Noelle's POV:

I scrunched my face, amusement lacing through my voice, "Chance? Like take a chance? That's really ironic," I joked.

He rolled his eyes, "Starting with the jokes already?"

I giggled, for almost the first time in months. Erei made me smile here and there, and I was more than thankful she was my good friend, but I still felt empty.

Now?

I feel full and complete with my mate by my side. Yes, the dull ache of my first love was still there but the bond of a mate overcame that.

A gasp startled us, causing us to hastily break apart from our current positions and search for whoever made the sound.

There was Erei, standing there, holding a tower of trays in one hand. The other covered her mouth, gaped.

I sputter, trying to explain for why we were in the bold position.

Before I even get to, Erei whispers loudly, "You've found your mate!"

I shut my mouth, nodding, a small little blush formed on my cheeks. The heat almost making it unbearable for me.

Erei squeals again, placing the trays on a nearby table. She jumps into my arms before letting me go and inspecting my mate more closely.

Her hand was rubbing her chin, a grin forming on her plump lips.

"My, you found yourself a handsome one huh?" She commented.

I smirked, "Of course."

She chuckles, extending her hand, "Nice to meet you, uh..." she pauses, her eyes glowing green, continuing, "Chance."

Chance grows alarmed at this, "You just read my mind, didn't you? Are you a witch...?" He asked.

Erei nods, "Yes, the one and only around here. I'm sorta a Rogue witch. Don't worry. I stopped the time in this restaurant for the next minute or so. These humans won't even notice."

We both nodded at her information, as we got to know each other for the final moments of time stopping.

***

"You want me to join your pack?"

It's been many hours since Chance arrived to the restaurant, and we were already starting to close up shop. Erei was happily watching us from the sides, giggling at how cute we were every once in a while.

Chance rapidly nods, "Yes. That way, I can provide for you more and protect you. We can raise our pups, build a family-"

"Woah, there. You've already planned everything out huh?" I said, placing a hand on his chest.

He smiles warmly at me, "Why of course. It's why I've saved myself for you. I've been waiting for so long to meet you, Noelle. Now that I think about it, if you don't want to have pups then it's fine and you don't need to move in with me, that's also okay. I mean-"

I placed a finger on his lips, noticing how he was rambling when he became nervous.

"Of course my answer is yes. Bring me to your alpha," I replied softly.

Chance's eyes light up, as we finished our shift for the evening.

Erei barks out a laugh, "Oh hell yeah! I smell the baby making and honeymoon right around the corner! Please let me be the maid of honor!"

We all fall into a fit of laughter, the evening just our beginning.

Things really were working out for me.

Maybe leaving wasn't so bad after all.

—

Several years later —

"Honey, can you pass me a tampon? I think I hit my monthly cycle," I shouted from our bathroom.

The patter of feet lets me give out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Chance. I thought I was going to die if you weren't here," I say, taking the tampon he presented to me.

He frowns, "I will never understand a woman's period. Why is it blood? Why can't it be fucking fairy dust or something?"

I roll my eyes at my husband's remark, replying in a robotic tone, "Due to the influence of hormones, I could burst into tears right now or kill you in the next five minutes. Which do you prefer?"

He puts his hands up in surrender, walking straight out the bathroom.

I giggle, fixing myself up and washing my hands before heading out to our bedroom.

Chance lays there with his arm over his eyes, and I tip toe to try to sneak attack him, but at the last minute, he leans up and grabs me, rolling me into the bed.

I let out a fit of laughter, along with his chuckles echoing around our room.

Chance suddenly leans down and captures my lips, the fireworks between us exploding, making the bond slowly hum in satisfaction.

We bathe ourselves in our bliss for god knows how long, until a small creak makes us perk our heads up from our blissful state.

Odette, my little toddler runs to us, holding a phone in her hand.

Curious, Chance gets off me, and sweetly says, "Hey pumpkin, what's wrong?"

She pouts her small lips, handing him the phone.

Tilting his head, he puts the phone by his ear.

I sit up, and gather Odette in my arms, softly cooing of how adorable she was.

After many minutes of Chance being on the cell phone, the call ends. Leaving the line dead, but a very quiet Chance.

Growing concerned, I tap him on the shoulder, "Babe, what's wrong?"

He turns around slowly, his eyes frightened.

"Erei's condition has gotten worse. She needs us by her side, right now."

***

As we entered Erei's room, a pack doctor we hired by her opened the door for us. She specialized in any medicine, and did the best she could for her.

For the past several years, Erei's health was reducing into nothingness.

We tried the best we could to help her, but there was nothing we could do. Erei has caught a form of illness that were considered to be fatal to witches.

It was a plague that hit them, and the cure didn't even exist yet.

No magic could help her.

Nothing.

Chance carried Odette outside, asking the nurse to watch our daughter. She nods, closing the door with a curious Odette trying to see what was happening.

We gathered by her bed, examining her features.

These days, Erei looked twice her age.

Her skin was wrinkled, and she looked like she had already reached the end of her days. She had a hard time breathing, her breaths being considered heavy and tiring.

I gripped her hand in mine.

They were so weak, and she had lost so much weight.

She didn't look like the Erei I first met, those many years ago.

Chance sat beside me, whispering, "Rei, you hanging in there alright?"

She parts her eyes, blinking slowly, "No..."

Tears started to prick the edges of my eyes, my heart threatening to shatter into a million pieces, "Why did you call us here today, Rei?"

Erei didn't answer for minutes on end, and for a small second, we thought she fell asleep.

But she didn't.

The next words shocking us both.

Erei swallows a large lump in her throat, "Because ... I don't have much time left. Elle ... I  am dying."

"Dying? W-What do you mean, dying?" I asked, panicked.

She blinks once, "Exactly as it ... sounds."

I could tell she was trying to make me laugh, but it wasn't going to work in this sort of situation.

Chance's eyes widened before they closed automatically, squeezing them tightly shut. I could tell he was saddened by the news.

Me on the other hand?

I started crying uncontrollably, "Please don't go... you were the first person who has been there for me. I didn't appreciate you at first, but as time went on, I did. I'm so sorry."

It was true that when me and her first met, I wasn't grateful.

I thought she was like everyone else.

That they would leave me once I let them in. That's why I kept everyone at a arm length distance. I was a coward, afraid of the pain again.

Time passed on, and she proved me wrong.

Erei gave me a small smile, "I forgive you."

Chance rubbed my back in a loving way, trying to comfort me in the only way he knew. I leaned into him, accepting it.

Moments of silence later, Chance finally spoke.

"What else did you call us here for, Rei?" Chance asked for me.

I perked my head up at those words, wanting to see if it was true. Why else would she call us here by her bed side?

Erei shakily reached a hand to her neck and ripped off the hidden amulet underneath her shirt. She admired it for a few seconds more, extending it for me to take.

"I wanted to gift this to you. To ... remember me by," she said, handing it into my open hand.

I examined the jewelry, leaning away from Chance.

It glowed a beautiful red, the sun reflecting it's beauty onto it's golden sides.

I let out a few hiccups from crying, "I can't take this. This is a magic necklace, I can tell. All witches own one to identify who they are."

She smiled, "... Of course you can tell. I told  you that many years ago. That amulent can grant you three things. To erase one's memory, to represent your emotions, and to  grant the host of the amulent any  wish they desire. However, that wish is very limited. It cannot grant the beyond," she explained, her breathing coming harsher.

I nodded, gratefully accepting the gift.

As I took Erei's amulet, she let out a terrible cough.

Blood splattered onto her hand, as she wiped it off with ease.

She nodded at me slowly, "Thank you for being my friend you two. I'll miss you two so much. Please be happy to—"

"To what? Erei, say something! Don't leave us!" I cried, holding her hand tightly.

Erei's eyes drifted shut, as she breathed her very last breath.

My heart fell, as I wailed for her to come back.

But I knew she wouldn't.

No matter how I wished she would.