His True Mate

Book 1 Chapter 10

VERITY

It didn't take me too long to place all my things in my car.

I made it in two trips and was back inside the flat, ensuring everything was switched off.

Once I made sure everything was okay, I went to the front door and sighed. I looked over my shoulder at the flat.

This was my home.

I knew I was doing the right thing by leaving. I needed to get away and start over.

I sighed.

I pulled open the front door and walked through, closing the door to lock it.

Once it was locked, I took the key from my car keys and placed it in the letter box. I knew my landlord had a set of keys for the flat as he had to sort a few things out in the past and had to use his key to get in while I was at work.

I turned and walked out of the flat building.

I never made friends here, as most were either old or constantly at work. Either way, we all kept out of each other business for there to be any drama.

I walked to the car and climbed in.

I sat back in my seat and looked over to the passenger side. I had placed my laptop on the front seat with my purse.

I planned to drive and find a place to eat.

I was going to find a map and decide on my next destination, but I didn't have a clue where I wanted to go, but all I knew was it had too far from here.

I went to my music file and used a lead to connect my Spotify to the car. I knew exactly what I would listen to as I needed to keep awake during this drive, a bit of everything from rock to country, even throwing in some pop music. I choose anything that will keep my mind on the road.

Once I pressed play, I started the engine and drove off.

I drove through, and within a few minutes, I was back to where I started, staring at the hotel sign ahead of me at the junction.

I knew I had to leave.

I knew I had to get over him.

He wanted to look for his mate, and I wasn't going to hang around to find out if he did.

I couldn't do that to myself.

I put my foot on the gas and turned in the direction of the hotel, but I planned to head straight past it.

I didn't want to go the other direction, even though I loved the next town.

Axel knew I loved going there, and I knew it would be the first place he would look if he ever looked for me.

I felt my heartache slightly and the mere thought.

As I approached the hotel, my favorite song from Alexandra Kay came on, 'Backroad therapy.' I cranked it up loud as I drove past.

As soon as the lyric came, 'speeding past your place on the left,' I looked to my left, and there was the hotel.

I drove past and made sure I kept my eyes on the road.

I knew I had to keep going.

As I was about to turn the corner, I drove past and watched in the rearview as the hotel disappeared into the darkness.

I let out a breath that I had no clue I was holding and kept driving.

I felt relieved and picked up speed as I approached the freeway.

I knew the world was mine once I was long gone, and I knew I could do anything.

I knew I was going to drive all night, as I knew sleep wouldn't come anytime soon, but I needed to look for a place for food soon.

I made sure my music was up loud, and I started to sing along, ensuring Axel was never in my thoughts, even though he slipped past a few times.

I don't know if Axel will look for me, but I needed to keep one thought in mind: I was no one second best. He wanted to find his mate, which was fine, but I wasn't going to hang around waiting to find out if he had one.

Knowing more about werewolves from him was an eye-opener, but I was grateful to him for giving me information. He talked about his pack mostly, but also about rogues.

I didn't realize different types of werewolves and rogues couldn't be trusted.

I know why my mind went to werewolves, but I needed to avoid them.

I was going to make it my mission never to fall for another werewolf, even though the one I was already in love with was invading my mind.

I knew I didn't have to worry about him trying to get hold of me; that won't happen now as I broke my phone. I knew I had to get a new one, but that can wait till I find somewhere to live.

I cleared my throat and began to sing, ensuring I never brought anything up about him and his kind again.

I drove for five hours. I followed signs and didn't even know where I was heading. You can't be lost if you don't know where you are going, right?

As you heard you heard me, it took me five hours just to find a decent place to have food.

There were a few along the way, but most places were closed or had repairs done. One even was full of angry-looking men with tattoos and bikes.

I avoided that one as I didn't need any trouble.

I drove and noticed a sign for a cafe; as I saw the sign, my stomach decided to talk to me with a loud growl, indicating that I needed food.

My mind raced, wondering when I last ate, which turns out I hadn't eaten in the last twenty-four hours.

I took the turning off and followed the sign to the cafe.

The cafe appears out of nowhere, and I pull right up in front of it.

The lights were on, and a woman stood behind the counter, talking to a man wearing a chief's hand.

He must be the cook, I thought.

I grabbed my purse and laptop, placing them both in my bag.

I climbed out and locked the car, and headed inside the cafe.

I stood as I looked around and noticed that the cafe was the only place on its own. There was nothing else, only three huge lorries to the side.

I pulled open the door, and the sweet aroma of bacon hit my nose, causing my stomach to growl.

I walked in and smiled at the woman in front, who was now smiling back at me.

"Hey, sweetheart," she said. "What can I get you?"

I smiled.

"Could I have some coffee and a cooked breakfast?" I asked as I glanced toward the clock.

It read four am.

I knew I needed to refuel and head back on the road.

"Sure," the woman said. "Take a seat, and I will bring everything over to you."

I nodded and walked over to the nearest booth.

I slid in and placed my bag on the inside next to me.

I looked through the window and stared at my car.

I let out a sigh as the woman approached me with a mug.

"Here you go, sweetheart," she said. "I just made it, so it's a fresh batch."

I smiled as she handed me the mug.

I placed the mug in between my hands as I looked at her. "Do you have any maps?" I blurt.

The woman looked at me for a moment, and a slow smile slid across her lips. "I think we have a few copies," she said. "I will bring one over to you."

"Thank you," I said. "I would like that."

The woman nodded and walked away.

I sipped my coffee, and a few moments later, she returned with a map. She placed it down on the table and looked at me. "Here you go," she said. "So, where are you off to?"

I looked at her and sighed.

"I'm trying to figure out where, if I'm being honest," I said. "This trip came suddenly."

The woman looked at me but c****d her head to one side. "There are plenty of places to go," she said. "There are loads of small towns nearby; you should check them out."

I stared at her, but I couldn't help but smile.

"I might just do that," I said.

I looked at her. "Do you know where I can find a nearby general store?" I asked.

The woman smiled.

"There are a few stores a few miles down from here," she said. "They have a motel, too, if you need to rest."

I smiled but didn't say anything.

I might consider it; I needed to sleep too.

I felt the woman look at me, but she sighed. "Well, I will bring your food over to you as soon as it is done," she said and turned around, heading back to the kitchen.

I turned my attention to the window again and looked out.

A few men were getting out of the lorries and heading toward the cafe.

They looked like they had just woken up.

I watched them through the window as four-headed inside the cafe and went to the counter to take seats.

The woman from earlier came out of the kitchen and started to talk to them like she knew them.

I let out a sigh.

Fifteen minutes later, the woman approached me and placed my food in front of me.

My stomach growled as I grabbed my knife and fork and started to dig in.