The lost mate
Chapter 29: Foreboding

Chapter 29: Foreboding

Emily’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she wiped down the counter for what seemed like the tenth time that hour.

"He’s so dreamy," Emily gushed to Annie, who was busy organising the pastry display. "He’s been coming here almost every day this week. And he’s so polite! He always says ’please’ and ’thank you,’ and he tips so well. The girls practically fight over who gets to serve him!"

Annie glanced up, raising an eyebrow at Emily’s enthusiasm. "Sounds like you’ve got a bit of a crush," she teased, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"How can I have a crush on your mate?" Emily feigned shock.

Annie had gone out with Damien a few more times since that dinner. It was easier to just humour him rather than block him completely.

"Speaking of mates. What are they exactly? Like soulmates?"

Annie paused, considering how to explain it. "Yes, you could say that. Mates are like soulmates for wolves. It’s a bond that’s supposed to be unbreakable, forged by something deeper than just attraction or affection. When wolves find their mates, it’s like... finding the other half of your soul. Everything just clicks into place."

"That sounds so romantic! So, it’s like love at first sight?"

Annie tilted her head, thinking. "In a way, yes. But it’s more than just love. It’s instinctual, like a pull you can’t resist. Your wolf recognises your mate, and once that happens, there’s no going back. It’s both wonderful and terrifying at the same time."

Emily sighed dreamily, resting her chin in her hand. "That sounds amazing. I wish humans had something like that. It would make dating so much easier."

Annie couldn’t help but laugh. "It’s not always as perfect as it sounds; trust me. Mates can be... complicated. But when it works, it’s something truly special."

"How are you doing this ?" Emily asked.

"Doing what ?"

"Resisting him ! I mean, look at him !"

Annie glanced over at Damien sitting in the room.

"Our mate bond is a mistake; Goddess Luna was probably in a foul mood when she created our bond."

"Godess Luna ! Now who is she ?"

"Goddess of the werewolves. She is said to have created the first werewolves and is believed to watch over our kind. Some say she guides us. " Annie explaied.

Before Emily could respond, she glanced up to see Damien striding towards them.

"Damien," Annie greeted him, her voice steady.

He offered her a warm smile, one that sent a ripple of awareness through her. "Annie, Emily," he acknowledged them both before turning his full attention to Annie. "I was just wondering if you’d like to join me for a movie tonight."

The casualness of his question threw Annie off guard. She blinked, taken aback by the sudden invitation. "A movie?"

"Yes, a movie," Damien said with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"I can’t; I have to help Emily with a few errands this evening." Annie made an excuse.

Sensing her hesitation, Damien softened his approach. "It’s just a movie, Annie. No pressure. If you’d rather not, that’s fine too."

"You should go, Annie; I was planning to go to the fun fair, anyway." Emily quipped in.

Annie turned towards her surprised, "Since when did you get interested in a fun fair ?"

"Since I heard they have a new roller coaster," Emily replied.

"She will go," Emily said to Damien with a big smile.

Damien’s smile widened, a genuine expression of pleasure lighting up his face. "Great. I’ll pick you up at seven."

"NO, don’t trouble yourself; just tell me the place. I will be there." Annie said quickly.

"Looking forward to it," Damien said, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer before he turned and headed back towards the door.

As soon as Damien was out of earshot. Annie turned to Emily.

"Why did you make me agree to go to the movie with Damien?"

"Annie, think about it. If you had disagreed, Damien wouldn’t have just taken ’no’ for an answer. He would’ve remained persistent, and you know it. He’s not the type to back off easily."

Annie frowned, knowing deep down that Emily was right. Damien wasn’t one to give up without a fight, and she had already seen how determined he could be.

"So, what am I supposed to do? Just go along with it." Annie asked, her arms crossing defensively.

Emily nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, exactly. Think about it this way: if you go along with these dates, make him feel like you’re slowly warming up to him; he might start to relax. And when he’s relaxed enough, he’ll feel secure, like everything’s going according to his plan. That’s when you can slip away, when he least expects it."

Annie’s eyes widened slightly as she processed Emily’s words. "You’re saying I should play along... to keep him from getting suspicious?"

"Exactly," Emily confirmed, a hint of mischief in her smile. "If you keep pushing him away, he’s only going to get more suspicious, more determined. But if you let him think he’s getting what he wants, he’ll drop his guard. And when the time is right, you can make your move."

Emily had a point—if she wanted to keep her life intact, if she wanted to protect Ryan and herself, then keeping Damien in the dark was crucial.

"But what if...?" Annie began, her voice trailing off as uncertainty crept in. "What if he doesn’t relax? What if he..."

Emily reached out and squeezed Annie’s hand reassuringly. "He will, trust me. If you give him what he thinks he wants, he’ll eventually stop pushing so hard."

"I just... I don’t know if I can do this, Em," Annie admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why ? Is it because you still have feelings for him?" Emily asked gently.

"No !" Annie shook her head quickly. "It’s just that I’m scared for Ryan."

Emily had a smug smile.Ryan is in good hands; don’t worry. I am taking him to the funfair,"

Annie chuckled. "Really? That sounds like a great idea, thank you. What would I do without you?"

"Probably be a nervous wreck," Emily teased, causing Annie to laugh.

**************************

Detective Fred Monroe sat at his cluttered desk, absently twirling a pen between his fingers. But today, his mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of an unsolved case that had recently taken a dark turn.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of footsteps approaching his desk. Detective Steven Harris appeared in the doorway. His expression was serious, a telltale sign that he had news.

"Detective Monroe," Steven began, his voice tinged with a mix of urgency and professionalism, "we’ve got an ID on the body from the marsh."

Fred straightened in his chair, the pen stilling in his hand. This was the break he’d been waiting for. "Go on," he urged, his eyes locking onto Steven’s.

"The victim’s name is Ronald Kray," Steven continued, flipping open a small notebook. "He was reported missing five years ago. The report was filed by his sister, who was his only close family member."

"Ronald Kray," Fred muttered, the name rolling around in his mind as if it should mean something. But nothing came to him. Five years was a long time for someone to be missing, especially in a case like this. "What else do we know about him?"