When people looked upon Treyton Beldig, they would believe he had everything: looks, money, power, and status. He was the CEO of a plant-based medicine company that he created independently. Treyton's mother was his motivation since she was a Wiccan who also practiced herbal medicine. He created his company when he was twenty-two years old with the help of his father, a businessman in his own right. However, Treyton had another secret.

Treyton was a werewolf, an Alpha.

He was the Alpha of the Bloodraven Pack in Big Bear, California. Many members of his pack worked within his company, which became a significant success in many countries worldwide. However, the United States was giving him a hard time because they wanted something other than healthy citizens, which meant less revenue. Treyton refused to give up, and his medicine was making its way to small stores in California, Colorado, and New York.

Although he faced many obstacles in the business world, he also faced many obstacles in his personal life. Werewolves tend to be able to find their mates when they turn eighteen; it is something every werewolf looked forward to. However, to Treyton's dismay and horror, he couldn't find his mate even toward his current age of fifty years old. He fell into depression in his youth, but he met a female werewolf from another pack who also didn't find her mate; they were in their early thirties. The two began to date, developed feelings toward one another, and married. A year after their wedding, they had their only child and son, Aidoneus.

Although the Alpha didn't find his mate, he was still content with his life. All that changed a year ago when his wife told him she had finally found her mate. Her mate was a werewolf from Romania who came to California for vacation. Treyton was in shock and tried to talk his wife out of leaving the marriage. He would have done anything to make their marriage work and reminded her of their life together. However, the mate binding was more robust, and his wife couldn't deny her mate. His wife asked for a divorce.

Treyton was heartbroken and realized he couldn't do anything to change her mind, so he gave her what she wanted. The Alpha fell into a more profound depression and became bitter, but his son did everything he could to help him get up on his feet. His Beta also helped and motivated him to keep on living. "There is a chance that your mate is out there. Maybe this is a sign of a new beginning," his Beta once told him.

Treyton clung to that hope ever since his divorce but wondered if he would find his mate at his age. If his actual mate did exist, would she be his age, older, or younger? There were many unanswered questions, but one thing for sure was that Christmas was coming. Treyton and his pack would celebrate Christmas Day a week early since many of his pack members wanted time for themselves or had other families to visit. The Alpha couldn't help but feel jealous of those who had their mates and families intact.

He was currently in Palos Verdes at a wedding venue by the Botanic Gardens. Treyton was invited to one of his colleague's wedding. This colleague assisted him throughout the beginning of his business, and Treyton couldn't refuse the invitation. He felt happy for the colleague and his now wife. The couple was in their late forties, which showed Treyton that finding love was never too late to find love.

Treyton sat apart from the rest of the party, looking at his phone. His son would soon arrive from Romania, visiting his mother and her mate. "I need to take a breather," he said. He walked to the party's exit and went to the desert section of the gardens. Many people eyed him curiously because he wore a suit to the gardens. The stares were ignored, and Treyton continued walking until a particular scent hit his nose: vanilla jasmine.

A wave of euphoria made Treyton feel like he was floating on clouds. "So, this is what she felt." Flowers surrounded him, but he knew the flowers didn't have those particular scents that hit his nose. Why else would he feel the urgency to follow the scents? He walked by many people who eyed him confusingly but eventually arrived at the Sakura Meadow. In the meadow, a young woman whose red hair flowed with the Sakura blossoms. Treyton couldn't help but view her as a princess as the Sakura petals fell upon her.

She eventually eyed him; their eyes locked.

Treyton slowly walked toward her but eventually stopped so he wouldn't take any of her space. His eyes never left her; everything around him didn't exist except her. Besides the vanilla and jasmine scent he smelled, another scent was noticeable: the scent that she was human. It didn't matter to him since his mother was human. Yet, there was a possibility that only some humans were as open. "Uh, hello. N-Nice to meet you," he said. The Alpha wanted to face-palm himself. "Real smooth," he thought, "The name is Treyton Bledig. What's yours?"

Maeve felt her heart pound rapidly as she glanced at Treyton. "He's so handsome, even more than Stephen! I can't believe it!" She eventually composed herself, not wanting to embarrass her. "Oh, uh, I'm Maeve Connor. Nice to meet you, Treyton." She motioned her hand toward him.

Treyton slowly motioned his hand out and held onto hers. Once their hands were connected, a jolt went through their bodies; they flinched. It had been a while since the Alpha held another woman's hand after his divorce; he missed the feeling. "Maeve, that's her name." Treyton tried opening his lips, but he struggled to say anything. "Damn it, say something!"

"So, um, how are you liking the gardens?" Maeve spoke up while trembling with shyness.

"Oh, uhm, they are pleasant. I-I have been here a few times." The Alpha stuttered; he hated it. Treyton was usually confident, but the day was full of surprises; he found his mate.

Maeve cleared her throat and tried to calm her heart down. It was strange that she felt so much emotion for a man she barely met. It was not just because of his looks, but something else drew her to him; Maeve didn't fully understand. "This is my first time and I think it's okay but, I feel that this spot takes the cake." She looked at the Sakura trees and the people taking pictures. Although there were a few trees, there was still a sense of beauty and peace. Maeve then looked at him and noticed his clothing; she giggled. "If I had to guess, you're from the wedding that is taking place on the other side of the garden."

Treyton chuckled as he massaged the back of his neck. "It's so noticeable, isn't it? I totally stand out from all the simple shorts and shirts." They laughed. Treyton was in awe when he heard his mate's soft laugh and noticed her delicate smile. She was perfect in his eyes. "May I ask you something?" Maeve nodded. "How old are you?"

"I'm thirty-two, and you?"

"She's thirty-two!?" Treyton felt a sense of shame; he was older than her. He didn't know why the Moon Goddess would give him a mate who was eighteen years younger than him. Was it so wrong to be someone so young? "I'm fifty."

"You're fifty!?" The young woman covered her lips; she felt rude."Sorry about that. It's just that you look good for your age."

"I get that a lot. I guess you can say that it's within my blood. So what brings you to these gardens?" He motioned for her to sit on one of the wooden benches, and they sat.

"I don't want to bore you with my dramatic life, but to keep things short, my ex broke up with me a couple of days ago; we've been together for five years. I thought he would propose, but it didn't happen." A humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "What a nice way to start the holidays, huh?"

Her sadness was noticed, and it tore Treyton's heart. He didn't like to see her sad but was thankful that her ex broke it off, or she would have married another man. It would have been awkward if he discovered his mate was married. "I'm sorry that you went through that, especially before Christmas. My wife divorced me not so long ago for another man."

Maeve flinched as she put her hands together. She thought she had it bad. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It was painful at first, but I finally understood why my ex left, and she couldn't deny her heart." The Alpha looked at Maeve. "If I have to be honest, the divorce gave me another opportunity to find a new beginning. Not all is lost." Treyton was happy that he had found his mate but was afraid he might never see Maeve again. He couldn't let her go. "I-I was wondering if you would like to go out and grab a cup of coffee tonight?"

Maeve was silent because she was surprised to be asked out in such a short amount of time, but life was full of twists and turns. Treyton looked like he was still healing from his divorce and probably felt alone dealing with his thoughts and feelings like she did. Her mother's words came to her: 'Keep an open mind.' She believed that it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know someone. "That sounds delightful."

"G-Great! Where do you live?"

"Long Beach."

She lived far away, but he was willing to drive to the ends of the Earth. "That's not bad. Would you like to go to the Biblioteca Cafe? I once went there with some associates, and I think you would like the environment."

"Hm, sounds lively. I never heard of it before."

"Well, you're in for a treat." He stood up, and Maeve did the same. "May I have your phone number so I can text you the address?" The young woman nodded, and they swapped phone numbers. "Would you be open to meet at 7 p.m.?"

"Yeah, I will meet you there." Maeve put her phone away. "I guess I'll see you later."

Treyton smiled as he put his phone away. "Sure will. Until then." He watched as Maeve walked out of the meadow; she gave him one last look until she walked away. It was time to leave the wedding, but only after he said his goodbyes to the bride and groom. While getting to his car, Treyton could not help but pray and thank the Moon Goddess for the Christmas miracle.