A Royal Mate
Part 28

I woke up when my alarm beeped and continued laying there until I forced myself up. I got dressed and grabbed my things to head to the office before Val woke up. I had been avoiding her everyday and I knew she was concerned about me but I just couldn't handle talking about it, not just yet. I couldn't even mention his name because it would throw me into another depression. Plus I didn't want to talk about him because I felt like doing so would give me false hope that he was still out there waiting for me to come replace him.

Once I got to the office Mr. Johnson was waiting for me in the conference room. He had a cup of coffee in each hand and handed me one after I placed my things on the table. I removed my laptop and printed the information I collected yesterday about the library. I went to my office and grabbed the sheets off the printer returning to the room. Spreading them out along the table I made a timeline of the construction and reconstructions that occurred after the original build.

"I found these photos and information on the historical site for the city. It shows when and how the restoration projects were completed." I pointed to the papers on the table.

"This is amazing Anna. I never would have thought to do this. We can use this to show the mayor how committed we are to bringing the library back to its original standing." He said with a huge smile on his face.

"I just need to make some adjustments due to permits and codes for the city but I'm pretty sure we can get it as close to the original as anyone else can."

He chuckled as I grabbed my pencil and immediately starting correcting some of the issues I had seen. "Well then, I'll let you get to it. Call me if you need anything." He walked out of the office as I continued to work.

Soon it was lunch and Joan brought us some food from Lou's bakery. I wasn't too hungry but I forced myself to take a few bites of sandwich. It was delicious but I was already starting to regret it when my stomach twisted and turned with cramps. I grabbed a bottle of water and sat down hoping the pain would subside. I sat down as waves of nausea came and went and dizziness hit me like a ton of bricks. I managed to sit still long enough that the feeling went away but the stomach pains were still there.

I managed to get through the rest of the day despite the torture I was enduring. I packed my things and headed home. Just like always Val was sitting in the living room waiting for me. She was reading a magazine and never looked up as she spoke "I know you've been ignoring me, Anna. But for the life of me I can't figure out why?" She put the magazine down and turned to face me. "I know you don't want to talk but you really should hear me out."

I gave her a warning growl and continued walking to my room. I didn't want to hear what she had to say because honestly she didn't know what I was going through and she wouldn't understand either. But I knew she wouldn't give up trying to fix it.

She stood up and stalked around the couch stomping her way in front of me blocking my path to my room. "Anna Steine you have been my best friend for 6 years. We have cried together, laughed together and gotten into a whole lot of trouble together. We are more than friends we are family and family sticks together no matter what. When you hurt, I hurt." She huffed out as her nostrils flared and her eyes darkened showing her wolf coming through.

I was livid. My body tensed from the threat but I reeled Aspen back in. "Do you really want to hurt like I have? Huh, do you want to know what it feels like to have your heart ripped out and torn apart only to have to wake up every day and feel it still beating, mocking you? I want to die. I JUST WANT TO DIE! I don't deserve a mate, I never have and this just proves what I believed all along that they shouldn't exist." I screamed as tears rolled down my face. My knees buckled and I fell to the floor. Val fell right along with me and grabbed me holding me as I cried. My heart was broken but I felt worst for taking it out on Val.

After we both calmed down we pulled ourselves up to the couch and sat in silence for a while. Val studied me with a worried look then her expression softened and then she smiled the smile that only Val was known for. The smile meant she was up to something and it could always convince anyone to do anything. "Let's go out!"

"Val I'm really not in the mood to leave the house let alone go to a bar and let some gross old men grope all over me. I think I'll just call it a night." I said pushing myself off the couch.

"Oh no you don't. We are going out but not to any sleazy bar. We're going to Lou's. There's a block party in town and her sons band is playing. Come on you need a break from everything and this is the best distraction. It's close to home and everyone we know will be there. PLEASE!" She batted her eyes and pouted out her lip which made it impossible for me to say no.

"FINEEEEEE. But I have to change." I walked to the shower and quickly washed my hair and body. Getting out I towel dried my hair spraying it with some product that Val said would give me beach waves. I walked to my room and grabbed some jeans, a tank top and my chucks. Grabbing a sweater I met Val in the kitchen and we walked to town together. Despite the odd feeling washing over me as the cool air hit me I decided she was right.