Maeve watched on what seemed impossible; Treyton was a werewolf.

He turned into a ten-foot-tall werewolf. His fur was dark blondish, and his eyes were gold, glistening like the sun. His werewolf looked so majestic that it was difficult to turn away from its beauty. "Treyton...my god..."

Treyton, in his werewolf form, growled at the black bear, who then got in a defensive stance. The bear was ready for a fight. The Alpha decided not to make the first move since he didn't want to give the bear the wrong intention of harming or killing the bear.

Soft cries came from behind the trees; the bear roared and ran toward Treyton. Treyton immediately focused on the animal, lowered his head, and head-butted it so hard that it flew away a couple of feet.

Both ran, got on their feet, and used their paws, claws, and teeth to fight one another.

While the two fought, Maeve heard muffled cries behind trees and bushes. She was scared but gathered her courage to see what made the sounds. "I-I can do this..." Maeve slowly looked over the bushes; there were two cubs. One of the cub's paws was entrapped in a bear trap. The free cub growled at Maeve as its sibling cried in pain. Maeve realized the bear was the cubs' mother and thought she and Treyton were a threat. "Oh, you poor little thing. I'm going to help you get out of this thing." The free one growled and bit Maeve's foot when trying to get close to the entrapped cub.

Maeve wore strong protective boots so she couldn't feel the bite. She got her bag, took out beef jerky, cut it into two pieces, and gave one piece to each cub. The cubs were cautious and hesitant, but when they smelled the beef jerky, they slowly ate it. Taking the opportunity, Maeve knelt beside the trapped cub and immediately began to try to open the bear trap. The cub cried at the suddenness.

The bear trap was on the cub's paw hard, and whenever she tried to open it, the cub squealed. "Sshhhh. It's okay, little one. I won't hurt you." Maeve hummed a tune to soothe the bear cubs while using most of her strength to open the bear trap. It opened just enough that the cub could get its hand out. The trap was thrown away far from the cubs. The cub's paw was injured, and she immediately got the cub again while getting her first aid kit. Maeve put ointment and alcohol on the injury, which made the cub squeal again. The other cub tried to get its sibling by biting Maeve, but she didn't budge. Once the cub was bandaged, Maeve got the cubs and ran to where Treyton was hovering over the mother bear.

"TREYTON, STOP!" her voice echoed in the mountain range. Treyton stopped as he looked at Maeve with the two bear cubs in her arms. "P-Please don't hurt her! That bear was only trying to protect her cubs! One of them was stuck in a bear trap!"

Treyton looked down as the mother bear tried to escape his grip. Maeve let go of the cubs and ran toward their mother; Treyton got off the mother bear and stood before his mate.

The mother bear immediately stood up and got to her cubs, licking them both. The little family went to the left and into the forest until they were out of sight.

Once alone, Treyton slowly turned around and noticed his mate's emotionless expression. He let out a wolfish groan as he put his head down as if telling her that he wouldn't hurt her. He saw his bag, grabbed it with his mouth, and walked behind a tree, where he changed back to his human form. Tryeton got some clothes from his bag, changed, and slowly walked away from the tree. "M-Maeve...I'm sorry that I had to show you this way. I-I couldn't live with myself if I didn't tell you who I truly am. Please don't be scared; I would never hurt you."

"Treyton..." Maeve swayed back and forth; Tryeton knew what was coming. He caught her before she fell to the ground.

Maeve fainted.

Treyton sighed as he carried her, bridal style, and decided to take her back to his car. He didn't expect the bear attack and wished he could tell his mate more appropriately.

                                                                                         ❄

Treyton drove to his main house in Big Bear. Maeve would wake soon, and he knew she would have questions. Eventually, he arrived at his home, which was small compared to what CEOs usually get. The Alpha didn't like flaunting his wealth.

Maeve was carried into the house and was laid on a lavish sofa in the living room while Treyton went on to open the drapes, making the light enter the household. Afterward, he went toward the fireplace, where firewood was lit to warm the household. "What am I going to do? What should I tell her? Should I beg her not to leave me? I-" His thoughts were interrupted when Maeve slowly woke up.

"My head...so dizzy..." she slowly sat up from the sofa. As her eyesight returned, memories slowly returned to her: the bear, the cubs, and Treyton. Her eyes slowly widened as her sight finally returned. "Treyton?" she asked.

"M-Maeve..."

The fire crackles were the only things heard as the duo looked at one another. Neither knew what to say; Treyton felt frustrated with himself. "Say something! Anything!" He took a deep breath. "I-I'm so sorry, Maeve. I'm sorry that you had to find out this way." His anxiety intensified. "I know that you have many questions and I would be more than happy to answer them." Treyton slowly walked towards her but stopped midway. "All I ask of you is not to be scared of me...please..."

Maeve's dizziness disappeared, and she couldn't help but feel a pull trying to lead her toward him. "Y-You're a werewolf..."

"Yes, and here is another truth: you are my mate. It's when-"

"I know and have read many stories about werewolves and how they find their mates." Maeve read many werewolf stories and about mates. It was difficult to believe that she was the mate of a werewolf. "I thought it was romantic at first, but the more I grew older, the more I began to wonder if werewolves were only with their mates because they wanted to or because of what a being told them to do."

"I-I can understand your thoughts and feelings. If you don't want me, I will respect your decision since it's your choice." Treyton sadly smiled as he didn't want to show his hurt. "I always wanted someone who was kind-hearted, determined, intelligent, family-oriented, and who would love me for who I am. Even if you weren't my mate, and if I had met and got to know you, I would still have fallen in love with you." The Alpha stilled when he heard himself; he admitted he was in love with her. His face turned red and warm.

He loved her. "How could you tell me that?" Suddenly, Maeve was forced to turn and look at Treyon; his eyes slowly watered, tearing her heart. She wanted genuine love, someone who would love her out of his free will. "You were even married before and-"

"Yes, it's true. However, my ex-wife and I didn't feel entirely in love. We married because we didn't want to be alone, but we were scared to admit it to each other. We finally found the one person that complete us."

Maeve bit her lower lip and was curious about something. "What happens if I refuse you?"

"Then, I will let you go. It will hurt, but I want you to be happy."

"I thought that werewolves die and become depressed."

Treyton nodded; it wasn't a lie. "Many werewolves do die from the depression of being rejected because the thought of our soulmate not wanting us is the worst feeling in the world. However, if we know that our soulmate is happy, then it would be enough for us."

His words made Maeve's heart soar; he wanted her to be happy even if he wasn't in the picture. A person in love would want happiness for their beloved. Treyton was willing to tell her the truth about his identity, even if it meant risking her to leave him. He wanted her to know who and what he was because he cared for and loved her. Tears had formed and dripped from her eyes; her lips quivered. Treyton..." She put her hands on his face and motioned him to hers.

She kissed him.

Her lips felt warm and right, and he couldn't hold his tears back; he let them fall. All his anxiety, fears, and sadness were swept away with the kiss. Treyton returned the kiss and slowly wrapped his hands and arms around her waist. Their kiss was filled with passion and softness and eventually ended as their eyes were locked onto one another. Maeve, does this mean you accept me for who and what I am?"

"I'm still processing the fact that you are a werewolf but you also made me realize that you always meant to be honest with me. You could have lied, but you didn't; it showed me that your feelings for me are genuine." Maeve smiled as she gently wiped his tears away.

Treyton's heart was filled with joy and relief; his mate had accepted him. "Yes, yes, she does." He also wiped her tears away.

"Hey, Treyton."

"Yeah?"

"We're still going to the Christmas Markets, right?"

He chuckled. "Of course."