When I was eighteen, I was obsessed with the idea of mates. Back then, I had recently broken up with my high school boyfriend. I was getting close to shifting and was sent to live in with the pack. Needless to say, I was going through a lot and couldn't make time for him nor explain what was going on with me. Now that I think about it, that breakup was inevitable. So, being with someone who would love me unconditionally sounded like the dream.

While staying with my dad, I studied a lot about werewolves and learned about mates. The Moon Goddess gifted a mate to every wolf. Being with them was supposed to be the most unique and wonderful feeling in the world. I know I had my doubts about the intensity of feelings one is supposed to have for their mate because of how the relationship with my mom and dad ended. But, I just always hoped that my mate would be different.

Apparently, once you find your mate, you find it very hard to stay away from them. You can't stop thinking about them and they are the only person in the world that matters to you. Once you are marked by them, a mate bond is formed which allows you to share your mate's feelings and even communicate with them telepathically. I never really learned to mind-link. The Blood Moon Alpha allowed me to stay in his pack but never let me officially join it as a member.

When I turned twenty-one, I expected to find my mate as all wolves did at that age. But, it never really happened. Eventually, I gave up on the idea of mates thinking maybe because of my bloodline, I didn't have one.

After Jade ambushed me with the scary, yet exciting, news about my mate, I rush back to my apartment, not knowing exactly what to do with the information. Abigail still isn't home. I change into sweatpants and go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Studying and attempting to keep my mind off of the events of the day is the plan for now.

I met my mate and don't even know who he is. I wonder if I'll ever see him again.

I get up the next morning to get ready for my last day of med school. I can't believe it's all over. Once I'm done with school, I plan on traveling and having some fun for a few months and then look for a job. I think I deserve it after all these years of torture. Suddenly, I remember that I have a mate now, too. But honestly, I probably won't ever see him again and we can just both go back to living our lives. I'm sure he doesn't want a mate that's not a pure werewolf, and I don't have any interest in joining a pack either.

I reach the classroom just in time. None of my friends are in this class but after spending so much time with the same people you get to know almost everyone. I say hi to a couple of people as I climb the stairs to look for a place to sit. Suddenly, I am interrupted by someone.

"Hi," a deep voice says behind me. I turn around to see Lucas Kingston. I'm confused because I have never talked to this guy in all my years of school and on the last day he finally decided to acknowledge my existence?

I point my index finger toward myself and mouth "me" giving him a questioning look.

"Yeah, you," he says, chuckling.

"Oh um, hey," I reply awkwardly.

"I'm Lucas," he says as he sits down next to me.

"We've been in the same class for four years, Lucas. I know who you are," I say while rolling my eyes and getting my notebook out from my bag. I raise my eyes to look at him and see he's giving me a look. "I'm April," I add, trying to sound a little less snarky.

He smirks and replies, "I know."

I smile a little bit. The professor is here and starts his lecture and we both listen quietly.

The class doesn't last very long since we've already finished the entire course and consisted mostly of the professor saying goodbye and saying the same old crap about how we were about to enter a new chapter in our lives etcetera etcetera. Once it's over, I grab my things and get up to leave.

"Hey, do you wanna grab a cup of coffee? We have plenty of time before our next class since this one ended early," Lucas interrupts.

"Are you asking me out?" I raise my eyebrow to look at him.

"God no, I would never," he replies. I don't want to go on a date with him either but that was just offensive. I mean, sure he's hot but it's not like I'm ugly. He notices my uneasiness and quickly continues, "I mean, you're very pretty but you're just not my type."

"Are you gay?" I ask him. I mean I have never seen him around with a girl.

"What? No. Of course not. I mean not that there's anything wrong with being gay. But I'm not. I mean, I like women," I can see that he's getting flustered.

"Relax Lucas, I was just messing with you. And gay or not, I don't wanna go on a date with you anyway," I say while laughing.

"Okay so how about that coffee then?"

All my friends are probably still in their classes and I don't have anything else to do. Plus, I could ask Lucas about my mate. I mean, not that I care, but like, I should at least acknowledge his existence. Yes, keep telling yourself that, April.

"Okay, let's go."

We both walk to the cafe across campus. It's quiet at this time. We get our drinks and sit at a table by the window.

"So, you're a werewolf too," Lucas says out of nowhere.

"Getting straight to the point, are we?" I say smirking.

"Might as well," he replies shrugging.

"Yes, I too am a werewolf, kind sir," I say jokingly. "But if you already knew that, how come you never tried talking to me before?"

"Your scent is different. It's confusing."

"What do you mean?"

"Well first off, your scent is different from that of a pack wolf. But you don't smell like a rogue either. On top of that there are days when you smell almost... human," he says while deep in thought, trying to figure me out.

"And what do I smell like today?" I say laughing. It's funny to think he's so confused about what I am.

"Well today your scent is extra strong which is new. Some days your wolf scent would be strong and on other days you could barely tell that you're a werewolf. But it's never been as strong as today."

"Damn, are you saying I smell?"

He laughs. "No no, I'm just saying something is different today."

"Well I talked to my wolf for the first time yesterday," I say musing. "Maybe it's because of that."

"Wait, you've never talked to your wolf before?"

"No. And I know that it's weird but I suppose it's because I'm just," I search for a word to explain my situation to him but come up empty. So, I settle on the next best thing. "Different."

"Interesting. What do you mean by different," he sounds intrigued.

"I've just always been sort of on my own and don't have the best idea about how everything is supposed to work. So, I don't know," I try to cover it up, hoping he won't prod any further and luckily he doesn't.

We're both quiet for a few seconds and I figure now is as good a time as any to ask him about the stranger who also happens to be my mate and who he was hanging out with yesterday.

"So uh... who was the guy you were arguing with in the parking lot yesterday?"

"Ah, I was wondering when you were gonna ask me about him," he says smirking.

I just look at him in shock.

"Well," he continues, "The guy arguing with me yesterday was my brother and I believe he just so happens to be your mate," he says with a huge grin on his face. Well, that explains why he looked so disgusted at the thought of asking me out.

"Gosh, wipe that stupid look off your face." My cheeks heat up in embarrassment for some reason. "If he is your brother then it's not a big deal if you know about it."

The smug look still doesn't leave his face.

I roll my eyes. "So..." I trail off giving him a questioning look hoping he would tell me more about him.

"So, it's time for our next class."

I look at my phone to check the time and he's right. I groan.

"There's a party tonight at the pub to celebrate the last day. Why don't you come and I'll tell you all about your beloved mate," Lucas says winking at me.

"I'm sure my friends would've dragged me there anyway so I guess it's a deal."

We both walk back to the campus talking about random things and then go our separate ways to our respective classes. As he is walking away, I call him out, "Hey Lucas," he turns around to look at me, "You never told me your brother's name," I point out.

"Why don't you ask him when you see him?" He says.

"I'm sure you told him mine so I think, it's only fair," I demand, smirking.

"Liam, his name is Liam," he rolls his eyes and walks away.

Liam.