A/N: Ready for Rhys' POV?

Once again, thank you for your support on You are the Answer; I hope you'll enjoy We are the Answer just as much!

Also, the link to the online Story Fair where I and other writers will be giving out prizes is in the comments along with a link to a short (less than 300 words) blog post explaining what the event is and how you can win an e-book reader, chapter dedication, free books, etc.

*****

Like so many times before, I stared at the open map that lay on the table; like so many times before, something prevented me from closing my eyes and pointing my finger at a random spot.

The Journey was a tradition that dated almost as far as the origins of our kind. It was believed that if we couldn't recognize our mate amongst the ones around us, we should set out to find them in any direction we felt like and someone - Fate, the Spirits, God - someone would guide us to the person we sought.

I'd waited eight years to recognize my mate and I had yet to meet him.

I still remembered how on the morning of my sixteenth birthday, I'd jumped out of my bed and began to prepare. I washed my hair, I brushed my teeth and put on my best clothes. I was pretty pleased with the reflection that greeted me in the mirror except for the dark circles under my eyes - the giveaways of a sleepless night. But how could I sleep when I was reaching the Age of Recognition?

From that moment on, as soon as I saw my mate, I'd recognize them.

I'd walked through our neighborhood several times that day, my enthusiasm dwindling with each passing hour. At dinner my parents had reassured me that maybe I hadn't seen everyone that day. After a couple of weeks their soothing words changed; they told me that my mate could be a part of another pack.

That had lifted my spirits and each time a member of the Silver Bullets was to travel to another pack, I'd ask to go with them. If the pack was friendly, they'd take me along; after all, everyone knew the reason behind my request and they wanted to help.

With each visit, my hope waned.

Twenty-four and still without a mate; I should take the Journey!

People would understand if I left. They would find someone to temporarily replace me as the Beta - Anthony was a great choice; he had the makings of one and he was the Alpha's brother - so nothing was holding me here. Nothing, but the fact that each time I gazed down at the map, I frowned and wanted to look away.

"Still thinking of leaving?"

I turned around, hands crossed over my chest, and faced my older brother.

"I just can't do it. It doesn't feel right."

"Perhaps you are not meant to leave."

I knew the cliché line was supposed to console me. Everyone sympathized with my situation, especially my family. Everett was no different; he kept encouraging me to search for my significant other, he kept assuring me that one day I'll find him, just like he had found his Lisa.

"How about we go out for some fresh air?" He suggested and with a sigh, I followed him.

The smell of whiskey and beer entered my nostrils as soon as we entered the saloon. It was a lot noisier here than it had been in the back room and yet the place wasn't filled with drunken guffaws or shouts. Our pub - the Silver Bullet's pub - was patronized only by members of the pack and they knew the rules: behave or the rest of us will kick you out.

"Any luck?" Jared asked when we passed by his table.

Did everyone know what I'd been doing back there?

Looking at all the faces turned towards me - all of young people, at about the age of the boy who had posed the question - yes, they knew and they were anxious for my reply.

"Not yet."

I tried not to frown at them. They inquired out of concern, not to pry.

"Maybe you weren't meant to leave," Ivan tried to comfort me and the people around the table nodded.

"Yeah." I clenched my jaw. Good intentions or not, there were only so many times you could hear that phrase.

I turned around and headed for the door.

"Are you going out?" Jared got off his seat. "Ivan and I were just about to do the same."

The two boys joined my brother and me and thankfully changed the subject. Jared even began telling a joke when I opened the door.

There was something in the air tonight. I felt it as soon as I exited the pub, followed by my brother and the two young members of our pack. They seemed unaffected by the strange vibration, the slight electric current that grew stronger as we moved further from the door. I looked around and found the source: a boy - probably still a teen - and human.

His slender body shaking underneath the predatory gaze of my nephew caused my blood to boil. I didn't even know the human teenager and yet I wanted to murder Alec for the way he'd glued his pale eyes on him. My hands shaped into trembling fists as we approached the two, but I knew I had to keep my calm; I was the Beta of the Silver Bullets and I should serve as an example. Besides, Alec had not done anything yet; he just stared at the boy, occasionally bringing a lit cigarette to his lips.

My nostrils flared as we neared them, the scent of the unknown teen intoxicating me. It was literally making me dizzy and faint and my initial surprise to how I'd reacted to him turned into something new: excitement.

These were the signs each of us was told about since childhood. Unexplained emotions, irrational behavior, attraction based solely on casting your gaze upon someone or inhaling their scent; this was how you felt when you recognized your mate.

This boy was my mate; I had finally found my mate!

The urge to protect him, to pull him away from Alec and into the safety of my arms was almost unbearable. But I couldn't do that. Not yet. After all, we were nothing but strangers as far as he was concerned. But even if he had been acquainted with me, I couldn't tell him I recognized him as my mate. The boy was human and I had to tread carefully. I had to give him a chance to know me and to fall in love with me. Otherwise I could lose him forever.

"What have you done to this boy, Alec?" My brother asked his son, a tired note slipping into his tone. Ever since my nephew left his mother's house to visit us, he'd been constantly provoking members of our pack; his father, his step-mother, me, even our Alpha - no one was safe from his insolence.

And now he was intimidating my mate.

"He looks absolutely terrified," Everett added, nodding towards the human boy.

"I didn't even touch him," Alec replied with a devious smirk.

And you better not or by the Great Spirits of Nature... My nephew or not, I will punish you!

"Your manipulative ass is scary enough even without physical contact, bro," Jared chimed in, the friendly address another futile attempt to bond with Alec. When would he understand that this hybrid didn't seek our friendship?

He was too much like his vampire relatives to care for us. Why he decided to visit us was still a mystery to me, but for Everett's sake we had to put up with him; after all, my brother was desperate to bond with his offspring even though the boy did not return his love.

"He thought he was looking for a hook up and I volunteered." My nephew's words made my heart skip a beat; did my mate truly posses such a promiscuous spirit?

My gaze turned to him. His shoulders had slumped, his hands were fidgeting and his bottom lip quivered... No, this was not the look of a promiscuous person. Alec must've been exaggerating when he spoke. Or perhaps he was straight out lying; honesty had never been amongst his virtues, if he had any to start with.

I took a deep breath to restrain myself from embracing the unknown boy, to shield him from anything and anyone that could harm him, and concentrated on the conversation, deciding to join after I had gained my composure.

"He thought?" Ivan was just asking.

"I'm not sure what he wants." Alec shrugged nonchalantly and the three full-blooded werewolves looked at me, silently asking how they should proceed. I couldn't keep quiet after that; any form of hesitation would be viewed as weakness on my part.

"All of you get back to the pub." My voice was barely a murmur, but they obeyed nevertheless. Even Alec went inside; I did not know if I should rejoice that he followed my command or be worried about his sudden and uncharacteristic compliance.

Left alone with my mate for the first time, I did not know how to act. I had no experience with any sort of romantic interactions; I had decided to keep myself pure for when I met the One.

But romance should be the last thing on my mind now. With Alec gone, the boy had visibly relaxed, but he was still frightened. It pained me that the source of that feeling was me. I had to change that so I gave him time to study me and assess that I was not a threat.

At least I hoped that would be the conclusion he reached.

"I'll drive you to your home," I found myself saying. Such a wrong choice of words! He immediately startled.

"I'll walk," he mumbled meekly.

"It's about to rain." I gave the first excuse in support of my offer that came to my mind. The truth was that I wanted to spend more time with him, even if it was just twenty minutes or however long it took to reach his home. I also wanted to make sure my nephew wouldn't follow him.

"I'll call a cab."

I shook my head at his words and pointed to my vehicle.

"I'll drive you," I repeated, hoping I wasn't pressing too hard, but unable to act in another way. I began walking and after a few seconds - perhaps his moment of hesitation - I heard his footsteps behind me.

I suppressed a smile when his eyes widened as I opened the door to the passenger seat for him. He was still tentative, but he got inside the car and I took that as a good sign; he was cautious, yet he was going to ride with me.

I walked around the vehicle.

I had my mate in my car; now what was I to do?

*****

A/N: So what do you think of the first chapter?

Did you like the bit about the Journey?

What do you think of the characters?

Any advice for Rhys?

Please support this chapter with a VOTE if you enjoyed it and don't forget to check out the links in the comments! :)