Idonea did not rest at all, staying up till it was five am and, out of pure habit, she turned on the radio. Right away, a melodic, soothing voice greeted whoever listened.

"Good morning my loyal listeners. This is Leasdich broadcasting live to you all. It has been six very long months, but my heart grows ever more fonder now that I am back. I want to start off by thanking those who are listening. You have proven that time apart doesn't end the bond that we share. Now, I'd hate to waste your music time any more than I already have, so here is a piece I composed in my absence. I hope this will start your day fresh and alive out there."

The song starts with a lull drum of a guitar, and it nearly shook her when his voice chimed in this beautifully soul wrenching tune. He paced the song from a lull to an upbeat tune, singing about the mundane activities in life. All the mundane activities will add up to something special eventually.

At least that is what she interpreted the song to mean. Again, even his tune being so upbeat had a tinge of longing, as if trying to attract someone out there. Trying to reach out to a specific person. She kind of wished she could find out who, then grumbled annoyingly. This damn human can’t possibly make her feel this way.

Out of pure frustration, she removed her clothes and shifted to her wolf form. Her wolf form is rather large and formidable, more wolf than humanoid. Red fur as fluffy as her natural hair, her tail whipping to and fro as she paced her apartment floor. Avoiding the meager table that was used to keep the radio safe. She made sure to pick up the clothes in her jaws, placing them in a small hamper that she left in the corner of her living room, slash tiny kitchen. This apartment was very small, so cheap that it didn't hurt her pocket to pay for it while she left to fish-trawling for weeks.

She never needed much, just a small futon and a working television to watch some of her favorite shows. Only four walls and one covered window with a closet-sized bathroom; with a beat-up sink, toilet, and a shower stall that the door barely shuts right. The one window here is tinted yellow. She didn’t know or asked why and just assumed that the last tenant smoked enough tobacco to change the glass color.

No bed, she sleeps on the futon in wolf form and that gives her enough comfort.

In her pacing on fake hardwood, her wolf ears swivel to focus on the song that this man was just finishing up. Her heart pittered and pattered with every step when he finished and started to speak again.

"I hope this song stirred some happiness in you. Always remember that life is great, and hold your important people close. I plan to hold mine so tight today that they won't be able to escape. Now then, the next song is one of my favorites. A rather new song but it deserves a spot. This is 'Hold on' by Wilson Phillips."

The song's slow start to its chorus made her tail wag. Her pacing continued, padding around the carpeted ground. She stopped next to the table again, examining the business card and flashlight. The blue font glistens from the fluorescent light bulb, showing one male's name and his five digits. The flashlight is black with scuffing on the side because she threw it on the ground. A small whimper escaped from her throat the longer she examined the flashlight.

Concluding that goes against every natural sense of cautiousness. I am going to have to return the flashlight...

This is a pretty small town; all it takes is for someone to sneeze to spread rumors. And she can't disrespect a man that is considered the town's celebrity. She imagines he would just bad mouth her in front of anyone to start trouble and already these townspeople are afraid of her. Based on the small comments in the bar, these people noticed her lack of companions. A metaphorical witch hunt could happen any day now.

If she wants to stay here a few more years, she is going to have to play nice even though this male confronted her in the darkness of night, all creepy like. Again, why did she let him get so close in the first place?

She'd hope to get those answers and solve his sweet smell in one go.

The radio station ended around 8 am and she sat through it all. Her body transformed back but she made no moves to put on clothes, thinking one call would be enough to cut ties with him without causing a huge avalanche of trouble. She waded over to her corded telephone which was hanging on the wall nearest to the fridge. She stared at it some, the anxiety of having to not only meet her favorite radio station host but finding that his approach earlier was creepy. The fact that she didn't try harder to punch him for coming on to her so boldly.

Breathe Nea. She sucked in some air, letting it out in a big exhale. Her fingers shook as they prodded each button needed to reach this man. Once done, she pulled the phone out of its place just to press the earpiece to her ear. It started to ring, each prolonged ring only making her mouth dry. As it rings, she absentmindedly checks what's in the fridge for any food. It's as barren as her stomach right about now, though she bent her body around to make sure that is really the case. She just found an old butter block in a container.

A deep lustrous voice answered at the other end. "Hello."

He sounds so confidently chipper even after working so early in the morning. Some part of her wished she had half of whatever happiness he had. Keep things simple! "Mr. Brennan. It's...Idonea. The woman from earlier"

She was met with silence. How many women do you actually talk to!? "...you know. The one you gave the flashlight to."

"Hmm. Call me Leas, my lovely strong miss. I was expecting a call much later" He sounded like a child that had just got his treat. She even heard some shuffling from the other side as if he was containing his excitement.

Ugh. "Listen here. I am grateful for your assistance... I just want to return the flashlight to you-" She was interrupted by him before she could even ask where she could mail it to him. It would be best not to get close, at least that's what she thought. He obviously did not think so.

"Ah. Well, how about you come meet me at Dread Joe's coffee? In the next hour? You can bring the ("But-" she tried to stop him.)flashlight then? I am always up for some company in my favorite spot.”

"That isn't neede-" She tried again to deflect, shutting the door of her empty fridge. But the mention of the diner made her stomach rumble loudly. Reminding this she-wolf that she still had nothing in the fridge to feed herself.

She froze, hoping he couldn't hear her obvious hunger. He didn't comment on it although he stubbornly continued, "I'll be there at 9:45, lovely Idonea. See you then!"

And he hung up, the slow beeping of the dropped call left her mouth gaping in shock. What the hell!?

And what the hell indeed! She glanced down at her naked toned body with a gulp. "I...don't know what to wear..."

The wolf scrounges around her tiny apartment for some clean clothes, settling for a very loose navy T-shirt and her usual cargo pants with boots. She really didn't have anything that could make her look more appropriate enough to meet a celebrity. It was weird that she worried, even spent an absurd amount of time tying and untying her hair. Trying to decide what looks best, but no matter what, she looks just so plain.

She made a disgusted face at her reflection, angry that she was spending too much time there. No matter what, her face is always set in a scowl, making her unapproachable. And it isn't often that she gets attention like this. All her suitors in the past only reached out because she was born of high status, not because she was likable or overly pretty. Her face is free from blemishes and maybe if she relaxes enough, she looks a bit more welcoming. Her eyebrows are evenly trimmed and her lips are plump, having beauty that isn't the norm for a woman like herself. A strong beauty

Stop this nonsense!? Her head shook away from this spell, and shivered to realize that she was being overly concerned about her appearance. She was never like this before. Her watch dangerously stated that the meet up time was rapidly approaching.

Crap! She hurriedly brushed her teeth and rushed right out after rinsing. The flashlight is in her biggest pocket, thumping against her thigh hard as she climbs down three flights of stairs.

She was just at the door when her landlord, living on the first floor, poked her wire like white hair out the door to yell. "IDONEA!? If I find a dog in your room, I will kick you out-"

"Yeah, later! I don't have time to talk about this, Mrs Rombart!" The she-wolf slipped right out the main door. Only hearing muffled cursing by the old Czechoslovakian widow.

She didn't even have the time to think about this woman. The sun peaked out between the clouds, shining some warmth on this day. Her neighbors buzzed around the streets while minding their own business. A few cars passed by her, people just walk most times to get to work here in Kilkeel, but those who drive are better off financially. It felt nice, she wished she could let loose and pranced around on the first nice sunny day in weeks.

It's too bad that it is so early, her mind feels like a fog staying up so late. She is used to it for her seasonal job, but while she is off, she sleeps through the mornings. She was always a night owl, even her old pack would comment on her desire to stay up at night. She loved to watch the stars and run underneath a full moon if possible. The night had a different type of adventure that thrilled her more than the days that came.

But that did not matter. She had a man to meet. Only having fifteen minutes left before the fateful time, she decided it was best to jog to where she needed to be. People won't question it, she was awfully into staying fit and has been seen running laps around the track. Even running with the dogs, she would walk as a side hustle.

Anybody that did see her avoided eye contact or avoided sharing the same side walk. Typical behavior when the town thinks you are some mafia grunt.

She didn't care, turning a corner to find the diner that Leas requested to meet. She quickly looked at her wristwatch, the small and big hand pointed to '9:37'. I made it!

And not a moment too soon. Her nose caught the whiff of that same intoxicating sweet smell, it boiled her blood and made her skin shiver at the same time. Out of sheer panic, Nea hid behind a corner to watch a beautiful male step out of his silver 1988 Toyota MR2. These are strange vehicles meant for more novelty for the wealthier, and he has one explaining that he is actually financially fortunate.

She's foolish for trying to return his flashlight, he can probably get himself ten more without even gaining a dent in his wealth.

Lucky bastard. The smell permeates from the male, who only looks giddier by the second. He didn't wear his strange coat this time, his frame was that of a very fit body. Long and toned, even his tight red plaid shirt did not hide the definition of his body, the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his tribal tattoos. His jeans are loosely fitted, held up by a black leather belt with matching black leather boots. He brushed his nearly white wavy hair behind his ear, exposing his blemish-less forehead. Broad eyebrows always laxed to show an oddly welcoming front, the corners of his kissable lips upturned even when he is by himself. He had shaved his beard from last night, looking even younger than she might have guessed at their first encounter. Eyes glittering and nearly purple when the sun reflects off them, showing a mystical side to him. One she wanted so badly to find out.

He did not see her, walking into the diner after locking his car. Even the way he waltzed in was so casual, he whistled a tune and twirled his keys in his hand.

So carefree. She growled under her breath, getting more annoyed that she wouldn't be able to continue this after this meeting. Stay on track Nea!

It perturbed her that she was so wary of this male. She has faced the worst enemies, even taking down some of the Hun soldiers many hundreds of years ago. Her strength is triple that of any man taller or bigger than her.

Her packmates will make fun of her for being fearful of a pretty human like Leas. She braved to approach the front door of this diner, waiting for a second to breathe in this tantalizing scent. Not the food but that man. He stank of this sweetness that even her deepest of instincts stirred to act. Instincts she once thought to have been tamed away.

There are tales of werewolves meeting their match. Some describe it as an unnatural pull that releases the beast within. Others say the smell is either sweet or woodsy, depending on the preference of the wolf.

It sounded so silly to her. Just as silly as the tale of selkies that shed their skins to become human.

She finally entered the diner, greeted by one waitress and a man in the kitchen. These two are the only ones that manned the diner during the morning and don't need anyone else for assistance. Being a small town, there really isn't a lot of foot traffic.

"Over here, Idonea!"