Living in the heart of town for the past three years made finding a taxi effortless. I hopped in, dragging my suitcase and bag beside me, and instructed the driver to take me to the nearest hotel. I needed to charge my phone and figure out my next steps. My mind buzzed with thoughts and plans, but mostly, it was trying to cope with the overwhelming sense of loss and rejection.
We soon pulled up to a small, unassuming motel. I quickly exited the taxi, eager to move before anyone could find me. Leaning back in to grab my bags, I tossed $20 at the driver—more than enough for the short trip.
"Have a great day," he said with a smile as he drove away, leaving me standing in front of the motel's tiny lobby.
Inside, a petite young woman greeted me from behind the front desk. Her bright green eyes, slightly pointed ear tips, and golden blonde hair marked her as a faerie. Fae could be charming or dangerously deceitful; there was rarely any middle ground.
"Hey, how are you?" she asked, smiling brightly.
"I've been better. Can I use your lobby for a bit to rest and charge my electronics? I won't be here long," I replied, hoping my desperation was evident.
"You smell like a wet dog," she said, wrinkling her nose, and I laughed.
"I knew you were fae," I responded, and it was her turn to laugh.
"You got me. What are you running from?" she asked, resting her chin in her hands.
"My mate rejected me. I've been imprisoned in a bad household. My parents are dead. Pick a story," I snapped, embarrassed and irritable.
"Oh, shit. Do you have money?" she asked, and I nodded.
"Not much, but enough for transportation. I can't afford a room," I explained.
"I'll give you a room for tonight. You can pay me back when you can," she offered with a smile.
"Thank you. Write up something I can sign and copy it so I don't forget to pay you," I told her, but she shook her head and handed me a set of old-fashioned keys.
"It's not that important, honey. Your room is on the third floor, though—unfortunately, the only one available," she informed me, waving me off.
"My name is Desi," she called as I walked up the stairs.
"Melanie," I replied.
I sat on the fluffy full-sized bed, my phone charging on the nightstand. No notifications, not even from my online friends. Nobody cared about me.
Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision as my heart broke anew. I felt hollow and numb. The girl I once was had vanished. I would no longer let people boss me around or treat me like a slave.
I planned my next move, printing a map at the lobby's business center. I would travel to a pack called the MoonStriders. They were a few states away, so I'd need to figure out how to get there with the $370 I had left. No one would know me there.
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I lay back down, ready to sleep, but the hollow feeling gnawed at me. I felt incomplete, like a part of me was missing. How would I live the rest of my life feeling like this?
As I tried to sleep, memories flooded my mind. The rejection from my mate replayed over and over. Arlo, tall and strong with his dark eyes that once looked at me with affection, had turned cold. His words were sharp and cutting, telling me he didn't want me, that I wasn't good enough. The pain was unbearable, a knife twisting in my heart. I remembered the sneers from his new mate, her triumph at my humiliation. I had felt trapped, suffocated by the oppressive environment. Leaving was my only option, but now, the uncertainty of the future loomed large.
My eyes grew heavy, and I couldn't fight sleep any longer. I finally gave in.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a vast meadow bathed in bright sunshine and filled with beautiful flowers of every kind. Bright blue orchids surrounded me, and butterflies flitted everywhere. It was breathtaking.
Suddenly, a bright ball of light descended from the sky, parting the flowers before me. As it came closer, it materialized into a human-like figure with long, glowing hair. Her skin was adorned with black symbols, and light covered her modestly. Her ethereal presence was captivating.
"Hello, my beautiful child. You've been through a lot lately, haven't you?" she asked, her voice a blend of a bell and soft honey, emanating from everywhere at once.
I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out. I was mute.
I nodded, casting my gaze down. She put her hand under my chin, guiding my eyes back to hers. Her touch was soft and warm, light emanating from her palm.
"Oh, sweet girl, don't bow your head to anyone. If only you knew how powerful and special you are, you'd never bow to anyone ever again," she told me adamantly. I raised my eyebrows, and a tinkling laugh resounded around us like wind chimes in the breeze.
"You're the moon goddess, aren't you?" I asked, astounded. She nodded, smiling.
"Your mate rejected you, didn't he?" the moon goddess asked, concern etching her face.
"Yes," I replied, and she thinned her lips.
"He wasn't supposed to do that. He made the wrong choice and will pay for it. He prayed to me for guidance, and I gave him just that. He ignored me," she spat angrily. The air crackled with static electricity, making my hair stand on end as her light turned fiery red for a few seconds.
"Here is what will happen, my child. You will go to a new pack. I've already spoken with their former alpha, and they know you're coming," she began, then paused as if in thought. A broad smile spread across her face, and her light shone even brighter.
"I will destine another mate for you. Someone perfect for you, who will complement you better than Arlo would have. Someone who will need a strong alpha woman in their life," the moon goddess informed me, and my jaw dropped.
"There is only ever one mate for someone. I've never heard of a second chance. I don't think I deserve it, goddess," I replied, tears starting to form.
"I know what you deserve, and you will not convince me otherwise. You are strong and will be successful; I can see it. Do not give up, child," she chastised, and I looked down again, embarrassed.
How mortifying to be scolded by the very deity everyone looks to for guidance.
The tinkling laugh filled the air once more.
"Very embarrassing," the goddess replied, and I ran a hand through my hair, blushing.
"You will lose the hollow feeling. You will no longer pine for Arlo. Because of the suffering he caused by not following my guidance, he will pine and feel hollow for the rest of his life, and I will double it," she declared in a powerful voice that grew louder with each word.
"So mote it be!" the moon goddess yelled, and the world around us shook as her words were written into existence.
"Good luck, my beautiful child. You will always have the love of your goddess. You will do great things," she told me as her light began to fade, taking her form with it and leaving me in the now-darkened field of flowers.
I awoke with a start, the vivid dream lingering in my mind. The moon goddess's words echoed in my head, filling me with a new sense of purpose and hope. I knew my journey wasn't over. I still had challenges to face, but the goddess's blessing gave me strength.
Packing my things, I prepared to leave the motel. Desi was at the front desk, looking up as I approached.
"Leaving already?" she asked.
"Yes. Thank you for your kindness. I'll make sure to pay you back as soon as I can," I promised.
"Don't worry about it. Just take care of yourself, okay?" Desi said with a warm smile.
I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. I hoped I could always call her a friend.