Alpha's Mateo's Human Mate

It had only been a few weeks since that night. The betrayal still felt raw. Every time I closed my eyes, their faces haunted me, a cruel reminder of how blind I had been. I had buried myself in work, but even that couldn’t fully distract me from the pain tormenting me.

So when my editor, Marissa, called me into her office with a new assignment, I jumped at the chance. Anything to escape the city and the memories that haunted me. I didn’t care where it was or what it involved. If it meant putting some distance between me and my shattered life, I was in.

“Laura,” Marissa began. Her eyes softened with a hint of pity. “I know you’ve been through a lot lately, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted some time off.”

I shook my head. “I need this, Marissa. I need to work.”

Marissa studied me for a moment, then nodded. “All right. I’ve got something that might interest you. There’s been a series of strange animal attacks in a small town upstate. The locals are spooked. I want you to investigate.”

“Animal attacks?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow. It wasn’t my usual beat—political scandals and crime. But perhaps this was exactly what I needed… something different.

“Yes. A few livestock have been found torn apart. And one man claims he was attacked by a large, unidentified animal. But the locals are tight-lipped. They’re superstitious, especially with the full moon approaching.”

I smirked. “A full moon? Let me guess. They think it’s werewolves?”

Marissa chuckled. “You never know with these small towns. But seriously, Laura, I want you to be careful.”

I nodded, though I didn’t take her warning too seriously. If something was going on in that town, I’d uncover it no matter how secretive the locals might be.

Marissa handed me a file with details. As I skimmed through it, I felt a flicker of curiosity and excitement. This was what I was good at, digging into the unknown. And if it meant immersing myself in work and escaping my mess, so be it.

The drive to Rosebrook was long, but I didn’t mind. As I neared the town, a sense of unease began to creep in. The road wound through thick woods. The sky was overcast, casting a dull, gray light. When I saw the sign ‘Welcome to Rosebrook,’ I realized just how isolated this place was.

The town was small, a cluster of old buildings that looked centuries old. No chain stores, no fast food, just a few shops, a diner, and a single gas station. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone, and outsiders were immediately noticeable.

As I drove down the main street, I noticed the locals staring at me with suspicion, as if they could tell I didn’t belong. But I just shrugged it off. I was here to do my job.

I parked outside the only motel in town. I checked in with a clerk who barely glanced at me before handing over my room key.

After dropping my bags in the small, musty room, I decided to explore the town. The streets were nearly empty. And the few people I saw hurried by with their heads down, avoiding eye contact. The town had an eerie vibe.

I found the diner Marissa had mentioned, The Pot. It was a small shop where the food was cheap, the coffee strong, and the gossip plentiful. If there was any place to start digging, it was here.

As I entered, the bell above the door jingled. Every head turned to look at me. Conversations fell silent, replaced by a thick tension that hung in the air. I felt like an intruder in a place where I didn’t belong.

Ignoring the stares, I took a seat at the counter. The waitress, a woman in her fifties with graying hair, approached with a tired smile. Her eyes lingered on me, trying to figure out my purpose.

“Coffee, please,” I said, forcing a smile.

She nodded and poured a cup. “You’re not from around here,” she mumbled, more a statement than a question.

“No, I’m not,” I replied. “I’m a journalist investigating the recent animal attacks.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. I felt their eyes on me. The waitress’s smile faltered.

“We don’t get many journalists,” she said slowly. “My advice? Don’t dig where you don’t belong. Some things are better left alone.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but she walked away. The message was clear. I wasn’t welcome, and neither were my questions.

But that only made me more determined. Something was happening here. Something the locals feared to discuss. And I was going to find out what it was, no matter how many walls I had to break down.

As I left the diner, the sky darkened. I pulled my jacket tighter, a shiver running down my spine. The wind rustled the leaves. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched.

Pushing the unease aside, I headed back to my car. If the locals wouldn’t talk, I’d have to find other sources. There had to be records or clues about these attacks.

As I drove through the streets, I glanced at the sky. The full moon was approaching, and the strange energy hanging over the town felt like a storm waiting to break.

Whatever was going on, it was more than just animal attacks. I could feel it in my bones. And I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.