(Photo is Patrick)

When the day is growing old and the hearth calls, the sun sinks down beneath the tops of the pines. The light streaks through the boughs in both brilliant and shadowy beams. In the summertime they were white gold, illuminating the greens into virescent riots; yet the gift of those warm days has passed for the season.

On these wintry days the fogs cast those same beams of light into sepia tones and the woodland becomes the most beautiful of photographs. The trunks of fallen trees bare icicles longer than my hand, no two of them the same - more enchanting than any work of man. Every twig and blade of grass grows winter "leaves" of ice crystals, frost deeper than the fleece in my gloves.

And never is the woodland silent, though it is quieter than any city street for sure. There are the birds above, calling, pecking for grubs. There is movement of mammals, mostly small, sometimes not. There is is the water that flows quietly until it meets the sharp rocky scree slopes and forms the waterfalls. And all this was mine. I longed to say it was ours....

Three long weeks have passed since I met my mate, but each day feels like years. Aching slowly and eating away at my heart. Every second drags. Every minute stretches. Every hour feels like a day.

Sleeping had become an impossible task. The first two weeks I resided in my normal room, stretched out on the navy blue sheets. And I lay there thinking. Pondering. Day dreaming. But never sleeping. My wolf was restless. It wanted our mate and refused to wait. This past week I found a way to sleep....and that was in a hospital chair next to my mates bed, arms folded on the bed and laying my hand on his still one.

He was doing better....just not waking up. His injuries were healing remarkably fast but, according to my wolf, not fast enough. We yearned to see our mates smile....feel is touch....listed to his voice...but such pleasures would have to wait.

I made my way down the empty coridore of the medic wing before going into room number 9. I opened the whit heavy door and stepped in. The walls of the room were a creamy color with white tile floor. A single hospital bed lay in the middle with medical equipment all around it and a medium sized TV on the wall. I specifically chose this room for my mate because of the large glass window that overlooked the forest, showing its beauty. On the table lay flowers in all sorts of arrangements from stores I had gone to. I placed another bundle of roses on the table before slowly making it to the bed.

He was stunning....even like this. His gaunt completion was a bit better from the medicine and sleep. During the stay I had ordered the nurses to give him lotion so his soft skin wouldn't dry out..and it didn't. I reached out with a gentle hand and carrassed his face, running the pad of my thumb across his jaw line.

"Good morning Luna..." I spoke quietly

I knew he wouldn't respond but talking to him, even in this state, gave my wolf some peace. I let my hand drop to his chest, then shoulders, then running down his arm and finally lacing our fingers together.

Thud BEEP

Thud BEEP

Thud BEEP

His heart beat......my favorite melody. Three weeks ago I remember how it stopped and I had almost lost him. Now I cherished that small thudding sound more then anything. It was so perfect, so beautiful...just like my mate. But I couldn't stay there forever, though I wanted to. I had stuff to do today. Training. Paperwork. Checking in with pups. And the list went on and on.

I pressed my lips against his forehead after lifting the blankets up higher so he was well covered. I let my lips linger as I hoped he would wake up....but alas I still herd the slow beeping of the heart monitor and his steady breathing...so I pulled away.

"I have to go to work now..but don't worry I'll be back as soon as I can. " I promised

This was always the hardest part...leaving him. I backed away until I noticed we were still holding hands...well I was holding his. I brought it to my lips and kissed each knuckle before putting it back to his side. My heart broke just a bit more as I left, the heavy doors thudding behind me.

I made my way out of the medic house and into the training yard, eyes low and body tense. A child had ran to me but I mearly walked by. I just wanted to get work done so I could see him again....him..it pained to use simple pronouns....but I didn't know his name. There was no id on him.

The training yard was full of members fighting, human form and wolf form. Their teeth snarled and ears flat on their heads as they circled their opponents.

Patrick caught my eye again as he fought with one of the newer members...Baron I think was his name. They circled once in human form, eying up each other. Barons face held a smirk and confidence however Patrick's was different. He was concentrated and thinking.. Baron made the first move, lunging towards him but Patrick simply stepped to the side. Due to training intensely, he had gotten more muscle then before but was still small. I watched their quick movements with little interest but then rose a brow as Baron got pinned. Patrick was above him panting with a wide smile since he noticed my presence.

I clapped three times, each slow and resonating through the training yard. The boys all stopped to turn in my direction and then sprang in the air like rockets, standing at attention. I rose hand to dismiss them and they went back to their training, trying to show off now that I was present. However I played no mind to them. I approached Patrick slowly before waving Baron away and grudgingly, he went.

Patrick picked up his discarded shirt and put it on. While he did this I approached him, arms crossed.

"Your fighting is impressive..." I commented

"Thank you Alpha. I've been practicing." he stood straight

"I noticed. Whose your instructor?"

"Robert. He started teaching me about two and a half weeks ago." he thought

Robert. He was a good fighter, not a  necessarily great one. I took Patrick by the arm and lead him away from the group, drawing their attention. Already I heard gossip start to spread but I let that all fade away.

We walked in silence through the woods until we met to a meadow, frozen in time. In the center was a weeping willow, decorated with water diamonds that shimmered in the morning sun. I turned to Patrick.

"I see potential in you Patrick. As you may be aware I don't have an omega...I think you might be good for the part. That is if you train hard, follow orders, and show me what you're  truly capable of." I spoke firmly.

I saw Patrick's stormy blue eyes flash with pride and excitement, but then to thoughtful. His whole expression showed that he was thinking, tapping his fingers anxiously. His lips opened as if to say something but the abruptly closed, eyes casted down.

"If you have something to say then say it." I said sharply

"W-well sir....I..I don't want to be trained by Robert anymore!" he blurted out

"Oh? Explain. "

"I don't know...I just feel like I can do more...like I'm being held back some how...I saw Thomas training his team and-" he began but I cut him off

"You realize that team is elite. That they worked hard to get to that spot."

"Yes sir! Of course sir! I just....want to be apart of that.." he got quiet

I thought for a few moments, silence hanging between us. With my eyes narrowed and stern, I eyed the now nervous boy.

"You have to prove to me you deserve that opportunity. I expect you up at 4 am running perimeter sweeps. Training at least 8 hours a day and 3 at night. You will continue working with Robert until he says you are ready. Then you can start to train with Thomas. But you won't join that group until I say. I'm giving you one chance. Don't mess it up."

With that said I turned on my heel and walked back, leaving him to think. Sometimes it was good to be stern...show a little alpha power. A challenge was the match I needed to light his flame. Right now Patrick was just a lump of clay. But with enough time and patience to can mold it into the perfect warrior. A masterpiece. And I had no doubt he could do it. He was young, smart, and eager to please. In no time he would be one of my elites.

The pack outside was different when I came back. Everyone seemed to be balancing on the edge of a blade. My boots crunched in the snow as I walked out of the woods...the sound was loud in the silence. There were mumbles and low whispers. Even Thomas looked a bit on edge. On instinct I inhaled sharply to find rogues. None. But there was a smell.....cherries....vanilla...it was my mates scent but very strong now.

The pack medic, Alice, approached me first. She was in her mid 30s but could easily pull off looking like she was my age, 25. She brushed her long chocolate brown hair from her face, revealing happy yet serious eyes. She took my arm and pulled me towards the hospital.

"Alpha.....he's awake..."