#Chapter 37 – Wolf Meets Girl

“Wow, this new office is…really nice…” Susan says, looking around at former dining room in the cottage which I have transformed into my office. It has all the old furniture – desk, velvet couch, my armchair – but Susan is right, the environment is a definite upgrade. The window looks out on my little back yard, where all of the leaves are turning on the trees between my house and Victor’s.

“Wow, is that a pool?” Susan says, peering out the window.

“Um, yes,” I say hurriedly, putting a hand on her shoulder and turning her towards the sofa. “It’s the neighbor’s. Please, have a seat.”

Susan does so, smoothing her hands over her jeans as she does. I can tell from her expression that she’s unhappy, worried.

“I’m so sorry we’ve had to have a hiatus in our sessions because of the move,” I say. “How have you been?”

“Well…Evelyn, it’s not good.” She says, looking down at her knees.

“Oh no, is Adrian okay?”

“Yes,” she says softly, “He’s fine…he’s great, it’s just that…well, I found out recently that he’s been cheating on me.”

“What?” I say, genuinely shocked. Last time I checked in on Susan and Adrian they were fine – figuring out the complications of human and wolf anatomy, but fine! “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” she says, shaking her head. “He started going out with his brothers more often, and you know they never approved of him being with me, because I’m a human and all. They wanted ‘better’ for their brother, they said. A wolf girlfriend, a wolf wife.”

I nod and encourage her to continue. This is not uncommon for families of mixed couples.

“Well I found out recently that they’ve started taking him to strip clubs and…boutiques. Where he could have experiences with wolf women. Low class ones, apparently – Omegas and Rogues –“

I purse my lips a little at this, but instantly forgive her. I don’t think that Susan knows that I am a Rogue.

“And I found out, recently – I saw his cell phone – that he gave in to one of them and started having an affair!” With this, she bursts into tears. I move to the couch to put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Susan. This must be horrible for you.”

between sniffs. “I mean, aren’t we mated? Don’t we have this physical, spiritual connection

someone isn’t magic – it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll only be attracted to you, forever, and that you’ll

the hell does it mean,” Susan says, throwing out her hands in a gesture of frustration. Glad to see that she’s angry now, instead of sad,

head slowly, puzzling through it. “Mating actually doesn’t have anything to do with your relationship. It’s more of a biological function. When you meet your mate, something…shifts, within you. At least, that’s how I’ve heard it described.

match for each other – a perfect genetic match, even, as the mating bond is, frankly,

Susan is

say, laughing a little. “I went all textbook on you for a second there. Forgive me. What I mean is, the mating bond isn’t magic telling you you’ve met the love of your life. It’s biology

then why does everyone talk about it like it’s this great

I say, shrugging one shoulder. “When your body is throwing out all these hormones letting you know that THIS is the

mates, Adrian talked about

This way, you choose to be with Adrian because you love him and you want him, not because the universe has sent a magic lightening bolt to make it so. On the same turn, it also means you can

if we’re mated…will I ever be attracted

“But, while they are rare, there are examples of people who have chosen to

raising her hands to her mouth, horrified. “Do you

emphatic. “Susan, no. That’s not at all what I mean. What I’m trying to express here is that just because you’re his mate doesn’t mean you’re not still regular people, just trying to figure out how to love each

face closely to gauge her reaction. “But if he treats you poorly, or you feel so betrayed that you can’t ever trust him again, you can leave him, and you will find love elsewhere. You wouldn’t be the only mated person to choose not to be with their

nod and process. “I kind of wish it was simpler,” she says. “That finding your mate means…that’s it. Book

other. “Now,” I say, settling back into my chair and picking up my notebook. “Let’s talk about your next

babies,” I whisper, and pull the twins’ door shut behind me. Then, I slump back against it. God, it’s been a long day

and no one getting any sleep until I convinced the boys to let him come with me. He’s imprinted on me like a little duckling and refuses to

dog who sits primly by my feet, looking up with

curls up on his dog bed, on the floor next to my own. I check my

Where you been, baby!? I MISS

text her

crazy. Do you have a time

after I send the text my phone is ringing. I smile as

I say, my voice husky and throaty, enjoying the old

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