C5 Chapter 5

I woke up at six thirty in the morning to get ready for work. I wore skinny jeans and a large hoodie. I didn't want to show my scars both from torture and the self inflicted one's on my wrists.I went to the bathroom, to brush my teeth but when I looked in the mirror I noticed I was taller.

'Winter. When did I get taller? I was 5" 3' now I'm like 5" 6' and how did I not notice? Do you know that's happening?' I mind linked her.

'After our shift you body has been modifying. I thought you felt it. You've been getting taller. Your boobs and butt are bigger if you didn't notice most of your scars are gone too.' Winter said giggling at the part about my new... assets. 'You look good though.' That was true.

After I brushed and washed my face I grabbed my purse and went to work. On my way I stopped at a clothing store to buy fingerless gloves that reached my elbows. It would cover up most scars since I had to wear the t-shirt.When I reached the dinner I went to the kitchen in the back. There was a woman with brown hair and a curvy figure who was making bread dough. I went to her and tapped her shoulder. She jumped and put her hand to her chest breathing hard.

"You scared me." I shrugged and winced to show my apology.

"Are you the new cook? The mute girl?" I nodded.

"Well let me get this done and show you around. " I nodded. I looked around for the cleaning supplies and started to tidy up. She was probably going to take long and I didn't want to just stand around. By the time the bread was in the oven I had cleaned half the kitchen.

"Wow! You're fast." I shrugged. When I was done she showed me around the kitchen where some ingredients and tools are. I found out her name was Stella and her son was called Danny hence the name of the restaurant. He also helped out by washing dishes when he was not at school.

I want to learn more about this kitchen and the best way to do that is if you leave me to run it for the day. I wrote down.

"I can't do that. The lunch rush is horrible. You will tire out." she said.

No I won't I'm tougher than shit. I wrote back.

"You know what? Have at it. Call me when you need my help." She accepted. I mostly did it because she

looked tired if the bags under her eyes said anything.

I won't need it I replied giving her a smug look.

She laughed and went out. I cracked my knuckles and shook my hands out. I could do this.

I don't know how I did it. I really don't. When Stella said lunch rush I didn't expect it to be a mad house in here. I made it through the day with only sore muscles. Thank God. I also spent my day with Jenny. She's funny and easy going. She's also a werewolf like me. Though I make it seem like I'm oblivious. Actually most people in this town are werewolves. Must be a pack here. I end up reaching home at eleven. I brush my teeth and go to bed. I don't have energy for a shower right now. As I look out my window I couldn't help but think my life will get better.

***

One month. I've been in this little town for a while month. I managed to get enough money from my job and I loved it so much. Cooking really was relaxing and the lunch rush always filled you with adrenaline and made you feel ah-mazing. I really hate to say this but I loved this stupid little town and it's little people. According to Patrick the new flavors and recipes I introduced brought in more customers. Jenny and I became best friends. We even went to a club together once. I was uncomfortable but it seemed to make Jenny happy so I did it anyway.

Everything was going well till this day. Why you may ask? Oh! Let me tell you.

I was in the kitchen fixing up.an order during the lunch rush with Stella when the front door opened. And with it came the most amazing smell in the world. It was rich chocolate with a hint of mint. I stopped and sniffed. Winter was yelling in my head. MATE! MATE! MATE! MATE!!! Another one?

I walked over to the opening where I usually give Jenny the food when I saw him. He was tall and had dark hair. His eyes were dark but they pulled me in. I could see his muscles through the tight red t shirt that was so not helping. He sniffed the air then we made eye contact and everything faded. Literally. It was only me and him. I wanted to run over and hug him but I couldn't I ju-

"Gemma!!" I was pulled out of my trance by Stella. I looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes.

"Stop standing around. We have food to make. The lunch rush isn't going to just wait for you to get your head out of the clouds. " she said.

I looked at the guy one more time before I turned away. It physically pained me to do so. Winter was whimpering and telling me to look back but I refused. I continued to ignore the guy but I just had to see him once more. When I looked over to his table my heart stopped then shattered to a million pieces. My mate was kissing some other girl. You could tell that bitch was a slut. She wore the smallest clothing known to man. All her assets were out. She moaned his name which I now know is Conner.

After everything I've been through. After all this time I never really knew what defeat felt like until that moment. I singled Stella I needed a break and I went to the bathroom and locked myself in one of the stalls. I didn't cry. I couldn't. So I did what I always do. I got a knife that I stole from the kitchen out of my boot, rolled down my gloves and looked at my hand. It was filled with self inflicted scars all over. Winter could heal them if she wanted but it would take away the evidence I needed to know I was still alive.

I got the knife and started cutting. Over old scars or between them. There was something euphoric about the numbness your hand feels and the scarlet drops of blood on your arm.

Usually Winter would try to stop me but she didn't for the first time I felt like we were one completely in sync with each other, relishing the feeling of pain together.

Winter's POV

Gemma was doing it again cutting herself. I hated when she did this but we had been hurt a lot. When Chase rejected us I felt like dying. After all the pain we went through I couldn't handle it. But the run I had helped a lot. Gemma run away for us and I was grateful. The Moon goddess always gave deserving wolves a second chance at love if the first failed. She gave us a second mate. One I thought would love and protect us. But life isn't always easy.

I heard his wolf Axle chanting mate when he saw us but his human ignored it. His human is causing Gemma and I pain. I couldn't take it anymore.

'Axle this is what your human has done to me and mine. I just got her to stop this torture on herself and now I'm relishing it the pain, the numbness, the hurt. You're human broke us completely. Shattered all the remaining pieces and threw them out. Good luck picking them back.' I mind linked him.

My voice was emotionless. The voice of someone broken, numb, waiting for death. At least that would be welcoming.

Axle tried to mind link me back but I shut him out. And so I sat there with the human the goddess have me in a bathroom stall letting our broken pieces fall on the ground. I have never been more in sync with her than I am now.