4

Immediately after her mother left, Alina "digested" the conversation and decided that it was time to get acquainted with a neighbor. While Alina was thinking how to approach, she spoke to her herself. The roommate turned out to be a pleasant young woman, cheerful and sociable. Just what Alina needed.

"You don't really remember anything?" Alina answered cautiously:

Yes, I don't remember anything about myself. I understand speech, I can count, I think I can do a lot more, but I don’t remember my life.

The interlocutor answered a little enthusiastically:

- Blimey! This is the first time I personally meet a person with amnesia. Although, of course, I heard about such cases. - Added: - By the way, I'm Veronika, your name is Alina?

Alina turned more conveniently for a conversation, assuming that it would drag on, and the neighbor girl herself was not averse to chatting. Asked:

Did you hear my conversation with mom?

“Yes, I heard,” she replied, a little embarrassed. — And I'm shocked by your story and how it ended!

“Veronica, you know, for some reason I can’t believe that people are not the only intelligent race on the planet. Is that really true? Do you yourself communicate with werewolves, do you have any acquaintances among them?

Yes, it will be difficult for you, especially at first. I advise you to quickly remember, or again learn everything about werewolves, the rules for communicating with people, their laws and unspoken rules, so as not to get into an unpleasant situation in the future. The laws of werewolves are, let's say, more stringent. Judging by your appearance, you won't be allowed to read yet. I can explain the basics. I am a child psychologist, so I know more about werewolves than the average person, although so far I work only with people.

“I just thought,” Alina said thoughtfully, “what is the ratio of people and werewolves in the world?” You know?

“There are more humans than werewolves, about five to one. As we were taught in the psychology of interracial communication, werewolves control their numbers in each clan more tightly than humans. They also have a different area occupied by each clan, and the number of alphas plays a role, and the strength and experience of the clan lord.

Alina asked curiously:

— I wonder if someone controls the number of people? Did you ask the teachers during the training this question? I would be interested.

- You're not stupid. But until you remember and know little, be careful in questions. I'll tell you this: yes, it controls, and it's not just people. But the reasons are logical. Werewolves are much more responsible for the ecology of our planet. They began to influence people's lives so much precisely because of the beginning of the use of gas and gasoline. After all, as it turned out, it is terrible for the environment.

“Listen, before that you didn’t know about werewolves, or what?”

- How can you not know? Still, they lived nearby, but there were no joint settlements before. Werewolves lived only in packs or left and created their own, but did not settle with people. They kept their identity. And there was more space. And now there are too many of us. Werewolves have stricter laws. But it seems to me that they live freer than us.

The conversation with Veronica lasted no more than an hour. And then her husband came to her, and Alina decided not to interfere. It was necessary to digest the information received, and she decided to take a walk along the corridor on the floor. Moreover, the doctor allowed and even advised small walks for muscle tone and blood circulation. Veronica turned out to be a pleasant conversationalist and definitely useful for Alina. She was well educated, well-read, interested in many issues.

The new acquaintance worked at the school only with children of people, but a psychologist for the children of werewolves also worked there. A psychologist for werewolves, according to Veronica, could be an experienced employee with an impeccable reputation and experience living in a werewolf settlement. The specialist was sent for internship in the settlement with the permission of the head of the clan, of course.

Her colleague dreamed of working with werewolf children and achieved his goal. Such a love for their profession impressed Veronica, and they often talked on professional topics, shared information, discussed problems that arise at school when children of both races communicate. Listening to Veronica, Alina understood that she loves her job and understands many aspects of this world. Alina also learned that Veronica lived in a good neighborhood, where werewolves who were not members of the clan also lived. Clan werewolves sometimes lived in city apartments and in a clan settlement.

It turns out that almost every clan lived separately from people in the forest. The werewolf settlements themselves were located near the cities, on the edge of the forest. And huge tracts of forest were needed for their animal incarnation. Werewolves had requirements for the place and quality of living. After a conversation with Veronica, Alina realized that the environment here is much better than on her planet.

She also asked about the prenuptial agreement, and Veronica confirmed that this type of agreement is indeed very common between werewolves and humans. And people did not consider him as shameful as Alina thought. During the walk, Alina thought over everything she had learned, and she had more questions. Worried about what happened to her predecessor, because she was thrown out in the forest. They just took it and threw it away. And the local guards did not question her about her injuries, did not specify how she ended up in the forest. Is it normal? What if werewolves are allowed and not only that? What can and should she do to protect herself in the future? After dinner, she asked Veronica if it was convenient for her to answer her many questions. And she asked to speak if it would tire her.

- You ask, of course. I understand everything. You're probably in shock right now and don't know where to start," she replied with a smile. “Maybe it’s better to find out the answers to the most exciting questions first?” You really need to worry less. And the unknown scares me the most. Veronica was very accommodating. Alina could not resist.

“Tell me, could my contractual husband seriously choose me by smell?” Mom said that my smell was very pleasant to him. Can I refuse a werewolf if he chooses me based on this fact?

- Don't worry. You can refuse a werewolf even if you turn out to be his true mate. You are human. Therefore, they are usually very generous, attentive, caring. They take it with force and charm. And, of course, opportunities.

- True couple? Can I be his true mate?

Veronica laughed.

- No, you don't. A true couple wouldn't be offered a standard contract by a werewolf. Yes, he probably wouldn't let you go anywhere. I would offer indissoluble bonds, mark you, and even put trusted bodyguards.

"And how often werewolves meet a true mate?" And what does this meeting give? Alina became extremely interested.

- No, Alina, not often. To meet a true couple is joy and happiness for a werewolf. And for the most part they find it among their own. But among people, finding a soul mate is even more rare. And here it is already unknown whether this is happiness or not. After all, a person does not smell this smell. It remains to believe the werewolf that their compatibility is perfect.

- But why can this be a misfortune, something I did not understand? Alina asked in bewilderment.

- And you imagine yourself in the place of this person. Here an unfamiliar man comes up to you and says that you are a true couple. He won't let you go anywhere. Will begin, of course, to care, to lure. Maybe you have an education, prospects, and he already wants children. You yourself will not notice how you quit training, and you will start giving birth to him little werewolves. Or you have your own business. Very quickly, your business will become part of the business of the clan, or family, and you will again be happy to fulfill the duties of a wife and mother.

Alina nodded her head, asking:

- I understand. Is your career and professional aspirations important to you? Have you thought about this for yourself? Is everything so simple, and there are no other options if you live with a werewolf?

- It happens differently, but rarely. Never mind. You don't have to worry about it now.

“Veronica, I remember that man, my husband, probably shouted to me that my smell had changed, that I stink, and they threw me with such anger ... And my mother said that my smell captivated the lord. What could have happened, do you understand? Veronica frowned.

"It's too bad your smell has changed." He became unpleasant to the lord. You began to "stink" for him, as you said. This is a very bad sign. This happens when the partner was with another. This is treason. And werewolves do not forgive this. And forgive me for reminding you. I heard your mother say that the lord broke the contract because you violated the terms of the contract.

Did I cheat on him? So? Alina asked with interest.

- Sorry. I hate to discuss things like this. To be honest, most likely yes. You still got off easy.

- What?! What else could he do?!

You might just not be found. Treason, especially if there was an agreement with a person, is a shame for a werewolf. He was supposed to punish you, and he just kicked you out. Lucky you. The lord of Clan Severin has an iron grit. It's good for the head. Still, it's best not to see him. Yes, and stay away from the clan you better away.

- I was such a fool that I dropped out of school ... Mom told me. I only took two courses. And then she traded her future for a luxurious life and was left with nothing. Alina felt sorry for herself. There were tears in my eyes. Strange, she's never been so tearful. Maybe body memory? You have to pull yourself together.

Alina, you are young and healthy. You have your whole life ahead of you! Think about what you did and don't repeat your mistakes.

“And the fact that they found me in a similar state in the forest will lead to a trial?” The guards came to me. Can you give me some advice on how best to handle this situation?

I don't think they will come to you again. The clan will respond to their request and provide all the information. They are within their rights. And if you expect compensation, forget it! The law is on their side. You will achieve nothing, only further turn the clan against your family. Don't do stupid things. Better come to your senses and study the laws.

I think it's better for me to move to another city. And go study there. Need to discuss with family.

- Good idea. By the way, it's too late. Let's sleep?

- Let's.

Alina lay and thought that it was really not worth staying in this city. And the family, who knew the habits of the former Alina well, embarrassed her. Well, she'll come to her senses, deal with what she's got, and then she'll leave. Will start a new life.