---Lyra's POV---

Two hours had passed and as predicted, my ribs had fully healed. Now that the healing process had finished, I could finally take a quick shower to freshen up.

After towel drying my hair and combing it through, I was glad to see that even the bruising had disappeared. But I also realized I had a small issue.

When I had hurried into my shower and tossed my dirty clothes behind me... I hadn't stopped to think about the fact that I didn't have any clean clothes.

Yet, I had also heard the bedroom door open and close multiple times, so I was silently praying that someone of the pack had brought me some clothes. After all, the only things within my possession, had been the clothes on my back.

Just as I finished tucking a towel around my body to prevent any unwanted accidents, I heard my bedroom door open... and then shocked laughter.

"Lyra, oh my...you've got to see this!" Erica wheezed in between manic laughter and sharp inhales. Curiosity had me slowly push the door open and peek inside the room.

First I spotted Erica with a bundle of clean clothing in her hands. However, that didn't hold my attention as much as the mound of clothing on my bed.

"Okay, I know I asked Eric for a new hoodie since he tore mine but this is ridiculous." I muttered, staring wide eyed at the forty-something hoodies piled all over my bed.

Even Christy, who seemed to be curious what all this laughter was all about, was stunned into silence before she sighed and shook her head.

The Luna smiled wryly, motioning behind her. "No wonder there was so much commotion in the hallways along with excited chatter. Seems like you've managed to draw the attention of all the unmated boys."

Wait...those hoodies represent interested unmated wolves?

My mouth nearly dropped open before I sighed, accepting the clothes Erica handed for me and turned back to change.

As I returned fully clothes, I noticed that Erica and Christy had taken the time to sort the pile neatly before motioning me closer.

"What are these guys even thinking? That I'll mate whoever's sweater I decide to wear?" I wondered out loud, dropping my ass on the floor considering that my entire bed was covered in clothes.

Christy gave me a curious look before understanding flashed in her warm hazel eyes. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but have your parents ever explained how matings work?"

I blinked before shaking my head slowly. "I mean, they said I'd know with just one look, so I figured eye contact was all I needed." I hesitated before sighing. "Does this mean that my wolf has been looking for her mate and wasting her time?"

"I'm afraid so." Christy said, moving several hoodies from the bed before patting her hand on the vacated spot. "The reason why you haven't encountered a mate is mostly due to the fact that you've avoided any contact with other wolves."

My eyes rolled before I even considered the gesture to be rude, especially aimed at the pack Luna. But it wasn't like I had a choice in avoiding packs, considering my past.

And it seemed Christy realized this, as she took no offence to my gesture. "Circumstances forced your hand into avoiding any wolves at all cost. However, now that you've integrated into a pack, where your wolf feels safe, you're bound to start your first heat in a few weeks-"

I froze seconds before I was going to sit in the offered spot. "Heat? What are you talking about?" My voice quivered as I slowly sat down, turning my full attention to Christy and ignoring the wave of scent from the hoodies.

The Luna smile softened sadly, pushing a few damp strands of hair behind my ear. "When an unmated wolf stays around possible candidates for a while, they will go into heat. It's a reaction of your body to potential mates, designed to lure in the one Fated to be yours."

"You, or rather, your mate, will find you because your scent will be extremely appealing to them during this time."

A blush crept over my cheeks, even if I silently prayed it would stop. "What happens after that? When will I know who my mate is?"

The Luna shrugged, waving her hand through the air as she stated, "By some weird decision of the Moon Goddess, only the male will know who his mate is during Heat. It is only when the female shifts during her heat, that she's able to detect the bond between them."

She snickered slightly. "At that, gay couples have it easy while lesbians have to be shifted in order to make sure they aren't walking past their mate. Nobody knows why the Moon Goddess decided upon such a complicated way of finding one's mate.

I heard some muffled laughter further down the hallway, recognizing the voices of Eric and Jason. Wondering if they were listening into the conversation before shrugging, because it didn't matter.

I needed to know more.

"So shortly put, if given enough time in the pack, my mate will pick up my scent? Given that he, or she, is from this pack to begin with?" I asked, feeling stupid to rehash Christy's words.

The Luna nodded, not at all bothered that I was rather shy and a tad uncomfortable with this subject.

"Yes. The first heat is just a matter of trying to find your mate. The second heat is between mates only."

Pulling my legs against my chest, I propped my chin on my knees. "Meaning?"

She looked at the wall when another bout of snickering came from the boys next door. "Once your mate finds you, they'll probably mark you on the spot. The second that happens, your secondary heat will start."

Making herself comfortable on the edge of the bed, she continued "This secondary heat makes sure that a mated couple will consummate the mating in a short timeframe. In other words, you and your mate will be unable to resist one another until the mating is completed. After that, heat only occurs twice a year."

Okay, TMI.

My face heated, especially when the snickering next door turned into full blown laughter, and I could swear I heard the guys rolling over the floor.

Ugh, men!

Christy herself shook her head, fighting back a smile as her lips twitched. "But," she started, halting the laughter on the other side of the wall. "You are an Born Alpha. Your heat will draw the attention of any unmated wolf in the pack. It's a failsafe mechanic in order to continue the bloodline of an Alpha."

Silence reigned over the room, even the one next door. I groaned, flopping on the bed and covering my face. So every unmated man or woman in this pack would turn into a drooling lecher after two weeks.

"Great...." I drawled sarcastically to myself. Pushing upright, my attention was drawn to my door, or rather the two heartbeats right up against it.

Sitting upright, I stated, "Thank you for the information, Luna Christy. If you don't mind answering a few of my questions?" I pressed a finger against my lips before sneaking to the door, taking a deep breath.

And proceeded to slam my hand as hard as possible on the door without breaking it.

The slam was instantly followed by two startled screams on the opposite side before Jason and Eric uttered profanities. Meanwhile Christy, Erica and I started laughing over their dismay as I added "What goes around, comes around. They should know better than to press up to a door like eager toddlers."

"Well, let's hope those pups have learned their lesson about privacy." Christy laughed, wiping away some tears. "It'll certainly make them more wary of stalking around your door for a while."

The Luna stood up with another chuckle before motioning between Erica and herself. "Don't worry about your wardrobe, we'll handle that so the pups won't get any ideas."

At that, she left me alone with Erica, who smiled and motioned towards the forgotten hoodies. "Well, what are you waiting for? Sniff them and see if any of those hold some attraction to you."

My eyes flitted to the mound of hoodies on my bed before shaking my head to myself. Honestly, did felt more like a bet among teenagers than actual interest from any unmated pack member.

Besides, were they actually thinking I'd mate with whoever's hoodie I picked out? Sighing, I walked over to the bed, sniffing at several and putting them back down with a sigh and eyeroll.

"This is so stupid." I muttered under my breath, eyes landing on a particular hoodie before deciding to pick it from the heap.

The pitch black hoodie was decorated with silver threading forming intricate angel wings on the back. The soft fabric felt pleasant to touch and that was mainly the reason why I unzipped it and put it on.

Erica and Christy shared a look, a surprised smile on their lips they couldn't hide. A slight elation that made me look between them as I sniffed at the fabric, unable to detect a particular scent after all these hoodies had been stacked on top of each other.

"I can only assume you know who this belongs to?" I stated, plucking at the hoodie for a moment.

They both nodded and Christy smiled softly. "We know but it's not our place to tell you." Before I could even protest, she shook her head and both of them walked out of the room. "You'll be presented to the pack soon, so make sure you're ready for that darling."

Wow, thanks for the sudden bout of nerves.

I growled under my breath, fingers brushing through my hair before zipping the hoodie shut. It fit like a glove, wasn't too tight nor did it hang on my body as a sack.

Feeling warm and comfortable, I took one last look at the mirror's reflection before sighing and walked out the room.

---Ryan's POV---

"Darling, stop your fidgeting. You're worse than your father when he goes out shopping with me!" Mom said, giving me a look when I shifted weight from one leg to the other restlessly.

Looking up, both of them were looking at me and I noticed dad shooting me a wink before wriggling his eyebrows behind mom's back. "Worst day ever." He mouthed before smiling innocently when mom turned around.

I chuckled before shaking my head, momentarily forgetting the reason behind my discomfort and nerves.

When I had gotten back after a run around the pack territory, Jason had informed me of the conversation Lyra had with Erica and my mom.

After Eric and Jason had overheard the details of Lyra's future heat and that she could potentially be mated to one of the unmated wolves in the pack, they had all lost it.

Every single wolf had picked out a hoodie out of their drawers and had placed it on her bed. Attempting to have a leg up on those who hadn't heard of Lyra's potential mating status, showing their interest in the newcomer.

Part of me had been equally jealous and frustrated, causing me to basically sprint to my room and grab one of my own hoodies. It was only after I had darted out of her room and arrived in the main hall where she'd be introduced to the pack, that I realized what I had done.

It was basically a public statement to anyone in the pack that I was interested in courting her. And just like any other unmated wolf that was pacing down the hall, waiting for her to arrive, I was nervous yet excited to see her enter the doors.

To see who's hoodie she was wearing. Even over the pack link, the unmated wolves couldn't shut up, especially when we heard her footsteps come down the stairs, heading towards us.

People swarmed around the door, blocking vision from Lyra as she entered. The link exploded in whines of disappointment, frustration and excited hope before I snarled through it "Will you guys SHUT UP?! Let her get to the stage or so help me-"

As one, the pack parted for Lyra, allowing her a clear path towards the stage. And giving everyone a clear view of what she was wearing.

"Dude, you're drooling." Jason laughed over the link, making me glare at him in warning before shaking my head with a sigh.

After all, Lyra looked stunning in my hoodie. My eyes flitted over her form, taking in how she looked before blinking in shock when she turned towards me with a smile on her face.

Did she know that she picked mine? Was it on purpose?

Even my parents turned to look between us, making me clear my throat awkwardly before I heard Eric's voice helpfully in my mind. "She's waiting for you to accept her in the pack and pack mind, like your parents just said. Doofus."

I hurried to do so and smiled when I welcomed her into the pack, feeling her mind reach out for the first time. Listening to her acceptance speech with growing excitement as she was introduced as the pack's new Peacekeeper.

"For the first time in five long years, I've finally found a place I can call home once more." She smiled teasingly before adding, "And whoever gave me this hoodie," She did a slow circle so everyone could have a good look at it, "You've just lost a hoodie cause I'm keeping it."

A smile played on my lips, using our newly forged link to whisper "I don't mind. It looks good on you."

She spun around instantly, seemingly surprised that it had been my hoody she had picked out. "You have a surprisingly good taste in clothes."

Shrugging, I glanced at the hoodie once more before sighing. "It used to be my sister's favorite."

Her eyes widened, lips parting in shock. "Then why would you give something so precious to me?" She asked, which I couldn't reply to as honestly, I didn't know the answer myself.

It had been far too big for either of us at the time. Yet somehow, Sam had picked it out for me and told me I would grow into it.

But after she died, I hadn't even dared to wear it, not wanting to ruin the hoodie. Yet here I was, giving it away to a person that only a few days ago, I had despised.

"Uhm, Ryan. Eyes are up here, you know." She said with a wave, making me realize I had been absentmindedly staring at her chest while thinking of the past.

"Ah, shit, I didn't- Sorry, I mean-"

Lyra shook her head, smile curling her lips in a playful way. The building stress instantly melted away, making me realize that I was completely infatuated with this woman.

All this time, where I had rebelled and fought against the mere idea of accepting her... the reason why it was harder to accept was simply because subconsciously, I already knew I liked her.

And if I liked a rogue, nomad or outcast, someone who was innately good-natured like Lyra, even though she didn't take any nonsense...

That meant I had been wrong about rogues, nomads and outcasts all along. Which had put all my past actions and reactions into a different light.

Yet looking at Lyra now, I found no issue in reshaping the way I thought. Even if she played with my senses and emotions, I couldn't bring myself to protest, as I honestly loved every moment of it.

"I am curious though; what made you select that one out of all the others?" I questioned, slyly letting my fingers graze over the length of her arm.

Lyra seemed to shiver under the touch, making my wolf push closer to the surface in awareness. Motioning towards her back, she said "The angel wings... for some reason, they called out to me. Made me think that whoever was the owner of the hoodie hid their true, softer nature behind their bravado, their persona."

I blinked in shock as she shrugged, giving a tender if somewhat hesitant smile "I guess I could relate to that."

How?

How did she know?

As the son of the Alpha, the heir apparent, I needed to be strong. Needed to be powerful, to support my pack through any situation the world could throw at me. I had to be their rock, their support.

Only a few people saw past that, noticed the real me. The young man who was still scared out of his mind to disappoint the pack, who was afraid to lose anyone to outside threats ever again.

Even as the event went on and ended, I couldn't help but remain close. Feeling Lyra's eyes on me multiple times but never able to catch them until we reunited and walked down the hall.

I could tell that she was exhausted from interacting with so many people in a single night, and wasn't surprised when she subconsciously started heading towards her room.

When she realized where she was walking, she blinked tiredly when we arrived at her room before she turned. "Thank you. For the hoodie." She smiled, seemingly hesitant for a moment, as if trying to make up her mind.

While my wolf was suggesting one thing, I decided against a more moderate, gentle approach. Gently reaching out for her hand, I brought it to my lips before pressing a kiss to her knuckles, feeling my wolf purr as a blush rose on her cheeks.

To see the spark of interest in her eye, the slight flustering as she leaned back against her door was more than enough as I smiled. "You're more than welcome." I replied, restraining myself from doing anything more as I walked away.

It took her a moment before I finally heard her door open and close behind me. But as I walked to my own bedroom, I couldn't help but feel grateful that we finally had taken a step towards the future.

And perhaps, something more could grow out of this newly developed bond. Only time would tell.