder if it's because I'm your mate," she pouts a little. "But then I hear dandelions stimulate the appetite and helps digestion-"

"Maybe that's why I always want to eat you-"

"Shut up!" Simeone snaps with her face redder than a tomato. "Jeez!" she puts her head down to hide her face.

Their banter is so cute that my cheeks hurt for her and I can't stop the smile that spreads to my lips. "You two are a handful," I sip my latte, one of the good things I've tasted in a while since romance is far from me.

"Why are you overly dressed like me?" Simeone frowns a little with scrutinised eyes. She's wearing a coat too and a head warmer to keep her ears warm and the cotton gloves on her hands are no joke. "Is it that cold for wolves too?" she wonders genuinely and turns to Mike with a curious and worried look.

Unlike me, he's dressed simple. A wine short sleeved polo and a blue jean. It feels like summer where he is.

"I don't know. I guess I'll go see Dr. Choi later on," that's all the excuse I can come up with but now it only makes Simeone worry more as she bombards me with questions. Mike, however, is silent.

"You're supposed to be warm. You guys don’t feel the cold, I know that. Is it something serious? Is this because of John? Wait, where is he anyways?" She's folding her arms now, frowning so strongly that I'm having a headache.

"Business trip," I shrug. "He'll be back soon." Now please don't ask anymore questions. Lying has never been my strongest trait.

"And how long has he been on this trip? I think the last time I saw him-"

"Babe, can you get me some savette tissue over there?" Mike suddenly interrupts. "I'm worried I might make a mess of myself."

"Sure, okay. I need some too," she's rising to her feet now. "I'll be right back," she says and I heave a sigh of relief as she leaves the table.

"Business trip," Mike says, suddenly putting me on edge once again. "That has been going on for a while." his eyes are turned down like he's studying his coffee but I know that look. He's trying to piece it all together.

Simeone has been my best friend since I moved out of father's Pack five years ago and three years later, she met Mike who claims she's his mate. Since she's aware of who I am, she didn’t freak out about the whole mate thing. Looking back at it now, she's definitely his mate. The mate mark on his neck is there to prove it.

A mark I might never come to have in all my life.

While it's easier to lie to Simeone, it's really hard to do so with a fellow wolf.

Wait. Don’t tell me he can-

"You smell of the fever," he puts his cup down with a small click and takes a deep breath. "When is he coming back, Crystal? I'm worried for you." Those eyes pierce me hard enough that my heart makes a little thud and I'm clenching my fist under the table.

He saw through me with no effort at all and I hate that I can't even defend myself.

"I promise I'm fine. I-I took the pills-"

"Just like all the other times?" he cocks his head and folds his arms. "How long has it been… Five years? Crystal, this is not about pills anymore. You understand what's going to happen if it gets out of hand, right? Especially for an Alpha's daughter like yourself-"

He doesn’t have to remind me. I know. I know it very well. Death would be mercy and the last thing but before all of that comes turmoil and pain.

My hands are trembling under the table and my head bowed. I can't look him in the face and I can’t stop shaking.

"I hope you know what you're doing. Simeone is worried but I can't tell her. I know you don’t want that," his voice softens and it helps me breathe a little.

"Thank you," I couldn't be more grateful.

"Now lift your head, ma'am. I can't have an Alpha lower her head before me. You're making my wolf nervous and it's giving me the chills," he says it so casually and I watch him take his cup again, throw his head in Simeone's direction before a small smile tugs at his lips.

Their love has always warmed my heart and given me a small shred of hope.

A human and a wolf can work out.

I just have to give John some time.

"He'll come around. I… I trust him."

****

Our little date was cut short.

Now I sit in my car, staring at the message on the phone with trembling hands and a wild beating heart.

'Mom collapsed. I don’t think she has much time left. Please.'

There's an address attached to it and… I'm right outside the hospital.

Tears wells up in my eyes and I lean on the steering wheel to catch my breath. There's a painful ache in my heart as the image of my mother dances in my head.

When was the last time I saw her? I was forced to cut off ties with my family after marrying John. I had to make a pick. It was between him or…

My father could not accept that his first daughter and rightful heir to his Pack would be settling down with a human so out of anger, he threw me out. We haven't been in contact for five whole years.

Mom has tried to reach out; a little conversation here and there but I've always been too ashamed to see her face to face.

How do I explain that her daughter who picked love over anything doesn't have that love anymore? How do I look her in the eye and let her see the pain behind them-- she'll know.

I didn't even think twice when I saw the text from Ruby, my younger sister. I dashed out and wanted to head here first but Mike was quick to stop me.

"If I can smell it, know that the Alpha and Luna's nose will pick it up before you get close to the gate. Go home, take a shower, use a lot of deodorant-- if you still want to keep your mask on."

He knows that even if father kicked me out, he wouldn't hesitate to snap John's neck in two.

Jerking my head up, I clean and pat my cheeks to brighten up my face. This isn't the time to feel sorry for myself.

I'll be seeing my mother for the first time in five years. My father will definitely be there- looking all grumpy and glum and Ruby-- well, Ruby and I hang out once in a while when she's free from Aloha training.

I can do this. What's a little 'pretend' that I cannot play?

"Everything is just fine," I sigh and open the door. "I'm alright.”