His Human Mate

(Gretel's POV)

I had just got back from work, tired as fuck, as I walked into my small apartment.

I had barely even kicked off my shoes, when my cell phone rang, and the screen flashed, "Aunt Linda Calling". A weary sigh escaped my lips before I swiped to answer.

"Hey, Aunt Melly. Good..." I began, trying to sound cheerful.

"Don't you 'hey' me," she cut me off sharply. "Have you forgotten how many months it's been since you've contributed anything to help your family?" She began.

I flinched at her tone, frustration bubbling beneath my forced calm. "I know, I'm really sorry. These past few months have been brutal with rent and expenses."

The apology tasted bitter in my mouth, knowing she never once offered to help me despite my struggles.

"Excuses! Excuses!!" her voice pierced through the speaker. "You've been in the city for what, two years now? And what do you have to show for it except excuses? Isn't that Shameful!?"

'If only you knew I came here to escape you,' I thought, biting back the retort. She had no clue how hard it was surviving alone in this concrete jungle with zero credentials or connections.

"I don't just get crazy money handed to me for living in the city," I said, straining to keep my voice level despite my anger.

"Without a degree, minimum wage is the best I could find." I'd lost count of how many times we'd had this conversation.

"Then quit that dead-end job! Girls your age shouldn't waste their time as shop clerks." She paused before adding, "Try modeling - you've got the looks. At least then we'd eat better." She suggested.

I rolled my eyes at her suggestion, frustrated when I replied her. "Modeling? They don't hire awkward introverts like me," I responded flatly. "Besides, I've told you before - I'm not interested." I added firmly.

She launched into her usual lecture about sending more money and family obligations. I half-listened, making occasional sounds of acknowledgment while my mind wandered.

Finally, she wound down her rant. "Well, I've said my piece. Try to send something soon." She concluded.

"I'll try my best," I replied mechanically, ready to get off the phone. Tell Violet and Marco I say hi and I miss them, okay?" I waved off.

"Okay, okay, I hope I hear from you soon." She dismissed before abruptly hanging up.

I tossed my phone aside and collapsed onto my lumpy mattress, emotionally drained from the call. Our few calls with my Aunt Melinda were always like that.

It felt like she'd only send me out of her home just to turn me into her personal ATM, constantly demanding money when I could barely make ends meet.

Yet I couldn't bring myself to resent her - she was the only family who stood by me after Mom vanished when I was barely seven.

And Dad? That's another story entirely. Nobody knows him - probably ran when Mom got pregnant. No wonder Aunt Linda expected payback for every penny she's spent on me now that I am grown.

After thinking about my miserable life for a while, I forced myself up and shuffled to the kitchen to scrounge some dinner from my leftovers. As I finished the last cold bites, I checked the time and cursed under my breath.

"Crap! It's 11 already."

I needed to hurry if I wanted to make it to tonight's pool cleaning gig.

Grabbing my backpack, I hurried out into the sketchy neighborhood, keeping my eyes down to avoid the drunks lingering on corners. I quickly flagged down a taxi, climbing in gratefully.