Chapter 7 Broken

Natalie

Walking back into the apartment was emotional. I was once again reminded of how I had prepared for the birth of my pup. How enthusiastic I was when I checked the baby cribs online and how gleefully I had rejoiced on the day it got delivered at my doorstep. I recalled how eagerly I had visited the shops and stores that sold baby products- dresses, blankets, oils, shampoos, towels and little mittens that would fit into his tiny little hand. My heart broke all over again. It felt as though it plummeted into a deep pit.

"Excuse me," I whispered and strolled towards the room. I was on the verge of tears and I didnt want to break down in front of them.

Mara, Rina and Tara waited in the living room as I walked into the bedroom.

"We will fix you a sandwich." I think that was Tara who spoke. It didn't matter to me.

I nodded and pointed at the fridge. "Everything is in there," I told them and quickly closed the door after getting in the room.

I didn't want them to see me cry. I tried to fight against the tears that stung my eyes. However, I couldn't prevent a drop or two from escaping the tear ducts. The crib stood empty beside my bed. My throat tightened as I tried my best to hold back my sobs.

With a trembling hand, I cradled the empty crib. How I wish I got to cradle my little one in it. I glanced at the baby station I had prepared. Everything was ready. The clothes, diapers, wet tissues, cotton swabs...everything I could think of.

A shaky breath escaped my lips when my eyes landed on the special lotions and creams I had bought, thinking that I would be using them on my pup's skin. I would never get to use it. I'd never get to smell his soft skin and get intoxicated by his fresh scent. It was said that the pup's scent is intoxicating to the mother. But I would never get to experience that.

"It isn't fair…" I held back a sniffle. My heart was shattered, and this time, I had nothing to hold onto. When I found out that Trevor and Tina were betraying me, it broke my heart into a million pieces, yet I had hope and the determination to live for the sake of my pup. He was my rock.

However, I didn't have any intention of living after the demise of my pup. Tears were streaming down my eyes. After blinking a couple of times, I picked up the bottle of baby lotion and sat on my bed. I was still sore after giving birth. Since I was a werewolf, I would heal faster than a human, however, I still needed a week or two to go back to full health.

Wincing as I sat down, I looked at the picture in the bottle. A picture of a tiny human beaming his toothless grin was on it. My lips stretched into a sad smile.

"I miss you, Ace," I whispered, tracing the baby's features on the picture. An uncomfortable shiver ran down my spine. Droplets of salty water dripped onto my lap from my chin. I silently placed some of the creamy lotions on my palm and applied them to my arm. Staring at how it got absorbed by my skin as I applied it, I breathed in. More tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn't fight against them. I couldn't. I was defeated.

"Ms Ginger?" I heard Mara's voice. I must have taken too long to come out of the room. My heart continued to weep and I had no desire to answer her or look in her direction. I was too immersed in my sorrow.

"Ms…" I heard her again.

I knew she entered the room. Yet, I chose to ignore her and continued to put handfuls of lotion on my arms and legs. I sensed the presence of Rina and Tara in the room. There was another scent. A familiar, yet new scent in the apartment. But I couldn't care less. Nothing mattered to me anymore.

"Ms Ginger, Mr Perez is here to see you," Mara finally said and I froze.

Why was he here?

I glanced at the door. I was aware that my face was wilted. There was no life left in my heart. Honestly, there was no reason for me to live anymore.

A familiar purr of a cat caught my attention. My eyes rested on the pure white cat Mr Perez was holding.

"Meow," she wiggled out of Mr Perez's arm and jumped onto my bed.

"Goggles!" Me Perez hissed.

"Meow," Goggles responded as she walked over to me. I smiled involuntarily. There hadn't been a single day without Goggles interacting with me ever since I moved into this apartment. At times, she would try to sneak in without his knowledge. I was aware that Mr Perez didn't like it, so I would always shoo her away. But not before I gave her a little treat. Maybe that was the reason why she loved me so much.

I managed to let out humourless laughter as I scratched behind her ear like I always do.

"Did you miss me, Goggles?" An involuntary smile had stretched my lips. The bottle of treats I had kept inside the room was on the table. I gestured to Tara to pass it to me.

"Here, is this what you're looking for?" I chuckled despite the pain in my heart.

"Meow," Goggles replied, making me laugh. No one spoke for a while. Everyone watched as I fed Goggles her treats.

"I see my cat loves you a lot." Mr Perez sounded surprisingly calm. "You may keep him."

My lips parted as my gaze shifted towards him.

"But…"

He shook his head, making me trail off.

"It's ok. I was worried that she might be bothering you. I'll come here to check on you and Goggles. If she wants to come back to me, she will anyway." He stated making me sigh.

"Having her around will make me a lot less lonely, I guess," I told him.

"I'll have another reason to come here now." He added.

"We all will visit you every day. I hope we all can be friends," Mara sounded hopeful.

I forced a smile. "Of course. Why not. And oh, Mr Perez?" I looked at him. "Thank you for everything. You have taken care of the funeral, even the hospital bills. And you have called your employees here to help me. Thank you, " I hastened to express my gratitude.

"Don't mention it. We are friends now, aren't we?" He smirked. Forcing a smile I looked away. The way he smirked reminded me of Trevor. I had always thought that Trevor looked good when he flashed his signature lopsided smile. Once again, I was reminded of my ill fate. Pursing my lips, I frowned. I must stop thinking about that cheater.

"Can you tell us why you are away from your pack? We are all here for a reason," Tara asked softly.

Sighing deeply, I covered my face with my hands. I had shared my story with my colleagues at work. It wouldn't be too hard to share with them. It would be easier for them to understand my plight since they too were shifters.

"Or it is okay if you don't want to." She quickly added.

Shaking my head, "no," I mumbled.

"I… I ran away. I was cheated on by my mate and best friend. I overheard their plans to kill me when I gave birth to my pup. That's why I took off. On my way here, I rejected him and left the pack. Now I am a lone wolf. I had a better chance of surviving in the human city since I was pregnant than out in the jungle.

They nodded. I could see them exchange glances of utter shock from the corner of my eyes.

"That is quite a story you have there," Rina mumbled after some time.

"Yeah," Tara agreed.

"I have left them and they don't mean anything to me now." I paused. I felt my face wilting once again.

"My pup was the reason I lived. I tried to build my life for my pup. But...look at what happened." Closing my eyes, I wiped my face using the back of my hand. I wasn't crying tears anymore, however, I was still down in the dumps.

What distracted me was Goggles' soft purrs. When I looked at her, she had laid her head on her paws and fell asleep beside me.

"Looks like someone has stolen my bed," I laughed despite the sorrow I felt. My laughter was nothing close to a heartfelt one. It was more like a forced chuckle. I glanced at them. All of them were staring at me sympathetically.

"What are your stories? Did you also leave your packs?" I expressed my curiosity.

"Not really," Mara glanced at Mr Perez who was still standing at the door with his hands tucked in his pockets. I saw him gesturing 'no' with his head, from my peripheral vision.

"We didn't leave the pack. We are here to work for Mr Perez. As you already know, we are his employees." Rina replied.

"Oh," I smiled, though I knew that there must be more to it. However, I wasn't the type of person who would pry on anyone's life or any personal affairs. If they don't tell me, I'll just let it be.

"Okay," I shrugged. Mr Perez sure sounds to be someone extremely important. I looked at him. His emotionless face was somewhat the same.

"I thought you were human," I said and to my amazement, he laughed a little. That was the first time I had seen him laugh, or even smile.

"I'm not human." He smirked.

"Then?" I frowned.

"I'll tell you later," his response to my question was short.

"I'm going back to my apartment. I'll drop by to check on you in the morning. Hope you wouldn't mind?" He said. I shrugged. I didn't see any problem in him checking on his neighbour. He didn't seem like the creepy type. I saw him as unfriendly. But perhaps I was wrong. Besides, his cat has fallen asleep on my bed.

"Sure, Mr Perez " I responded.

"And oh, call me Shawn. We are friends. There is no need to be so formal " He said, making me smile.

"And I'm Natalie. Not Ginger. I just introduced myself as Ginger to everyone. I was desperate to let go of everything and change my whole life. I wanted to become a whole new person. Someone no one recognised." Frowning I bit my lips, I sighed.

An awkward silence filled the room until Mr Perez….Shawn cleared his throat.

"Natalie, hope to see you in the morning," he mumbled and walked away.

"Try to get some sleep, Natalie. We are also leaving. We will come tomorrow," Mara mumbled.

"Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it." I smiled genuinely.

"And oh, Natalie…" Mara frowned as though to ask if she was pronouncing it right. I nodded.

"Remember to eat the sandwich and drink the juice on the table. You need to heal well. I have left some supplements there. Remember to take it after food," she instructed. I offered a polite smile as I nodded.

Talking to them seemed to have lightened the load to some extent. I walked them to the door and locked it before going to lay down after having the food and supplements. My eyes were focused on the snoozing cat on one side of the mattress.

I sighed. I don't think I would be able to get over my pup's death, yet Goggles' presence did make things better. Just as I was closing my eyes I felt Nala stir in my mind.

"Hey," her voice was hoarse.

"Hey, Nala." My smile was painful as I replied to her. We shared that same pain. I know how bad it hurt and I was glad that she hadn't gone silent forever.

"We will be fine. We will live," she breathed out.

I nodded in agreement. Yes. We will be okay. I just didn't know how.