Sapna

It's a nice city. Leaving our pack wasn't an easy step. But there was nothing left for us there. My mother's death took a toll on both me and my dad.

4 months ago, she died on a rogue attack while saving the alpha. Dad couldn't handle the pain of losing his mate. He blamed the alpha for her untimely death. Not that it was his fault.

She was the beta of our pack, so she just performed her duty. She was the first female beta of our pack and hence carried out her role with utmost dedication for which she was loved and respected among everyone.

I remember how dad would always tell her to not go on risky missions, for our sake, but she never budged. And see where it led. Our pack gave her a funeral a hero should get.

That only worsened the matter. Blaming the pack for her death, he finally decided to leave the pack. Hence, we are here, moving into this small apartment.

I have never travelled outside of our pack territory. At the age of 17, I am still very dependent on my father. Now it's only me and dad. So I am trying to do stuff on my own.

Leaving the pack where I grew up wasn't easy news after my mother's death. Especially it's a very difficult path for werewolves to leave their pack and live on their own. But I couldn't stay any longer in the place my mom died.

We moved in here a month ago. Dad has been doing all the chores since, except for cleaning. That's the only thing he allows me to do cause he isn't so good at that job.

So today I came out for grocery shopping to ease up his work load. We only have each other now. Dad has been very overprotective of me ever since. I somehow convinced him to let me go alone this time with a puppy dog face.

After an hour, all the items in the list were marked and bought. Paying with dad's credit card, I walked out carrying two heavy bags of groceries. Not exactly heavy for me with my wolf strength.

All the werewolves are quite stronger than humans, since birth. But we gain our full strength only after our first shift. My first shift into a wolf took place a week prior to my mother's death, on a full moon night. Mostly our first shift occurs on a full moon night, though there are rare exceptions.

Though carrying the two heavily loaded bags home in one hand is child's play for me, that would gain unnecessary attention. It's not just humans we hide our identity from, after all.

Waiting for a taxi, I noticed the setting sun. Such a magical sight. We werewolves have always had a fancy for nature. Especially the night environment.

Taking a deep breath, I took in all the amazing scents I could find around. One of them was so strong it spread across my whole body. That sweet flavourful scent was calling out to me, seeking me, asking me to follow and find its source.

Walking ahead to my left was a red signboard on which the phrase 'DO NOT ENTER' was written in white paint. The smell that invaded my nose compelled me to ignore the warning. And so I did. Jumping over a metal pipe that blocked the entryway, I kept following the sweet, miraculous, mind blowing scent that had a hint of strawberry, my favorite fruit.

Is it what I think it is?

My mom and other friends of the pack used to describe the amazingly sweet scent they encountered when they first found their mates.

Am I about to find my mate in these woods?

The best thing about being a werewolf is having a mate. It's like what humans describe as true love, but on a much deeper level. It's a part of our biology in a sense. Getting a partner for a lifetime, chosen for us by Moon Goddess herself, who will give us all the love we need and desire, unconditionally. It's like finding the another half of your soul.

Like every other wolf, I have always wanted to find my mate. That's why I was so euphoric after my first shift as one can sense their respective mate only after their first shift. The thought motivated me throughout my painful, bone crushing first shift. My need to find my mate grew after mom passed away. I have wanted someone to take that pain away, and only a mate bond is capable of reducing the intensity of such pain.

A wide grin spread on my lips, with the anticipation of meeting my mate for the first time. The smell grew stronger as I started walking as fast as I could, practically running. Then I froze on my tracks when I heard shuffling behind the bushes.

Is someone following me?

I got scared a bit and hid behind a tree. The sweet smell kept burning my nostrils.

From the bushes, jumped a very big, black furred wolf. Before landing on the rough ground, it shifted into a human form.

Finally, I found the source of the sweet scent. I found my mate. And God he was so handsome. My perfect Prince Charming.

He was 6'3" tall as most male alpha wolves are. His shirtless upper body showed his perfect tan skin and muscles. His biceps were wide and thick, showing his vein lines faintly. And he had eight packs. Can you believe it? His black orbs were constantly searching for someone. Me. My mind prompted. He was searching for me. His Mate.

His eyebrows joined together, he ran his palms through his deep black hair that are 2 inches taller. His muscles flexed and his perfect light pink lips parted, stirring the fantasies buried deep in my heart.

"Where are you? I sense you very close. Please, show yourself. You are my mate and I am yours. I have been waiting for you since a long time. Please don't test my patience. Come out and let me adore you, my mate." He spoke and his words were music to my ears.

His desperate tone didn't go unnoticed. The last sentence was a desperate plea, but it came out as an order. A tone I am quite familiar with. The tone of an Alpha.

Is he an alpha? If he really is one, then will he like me, a lone wolf who left her pack. I am not even alpha blood. Though my mom was a beta, but my dad is an omega. Will he reject me for my heredity? I am not that beautiful or strong either. Will he accept me as his mate without hesitation?

These thoughts kept invading my mind and weakened my resolve to show up. But I can't hide forever. I have to be brave.

I have to keep my faith in Moon Goddess. I encouraged myself. Moon Goddess will never let me face such an ill fate. A mate's rejection is the worst pain for a werewolf.

Hence, I came out and looked into his eyes. He did the same. His eyes roamed all over my body, then came back to meet my eyes. A huge smile made way to his thin, rosy lips, showing up a small dimple on his right cheek. He seemed way more beautiful with a smile. I am deep in love with him already.

Our eyes never broke contact with each other. Like they were frozen on him, his eyes. That's it. We imprinted. I can feel it. When mates make eye contact for the first time, recognizing and greeting each other, they imprint.

"We imprinted. Did you feel it, love?"

Oh my goodness, he addressed called me 'Love'. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now. I can feel a blush creeping up to my cheeks and the rise in my body temperature. I won't trade this moment for anything.

"Uhm, Yes, I did. You are my m-mate. It's really nice to m-meet you. I am your mate."

What am I saying? He already knows I am his mate.

I am only repeating to make myself believe in this recent discovery. It's still hard to accept that I have found my mate.

This isn't how I thought to greet my mate. He is my mate, not a friend I am introducing myself to. I was so nervous that I kept biting my lips continuously, clenching my fists as tight as possible.

"Don't be nervous. I know, you are my mate and I am yours. We will soon be together. You have no idea how happy I am to have finally found you." He rasped. Such a sweet talker he is. Not to mention his melodious voice.

"I have waited 24 years for your arrival, my Luna. Now that you are here, my life is finally complete."

Mine too.

Wait, Luna? Did I hear him correct, or is his sweet musical voice making me imagine words he never uttered?

"Luna? You mean you are an alpha?" I asked with shocked wide eyes.

"Yes, I am the Alpha of the Sea moon pack. This forest is my territory. My name is Ansh Rawat. You can call me Ansh or whatever you prefer to call your mate."

Mate. That word sounds magical coming from his mouth. I can keep hearing him talk all day long.

"So now... may I know your name, dear? "

His question brought me back to reality. He and his sweet nicknames are so intoxicating. But it's not the time to melt in his sweetness.

First, I must tell him all about myself that he needs to know. "S-sapna. I am Sapna Gupta. From the Wolf blade pack of south-west region. But I left the pack months ago with my father. We moved into a nearby rental flat a month ago. That makes me a lone wolf. Do you still wanna call me your Luna?"

Those words were the hardest one to speak. But he deserves to know the truth first before he takes the next step.

"Why did you leave?" He asked.

I knew it. Lone wolves aren't well accepted among the werewolf community because of the stereotype that only rogues prefer to stay alone, detached from any pack.

He may reject me for my status. But I can't be dishonest with him. Truth and honesty are the basic building blocks of any relationship.

"My mom was the beta of our pack and my dad is an omega. She died on a rogue attack, saving the alpha. My dad was devastated. He blamed the alpha for her death and hence we left the pack. Losing a mate is the worst pain for a werewolf." The last sentence was a cue for him to know of my insecurity.

Happiness left his eyes as the smile left his lips. I can guess what's coming. But whatever happens, I still have my dad for support. If he rejects me, that's his loss.

I stood firmly maintaining a tough facial expression as he came near me and stopped inches away from me.

"I, Ansh Rawat, rightful Alpha of the Sea Moon pack, accept you, Sapna Gupta, as my mate and as the Luna of my pack. Welcome to my life, my love."

He spoke in his alpha tone and pecked my cheeks. Then he leaned in and kissed my forehead.

That warm touch of his soft lips on mine spread a comforting sensation throughout my system. I felt safe in his arms.

But after a few seconds, I was bothered by a particular question.

I broke away from his arms and asked, "Why did you accept me even after knowing my position? I am not strong enough for a 17 year old female werewolf. I had my first shift only a while ago. I haven't been able to shift after that day no matter how hard I tried." He put his index finger on my lips to shut me up.

"I am using my finger to silence you for now cause you are only 17. I do have other ways to shut your sweet little mouth, though. You know what I mean, darling? Keep that in mind." He said with a playful smirk on his face.

I blushed understanding what he meant to convey.

"You are my mate. The Moon Goddess chose you for me and I have immense faith in her choice. I know you would be a great Luna to my pack." He said firmly holding my timid form in his arms.

"Plus who can reject such an innocent beauty, huh."

I kept staring into his black orbs as he wiped away my insecurities.

"I love you, Sapna. And I love that cute pink blush on your cheeks. I guess that's more than enough reason for me to accept you, my love."

And there goes my heart. I am so grateful to Moon Goddess for choosing Ansh as my mate.