Chapter 2
“Huh? Why?” I did my best to mask the panic creeping into my voice.
“Is it the messages? Did I say something wrong? Or maybe something I did?” My mind raced, trying to figure out what had triggered his decision.
He softly placed his hands over mine, the warmth easing my nerves just a little. “Babe,” he said, and the familiar nickname sent butterflies fluttering in my chest.
“Mating season is just two weeks away, and I’m next in line. If anyone—rogues or spies—finds out you’re my mate, your safety could be compromised. So, for now, distance is the safest choice.”
I nodded in agreement.
If he were to claim me during the upcoming mating season, I would be protected as his official mate since he’d also become Alpha. Any threat to me then would be a direct act of war. But claiming me before that would leave me vulnerable—he wouldn’t have the power to shield me completely.
“Alright… but I really don’t like this,” I murmured with a hint of sadness.
“Thank you, babe.” He pulled me into a firm embrace, one that lingered longer than usual.
“Babe?” I said with a nervous chuckle, lightly tapping his shoulder. “You’re hugging me like you’re about to disappear,” I joked, though he didn’t laugh.
“These next few weeks, I’ll be away. Please, take care of yourself. I want you strong and well on the choosing day.”
I smiled gently and kissed his cheek.
We had been doing our best to wait until we were officially mated, but it hadn’t been easy. We avoided anything that might push us too far.
“Want to stay over tonight?” I offered, though I already knew what his answer would be.
“You know I can’t, my love.” I exhaled deeply. Since I was little, having a mate had been the one thing I wished for more than anything.
I was so fascinated with the idea that one day, the pack doctor gently warned me that some people never found their mates—and I had cried for the entire day.
“Okay, fine! But just because we’re not officially together right now doesn’t mean you get to pretend I don’t exist. You still have to talk to me.”
Judging by the look on his face, he clearly disagreed—but I wouldn’t budge. I was being selfish, and I didn’t care. If he couldn’t speak to me all the time, then at least he could speak to me when no one’s watching.
“Alright, you win.” He brushed his fingers across my cheeks, as if seeing them anew. “Once you get your wolf, I won’t have to miss hearing you. We’ll use the mind link, and nothing will hold us back.”
I offered him a smile, even though the thought stirring inside brought tears I didn’t let show.
Most people connected with their wolves by the time they were thirteen—some even earlier. But not me. I was the exception, the outlier. We visited the pack doctor, and he explained that I was a unique kind of wolf. My wolf wouldn’t awaken unless triggered by a more dominant one.
It sounded ridiculous, but that was just how my wolf worked. There was nothing I could do to alter that.
“You know, the moment I can mind link, I’m going to be the biggest thorn in your side,” I said with a mischievous grin.
He actually let out a laugh at that.
I yawned, and he noticed. “You need some sleep. School starts tomorrow,” he said, leaning in just enough for his cologne to reach me. Then he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.
“Good night, babe,” he whispered before leaving, his scent—and a piece of my heart—lingering in the air.
The following morning, I woke up feeling a weight in my chest. I already missed him.
“There’s no point in missing him now. I just have to wait three more weeks,” I reminded myself.
It ached like heartbreak, but I knew it wasn’t.
Theron worried too much about these things. His parents had mated before the official season, and his mother had been kidnapped while carrying him.
So I understood why he was overly cautious.
I grabbed my phone and called my best friend, Joyce. After the third ring, she answered. “Hey,” I said.
“What’s up?” she snapped, clearly irritated.
I rolled my eyes— I was used to her morning grumpiness. She had never been a cheerful early riser.
“I was wondering if I could ride with you today.”
“Fine, now go away,” she groaned before hanging up.
I knew her well. She would probably make me drive.
I headed downstairs, mentally preparing myself for the long stretch of weeks ahead.
Week two was brutal.
I hardly got to see Theron, and his schedule only seemed to get tighter with each passing day.
“Did you hear?” someone said. “The alpha’s daughter from the neighboring pack is coming to visit.” I glanced up from my screen at Joy, who didn’t even pretend to care.
“Yay, how exciting,” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
“You’re right. Everything’s painfully dull around here,” I sighed, flopping my head back dramatically. “What if we sneak up on Theron?” I added, feeling a burst of excitement.
But her expression shifted instantly. Her boredom vanished, replaced by concern.
“Absolutely not,” she snapped.
I blinked, surprised by her reaction.
“Theron told me not to let you near him. You know how much this means to him.”
I sighed, disheartened.
It felt like he was going out of his way to keep his distance.
“One more week,” I whispered to myself.
Just then, Callum walked in and greeted us both.
I had never really formed any kind of bond with him. When we were kids, he had a reputation for being mean, and even as an adult, his face rarely showed any hint of a smile—kind of like Theron, but not quite the same.
We mumbled a few words in response, then went completely quiet until he walked away—though our silence came from different places. For me, it was the awkwardness of not having anything to say. But Joy? That was a different story.
If he had spoken directly to her, she probably would have lost it. She was that obsessed with him.
“You know he’s seriously involved with someone, right?” I reminded her.
Callum had fallen for a girl from the neighboring pack. They had started dating at fifteen, and everyone assumed they were destined mates.
“Yeah? But guess what!!” she nearly shouted, buzzing with excitement. “A lot can happen in just one week!”
She dropped back into the chair, grinning at nothing in particular.
