WHO WILL SHE CHOOSE? HER COP OR HER LAWYER?

EPISODE II

"Freedom, I hope you are packing." My mom called to me.

"Yes, mother."

My name is Freedom Americas Abraham. My parents were immigrants. I say were because they are now American citizens. I have three older brothers that work here on the farm my parents bought right after their citizenship was finalized. My brothers were also immigrants. When I say I'm the baby of the family, I mean that. I'm only twenty-one. My oldest brother is pushing forty.

My mom was eighteen when she married my father. Their love story started when they were ten. My dad lights up when he tells me he knew the moment they set eyes on each other, he knew she was the one. A few months after their marriage, my mom became pregnant with my oldest brother. Getting pregnant with me was a complete surprise for my parents. A welcome one, but still. My name was chosen because America gave them opportunities they could've never imagined in their home land.

"Freedom, your flight leaves in six hours."

"I know." I yelled back.

Like I don't have enough time. I am on my way to Georgia. I was going to school to become a teacher. Right now, it's on hold for about a month. A relative of ours, my mom's sister, lives in Georgia and is in need of help. I was offered up by my mom. I don't want to go. I've never been away from my family, but I'm sure I will enjoy the scenery. I'm afraid to go because my family hides a secret. We are werewolves living among the human race. My parents are mates. I always wondered how dad knew my mom was the one, but they can't explain how he knew. My brothers have all chosen mates. Me well, I haven't looked. Don't get me wrong, I am by far a virgin, but I would like to wait and see.

There are different races of werewolves. Just the same as humans. Many can live together in harmony. Many find their mates are of a different race. Werewolves can be prejudiced when it comes to that. Just like humans, many are rejected because they are different and not accepted. My wolf, Jillette, has been hounding me to find our mate. Since I was sixteen, she hasn't left me alone. None of my s*xual experiences have been pleasurable because of her. At sixteen, once our wolf comes to us, we can find our mate. Other races can be eighteen, another I know about their age to find their mate is twenty. I would love to spend my time just looking for a man to be mine. I hope it's a man. I'm not against a woman, but I know what I prefer.

I rushed down the stairs to meet my brother Deke, my second oldest brother. He was bringing me to the airport. Deke and I were the closest. He was still living at home when I was born. He never lets me forget he used to change my diapers. I am going to miss him most. He still lives at home with his wife and their adopted twins. Mom and dad are getting too old to work in the fields. Deke and his wife now do that while my mom and dad babysit.

"Are you ready?" His bright but sad smile saddened me even more.

"No."

"You behave and take care of your aunt." My mom always pops in, seemingly out of thin air.

"I don't know why she couldn't come and live here."

"For the same reason, I wouldn't want to uproot myself from the place I've spent my life raising my children and meeting the friends I hold so dear."

"She has a family." I was trying everything I could think of not to go.

"None of them live close enough. Don't argue. She's paying you and you are going to continue your schooling."

"Yes, mom."

"I am going to miss you. You're doing a good thing. Good things will happen when you do good and put it out into the world."

"I know, mom. I'm just going to miss you."

"I know, sweetie. You can call and we can video chat."

"I love you. Where's dad?"

"He had to go with your brother and sort out some things for the farm. He's sorry he missed you. But, he told me to give you this." My mom handed me a book. A diary to be exact. That's one thing my dad always did when he came to America. He journaled everything.

"Freedom, we gotta go." Deke called to me from outside.

"I love you, mom." I gave her the tightest hug ever.

"I love you too. Be safe. Journal everything."

I threw my bag in the trunk and hopped onto the front seat. I knew I was doing the right thing. It was just hard leaving behind everything I knew. This is a new chapter, a new adventure I probably wouldn't have experienced if I hadn't gone. My mind wandered away from me. Being a teacher was something I always wanted to be, but what if I enjoyed taking care of Aunt Millie? Could I be a nurse? I don't faint at the sight of blood. I hate to see people hurting.

"Maybe we will meet our mate."

"Jillette, you know the odds aren't in our favor."

"That Moon Goddess needs to get on the ball. Numbers are dwindling for our species."

"If we find him or her it will be a miracle."

"I'm sure we will."

"You good over there?" My brother's voice ended my conversation with my wolf.

"Ya, sorry. I was just thinking about what my life is going to be like in Georgia."

"Boogie, you know this was meant to be. I don't know the reason, but it was." I hate that he still calls me that at my age. Siblings do a great job of embarrassing you and Deke is the master when it comes to making me turn red.

"I am twenty-one years old. Can you stop calling me that?"

"Never. You will always be my boogie. Promise me you'll call when you have time."

"Of course. I mean if I find a guy, then you know."

"That guy had best be your mate."

"You chose your mate."

"I love Erin, but having your mate is another ball game."

"I won't rush into anything. I promise." He held my hand. That was always his way of telling me everything would be fine.

The drive wasn't long enough. I wanted more time with my big bro. He stopped at the drop off, got out and quickly removed my bag. I didn't have to bring anything. My aunt said she would pay for anything I needed when I arrived. Deke and I hugged for the shortest time ever. I stepped back and watched him wave one last time before getting into the car and driving away. I went inside and headed to a check-in counter.

The airport was surprisingly quiet and empty. The whole process was faster than I was told it would be. I was now on the airplane waiting for take off. I pulled out the spare phone I had. I kept it because it had all my favorite music downloaded onto it. I didn't need any service to listen. I heard the pilot over my music. I knew it was time for my new life to begin. I rested my head back and closed my eyes. It was only a four-hour flight, so sleep wasn't needed.

"Excuse me." I opened my eyes to a handsome flight attendant.

"Is something wrong?"

"Your phone needs to be off."

"There is no service. I just use it for music. My phone is in my bag in the overhead bin."

"Okay. That's fine. Just double checking." I closed my eyes again and listened as the music took me away.

I felt a tapping on my shoulder. I opened my eyes. I must've dozed off. I looked into a set of chocolate brown eyes. It was the handsome flight attendant again. I hadn't noticed them before. I was lost in them for a brief moment. I blinked multiple times and looked around. People were getting ready to get off the plane. Sh*t, have we landed already? I yanked out my headphones and unbuckled my seat belt. I stood as the people in the seats across from me were grabbing their belongings and exiting. I quickly removed my bag, smiled at the flight attendant and took my leave of the plane.

Walking through the Savannah/Hilton Head International airport was different. I knew I had to catch a cab to Aunt Millie's. As I walked out, there was a young man waiting for me near a car. He was holding a sign with my name on it. I walked over to him, confused.

"I'm Miss Abraham."

"Hello, I'm Johnny. Mrs. Abbot sent me to collect you."

"Aunt Millie, sent you?"

"Yes, ma'am. She didn't want you taking a cab." He opened the back door and held his hand out to take my bag.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome, ma'am." I turned and watched as he placed my bag in the trunk.

"Seatbelt please." He said as he situated himself behind the wheel and looked in the rearview.

"Of course. I apologize."

"No need to apologize. Mrs. Abbot will have my head if you are hurt."

"I don't think she's that bad." I'd met Aunt Millie before at our big family reunions. I don't know her all that well.

"Mrs. Abbot doesn't take no for an answer. She is set in her ways. If you respect her, she returns that respect ten-fold. She's a lovely woman, just don't cross her."

"I see."

"Please forgive me, but if she's your aunt, how do you not know her?"

"I've met her before. We just live so far apart, I've never gotten to know her."

"Why are you here?"

"She needs someone to care for her."

"It's sad. They grew up and left her behind. None of them really bother with her anymore. They all have their own lives. She's been sad for years."

"I hope I can make her smile again." My mom didn't tell me any of this. I wouldn't have fought so hard not to go. I sat back thinking about it. Johnny didn't speak after that. He focused on the road. I looked out of the window as we sped down the highway.

"Here we are." He said as he pulled up to a gated property. He hit a button and was buzzed in. The driveway was long. Not so long that you couldn't see the street, but long enough. It was lined with trees and flowers. It was beautiful. He stopped at the front door and there was a man dressed in a suit. He opened the car door and held his hand out. I placed my hand in his and he helped me out of the car. Johnny had removed my bag from the trunk and placed it on the stairs.

"Thank you, Johnny."

"It was my pleasure, ma'am." He put his fingers on his forehead and acted like he was tipping his hat to me.

"This way, Miss Abraham." Before I could grab my bag, it was snatched up.

I walked behind the man in the suit. I assumed he was a butler or something. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I inhaled deeply. It was gorgeous inside. It looked like the door mouldings were made of gold. The banister to the stairs too. Everything was shiny. There were pictures of her with what I assume were her kids. None of them looked older than twenty-five in the pictures. I thought she had grandkids? The floors looked expensive. Who am I kidding? This whole place was expensive.

"Mrs. Abbot is in her room, right through that door."

"Is she bed ridden?"

"No. Her depression tends to keep her in bed more than she would like. Your room is on the second floor. First door on your right. I will put your bag in there."

"Thank you. Um? I'm sorry, I didn't ask your name."

"It's Miles, ma'am."

"Do you think you could call me by my name?"

"I'm afraid that is disrespectful. Mrs. Abbot doesn't allow it."

"Ok. Well, thank you, Miles."

"My pleasure, ma'am." He gave me a sly smile. I like him already.

I knocked on her door and waited.

"Enter." I didn't know what to expect as I slowly peeked my head in. "Freedom? Is that you?"

"Hi, auntie."

"You came. I didn't think you would. Oh my. Look at you."

"Of course I came. Mom said you needed help. Are you okay?"

"You have lifted my spirits already." I walked to her and sat by her on the bed.

"Whatever you need. I will do my best."

"You are a gift from the Moon Goddess."

"What would you like me to do first?"

"Could we just talk? I want to know all about you. I mean your mom and I talk about you and your brothers all the time, but it's different when you have the person in front of you."

"Okay. I was going to school to be a teacher."

"Any certain subject?"

"I like social studies and history."

"I bet your dad had a lot to do with that."

"He did. He never let us forget his success in this country."

"Yes. It truly is the best place to live. What else?"

"I was thinking on the way here. I am going to continue my schooling here, thanks to you. But, I wondered if I enjoyed caring for someone, maybe I would want to switch to being a nurse."

"You can do both. Why stop with just one career?"

"It depends on whether I can save enough money to continue further."

"Pish posh. While you are here with me, money is the one thing you never have to worry about."

"Auntie, I don't want to take your money."

"Consider it a gift. No need to worry about it."

"Thank you. I will give it some thought."

"Did you leave behind a lover?"

"Auntie."

"What? I lost my mate ten years ago. He won't mind." This woman was funny. From what I can see so far, she's pretty amazing too.

"No. I didn't have a boyfriend."

"Girlfriend?"

"No. I was single when I left."

"Are you looking?"

"I'm twenty-one, I don't know what I want yet."

"You know you want to be a teacher. You know you maybe want to be a nurse. You know. I think you are afraid to admit you want something."

"I don't want to take a chosen mate. I want to find the one that is meant for me, if there is one. Mom and dad found each other. Were you and Uncle Vincent, mates?"

"We were. I miss him so much. Having your mate is a feeling of love like no other. Keep your eyes open, you can find love in the strangest places."

Aunt Millie and I talked and laughed all night. Dinner was served in her room. Though I learned she hated to eat in bed. We ate and talked about her children and grandchildren. I didn't have the heart to ask why they weren't helping her here. She was so full of life when I left her room around midnight. I took a breath outside of her door. This wasn't a mistake like I thought it was going to be. I have a feeling this was the change I needed from the stale life I was living. I'm excited to see what's in store for me now. I didn't want to take her money, but she told me anything I wanted she would provide. I have no problem being a frugal shopper.