Mate, she whispered in my head. Mate.
No. That could not be right.
The young man's eyes became wide too. Like he felt it. The pull. The connection.
He stood up suddenly. His chair fell back. Everyone looked at him.
Excuse me, he said quickly. Then he walked out of the dining hall. Fast. Like he was running away.
Bethany looked confused. Then she looked at me. Her face became red with anger. She knew. Somehow, she knew.
Daniel touched my arm. Ariana? Was I okay? I looked pale.
I... I needed air, I said. I stood up. My legs shook.
I'll come with you, Daniel said.
No. I just needed a minute. Please.
I walked outside before he could argue. The night air was cool. I breathed deep. My heart was still racing.
What just happened? Who was that man? Why did my wolf call him mate?
I didn't even know his name.
So I felt it too.
I jumped. I turned around. The young man was there. Standing in the shadows. His eyes glowed in the dark. Gold eyes. Wolf eyes.
Felt what? I asked. But I knew. I knew exactly what.
He stepped closer. The bond. I was his mate.
No, I said. I stepped back. That was impossible. I didn't even know him.
His name was Kyle. He was the son of Alpha Marcus. The future Alpha of that pack. He came closer. His eyes were intense. And I, Ariana, was his.
Kyle stood in front of me. His gold eyes were shining in the dark. My heart beat very fast.
You are mine, he said. His voice was deep and strong. Like a leader.
I am not yours, I said. My voice was shaking. I was scared. I said I do not know you.
Kyle moved close to me. Too close. I could smell him. He smelled like trees and rain. My head felt strange.
He said the mate bond is real. He said I felt it when we saw each other.
I said no. I said everything is too much. I was running for my life yesterday. Now I have a mate today. I could not understand anything.
Kyle looked sad. He said sorry. He said he just waited for his mate for so long. He said his wolf knew I am his mate.
I told him I did not get my wolf until yesterday. I said I am not special. I said I feel broken.
Kyle told me I am not broken. He said I am a white wolf. Very rare. Very special.
I hugged myself. I said I feel scared and confused.
Kyle asked if we can talk. No pressure. Just talk.
I looked at him. He was handsome. Strong. But I felt scared to trust.
Okay, I said. We can talk. Only talk.
We sat on a bench. The moon was bright. Music and people were inside the pack house. But outside was quiet.
Kyle asked about my home. I told him Silver Moon Pack. I said they hated me because I had no wolf. I said my mother sold me to bad men. Men who lock girls in cages to sell them.
Kyle became angry. He did not like Daniel's name because Daniel saved me.
I told Kyle he did not know me before. So he could not protect me before. He said now he knows me so he will protect me always.
I said I want freedom. I want peace.
Kyle said he wants to help. He wants to show me what it means to be in a pack. He said he wants me to be his.
My wolf liked the word his. But I pushed my wolf away. I said I need time.
Kyle promised to wait. He said the mate bond will get stronger. He said goodnight and walked away.
I sat alone. I did not know if I wanted a mate.
My wolf said yes. She said he is strong and will protect us. But I did not want anyone to own me again.
My wolf said he is not like the bad people. He is our equal.
I looked at the moon until I felt sleepy. I went to bed but I could not sleep.
Morning came. Luna Elena came inside my room. She looked worried. She said she knows what happened with Kyle. She said mate bonds are serious but can be hard too.
I told her I am not ready. She said Kyle must give me time. She said she told him that this morning.
Then someone knocked loud. It was Alpha Marcus. He said someone from Silver Moon Pack is here. They asked for me.
I felt like the world was turning. They found me.
Alpha Marcus asked if the woman is my mother. I said yes. But I said she sold me. I said she never wanted me.
Alpha Marcus said he will protect me. He asked if I want to come with him. I said yes. I want to face her.
Daniel came too. He said he will stand with me. Kyle came. He said he is here for me.
We went to the border. My mother Camilla stood there. She looked rich. She looked fake. Her face changed when she saw me alive. She looked shocked.
I told her she sold me. She lied and said she did not. But I shouted the truth. In front of everyone.
Alpha Marcus told her she is lying. Camilla changed her face. She became angry and ugly. She said I was a shame to her because I had no wolf. She said she sold me for money.
Everyone gasped. Even her pack was shocked.
Then she smiled greedy. She said I have a white wolf now. She said she came to take me back and get money from me.
Kyle said I am his mate. He said I belong to no one. He said she must leave.
Alpha Marcus told her to go before he forgets peace.
Camilla saw she could not win. She left angry. She said I will bring trouble.