Four Mates And A She Wolf
23

Avery felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. After informing her family about the arduous task ahead and the necessity of gathering the rare items for the ritual, she excused herself and headed to her room. She needed a moment to herself, a brief respite from the overwhelming reality that lay before her. She sank into her bed, the familiar comfort enveloping her, and closed her eyes. Within moments, the exhaustion caught up with her, and she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

An hour later, the persistent sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand pulled her from her slumber. She groggily reached for it, blinking against the harsh light of the screen. Laura's name flashed insistently, her profile picture a snapshot of them laughing together at the last summer festival-bringing a flood of memories. Avery felt a pang of nostalgia and guilt. She hadn't spoken to Laura properly in weeks, her life consumed by the overwhelming task ahead.

She hesitated for a moment, knowing the conversation would likely be a mix of catching up and explaining her recent absence. Taking a deep breath, she swiped to answer, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Hey, Laura," Avery greeted, her voice hoarse from sleep.

"Avery! Finally, you answer," Laura's voice came through, a mixture of relief and frustration. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about me."

Avery felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Laura. Things have been... really intense lately."

Laura sighed, the sound crackling through the line. "I get it, you're busy. But I miss you. We used to talk all the time, and now it's like you're in another world."

Avery sat up in bed, her heart heavy. "I know, and I'm sorry. I've missed you too. It's just there's so much going on right now. But I shouldn't have let that come between us."

Laura's tone softened. "I understand, Avery. Really, I do. But can we catch up? I could use a friend right now."

Avery felt a surge of warmth for Laura's unwavering friendship. "Of course. I'll come over. We can talk about everything."

After ending the call, Avery swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat there for a moment, letting the lingering fatigue dissipate. She ran a hand through her tangled hair and sighed. She needed to freshen up and clear her head before seeing Laura.

The bathroom was dimly lit, the soft hum of the extractor fan the only sound. She splashed cold water on her face, the shock of it jolting her fully awake. As she brushed her teeth, she caught her reflection in the mirror. The dark circles under her eyes and the drawn expression were stark reminders of the stress she was under. But seeing Laura would be a respite a reminder of normalcy and the life she was fighting to protect.

She dressed quickly, pulling on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater. As she made her way downstairs, her mother called out from the kitchen.

"Avery, where are you off to?" her mother asked.

"I'm going to see Laura," Avery replied, grabbing her coat. "I need to talk to her. I'll be back soon."

Her mother nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Take your time. We'll be here when you get back."

The walk to Laura's house was brisk, the chill in the air nipping at her cheeks. The streets were quiet, the usual bustle of the town subdued in the early evening. Avery's mind raced with thoughts of what she needed to share with Laura and how to explain the complexity of her life right now.

Laura greeted her at the door with a hug. "I'm so glad you came."

Avery smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Me too. Let's catch up."

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They settled into Laura's cozy living room, the familiar surroundings comforting Avery. Laura handed her a cup of tea, and they sat down, the silence between them warm and inviting.

"So," Laura began, taking a sip of her tea, "what's been going on? I feel like I've missed so much."

Avery took a deep breath and began to explain. She told Laura about her four mates, the ancient rules that threatened their lives, and the journey to the Shaman. She recounted the discovery of the prophecy and the daunting task of gathering the items for the ritual.

Laura listened intently, her eyes wide with fascination and concern. "Wow, Avery. That's... incredible and terrifying at the same time."

Avery nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "It is. But we have to do this, Laura. It's our only chance to be together without any of us dying."

Laura reached out and squeezed Avery's hand. "I believe in you. If anyone can do this, it's you. And I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Avery felt a surge of gratitude for her friend's unwavering support. "Thank you, Laura. That means more to me than you know."

They spent the next few hours catching up, talking about lighter things and reminiscing about old times. For a while, Avery was able to forget about the looming challenges and just enjoy the comfort of her best friend's company. The familiar rhythm of their conversation flowed effortlessly, a testament to the deep bond they shared. They laughed over inside jokes that only they understood, the kind of humor forged from years of shared experiences. Avery found herself smiling more freely than she had in weeks. The worries that had plagued her mind seemed to fade into the background as she basked in the warmth of their friendship.

Laura recounted stories from her own life, filling Avery in on the latest news and gossip. She spoke animatedly about what Avery had missed in the supermarket, the funny mishaps that had happened at work, and the new book she was reading. Avery listened with genuine interest, grateful for the distraction. Laura had always been a master storyteller, her vivid descriptions and expressive gestures bringing even the most mundane events to life.

"Do you remember that time we tried to bake a cake for your mom's birthday?" Laura asked, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

Avery laughed, the memory surfacing with a rush of nostalgia. "How could I forget? We ended up with more flour on ourselves than in the bowl. And then the kitchen caught fire"

"Because we forgot to set the timer and went to watch a movie instead," Laura finished, giggling. "Your mom was so mad, but she couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous we looked." "Yeah, she made us clean up every bit of the mess," Avery said, shaking her head with a fond smile. "But it was worth it. We made a memory that day."

Laura's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze Avery's hand. "We've made a lot of good memories, haven't we?"

Avery nodded, her heart swelling with affection. "We have. And we'll make more, no matter what happens."

As the afternoon turned into evening, Laura looked at Avery with a determined expression. "I want to help, Avery. I know I can't do much, but I can at least be there for you."

Avery smiled, touched by her friend's offer. "Just knowing you're there for me is a huge help, Laura. Thank you."

They hugged again, a renewed sense of strength and hope filling Avery as she prepared to return home. She knew the road ahead was going to be difficult, but with the support of her family and friends, she felt ready to face whatever challenges came their way.