The lost mate
Chapter 16: Foreboding

Chapter 16: Foreboding

"Yep," Lucas said with a grin that suggested he was completely serious. "Just you, me, and maybe a nice steak. What do you say?"

Before Annie could respond, Emily nudged her again, this time a bit harder, and whispered, "Say yes. Say yes right now."

She smiled apologetically. "Maybe another time."

Lucas had nodded, his smile faltering only slightly. "I understand. Maybe another time, Annie?"

She nodded, knowing full well that there wouldn’t be another time. She couldn’t let there be.

As Lucas walked away, Ryan tugged on Annie’s hand, his little face serious as he asked, "Mommy, is Lucas going to be my new daddy?"

Emily burst out laughing, nearly dropping the plates in her hands, while Annie’s face flushed crimson. "Oh, honey, no, it’s not like that," she said quickly, trying to keep her composure. "Lucas is just a friend, okay?"

Ryan looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "Okay, but if he brings more presents, I like him."

Emily laughed even harder, and Annie couldn’t help but join in.

The party was winding down, and the last of the children had been picked up by their parents. The café, which had been filled with the sounds of laughter, was now eerily quiet, save for the rustle of balloons and the soft shuffle of feet as Heather and Emily began cleaning up the aftermath. Wrapping paper and paper plates were scattered across the floor, remnants of a day filled with joy and excitement.

Annie stood by the doorway, cradling a drowsy Ryan in her arms. His little head rested heavily on her shoulder. She watched as Heather and Emily moved around the room, tidying up the mess. Emily was busy stacking chairs while Heather carefully folded the Spiderman tablecloth, a tired but contented smile on her face.

"Heather, you should really take a rest," Annie said softly, shifting Ryan in her arms to get a better grip. "You’ve been working hard all day, and you haven’t been feeling well lately."

Heather waved a dismissive hand, her smile widening. "Oh, don’t worry about me, dear. I’m just fine. I’ve survived worse than a children’s birthday party, I assure you." She chuckled lightly, but Annie noticed the way she paused to catch her breath and the slight tremor in her hands as she smoothed out the tablecloth.

"You’ve been getting sick more often," Annie pressed gently. "Maybe you should see a doctor."

Heather laughed, though there was a faint note of weariness in it. "Annie, I’m fine. It’s just a bit of a cold. Nothing to worry about."

Annie frowned, not entirely convinced, but she didn’t want to push the issue. "Well, at least let me help with the cleanup. You should sit down and rest."

Heather shook her head, her expression turning more serious. "No, you’ve got Ryan to take care of. He’s your priority. Besides, Emily and I have this under control. We’ve done it a hundred times before."

Annie hesitated, glancing down at her son’s peaceful face. He was completely out, exhausted from the day’s excitement.

"Are you sure?" she asked, though she already knew what their answer would be.

Heather waved her off again with a playful roll of her eyes. "Yes, I am sure. Now go on, before Ryan wakes up and demands more cake."

Annie chuckled softly and adjusted Ryan in her arms as she made her way towards the stairs.

She gently laid Ryan down on his bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. He stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into sleep. Annie stood there for a moment, watching him, her heart swelling with love and protectiveness.

"Sweet dreams, my little wolf," she whispered, brushing a kiss against his forehead.

Her own room was at the back of the house, secluded and quiet. The window opened out towards the forest, a thick blanket of trees that stretched endlessly into the night. It was perfect. Close enough to civilisation to provide a sense of normalcy, yet near enough to the wilderness where she could let her true self roam free.

Emily and Heather knew her secret. But they had never pried, never asked for details. Instead, they had offered her a safe haven. She glanced back at the bed where Ryan slept peacefully, then slipped out of her clothes. The cold air bit into her skin, but it was a sensation she had grown accustomed to.

Annie took a deep breath and let the transformation take over. It started slowly—a tingling in her limbs that grew into a burning sensation. Her bones shifted, muscles stretched, and within moments, the woman was gone, replaced by a sleek, silver wolf.

She shook out her fur, the cold now a mere whisper against her thick coat, and with a final glance at the house, she leapt out of the window and into the forest. The ground was soft beneath her paws, the scent of pine and earth filling her senses as she ran fast and sure through the trees.

There were no other packs in this town, no other wolves to challenge her or threaten the life she had built. The other wolves, that is, the non supernatural ones, avoided her. They knew her supernatural powers and respected her territory, allowing her to roam freely without interference. The solitude was comforting, a reminder that she had escaped and that she had made a new life for herself and her son.

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The car came to a slow halt in front of a modest, weather-beaten hotel. The sign above the entrance was faded, but it read Wolf Creek Hotel. The wooden facade was chipped and peeling, and the windows were covered with a thin layer of dust, obscuring the view inside. A few locals milled about the street, casting curious glances at the newcomers.

Chris stepped out of the car first, adjusting his coat against the cold wind that whipped through the small Alaskan town. He looked up at the old building and grimaced. "This is it?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I’m sorry, Alpha, but this is the best place I could find. The options around here are... limited."

Damien followed him out of the car, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the hotel. His sharp eyes took in every detail, from the cracked steps leading up to the entrance to the creaky sign that swayed slightly in the breeze. After a long pause, he nodded. "It’ll do."

Chris raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by his Alpha’s nonchalance. "You’re sure? I mean, I know you’re used to more... upscale accommodations."

Damien shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the building. "I didn’t come here for the comfort. This place will serve its purpose."

Chris hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been on his mind since they’d arrived in this remote, seemingly forgotten corner of the world. "Why are we here anyway? What’s so important about this godforsaken place?"

Damien finally tore his gaze away from the hotel to look at Chris, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I’m buying up the place."

Chris blinked in surprise. "The hotel?"

"No," Damien replied, his tone calm but firm. "The whole town. The land, the businesses, everything."