The rustling leaves and earthy scents that surrounded me as I ran through the woods, which had been my home for 20 years, heightened my senses. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the trees. At that moment, a new scent overwhelmed me—an indescribable intensity that seemed to hold the weight of urgency and destiny. I closed my eyes and endured the scent.

A confusion coursed through my body when I realized the reason why I couldn't ignore this mesmerizing scent. I opened my eyes and all my sharp senses started to work. Why do I feel like my fated mate is near me and she is in danger?

I couldn't believe it. All my life, I believed fate had not chosen me to get a mate because, according to my former pack, I had killed her as she was cheating on me with my beta but now I couldn't deny the strange force that seemed to be pulling me toward her.

My wolf started to scream in my head.

Mate...... Mate

I shook my head that my wolf was messing with me.

There is no mate for me. How could you forget that?

Once again, my wolf's voice echoed in my head.

Mate is here..... Mate is in danger.

I immediately responded to him, this time in an angry tone.

You must be mistaken. Now stop and.....

I was in the middle of my sentence. I started hearing my mate's growl and she was calling me.

My wolf clenched his jaw.

Save the mate.

I shook my head and was about to resume my running but those calling for help growls turned into angry growls. I was in my wolf form and he was in charge, so instead of me denying the mate's growl, he started following the growls.

My wolf and I usually don't talk to each other. Our conversation was more like him making his point clear from only one side, leaving no room for discussion or compromise. Throughout our shared existence, we had argued only once—until now.

I didn't want to follow the road my wolf was determined to take because it went against my own feelings. Even though we usually get along, but still, my wolf's unwavering belief left me with little choice but to follow his instincts, recognizing how important the situation was even though my logical mind was having a hard time understanding what was happening.

I was compelled to follow the trail of her scent, as my wolf was in complete control. With unwavering determination, I moved through the thick forest. As I approached, a sense of unease filled the air. I looked ahead, and a distressing sight unfolded before my eyes. My mate was surrounded by humans and they all had evil intentions for her. She was calling me for help; she was in danger and my wolf couldn't ignore his mate in danger.

My wolf's howl echoed through the woods. He was claiming her out loud. He was telling his mate about his presence. My mate's attackers are now stuck between her and me. My wolf told her to stay calm and come to my side. My wolf immediately opened a mate link between her and me and we started talking to each other.

When she had not listened to me, my wolf vented his rage on those attackers and killed them all. I turned to my mate to tell her that I had finished the danger and now she could come to my side as her friends are safe now. Her white fur was soaked in her blood; she was lying unconscious on the floor. My wolf howled again and asked me to take her home.

I shook my head but he was not willing to move a bit without her. My wolf was worried and I was angry. My wolf won because he took it as his responsibility to take care of his mate when she was injured. I realized my mate's wolf was not as well-trained or strong enough to defend herself effectively.

My wolf was adamant about taking her to my den. If I were in my human form, I would have left her, but right now, my loyal and determined wolf is in charge, so he made me go through a challenging journey to bring her into my life.

When we reached back to my den, I was exhausted, as it wasn't easy to drag as big a wolf as I was through the woods. When my wolf was sure his mate was safe. I managed to suppress my wolf and transform into my human self. I quickly put on my jeans and approached her, carefully lying her down. My wolf has now shifted towards nurturing and protecting her.

My wolf is giving me instructions.

Go to the mate; she needs attention.

I sighed.

Yeah, I know. Would you please stop giving me instructions?

My wolf snarled.

The mate should be healed soon.

I raised my hands in displeasure.

What did I just tell you?

My wolf again instructed me.

Call Rosalie.

I ignored him and walked over to her. My wolf again said:.

Call Rosalie.

I clenched my jaws.

Will you please keep quiet? I know how to do this. Rosalie taught me in those years a lot.

I picked up my medical tools, successfully took out both bullets, and then bandaged her. After dressing my wolf-mate, I also called Rosalie to come over and check on her. Rosalie heals people by using her witchie skills. She taught me some medical emergency skills like this. After cleanup, I sat on my chair and started waiting for her to wake up.

I couldn't shake off my doubts about whether it was her first transformation, considering her age. She was too old to be going through this for the first time. I could hear her bones and joints cracking in pain through our mate link as I watched her struggle through the process. It seemed like she was changing so slowly that it was challenging.

It was clear that her wolf didn't have the training and experience to handle herself. Even though her wolf was clearly happy to see me, she refused to take my advice. I didn't understand why she was so determined not to listen to my signs and directions.

She was willing to put herself in danger. Her love for humans was difficult for me to understand. I waited for an hour, sitting in front of her, because I knew she would need my help to transform back into a human.

She asked me through our mind link. "I don't know how to change back."

I raised my brow as I proudly guessed it was her first change. "You need my help?"

The wolf before me nodded. I wanted to ask her several questions, like, What pack does she belong to? What was she doing there with humans in the woods? but none of them matters, as I could not accept her as my mate because I am strong, aggressive, and rogue, and she is weak and must have belonged to some pack so we could not be together. I stood up and walked over to her.

Reluctantly, I found myself compelled to pat my hand on her head and face. Eventually, I regained control of my body and gently held her front legs. "Be calm and take control of your body."

The wolf started howling as she wanted to see her mate.

I shook my head. "Try to suppress your wolf and come out."

Once again, Wolf howled and demanded to see her mate.

I shook my head again. "Now is not the time to see him; you need to let her change."

Her transformation from wolf to human began; her body started coming back to human form and within a few minutes she was lying in my bed naked. I wanted to climb on her, worship her perfectly toned body, and claim my mate by imprinting a mark on her beautiful skin.

She sat up, covering her fully plump, beautiful globes with her hands, but the rhythmic movement of her breathing, the rise and fall of her chest made my essence flinch. She was uncomfortable and crossed her legs to cover her core.

I found it frustrating that she was keeping her assets from me, and my wolf was filled with a strong desire to claim her. My wolf wanted to take her in my arms and kiss every inch of her beautiful skin. Before I could resist, I found myself instinctively pulling her closer, and our lips crashed into a passionate kiss. To my surprise, she eagerly responded with a kiss. My hands were caressing her globes and her hands were buried in my hair, as she didn't want me to break our kiss. I slid my tongue into her mouth and she moaned. My wolf started screaming, "Claim her...now."

I opened my eyes, realized my mistake, and pulled myself away from her. She was looking at me in confusion. I immediately grabbed a nearby bedsheet and threw it on her.

"Cover yourself."

She immediately picked it up and draped it around her body."

Before she asked anything, I stood in front of her. "I rejected you as my mate."

She was taken aback and I could feel her pain but I maintained my cold demeanor. "You can stay here until you heal completely." and I walked out of the den.

My wolf screaming at me.

Mate is in pain....mate is miserable, confused....mate needs you. Go back to her.