Running away

Maddison P.O.V. 

As the days go by, I keep calling in sick. I’m too afraid to run into my mate again. I haven’t felt any pain or other sort of heartbreak, so I know he has not been with anyone else. It’s a small consolation, but I still just can't get myself to go back there.  

My suspicions are validated when on the fourth day Mrs. Peterson tells me the boy I had a run in with had been by everyday to ask about me. She had told him I was sick and he seemed genuinely concerned for me. I sigh in the phonebooth I’m calling from. I never had a cell phone, as I don’t have any electricity in my cave. Magic a plenty, but no electricity. 

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Peterson, but I think I’ll have to quit my job. I don’t know when I’m better and I don’t want to disappoint you more than I already am.”

“You could never disappoint me, Maddie. What about your pay?” I think for a minute and tell her I’ll just have for the days I’ve been in. She can also take it for the days I’ve been sick and they had to have someone else, but she refuses that option really quickly. I tell her to just deposit it to my account, and that’ll be fine. I hang up, my heart feeling heavy. I loved that job.

I walked along in the town where I called Mrs. Peterson. It’s on the other side of the forest area, and I will not run into anyone from the old place here. The towns are in competition in everything they can be. 

As I walk, I see a vet clinic with a sign “Technician and assistant needed.” and I turn to go there. Maybe my powers with animals will be of use here. 

I walk inside, deciding to try my luck. Inside, a guy is sitting on the floor, while an owner is holding a very angry dog. He is a german shepard and I immediately know something is wrong. Not only by the way they are all acting, but his vibe is all off. 

“Whoa there. What in the world is the matter, boy?” I ask out loud without thinking. The vet looks up in confusion, his eyes clouded in concentration. 

‘He is going to poke me, and I do not like to be poked. Not at all.” 

“Are you going to poke him?” I ask, this time looking at the vet. 

“I’m sorry, who are you?” He asks back, and I sigh. 

“My name is Maddie. I am here to apply for the job.” 

“I’m a little busy at the moment, Maddie. Come back another day please.” He says, focusing once again on the anxious dog. I roll my eyes. 

‘What’s ya name, pup?’ The dog looks at me with confusion clouding his eyes. 

‘You can talk to me?’

‘And understand what you’re saying. So, what’s your name?’ 

‘She calls me Bean.’ 

I look at the vet.

“That is not going to help!” I state before turning to walk out. 

“Wait!” He calls after me. “What do you mean it’s not going to help?!” I turn back around, telling Bean to keep still. I’ll not hurt him, and I’l prevent the vet from poking him. He immediately sits down quietly. 

“He’s afraid because you always poke him and he doesn’t understand why. You need to explain what you are doing and why.” He stares at me like I’ve grown three heads. 

“Explain to an animal..” 

“He is a living being, and he needs things explained. Just like you and me. What are you doing today?” 

“Just a look over. Weight, looking at his teeth and joints. Nothing major.” I raise an eyebrow. 

“And you need to poke him for that?” 

“I usually need him sedated, yes.” I roll my eyes this time. 

“That stupid.” I turn to the animal, kneeling in front of him. “Okay, Bean, we need to check your teeth, your body and your weight. So, I need you to go on that thing there and stand still.” The vet laughs, but only until the animal willingly goes to the weight and stands completely still. He hurriedly jots down the number, and mumble something to himself. I call for Bean, praising him. 

“How did you know he is named Bean?” His owner asks. 

“He told me.” I answer, and they both just stare at me. 

“Are you an animal clairvoyant?” 

“Does it get me the job if I am?” 

“You already have the job, girl. That right there was nothing short of a miracle.” 

“Then yes I am.” I smile at him, kneeling down besides Bean again. “Okay, now open wide for the doctor and show your teeth. That’s it! Good boy.”

Later that afternoon, Dr. Shein showed me all there is to the job. I had to familiarize myself with the computer. I know technology, but do not have any myself - not having any means to charge it and such makes it difficult. 

We agreed on a salary, and gave him my information to deposit my pay into my account. I made that the day I turned 18, Azlela having stolen my birth certificate, and given it to me a few years prior. The lady at the bank was really sweet and helped me with everything. 

Outside I walk to the forest treeline, making sure no one is around. I teleport to my new spot, and then decide I need a run. I jog home, changing out of my clothes in my cave, after making sure the food for tonight is still good. 

In Ember’s form, I run out of my home and let my paws move me wherever they want to. Usually I am very aware of where I’m going, because I want to avoid the surrounding packs, but today I only discovered how close I have run to one of them, when someone walks past me. I lay down, still in wolf form, performing a hiding and shielding charm on myself, preventing them to smell or see me. 

“You are sure she was your mate, darling?” An elderly female voice asks. She sounds worried and unsure at the same time. My ears perk up. Normally I’m not one for gossip, but I’m here anyway. 

“I’m sure mom. She is my mate, and I am not giving up looking for her.” The male voice sounds familiar, and dread runs down my spine when I feel the tingle from the other day. It’s Alpha Liam. Damn! Did I really just run to his pack without meaning to? Ember snickers, and of course she had something to do with it. Fucking matebond. 

“Well, we’ll need to find her soon, son. Your 25th birthday is approaching and the lovely women are waiting for you to make up your mind. Especially Jessica has been calling and texting us with questions about your likes and dislikes. She wants to make sure she is picked.” Liam groans. 

“She would be my last pick, and quite frankly I’d rather rule alone than have her as my mate. But I don’t have to worry about that because I found her!” 

“And lost her again..” The lady interrupts. 

They move on and I hurry to run home, removing the charm as soon as they are out of sight. 

At home I run into my cave, a weird feeling in my body. He has been looking for me this whole time? Why would he not just take a chosen mate? They would be so much more suitable than me. I shift into myself, putting on fresh clothes. Piper greets me with a pure, and tells me a squirrel was by earlier with the first nuts of fall - which is so sweet and considered! I go outside to see if they are still here, but what greets me is not the squirrels. There are a pair of unfamiliar eyes looking straight at me. My insides freeze and I do not know what to do outside of running inside again. Who found me? How did they find me? Oh this is bad.