My Auburn Witch (18+)

Chapter 5: The Corner Shop Guy

Natalie P.O.V

As another week comes to an end, I am reminded of the lonely weekend I must now endure. Even if Paige decided to spend time at home, which was unlikely, it would only mean that she moped around binge eating and complaining that there is nothing to do in this town. But, I get it. At her age, I was living in a vibrant city, surrounded by friends, movie theatres, arcades and parks to lounge in; there is nothing around here for her like that. She is just about managing to make new friends at school, and she spends a lot of time with one girl in particular, but I’ve never met her. I’m only ever told about their escapades, and even they’re not very thrilling.

As I finally turn off the lights and say goodbye to my boss at the book store, I am greeted with the darkness of the evening. The biting cold skims across my cheeks and hides under my clothes, sending a shiver down my spine. I pulled my coat tighter around my waist and turn in the direction of home, thankful that I knew the walk would warm me up a little.

As I passed the many shop windows along the high street, my eyes scanned them for anything of interest. With the sidewalks so noiseless right now, it was nice to enjoy the uninterrupted peace I could find here. As I became submerged in the light of my local corner shop, I decided to venture in, with the call of chocolate and wine singing at me through the doorway. I weaved through the cluttered isles towards the wine cooler at the back of the shop, searching for the bittersweet sting of a crisp, white Pinot Grigio. My fingers wrapped around the handle to the fridge, as I pulled on the door, freeing the cold air and allowing me access to the glass bottles.

“Jesus that’s cold!” The voice made me jump, almost dropping the bottle from my grasp on its neck.

“f*****g hell! You scared the crap out of me.” His laugh was smooth as I turned to see the strapping man behind me.  His dark red hair was swept back casually, as if he had been running his hands through it repetitively, and his eyes were blue like deep water. His small smile came and went as he looked at me.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I let out a long breath.

“It’s fine. I don’t get spoken to very often around here, so it was like a double whammy for me.” His eyes furrowed as I closed the cooler door.

“Really?” I took a step towards the front of the shop. He closely followed, his attention never leaving me.

“Yeah. I’m new around here, so I don’t really know anyone.” He nodded.

“I did wonder. I haven’t seen you before. Have you been living here long?”

“Um, about a month.” I approached the chocolate and grabbed the largest Dairy Milk bar I could see.

“Oh, not long then.” I shook my head and headed to the cashier. “Maybe we could hang out sometime.” I placed my things down on the counter and handed over my money, trying to process his words. After a minute of silence, I found the right words to say.

“That would be nice.” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get into something with a guy so soon after leaving my toxic relationship with Michael only months before. It took a lot of courage for me to end it.

“Cool.” I left the shop with my bag in hand, and stood out in the cold once more. This guy was stood beside me; his hands empty.

“Did you not buy anything?” His eyes widened, and looked back in the shop behind us.

“Oh, I was meant to, but… seems I got distracted.” I looked at my feet, attempting to hide the smile I could feel on my lips.

“I’m Doug, by the way. I’m aware I didn’t introduce myself earlier.”

“I’m Natalie. It’s nice to meet you.”

Ash P.O.V

I wasn’t going to, I really wasn’t. I told myself over and over again to just stay away and let her get on with her life. I knew in my gut she wasn’t a wolf, and I knew it would be safer for her to never get involved with me. I would only mess with her heart.

I could never belong to her. I already belonged to Samantha. She was my true mate, and no matter what anyone says, including my wolf, this woman was nothing to me.

But I caved.

My wolf, Mane had been pining for days, ever since we saw her at the lake. Constantly hounding me like a dog who needed to be let out for a piss. No amount of training, or forest runs could shake this feeling. I knew I couldn’t continue down this road, and if it meant I needed to see this woman to reject her, then I would. I knew it would hurt, any rejection would, but at least she wouldn’t feel it, and in my opinion, what was a little more emotional pain on top of what I already had to deal with every day.

But, when I saw her casually walking down the street after driving through town, I followed her. I never meant to find her, but I knew, deep down I was searching. I had no reason to be driving through the quiet high-street tonight, and my wolf knew it. But seeing her, so carefree, I couldn’t stop the smile it brought to my face. Even in the darkness, I could see her as clear as day. Her wild, untamed auburn hair flowed down to the hollow of her back as she gazed in each shop window she passed. My wolf was scratching at the surface, begging to come out but I shut him away. I had no questions about his commitment to her, it was mine I couldn’t give.

When she disappeared into that corner shop, I waited in the car across the street. The urge to go inside and meet her was torture, and I stepped out of my car, enjoying the brisk evening air. When she re-emerged with that man, Jesus, my inside turned in a frenzy. Her scent was strong as the breeze pulled it to me on its back, and it was the only thing that curbed the jealousy. To see her smile at another, to hear her rapid heart rate flutter as he spoke to her; I hated it. I watched as they exchanged numbers and parted ways, all the while fighting with myself. She would have no idea that our world even existed; if I walked over there, trying to make some kind of claim on her, she would freak out, and I would be acting on my own primal instinct. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want her.

I got back in my car and headed back to the packhouse to pick up Esme, who was having a girly sleepover with her cousin. I didn’t bother following her home to find out where she lived. I was angry and frustrated, and I just needed my little girl to cheer me up as she always does.

‘I thought you didn’t want anything to do with this woman, and yet here you are, all fired up and jealous.’ Mane’s sarcasm was a sour reminder that we were at war with each other. I could feel he was lonely, but time and time again, I reminded him that it wouldn’t be the same. Samantha was a wolf. We could run together, hunt together, we could be with one another completely. But this girl, she was nothing like that. She wouldn’t understand the need to protect and dominate, and we are so different.

‘We are not doing this, Mane. I don’t know what else to tell you. When we meet, which I’m sure will soon enough, I’m rejecting her.’

‘Please, Ash.’ My wolf’s pleads were sad to hear, such a strong beast, only to become putty to his hypothetical mate.

‘No.’ Why did it hurt to mutter those words. Why would the moon goddess put me through all of this?

Hadn’t I endured enough pain already?

*****

When I finally entered Elizabeth and Victor’s residence, I heard the chatter and laughter of our children coming from the open door to their lounge, with the blue flickering light from the television casting their shadows onto the walls. I was envious of them; they were yet to know the pain of love, still shrouded in innocence and naivety. I approached the room, but Liz called to me from the kitchen.

As I entered, that smell hit me like a wall of thick smog. The familiar scent of the women at the lake; of her.

“Hi, Ash.” Liz stood there, leant against the kitchen worktop clutching a cup of something hot in her hands, the aroma of herbal green tea mixing with that of the sugared berries and honey.

“Hey…” I sniffed at the air, and she just smiled. She knew something. Her eyes flashed to a package on the nearby dining table, wrapped in brown paper. I approached it, noticing the increase of that torturous smell as I sat in a chair closest to it. My hands couldn’t stop themselves as they reached out to touch the paper, sensing the rough texture under my fingertips.

“Where?” they slid below the thin pleats of each fold, unpacking the delicately wrapped parcel, ending in a simple green hardback book, with a small golden placard on the front.

“The book shop in town.” I couldn’t help but flick through the pages fanning the smell around me. Did she work there?

I let out a sigh, and put the book back down on the table, atop the paper and sat back in the chair.

“I saw her.” I looked at Elizabeth as she concentrated on me. Her silence only urged me to continue. “She isn’t a wolf, Liz. I couldn’t sense any magic, so she can’t be a creature like us. She’s human. Frail.”

“Special.” Elizabeth smiled at me as she hugged her mug in her hands and held it against her chest.

“I don’t think ‘easily perishable’ means ‘special’.” She rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her tea.

“Ok, but are you sure?”

“Yes, Liz.”

“Well, I thought she was quite something when I met her.” I looked up at her, clearly surprised, as she smiled back at me with gratification.

“When?”

“How else do you think that book got here? Magic?” I ran my fingers over it again, and although disgusted with my actions, enjoyed the smell of her. Knowing she had held this book and run her fingers across the spine; it saddened me. I long, heavy sigh passed by my lips, my head hanging low and my shoulders hunched in defeat.

“I won’t be able to protect her.” I heard Elizabeth approach and sit beside me.

“Ash, trust me when I say, you won’t need to. The pack has been at peace for years now. And you will just have to trust me when I say, she’s the one that will save you.”

“Save me from what?”

“This.” She placed her fingertips lightly on my chest, just over my heart, and the cracks that I thought were healing within, burned in response. Tears flooded my eyes, and as they overflowed and fell onto my lap, I didn’t stop them. I had cried so many times over the years, but never in the company of another.

“She will never replace Sam.”

“No one ever could, and she won’t. She will be a whole other chapter in your story.”