The next day arrived too early, the birds chirping in my window woke me up.
As I washed my face I recalled the events of the day before and felt a little bit better about it, I cant always be as strong as I would like.
I went down for some breakfast and found them all again, Ixchel was reading on her cellphone as her mother finished cooking, Dassan was setting the table, I went there to help him.
''Good morning'' He smiled at me, I smiled back. ''Good morning.''
''Did you sleep well?" he asked, I nodded.
Breakfast was uneventful, I helped clear the dishes this time, and after that Dassan told me we had to get going to the IFA offices, were we would get some guidance and information about our future plans, it was also to check on us, some victims, the ones who didn't need to stay at the hospital were assigned to different families to be taken care of, it sounded a lot like the hosting family system on my hometown.
I didn't pay much attention to the IFA building the day before, it was a 3 story building, painted in warm colors, It didn't give off the vibe of being a police station or something akin to it.
I arrived the latest, there were already 17 people by the time we we got there. I sited next to my big guy.
The team Alpha's boss, got on the stage at the front of everybody to see.
''Good morning everybody, I am Kin, alpha of the M pack, as you know, we are part of the IFA, also known as the Immortal freeing agency, we are a cross-realm agency in charge of rescuing and solving the enslaving and other illegal stuff. We have summoned you today to clear doubts and help you get back home, for those who have one, and for those who don't we offer a reintegration social program, we will be supporting you to learn a profession or get education and get you back on track with whatever you decide to do from now onwards. We are glad to inform that we have already reunited more than 4 wolves back to their families, they are currently at home. We have here 6 wolves from other packs, we have already contacted 80% of them and their representatives are already on their way, there is also the problem of the 11 humans bred in captivity. We have decided that you can stay here for as long as you want, we are a mixed community but if you would like to leave the paranormal world behind we have connections with the human realm and we will be providing you all with monetary support and we would reintegrate you in a similar mortal program for victims of human traffic, just know that if you choose this option you will be obliged to make a bow not to reveal the existence of paranormal. We know this is a tough decision and you can take as much time as you need.''
He turn to me and looked me in the eye, I recoiled.
''As for those from the Fae realm, we are required by inter-realm law to inform the embassy of every rescued individual. ''
He also explained how we were to receive psychological help and classes for those who lived their whole live in captivity to gain self sufficiency, I was signed up to it because I had no memories from before being kidnapped. If I was honest, this seemed like a really good system they had in place, earth could only dream of a program like it, or at least I had never heard of something similar in my past life.
As soon as the talk ended I was taken by Dassan to a clothing store in town, he was silent all the way, which only increased my anxiety. We bought some pants, shirts, underwear, socks and a pair of shoes.
When we finished shopping the big guy took me to an ice cream store, he got me a Neapolitan ice cream and asked for a chocolate one for himself.
''I am not really good with words Yuze, I have been waiting for a mate for so many years and now that I have found you I am really reluctant to let you go. It may sound possessive but it is part of my nature. Sorry if it sounds intimidating, but I wanted to tell you all this, I hope you can give me, us, an opportunity, not all mates have a romantic relationship but I don't know if I could be alright seeing you with someone else. If you want to find your birth family I will accompany you, but please, don't leave me behind.''
That must have taken a lot of courage to say, even thou I felt attraction to him, I don't even know if I wanted a relationship, this felt too rushed.
''Can we start as friends? It all feels so rushed, and I don't really know what a mate is, the only thing I've heard is what the doctor said yesterday, do you have any saying in it? do I?''
Dassan seemed pained, ''You always have a say in it, I am sorry, I didn't explain myself well.
There is a legend among us, when the goddess created werewolves she fell in love with her first creation, it is said that she created him with a part of her soul and that's why they had such a strong bond, but as time went on he grew old, he had a really long life, but he was a mortal after all and died of old age, the Goddess in her grief used part of his body to create the werewolves we are today and as pained as she was with her loss she felt that everybody should be able to experience a love like that, and so she created soul mates, similar minded beings with a connection that can not be broken, the other gods when they saw our ancestors being full of joy decided to do the same, sometimes there are interracial pairings like us, they aren't any less happy.
The connection not only brings joy, if I ever hurt you I am to suffer the same pain as you do, that's why is almost unheard of one hurting their mate.''
Wow, so basically I would be getting the most loyal friend or boyfriend in the world?.
''Can I take some time to think about it? It is all going so fast, I don't even know how the world works and you are already asking me for something big, it feels a little bit unfair.'' I played with the ice cream that had melted halfway.
''You're right, sorry it is just that I am so excited I finally found you and the fae embassy will be here soon, I don't want to lose you.''
''How about we become friends first? I mean, I don't really know you, and you don't really know me, and this whole mate thing sounds too beautiful to be real. I don't even know who I am or what I want to do.'' I raised my voice as I said that last phrase, it was the truth, I spent my whole life doing what I was supposed to do, not what I wanted to do, my parents wanted a well behaved child who would grow up to be a doctor, so I did, and I never strayed from that path, who even was Yuze Olls? who was I?
''I can take it slow, just don't reject me right away, I can help you find yourself, rebuilt what those leeches took from you.'' He said, his expression turning dark as he spoke of them, ''How about we begin with little things for now? which flavor did you like the most?'' He asked.
''Vanilla, it is not as strong but it is still sweet.'' I smiled.
''That's good, I love chocolate, as you can see.'' He pointed a brown stain on his white shirt, ''we will do more in the future and learn more about each other every day.''
I felt my cheeks heating up and nodded.
''By the way, when they said the fae embassy would come get me, does it mean I will be going back?''
''We don't usually rescue a lot of people form the fae realm and most of them want to go back to their families, you will not be required to stay there, but you will need to have some blood tests done to reunite with your biological family, I've heard that you can't run away from it, and you are also required to take a magic testing to help you discover your magical attributes. I think it is a safety thing, but I really don't have much info on it.''
''It is getting late, how about we go back? we need to go back to the doctor, he needs to see those wings in detail again, yesterday he told me he was going to look more into them, he isn't an expert on the topic, but maybe he found something new.''