2 1: Confusion

"MATE!"

I screamed and slammed the door in front of a shocked Jude.

I didn't know what got into me but it did—it penetrated me and ripped me a new hole.

Cerberus was in euphoria as we looked at the cute little dog sleeping soundly inside of the box. I was in a tag- of-war between being happy and going to the nearest church and ask Jesus for forgiveness.

What in heaven's name was the goddess thinking of pairing a dog and me? How can I marry it? I didn't mind having another dude for a mate because I was bisexual after all but this...THIS was just ridiculous!

How can I have sex? How will I even greet my mate every morning? Arf arf baby?

"Shut up, just accept our mate!" Cerberus barked.

"I'm trying, bone-head!"

Jude's heels clicked as she walked away or rather stomped away. She was pissed. If she was a werewolf she would have broken down the door because I slammed it at her caked face.

"What will we name him," I asked my wolf.

"Why do I feel you'll treat him as a pet?" my wolf accused.

"It's our mate and do you expect me to just call it dawg for the rest of my life?"

My wolf went silent in realization but won't admit that I was right because he was prideful mutt. We were both stubborn, arrogant, and prideful.

I looked at the blue strands of fur and it was oddly cold...like ice with blue strands. "How about Arc? Short for Arctic."

"Admit it, it's short for Bark so just change the C to K," he mocked. I placed the box on the coffee table, completely ignoring the anime show I was watching. I lifted my mate from the box, letting the stuffed penguin fall. I sat on the sofa and placed him on my lap. Well ain't it a heavy sleeper?

I stroked him, feeling the coldness of its fur underneath my palms. I was oddly contented with just touching him. I admired every fur on his body and scratched the back of his ear which made him snuggle closer to my stomach. I watched him as my head slowly dropped.

I woke from the tickling of a soft, wet slick object going up and down my cheek. My eyes opened and I was greeted with a pair of eyes that were different in color. One was the shade of the skies and the other was the tint of blood. Small paws exerted pressure on my collarbones.

"Arf!"

I flinched and wrapped my big hands around the puppy's body. I thought last night was just a dream, apparently, it was another God's way of joking.

Ark whimpered and that drew out an overly-caring side that I never knew I had. I was a complete jerk, even to Jude. I only become sweet to her when I was drunk. When it's family, I ignore them most of the time.

"What is it boy?" I asked.

Ark leaped from my lap and made a beeline to the kitchen. I watched as his tail wagged happily.

So cute...

"See what he needs! He might be hungry!" Cerberus ordered.

I went to the kitchen and found my mate pawing the fridge.

Smart puppy.

"Are you hungry, boy?" I asked.

He sat down and tilted his head up to look at me.

I never had a dog since I was in 5th grade. Chicken was the safest.

"Cook him some bacon or pasta or pizza!" Cerberus commanded.

As much as I wanted to spoil Ark, I only had chicken and the things that my wolf was suggesting would cause early cancer to our mate.

I boiled the chicken, adding a little salt and pepper. I can use the broth for making gravy. Two eggs were fried, bread was toasted and coffee was brewed. I poured a small amount of milk into a bowl and offered it to Ark which the puppy eagerly lapped. Hopefully, he wasn't lactose intolerant like some dogs.

I placed two plates on the table and let the boiled chicken cool off. I whistled, catching Ark's attention. He ran towards me and I picked him up, situating him on the table for him to eat. I sat across him and we enjoyed a quiet breakfast while I try to figure out why shit was happening to me and what kind of drugs I can take to stop the diarrheal episode of my life.

The phone rung and I grumbled as I went to answer it.

"Goodbye," I greeted. I loathed morning calls, afternoon calls, and night calls.

Don't call me.

"Luka, Jude told me that you acted weird last night!" Mom scolded.

"It's because I found my mate," I told her.

Mom shrilled and I pulled the phone away until the dolphin in her died.

"Oh my! Is she pretty or is she a he? Info please!"

"Well, he's small and adorable." I started, unsure of how this will end. This will be the talk of the pack and considering that we all live in one town...

"And?" mom pushed on.

"He has two different eye colors, one is blue and one is red."

"Oh lord that is just adorable! And?"

My forehead wrinkled.

"He's umm... unique?"

"Oh my lurd! How unique?!"

I sighed. "He's a dog."

"That's- say what?!" mom gasped.

"You heard me, my mate is a dog and-"

I heard a loud 'thump', indicating my mom's dramatic fainting. I shrugged and hung up. She'll get over it.

I went back to my mate and found him with an apple between his mouth.

The doorbell rang.

Seriously, why can't these people leave me alone?

One thing I hate more than 'everything' was active and loud mornings.

Jude was in her workout attire of grey sweatpants and red sweatshirt.

"Where's my dog?" she demanded.

I scowled. I looked at her and began to wonder what made me ask her out. Was this a side-effect of loving a person who was not your mate and suddenly your mate appears?

"Not here," I deadpanned.

"You jerk!"

"Remember, that it's your gift, right? So he is mine."

Jude stomped on her place.

"If you don't give that dog to me, you can go to the prom by yourself!"

"Let's kill the bitch already!" Cerberus cheered.

He was overly happy that my human emotions were fading. He always ranted about me dating a bitch.

"First of all, I didn't ask you to go with me to the prom, second, I don't even want to go to the prom, and third, I won't even go to the prom," I responded and slammed the door at her face.

The good thing about being me was that I could move on easily.

Bow down to the great Jerk.

I turned around but I was hauled back by another knock. I whipped the door open and was about to summon Satan with series of cusses but my tongue held back when I saw that it was my dad and his beta, Leon. Jude was already storming away and screaming profanities.

Ark barked behind me. He sniffed Dad's boots and my dad raised a questioning brow.

"This is your mate?" Dad asked.

He bent down and petted Ark, making my mate nudge Dad's hand with his nose. Dad was in his business attire.

Leon, the motherfucker, started to snicker.

"You dawg!"

"Shut up!" I growled. I picked up Ark and possessively embraced him.

"Well, I don't know what to say. We will talk about this later, for the meantime, why don't you make rounds? There was a witch intrusion last night, it was a good thing that I had our men on patrol."

"Did you catch the bitch?" I queried, being assaulted by licks.

"Yes, I'm on my way to interrogate her and please do watch your language. I'll see you later, son."

Witches never attack a town full of werewolves. This was strange.

Ark wiggled his way down. He bit his stuffed penguin and hopped on the sofa like...no he ain't a normal dog. He shouldn't even be able to hop as high as that.

"You really like that toy huh?" I said to him. Ark placed his chin on the toy and glanced at me innocently as I sat beside him.

I petted his head, feeling sad that our situation was like this. Can he even feel our connection?

I've waited for my mate my entire life. I wasn't aiming for it but I was hoping.

My soulmate is a dog.

"Arf!"

It felt like fate gave me what I was waiting for but rushed it because it had an appointment with a therapist.

"Yeah buddy, I can understand you," I said sarcastically. Ark crawled up to my chest and licked my chin.

My heart melted and I cradled him against my chest.

"I love you too...If that's what you mean."