Zero-

It had been almost three months since me and Corey left to find out mates. Leaving the pack house was maybe one of the hardest things we’ve ever done, but we knew finding our mate was a top priority. We promised everyone we'd be back the second we found them, but most of our relatives found their mates quickly, or at least under a month. Our parents found each other in less than a week. But I guess, most werewolves don’t have more than one mate. Why Corey and I do? Not the slightest clue.

We’ve traveled to countless human cities, but are yet to find the one for us. Ever since we turned 18 and found out we were mates we’ve had this overwhelming feeling of incompleteness. In the pack house, I had my family but now it's just Corey and me. We both feel as though we’re missing something, or someone. That’s what keeps us motivated in finding our third mate. 

Maybe today will be the day Zero!

I hear Corey’s cheerful, sleepy voice echoing in my mind. I smile, and blush a little. Hearing him first thing in the morning always makes me happy, despite having woken up the same way for almost three months. We have a morning routine with each other at this point. So I respond,

There’s no one else in our hotel room, you can speak out loud.

That's boring. This way feels more private.

 I grumble and I smile. I feel him watching.

You realize every werewolf has telepathy, right?

Humans don’t.

There really is no winning with you, is there?

Never.

I grunt and Corey laughs at me. I hear him rustling beside me, he’s probably getting out of bed. He walks to my side of the bed and sits down. I look up at him smiling. Corey pulls me up beside him, and I lean my head on his shoulder. He puts a strong gentle arm around me and a small kiss on my forehead. I could’ve stayed like that forever

“We should get going now” I say, pulling away.

He reluctantly nods, and I feel him move under my shoulder. we stand, and I open the blinds. Early morning sunlight filters through the window, illuminating the bland room. I stretch my hands over my head and groan. Another long day. I Walk over to the mini kitchen inside our hotel room and open the fridge.I frown and look at Corey.

“Coffee?” I suggest. he nods and we leave the hotel room to find somewhere to eat breakfast.

I held Corey’s hand in mine as we walked into town. We stop at a picnic table at the edge of a park, and sit down to watch the people passing by us. 

Maybe today we’ll finally find them!

I don’t know Corey. It’s been months, and you say that every day.

You’re not wrong. But still, we never really know! It could be any day now.

I laid my head on the table.

If we don’t find them today, then I want to take a week off, or at least a couple days. We’ve been getting up at the crack of dawn every day for months, I’m getting a little tired.

And I meant it. The days blended together after a while. I could never admit it to Corey, but I was losing hope.

Alright. I think a break would be good for both of us. But for today, we need to look, okay?

I slowly pulled myself up from the table, and began scanning the crowds again. 

A girl with a hoodie and very large headphones was sitting at a table about a few yards away. A couple was strolling beside us with ice cream cones, laughing and talking. A little boy was riding on his dad’s shoulders with a somewhat manic grin, aggressively pointing towards the candy store. A teenaged boy with light blonde hair, who seemed to be about our age, was walking into a coffee shop. But as he turned to open the door, I caught sight of his eyes. 

Something in me just clicked. 

Corey?

I see him too.

Platinum blonde hair?

Walking into the coffee shop? 

You see him too.

Yes, it's him. It has to be him.

I felt the first energy I’d had in months.

Corey jumped up and I was right on his tail. We casually walked into the coffee shop that he was in. There he was, sitting at a small table in the corner, talking to the waiter. He was so.. cute. 

The waiter slides a pastry towards him, he smiles back a dimpled smile. I can feel myself blushing. I had never felt like this towards anyone except for Corey, but it feels so right. I watch as they talk some more, but then watch the waiter wink at him? Oh hell no.

Did you see that?????

What?

The waiter winked at him!!

They’re probably just friends.

Uh huh. Suuure. We need to go over and talk to him. 

Hey zero? Zero! wait

I ignore Corey in my head, stand up, and walk over to his table. The Waiter left as I approached him. He was looking out the window, sipping his coffee, but when I reached him, he looked up. He looked.. scared? No, he’s probably just surprised! I mean, he just felt the soulmate thing too! That’s okay.

“Hi! I’m Zero, what’s your name?” I said aloud. He stares at me and nods. Ok that's weird. I try again, “that's my boyfriend Corey” I point to him and keep talking “ we were wondering if we could talk to you!”

He.. does not respond. Instead, his eyes widen, and he… tears up?  I could see him starting to shake. I would assume that he’s just happy to see us, but he looks genuinely terrified. I heard Corey come up behind me to introduce himself, but the words died on his tongue as he saw the boy’s expression.

“Are you alright?” said Corey, “We’re your mates, you know. We’d never hurt you.”

This triggered something in him, and tears started racing down his cheeks. He stood up, knocking over his chair. It smashed on the ground and he ran out.

“Well, now I’m sure that it’s him” Corey said

“Why would he run from us though?” I responded frowning at the broken chair.

“I’m not sure” Corey sounded stressed and I hugged him.

“We’ll find him I promise”

Right. We’ve made the soulmate connection, so we’ll be able to track him. I thought to myself. It’ll be ok.

We walked out of the shop, only after apologizing profusely to the shop owner and paying for the chair, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering.

Who hurt him?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sam-

Had to run. Had to run. Had to run. Pure instincts took over as the wind ripped away the tears I had let fall. Stupid. How could I let them find me? Dad probably sent them. They were not my mates, I tried to convince myself while running through the woods, images of that night flash through my mind. I shut my eyes, as if that would make the pictures in my mind go away. The ones that I had tried so hard all these years to forget. 

They couldn’t really be my mates. I refuse to accept it. After seeing what dad, no. Mom’s old mate did to her. Soulmates are death traps. That’s just it. Mom trusted her soulmate. Look what happened. Getting attached to anyone in general is just bad news. That’s what happened to mom. That’s what happened to me. I couldn’t let it happen again.

I climb through my foster home’s window into my bedroom. I hear Jessica and Ross watching TV downstairs. I quickly scribble a note on a post-it and drag my backpack out from under my bed. I jump back out the window, and for the last time, I run.

Not getting attached is what allows me to do this kind of thing. If I had gotten attached, I wouldn’t be able to leave, or at least have to write a longer, more detailed note. Not just a messily written ‘i’m okay don’t look for me.’ I feel a little bad for my foster parents, I guess. They tried their best, but what I had gone through was beyond their understanding. Not getting attached is what made my life bearable at this point.

The woods would be my home once more and there was no turning back.