Choose Me

Chapter 1 I shove my clothes in my suitcase, not bothering to pack them neatly. I need to get out of here quickly before he realises what I'm doing. I stop and wipe my face, which is meaningless because the tears keep coming. How did my life turn out like this? I was so excited about finding my mate. Granted the thought terrified me, but I was excited overall. The one wolf that is supposed to be yours, is made for you and will love you through anything... It sounds too good to be true, and before, I would have said it wasn't, but now, it is. Just because they are supposed to love you, doesn't mean they won't destroy you. I had everything planned. I was going to continue with the pup handling and work my way up to becoming a pack midwife. Then, I was going to meet my mate, fall in love and have everything my parents had. But he had to ruin that... He broke my heart and then broke my soul. One week ago. I yawned, leaning over and switched my alarm off. I snuggled back into my blanket for five minutes before I had to be up. "Ayla, are you awake?" Owen, my brother, shouted from behind my door. "I am. I'm getting in the shower and then I'll be down." I responded. I heard him walk off and I pulled myself up. I plodded towards my bathroom. I was still drowsy from my sleep and tired, feeling so exhausted. Lately, I haven't been getting much sleep. My wolf, Athena, has been anxious and uneasy, which causes me to feel the same. Mom says it's because I've been a full werewolf for two years and I haven't found my mate. We shift at sixteen... I'm eighteen, so Athena has been pining for her mate since she came to me. All wolves want their other half. I'm excited about meeting my mate, but I'm also terrified. I hate the unknown. I like knowing what's going to happen. I plan my days ahead of me so I know what I'm doing. Finding your mate is one thing I can't plan for. No one knows when or who it's going to be. I pulled open the shower door and turned the dial to cold. I'm going to have to shock my body awake. I rooted through my little shower caddy, choosing what to use. Unfortunately, my shower isn't big enough to fit anything in there, so all of my products have to be in here or in my little cupboard under the sink. My bathroom isn't the biggest, but it's decent-sized for one person as long as you walk with your arms straight down by your sides and turn slowly. I picked out coconut lychee shampoo and conditioner. After deciding what body wash to use, I opted for my usual, vanilla and raspberry. I sighed and stepped into the shower. As soon as the water hit my skin, I gasped. My eyes went wide, and I physically shuddered. This definitely woke me up. I slowly turned the dial towards the hot setting, allowing my body to readjust to the heat. I breathed out in relief as heat surrounded me. I continued with my shower as Athena whimpered in my mind. I've tried asking on numerous occasions what's wrong, but I get no reply. I can feel it. Whatever is wrong... It almost feels like my soul is being ripped from my body. Now and again, a sharp pain shoots across my abdomen. It's coming into the heat season, so I can only assume my body is getting ready for putting me through the nightmare of a wolf's heat. A werewolf has two heat seasons, the only time a she-wolf can fall pregnant. I haven't met my mate so the heat is bearable although, I dread to think what heat is like when you are unmated and the bond has started to develop. I have to be vigilant when the heat comes. My scent can drive any unmated wolf insane... Even my brother, which is utterly disgusting. I don't understand why Selene, our Moon Goddess, would allow family members to be enticed by their sibling's scent. My dad says it's because his wolf is unmated, and during heat, the animalistic side is more distinguished... He doesn't see his sibling wolf. Instead, he sees an unmated she-wolf. I switched off the shower and stepped out, wrapping a fluffy towel around my body, then grabbed a little towel and wrapped it around my hair. I stood in front of the mirror, wiped the condensation from it then grabbed my toothbrush. Once I'd finished brushing my teeth, I made my way back into my bedroom to get dressed for work. I opened my closet door and pulled out my pale pink scrubs. I'm a pup handler. I work in the nursery in the pack hospital. The pups of the pack, Doctors and Nurses that need caring for are dropped off with us and picked up when their shifts have ended. I love the job. I love seeing their little faces. I eventually want to become a midwife. My mum is one of the pack's midwives. I've grown up with the stories she used to tell... Not gory details but the love you see between the mates when they arrive to have their pup and the overwhelming pride of helping them complete their family. I'm a sucker for romance and family. I'd probably cry the first time I get to lay a pup in their mother's arms. I flipped my hair over, causing the towel to fall. I flipped my hair back, picked the towel up, and threw it into my laundry basket. I sat at my dressing table and picked up my brush. I brushed my hair before plugging in my hairdryer. I dried my hair until it was falling down my back, my natural blonde waves flowing free. I pulled it up into a ponytail. It's one of the conditions of working in the nursery... Always have your hair out of the way. I stood up and went over to my bed. I straightened the blanket out and then opened my curtains before heading downstairs. "Good morning, Ayla," my dad smiled as I walked into the kitchen. "Good morning." I bubbled. I sat next to Owen at the table while my mom continued pottering around the kitchen. He passed me a plate filled with pancakes, and I grinned at him. "Thanks, Owen," I chirped as I leaned over the pancakes and inhaled. He chuckled and nodded his head before going back to his breakfast. "Owen, Aunt Ava is expecting you after work," mom mentioned, "don't forget-" "Don't come home or go out until heat season is over... I know mom," he replied. "It will only be for three or four days. Ayla's heat is due anytime now so it's better if you get out of here before it starts," dad added. "Thank you, Owen." I smiled shyly at him. It's awkward to say the least, my brother having to leave because of me... I know it's for both of our sakes but I feel guilty. Mom wants me here with her when it happens so she can keep an eye on me. I think it's so I don't give into my animalistic side. "Of course... It has to be done." He sighed. I smiled at him and nodded. "Who knows, when Ethan comes home... All this could be sorted," Owen winked at me before snickering as mom and dad scoffed. Ethan is my best friend. I've known him forever. I may also be slightly in love with him. We have never let our desire for one another go anywhere. He and everyone think we're going to be mates... I'm hoping he is. We made a promise to each other before he left... If we both find our mates while he's away, then we'll be happy for each other, but if we don't... We promised not to do anything with anyone, we waited and gave ourselves to our mates... Chapter 2 "I'll see you tonight," I called out as I pulled my coat on. I opened the door, stepped out of the house and pulled the door closed behind me. I always leave a little early for work. I like the bustle of the pack first thing in the morning. Everyone starts their morning, whether going for a morning run or taking their pups to school. There's always someone around. I hummed to myself as I strolled along the sidewalk. "Good morning, Ayla," Mavis, an elderly wolf, waved from across the street. "You caught me this morning," I chuckled as I waved back. She stands in her garden every morning, waiting to wave to me. She's done it ever since I was a pup when my mom used to walk me to school. "Have a lovely day at work, Ayla," she smiled before she went back inside. My phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and grinned at the caller id. "Why don't you mind link me? Why do you insist on ringing me just to ask where I am?" I chuckled as I answered the phone. "Because I like using my phone," Mila sassed. "I'm around the corner. I'll be there in a second. I'm hanging up," I replied, then hit the end button, pushing my phone back into my pocket. "Well, that was totally rude," Mila pouted as I sauntered towards her. I smirked at my best friend as she continued her pouting. Her ebony hair was pulled into an elegant bun on the top of her head, and she had unique silver coloured eyes... Whereas mine is just an ordinary emerald green. I'm envious of her hair and eyes. She looks flawless no matter what she does. "So, are you ready for another day of work?" She groaned. I giggled and nodded my head. "I love working here, the pups are just so cute." I cooed. "They are..." She gushed, "because you can give them back." She deadpanned with a serious expression on her face. I chortled as we made our way to the doors of the pack hospital. We waited as the doors slid open. "Good morning, Ayla, Mila," Tim, the security guard, dipped his head as he greeted us. "Good morning, Tim. Is it busy?" I questioned as I shrugged my coat off. "No more than usual," he replied, "anyway, have a good day, girls." He added as he sat back down behind his desk. We made our way through the hospital towards the nursery. "Have you heard from Ethan lately?" She asked, glancing at me. I shook my head, "no, but he'll be busy. He's due home soon," I answered. She hummed and nodded. Ethan is the future Beta. He's at a training centre for Alphas and Betas, along with his brother, Mateo... Our future Alpha. We reached the nursery. I glanced through the window and saw all the pups running around. My smile brightened as I watched them. Mila pushed open the door, we stepped in, and the pups turned to look at us. Big happy grins spread throughout them, and my heart did somersaults. "Miss Ayla, Miss Ayla," Eli, the Beta's son, came running towards me, dragging a pup behind him. "Miss Ayla, this is Nolan," he burst, pushing the poor pup in front of him. I kneeled in front of him and smiled. "Hi, I'm Ayla," I greeted, holding my hand out for him to shake. He giggled, placing his tiny hand in mine and gently shook. "Ay... How do you say it?" He whispered. "Eye... La," I pronounced my name, smiling at him. "That's a pretty name," he smiled, "I'm no... Lan." He answered again. I chuckled and nodded my head. "It's nice to meet you." I smiled. They ran off and joined the other pups. I placed my coat on the hook before going and mingling in with the pups. "Mila, Ayla... You can go for your lunch now." Tilly, our manager, called out from the front of the room. We nodded and made our way to the canteen. My phone started ringing. I stopped and pulled my phone out. My heart leapt as I read the name... Ethan. I took a deep breath before answering. "Hey," I answered. "How are you?" He asked, his voice was quiet, and I could sense an uneasiness coming from him. "I'm ok, just on my lunch. How are you?" I replied. He was making me feel uneasy. It's like I didn't know how to talk to him. "I'm good, Ayla. I... I miss you," he took a deep breath, "have you found your mate?" He questioned. I sucked in a breath, "I miss you, Ethan. I can't wait for you to come home." I breathed out in relief. He misses me as much as I miss him. "No, I haven't found my mate... Have you?" I asked. I heard him drag in a shaky breath, "no, I..." he hesitated, and I held my breath. "No, I haven't." He sighed.