My mate's name is Amelia O'Connell. 

What a beautiful name to go with a lovely face.

I can't believe I've been blessed with a mate. At the ripe age of twenty four, I almost gave up hope of finding my chosen. 

The moment Miss. Amelia O'Connell walked into my classroom was the moment I realized who she was to me. 

Her unique scent called to the animal within me. Urging him to howl to the world that at last, he had found his soul mate. That she was his and his alone.

As I sat here at my desk, my mate no more than a few feet away from me, I could feel myself itching to be closer to her. This was only natural between mates. The need to be close to one another. 

What puzzled me, however, was that she wasn't acting the same way. Surely she knew what we were. 

Watching her read over the material I've ordered my class to read, I wondered what kind of person she was. She was young. No more than eighteen. This was her last year of high school, so technically she is an adult. 

Will she accept a werewolf?

I was no alpha or beta. Just a mere teacher. My pack knew about my mate. Edward, my alpha and older brother, had given me permission to tell my mate about us. 

How would she react knowing I was a werewolf?

Will she run for the hills? That thought alone scared me so much. I mean there were times where a human mate didn't accept her chosen and that led to the wolf who was rejected to turn depressed. Which in turn led to that wolf killing herself. 

I don't want to ever experience that kind of pain. Besides silver, it's the closest thing to death. A life without a mate is a very lonely one especially since we are sociable creatures. 

She looked up. Her brown eyes met mine. For a moment, her brow frowned inward. I caught the feeling of concern wafting off her. It was at this moment I noticed the frown on my face. 

Brushing the thoughts of not being accepted, I put on a smile, nodding my head for her to continue reading. She blushed which brought a bigger smile to my face.

My mate was pretty when she felt embarrassed. She doesn't know it yet, but I adore her. 

She was kind hearted from what I gathered. Otherwise she wouldn't have allowed her neighbor to make her late to class. 

Raising from my seat, I walked around my desk to the front. "Alright class," I clasped my hand together to get their attention. "Enough reading. Let's discuss what you had just read. Who wants to be first?" 

I slowly looked from right to left, trying to spot a raised hand. Spotting Sarah's hand, I smiled. She was one of the top students in school I've learned. "Yes, Sarah, tell me what you thought about The Red Witch of Thornburg." 

"The story, to me, is an alliance between the red head witch of Thornburg." She lowered her hand. "She needed the werewolf's help to retrieve her lost magic in exchange for giving the werewolf everlasting life, which signifies the agreement between the two."

"That's one way of looking at it. Yes." A grunt near the back of the room catches my attention. "Mr. Sanders, do you have anything to add to Sarah's interpretation?"

A young male with brown skin and brown eyes looked at me. "No, Sir, I don't."

"Come on," I crossed my arms and leaned back against my desk. "I'm sure each and every one of you have your own take on the short story."

"It's a romance," my mate's voice spoke clearly over the classroom.  

Looking her way, I arched an eyebrow. "Oh? What makes you think so?"

She averted her gaze, but only for a moment. "Well, Zajac basically declared his love to the red witch of Thornburg when he asked for her to extend his life. It says so in the text that he 'gave the red witch his soul to hold and cherish'. 

"Hmm, that's another interesting interpretation. What I-" 

The ringing of the bell interrupted my next words. I chuckled as I watched my class stumble to get their things together. This was the way things were at the end of my classes. 

"I want a five page essay about your interpretation on The Red Witch of Thornburg on my desk tomorrow morning," I called over the noises.

Some of my students let out groans  and complaints. I didn't care.  A little work was good for the mind. 

Reaching back, I went to grab my notes for my next class when I heard my name followed by a 'goodbye '. Looking forward, I spotted a group of girls waving at me as they moved past. I waved back. "Remember the homework, ladies." 

They giggled all the way out the door. As Amelia walked past me, I fought the urge to reach out to grab her wrist, let her know who she was to me, but now wasn't the right time. No not with so many people around. I would have to wait. 

***

Detention that day came sooner than I expected. I worked on grading some assignments when she walked into my classroom. She had her long, curly hair up in a ponytail. And she wore a simple t-shirt and blue jeans. I was glad she wasn't one of those stuck up girls that put their everything into the way they looked. No if anything, my mate had shown that she isn't vain.

As she took her seat at her desk near the middle, I went back to my work. Being a teacher was all about staying on top of one's work. Besides it wasn't like I could stare at Amelia. That would most likely creep her out. 

A moment later, I heard her pulling books from her bag. My guess is she decided to get a head start on her homework, which was fine with me. We worked silently. Before long, the hour came to an end. 

Looking up, I found her working without a care in the world. "You can go now, Miss. Amelia." I couldn't stop the proud smile from forming on my face. 

She was a hardworking, which spoke volumes among the werewolves. 

"Huh, oh, yeah," she said glancing my way. She began gathering her things and shoving her books in her bag.

"I look forward to reading your interpretation on the story." I clasped my hands together. "You did have an interesting take on it."

She sang her bag over her shoulder. "Thank you, Mr. Knight."

"Have a good rest of the day." Looking back down at my work, I listened to her fading footsteps. 

***

Later that day, I pulled up to my home. A cabin house located in the nearby forest. Turning off my car, I get out, leaving my things from school in the passenger's seat. 

"When will we be welcoming our new pack member?" Edward's voice came from behind me.

Turning around, I see my big brother walking toward me. He was shirtless. The large scar from his previous fight was on full display. 

"Not yet. I haven't told her." I approached him and clasped hands. 

He pulled me forward into a hug and pat on the back. "I would have thought you would have told her by now with you losing your faith and all."

Shaking my head, I sighed. "I can't spring it on her like that. She's still in high school and I don't want to add pressure on her."

A smile graced his lips. "Scared huh?"

"No. Yes. Maybe so." The ground never seemed so interesting than having this conversation. 

"You found her. That's all that matters," he said with a pat on my shoulder. "Take as much time as you need. The pack will understand. Hey, you joining us tonight?" 

“Depends. You know I’m a working man now.” 

“We’re not bar hopping, but we are going to a bar.”

“A beer does sound nice right about now.”

“Come on. We’re taking my car.”

“Let me change into something more comfortable. I’ll be quick.” Moving past my brother, I headed toward my house. 

“Alright.”

Ten minutes later, I was dressed in some jeans and a black t-shirt. I left my house, not bothering to lock up as in my world, safety is on a whole nother level. Making my way toward Edward's car, I noticed my kid brother, Jace, and two of our friends getting into the back seat. 

I moved to the passenger's seat, and got in. Soon Edward was driving us toward the city. We laughed and joked along the way to The Ox, a bar located on the east side. 

Once the car was parked and off, we got out and headed inside. The bar wasn't crowded, but it wasn't empty either. Some couples swung to slow music playing. Others sat at tables or stood in small groups talking. We walked up to the bar where two individuals sat on opposite ends. 

Edward slapped the countertop. "Hey bartender, five brown ones over here." 

The bartender sat down the glass he was cleaning and set to work. Jace and the others, Chad and Mark, grabbed a seat at the bar. I stood beside Edward, taking in the atmosphere of the club.

The bartender placed a drink in front of us each, which we grabbed. 

“You’re on my turf, Knight.”

Turning around, we recognized the man that had spoken. A man that was well in his fifties. He was Ringer Miller, alpha of the Night Walker Pack.  

I looked at Edward, who looked at me, and then he said, “I didn’t know The Ox was on your grounds, Miller.”

“It’s not - yet.”

This was neutral grounds. Grounds that haven't yet been claimed by a pack. It was common knowledge that both Ringer and Edward were after this land, so they could increase their packs. The only problem was the humans. Many haven't known of the supernatural and those few that did were wary and chose to ignore the fact that something other than humans existed. 

Edward brought his beer to his mouth, drinking some. “Then what is the problem, cause I’m not seeing it?”

“You’re close to my territory. I want you off.”

“Is it a crime to have a beer with a few friends now?”

“When you’re this close to the line it is, Knight.”

Setting his cup down, Jace turned around, leaping off his stool. “You want to make a problem of it, then go ahead, cause we’re not leaving.”

Ringer shifted his gaze to Jace. “Outside then.”

The other stood up to help Jace. I placed a hand on Jace’s chest, stopping him. “We’re leaving. We don’t need a fight this close to their territory.”

As Ringer turned to walk away, Edward called out to him. “Miller, next time you and your boys come close to my territory, remember this moment.”

He paused to look back over his shoulder. “That won’t be a problem.”

“Come on.” I gave Jace a small push toward the door. There was no way I was going to let him get into a fight when the odds weren't in our favor. 

Once outside, we walked toward Edward’s car. I was the last to follow. If anyone tried to throw a surprise attack, I could react easier. Besides, my kid brother was a little too excited to fight. It's been a long time since I've seen him so eager. I should have visited when I was away. 

“I should have punched him," Jace said as he punched his hand. 

Edward rolled his eyes. "He would have chewed you up and left you to rot in the sun." 

"You think I can't take on an old man?" Jace looked to Chad and Mark. "You guys know I can take him right?"

"That's enough, Jace." I opened the passenger's door. "Let's just keep it a mystery for now."

He grumbled as he got into the car, followed by the others. Looking toward the entry of the bar, I spotted one of Miller's men watching us.

Soon we will have to settle this thing. I just hope we don't lose anyone in the process.