"Ruth," the Alpha finally drew their attention to himself, a bit sad to interrupt them when they were clearly bonding, "as a rogue, you are unable to remain with Cole - here or in his pack-"

"Matias!" the Luna gasped, mortified at the words she'd heard her husband say out loud.

"However," Alpha Matias continued, raising his hand to silence his wife so he could finish, "if you are a member of our pack, you could enter the program alongside him. If you both pass and formalize the mate bond, you could enter the service together as a mated couple - mated couples are kept together if they enlist together."

"You want me to join your pack?" Ruth asked, raising an eyebrow at him, "You don't know anything about me."

"I know you took out 20 trainees without breathing hard, and your skill is undeniable. The rest we will learn with time."

Ruth studied him, looking back to Cole as she considered.

"My name is Ruth Gibson," she said, looking at Cole affectionately, "I was born to the Western Isles pack, and earned the title of lead warrior after endless trials and competitions. However, when a mate bond snapped into place after several years of training with the Alpha and he rejected me, I left. I was rejected for being a warrior, and saw no reason to continue to serve an Alpha that didn't respect or appreciate my service and skills. I have been a rogue for around three years, living in the human city of Scorched Hills. I work as security for a contracting service there, and have been enjoying a short vacation in the wilderness these past weeks in wolf form since I don't get to shift as often in the city."

She figured getting the story out served both the purpose of giving the Alpha what he needed for her record checks, as well as letting Cole know the high-level of her background.

"That explains your ability to resist the Alpha aura," Alpha Matias nodded in understanding, his eyes flicking to Cole in curiosity.

Cole was Ruth's second chance... that would make her even more protective of him, he suspected.

"His idiocy is my reward," Cole said softly, rubbing small circles on Ruth's hand with his thumb, "but I'm genuinely sorry you went through that."

In truth he figured if he ever found his mate that he'd be rejected, so he'd been preparing himself for that inevitability for years. Her though? How could someone look at her and not fall for her instantly? She deserved to be treasured, and even as he celebrated the victory of having her for himself, he was also furious she had been treated like she was dispensable.

"I'm not," Ruth admitted with a shrug, "he was small-minded and short-sighted. I had respect for him when we trained as a warrior, but he lost even that when he revealed his own limitations by rejecting me."

She paused, studying the man before her with a warmth that nearly melted him right into the floor.

"You are superior to him in every way," she said softly, meaning every word of it.

"You may change your mind," Cole whispered nervously, avoiding her eyes even as he blushed at her words, "when you learn more about me, I mean."

"Impossible," Ruth said firmly, tightening her grip.

"Why don't you give Ruth what she gave you, Cole?" the Luna said gently from where she was now standing beside the Alpha, "Give her enough to know where you come from and how you came to be here."

Cole hesitated for a long moment, studying the Luna and Alpha before him - both nodding encouragingly - before turning to face the woman he was terrified would reject him the moment she learned more.

Well if she was going to do it, he sighed, I suppose I'd rather it be now... before I fall even harder for her.

"My name is Cole Reisens," he admitted with a touch of shame, "and I am the youngest son of Alpha Reisens of the Red Fang pack."

Ruth's eyes went wide and her lips parted in surprise, unable to hide her shock at his identity. Cole pressed forward, though, knowing it would only get worse.

"I was born prematurely when my father's mistress drugged my mother's drink during her pregnancy, and my lungs were underdeveloped when I was born as a result. My family, and pack, believe that asthma is a weakness that true men, especially shifters, should not have - and despite the attempts from several medical professionals to explain how it works - they believe that if I simply 'man up' I will overcome the condition. Their version of 'manning up' was to have anyone and everyone in the pack attack me in order to teach me how to adapt, and then to withhold all medical treatments unless I was actively dying to force my body to get stronger to survive. The beatings evolved over time when they found I didn't become stronger... but I did become quieter. Some of the damage was too severe for my shifter abilities to overcome, even with time and treatment. I have a lot of scars... and there is internal damage and scar tissue that is permanent. I... I might be infertile, though the doctors said it will take time to understand the long term implications."

Cole looked up into Ruth's eyes, flinching slightly at the redness in her face and the anger in her tear-filled gaze.

"I might not be able to give you children," he whispered, his voice quivering even as he tried desperately to force the words out, "I... I don't know if I can make you a mother."

Ruth, overwhelmed by the small part of his past she'd learned and devastated by what he'd gone through stood and kneeled before the man. Despite kneeling, she was able to look him straight in the eyes with a fierce protectiveness that overwhelmed him.

"I don't know if I want to be a mother," she said lowly, holding his hands together in hers, "but I do know I want to be your mate. I will make it my life's mission to make sure no one ever mistreats you ever again."

Cole choked, his own eyes filling with tears at the hope blooming in his chest.

"I can't give you much," he whispered, "but I will try desperately to be the man you deserve."

"You already are," she muttered, cupping his cheek fondly, "I don't need strength or empty promises, I don't need money or titles. I am strong, I can make my own money, and I've had many empty titles. I need... something real. Someone real. I ask for your full heart. I can endure hardship, I can endure illness, and I can endure poverty... but I will not endure betrayal or lies, even from lips as sweet as yours. Promise me the truth, even when it might sting, and to remain faithful... and I will promise my undying loyalty and protection. That is all I want and all I need."

"I swear with all I am," he swore, his voice firm despite the quiet, "My heart is yours, and it has been since the moment I saw you. There is no other, and never will be... and I may sometimes struggle to speak, but when I do I swear to give you the truth."

"May I kiss you, mate?" Ruth asked quietly, her heart absolutely exploding with adoration and a desperate desire to be closer to the man she was willing to die to protect.

"Please," he whispered, nearly letting a whine slip out in his own desperation.

The Luna pressed her fingers over her gentle smile, looking to the Alpha fondly as she remembered how their bond moment had gone... it wasn't too different from these two's moment, if she was honest. She was a wealthy heiress to a pack, but they wanted to force her into an arranged marriage to inherit it... he was the Alpha son of a massacred pack that had long been believed erased. Together they fought against every rule, every expectation, and every obstacle to be where they were today - and they both suspected Ruth and Cole would have a similar journey in their future.

They both resolved in a silent agreement to support them as they fought for their future together.

Don looked at his parents, ignoring the two kissing wolves in the room that made the tips of his ears turn red. He knew their story, and he believed in Cole.

He was disappointed Cole was mated now... he had... he had hoped... well, that doesn't matter, he thought. Perhaps it was best for his secret to remain firmly locked in the closet for now. He was happy for Cole, and he had to admit that Ruth was absolutely perfect for him. She was there when he needed her, and her undying loyalty was so blazingly brilliant even a blind man could see it.

He would keep these feelings locked away and support his friend as his friend, and nothing more.

"I accept your offer," Ruth finally said, her lips still pink and slightly swollen from the passion she'd put into the kiss she'd shared with her love, "I will join your pack and your program, as long as I remain beside Cole."

"Once you are mated," the Alpha said, nodding in approval, "all of the rules and protections for mated shifters will ensure you remain together. Here, in the program, in my pack, and in the service - should you both enlist."

The Alpha shifted his gaze to Cole for a moment before adding, "With Ruth being a member of our pack and you being set to inherit no title... the law allows you the choice to follow Ruth to my pack. After you mate, but before you enlist, you are welcome to become an official member of my pack as well. When you return from service... you could make your home here, if you wanted.

Cole's eyes went wide, darting between the Alpha and Luna before him as if to confirm the truth of the Alpha's word with the other person in the room with the authority to confirm the promise.

"We'd be honored to have you, Cole," the Luna said gently, nodding sincerely.

"Thank you," Cole choked, slumping in his chair - completely overwhelmed with emotion, "Thank you."

Cole looked to Ruth, squeezing her hand as if to prove to himself that she was real, that she was there, and that this was happening.

"No matter what comes next," she swore, "We will have each other."

"Each other," he whispered, finally losing the battle with the emotion in his eyes that leaked out despite his best efforts.

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Thank you for reading this short story! It was a blast to write and I genuinely appreciate you taking the time! As always, votes and comments are much appreciated <3