TWO

I made my way out into the cool night evening air. The realization that I was now jobless during the day settled in, all thanks to that repulsive pervert. But as I walked away, I couldn't shake off the empowering feeling of standing up for myself. The city sprawled before me, its distant lights flickering like distant promises. My mind raced contemplating the next step in this tumultuous journey. I couldn't wait to tell Jasmine my best friend all that happened today, she would be so proud of me. I embraced a newfound determination, refusing to let a guy like Josh call the shots in my life.

I kicked the door of my apartment open as soon as I got inside, I sighed and dropped on the sorry excuse for a couch that was in the room. I was very tired and worn out as it was, working 16-hour shifts every day just to earn money to take care of myself and my sick mother. I needed all the money I could get to settle my enormous debts and my mother's hospital bills. And after what happened today between me and Josh, I needed to get a new job since Josh the fucking prick fired me.

Right now, my mother was the only thing I had in the world aside from my boyfriend Mark, Mark who I was deeply in love with; to think I a lowlife wolf-less girl with hormonal acne, a very not-pretty face and a large pair of eyes could be able to capture the heart of a guy like Alpha Mark who came from a very very wealthy and respected home was insane.

Alpha Mark was insanely good-looking, most of the females in the pack were always drooling over him and his gorgeous body whenever he visited the park. Most times, I would laugh at them cause, what they didn't know was that, Alpha Mark was already mine. Mark wasn't a member of the pack, he only came to the park to visit some of his friends and it was during one of his visits that we both ran into each other.

Our relationship wasn't known of course to anybody aside from Jasmine my only friend who I made her promise to take the secret to her grave because Alpha Mark told me that we would need to keep our relationship secret for now until when the time was right.

I didn't argue because, I love him and as soon as he declared to me that I was his mate and that I was going to be his Luna, I gave him my heart, soul, and body. As I sat on the couch, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes briefly, my whole body ached but, as soon as I remembered that I was to meet Alpha Mark at our usual secret spot soon, I jumped up from the couch and ran to the bathroom to clean myself up a little and look nice for my mate my one true love. I had never imagined myself to be good-looking, I had always felt that I wasn't favored by the goddess in my looks which was why as soon as the Alpha declared interest in me, I couldn't believe it and I hurriedly said yes to him.

I was a girl people saw as ugly, stubborn, rude you name it. I didn't mind being identified as such cause, that was the only way I could survive. But, when Mark came into my life, I melted. I didn't treat him rashly or insult him the way I always do instead, I allowed him into my heart.  I could remember our first night, how he took me into his arms and made sweet love to me in so many ways, how I arched in need to his touch, how his voice eased the pain a little.

Looking at myself at the small cracked mirror in the room, I wasn't pleased with my appearance. I wished I could look more beautiful like Dana the most beautiful girl in the park who has never failed to show how my presence irritated her. I checked the time and I realized that I would be late if I spent more time to dress up and look good. I hated to keep my mate waiting so I dropped the mirror and went to check on my mom fortunately, she was asleep so I planted a kiss on her forehead and ran to meet the man who I was sure was already waiting for me.

I was right though cause; I saw him standing in our favorite spot where we secretly met to gaze at the stars and profess our love for each other looking dashing as always.

'Hi….Babe, sorry I kept you waiting' I said breathlessly as I kissed him. Yes, I kissed him first, I was stubborn as hell on the outside but, on the inside, I was a baby, a very shy baby. It took a whole lot of audacity and thoughts before I could bring myself to kiss him first. He stilled from my kiss at first, I knew he was astonished but he tried masking it with a smile.

'It's alright Isabel although, I thought you would be able to make it on time today' he said giving me a look.

He has always called me Isabel, he said the name was a beautiful one and he prefers it to titles like baby, my love, sweetheart, and the rest. It was so sweet, of course I told Jas who as always had something to say about the whole thing. How she didn't like it blah blah blah; it was Jasmine who told me to stop calling him Alpha Mark.

'He is your man for light's sake, I'm really trying to help you Isabel but you are making it so hard; from today onwards, you will start calling him BABE'

'Huh….?' I asked foolishly wondering how the word Babe will roll out of my mouth, it didn't sound right, I wasn't that kind of girl.

Jasmine blew out an exasperated breath 'I said you'll start calling him Babe or should I spell it out for you?'

Then looking at my face, she went on 'It's alright girl, I got you. So, it's spelled B….A…..B…..'

I laughed and told her to stop. Jasmine was dead serious though so, I had to promise her that I would start calling Alpha Mark….Babe. Well, I did call him Babe,…today. I was getting better and it felt so good.

'Yeah, I know and I apologize. I had a really shitty day at work today then giving him a closer look I managed to ask 'Are you okay…. Babe?'

'Of course, I'm fine Isabel, come and sit down I got you some snacks on my way here'

That brought a huge smile to my lips, my love, my mate that was ever thoughtful and charming. How did he know that I was quite hungry? I honestly forget to eat most of the time as my mind is always heavily clouded by so many thoughts,

I smiled foolishly and sat down beside Mark.