Mates Conquer Everything, Right?

“You will?” Oliver asks me with a smile on his face.

“Yes, I will come to your birthday party. Oh, happy birthday.” I say, shaking his hand and kissing his cheek I moved to his other cheek but he pulled back. Right, in Holland, we give three kisses, here is just the one.

God, did I just kiss a werewolf? I am becoming crazy. Wake up, Violet, don’t forget your terms!

“But, I have two conditions,” I hold up my hand he is just smiling at me.

“Name them!” Oliver says, “Thank you so much, it means a lot to me.”

“It’s okay, something inside me tells me I should be there.” Oliver gives me a strange, curious look.

I shrug my shoulders. Beats me why I want to be surrounded by wolves.

“First, I want to know more about the werewolf world” I make air quotes in the air, and he laughs, still in a good mood, and nods implying he will explain more. It should be weird talking to a boy with no shirt on, but he explained it’s a werewolf thing.

“Second, you will not be separated from me. I am scared to death, literally, and I need you to be there for me.”

“That’s a reasonable request. I will take it.”

“Oh, and third. My coming is my present for you. I didn’t have time to shop.” I put my hands on my hips when I hear him laugh. I get the double meaning and tap my foot with a smile. I think I see him as a friend.

He leans on the railing of the porch. I am comfortable with being on the porch as long as someone is with me. Progress, I think.

He comes on the porch, sits on the bench and pats the seat beside him.

“Ask me anything, I can’t answer all your questions, but you can try.”

I take a seat and grab a list I had written yesterday before I went to bed. Oliver laughs at me again.

“You wrote them down?”

“Yes, I have several questions, and I want them all answered. I was afraid I wouldn’t remember everything when you started answering.”

“Fire away, Purple,” he says and looks at the forest line.

I let it go and look at the first question.

“What can I expect to see and hear today?”

He growls and shakes his head. “That’s the first question? This is going to take some time.” He says more for himself than me.

“How about I tell you first about werewolves in general?”

“But what about my questions?” I ask while pouting and waving my list in his face. He chuckles, “Ask them later or in between my story, okay?”

“Okay,” I nod my head.

“Where to begin? I’ve never had to explain myself to a human before. Ehm, maybe I should begin with Asfal.”

I raise a brow, not knowing where this is heading.

“That’s my wolf’s name. You met him in the forest, remember? He is very loyal to the pack and, of course, my family…”

“Wait a second, are you telling me that you have a split personality?” I sit straight up; this is so… interesting? Is that the right word?

He laughs a booming laugh and shakes his head. “You can say that. When we are born, we have a voice in the back of our minds. It doesn’t come out until we are older. Asfal started talking to me when I was seven years old. That’s earlier than normal, and a sign my wolf can be very powerful. I shifted into my wolf’s form when I was twelve years old. Pretty early also.”

Pride radiated from his body while he says it, and I try to look impressed about it.

“So, Asfal talks to you? Like a friend that exists in your head?”

“Yes, sometimes he tries to take over. But for the most part, we are very like-minded. Would you like to meet him?”

“What do you mean?”

“He can be in control of my human form, just like I can control his, or actually my wolf’s form. But most of the time, it’s me when I’m human and him when I’m in my wolf form.”

My brows knit together, I think I understand him, but this is just weird. “How does that work?”

“I just ask him to go from the back of my mind to the front. He pushes me back, and you can talk to him.”

“Would he like me?” that was the question that came to mind. I have friends, but also mean classmates who don’t understand me. Would a wolf like me?

“There’s a way to find out.” When he finishes his last words, his eyes change. The color is a yellowish gold, and his whole demeanor shifts. He looks almost like he is younger and happier.

“Hi, Violet!” The wolf’s voice is the same and speaks very fast.

“Hi,” I slowly make room between our bodies. I see that this isn’t Oliver anymore.

“Don’t be scared. I am not scary.” He comes closer, not reading my body language and having no sense of personal space.

“I’m sorry, I just am.”

“I saved you, remember? From a strong, angry rogue. Don’t be afraid.” He looks sad while looking down.

“You did, thank you, Asfal.” He looks at me again like an extremely happy puppy.

“Oliver wants me to go so he can get control back. I want you to be my friend. I like you; you are fun for a human.”

“Thanks, I think. Can I get Oliver back?”

Just like that, the eyes change back to brown. I had to punch his arm.

“You scared me!” I scream.

“What? You did well! He likes you. His opinion means a lot to me.”

“You should’ve told me about your eyes changing and how...” how should I put it, “ enthusiastic he is, so I could brace myself.” I put my arms on my hips and stand before him.

“Sorry, hey, I am also new to this, okay? I was always warned not to tell a human soul, and here I am, telling you our secrets. Can I continue explaining?”

I roll my eyes and sit down.