I awoke with the late morning sunlight in my eyes. It was a week since I met Mel. I turned over onto my side and undid the zipper of the sleeping bag.
Slowly, I was getting used to waking up in this room. My eyes were already adjusted to the light in Mel's room. I could tell from her breathing that she was still asleep.
Sleeping here was a compromise. Mel wanted me in her bed with her and I wanted my own room. So, I ended up in her room, in a sleeping bag on the floor with her in her bed.
She originally told me to take the bed, and she would sleep on the floor, but I refused. She pushed and I pointed out that I could sleep in a different room altogether. That was the end of that discussion.
As I lay still, not wanting to wake her, I thought about the day before. Mel and I walked back to my hideout and I collected up all my things and brought them here. I'd charged my burner phone and thought about making a call, but then decided against it.
Mel has been nice to me so far, and every day I learn more about her. But I am trying to decide if I trust her. I mean, she hasn't given me a reason to distrust her. She hasn't lied to me or tricked me. But I suppose the heart of the matter is whether I trust she is telling me the truth about me being her mate.
It just feels like such a big deal. I can't think of any reason she would lie to me about that. I, myself am unable to feel a mate bond, but you would think if we were destined to be together, I would feel something.
Maybe it bothers me… no, worries me, just a little bit that I don't.
As I ponder if I'm normal, it crosses my mind that although I've never been in romantic love, I can't recall ever having a crush before either. Ever.
My vision is fine. I'd noticed in the past that some people are more beautiful on the outside than others, just like some people are more beautiful on the inside than others. But that is it; it seems that is where my brain seems to draw the line.
'Am I not able to find people attractive?' I wonder.
"Hey, Liz, you awake already?" Mel asks sleepily.
I jump like I got electrocuted and sit up suddenly. "Yes."
She looks at me, frowning in puzzlement. "Are you ok?"
"Yes. I, I just have to go pee." I say quickly, standing up and making a run for the bathroom.
Later that morning, as we have breakfast, I make a mental note to myself not to do anything else dumb or awkward. I have also decided it is probably safe to call Mike. I had questions and he may have answers.
"What would you like to do today?" Mel asked me.
"Um, actually, about that… Do you have any school, or work or anything that spending time with me has made you miss out on?"
She sighed. "After I finished high school, I didn't really feel like doing a bunch more schooling. So, I've worked since then. But the place I work right now is really understanding about what's going on in my life- finding your mate is a big deal! Wait. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just… I kind of had to drop everything and leave very suddenly and I guess I crave some kind of normalcy, you know?"
Mel nodded sympathetically and reached for my hand.
"I never finished high school and I am far from finished my shifter training. I really do miss both."
"Well, why can't you do that here?" Mel asked.
I took a deep breath and said, "The only problem with that is it would be harder for me to keep myself safe and undetected from the werewolves who might want to hurt me."
I heard her sharp intake of breath. Then she carefully asked, "Is that the reason you were living in the woods when I found you? The reason you seemed so afraid? The reason you don't answer some of my questions about your past?"
"Yes." I said quietly.
Mel said nothing, but I could see an anger of fire in her eyes.
"We could help you." She said at last. "The Alpha and pack could help protect you. But maybe you should tell me about it first."
"No," I sighed.
She looked hurt, so I added, "I think I only have it in me to tell it once. So, I guess we'd better arrange a meeting with the Alpha. He'll need to hear the whole thing too."
Mel rubbed the back of my hand in a supportive way. "Alright. I think that would be best."
While Mel went to talk to the Alpha about our future meeting, I went back to Mel's room. I decided now would be the best time to try and call Mike.
I was really lucky. Mike picked the phone up right away. At first, he was both relieved to hear from me and angry I ran away in the first place.
I told him if he was just going to berate me, I was going to hang up. He apologized.
After making him promise that he wouldn't tell anyone where I was or lead them to me, I told him I was near Sprucevale. I told him I missed my time training with him.
"I know that right now I don't have tons of money, but I really want you to be my teacher. It might not be a lot, but I can pay you what I have. Later, down the road, when I have more, I can pay the rest of what I owe you, I promise…"
"Listen, Sam. I know you can't pay me what I am worth, but I think you could really use me around. It sounds like you need some stability in your life, and you are a good student. So don't worry about the money. I'll come to you."
"Alright. Oh, by the way, my name is Liz now."
"Liz?"
"Yeah, I am on the run, remember?"
He chuckled. "Does Liz have a last name?"
"No. Liz is a shifter who is on the run. That's all you need to know."
I pushed the off button on the phone without saying anything further. I could hear the knob of the bedroom door turning.