Chapter 6:

Asher’s P.O.V

There was a delightful scent clinging to me, like a mix of preserves, roses, strawberries with honey. I didn’t know the reason, but suddenly my wolf spoke: "Mate."

I responded in shock, "Mate!"

I nearly lost my mind. I am Alpha Gamma, with hybrid blood, and that girl was from a pure lineage. Even though I don't fully accept the Moon Gods' laws, I know that one of their laws is that a mate must be from the same purity of lineage, though one can marry and love from another lineage. I kept pacing around, then remembered—I had thrown her out naked!

I looked out the window; it was pouring rain, and it was late. I had expelled her. I shouldn't have approached her, but it happened.

Is she still outside? No... surely she would have left by now. Where could she be? Did she return to the pack or what? I broke the pack’s laws by abandoning my shift and disappearing... and now...

I heard my wolf growl: "Be quiet now... She’s suffering."

Suffering? Is she suffering because of the heavy rain, perhaps? Then I remembered she is from a pure wolf lineage... oh God. She is more susceptible to wolf fever now.

I heard my wolf howl in pain, it seems he connected with her wolf, but what will happen to her? I need to ask now. I tried to calm him down: "Is she okay?"

He didn’t want to answer, but he responded with disappointment: "She has contracted wolf fever... I lost contact with her."

It’s complete now; I can no longer sense her or connect with her wolf. The disease will surely develop into full-blown wolf disease. I wouldn't have felt regret if she were anyone else but my mate. My wolf is in pain, and since I am connected to her, it affects me too. One question remains: how can she be my mate?

I grabbed my clothes and headed straight to my pack. I need to inform the pack’s priest and elder and then go to her pack to search for her.

As I drove, I smiled when I remembered the touches of that little girl who had been in my arms. I thought about how unforgettable that night was with the innocent young girl.

I sighed deeply, trying to control everything that might happen now. I spoke harshly to myself: "I know you don’t want to look at me or even be in the same place."

Time passed, I don’t know how long... but it was quite a while before I reached the Black Mountain pack’s manor. I ordered the priest and the pack elder to come, and sent Michael and Henry to fetch all the sacred texts of the Moon Gods related to mates.

Alpha Martin looked at me with curiosity, sensing that something was happening and waiting for an explanation, which I didn't have myself.

I was in the high court room, sitting anxiously and with some fear. Henry and Michael had brought more large books and documents, and both the priest and the elder had arrived, along with Cassius, who joined quickly upon sensing that something unusual was occurring. My father, ever more curious, was eager to understand what was happening.

Finally, my father asked with inquiry: "It's time for you to tell everyone what's on your mind, Alpha Gamma."

I finally found my voice after taking a careful look at everyone and said steadily, "I have found my mate."

The revelation was truly astonishing. I had reached the age of 33 and only now found her. But what was truly remarkable was what I was about to tell them.

I sighed and then said with hesitation, "My mate is from a pure lineage. Isn't that strange?"

My words were like a bullet, causing everyone to exchange stunned glances. Such a thing hadn't happened in centuries. My father remained calm and steady, waiting for an explanation from the pack priest.

The priest, appearing somewhat perplexed, finally spoke: "It has never been recorded for a hybrid to have a mate from a pure lineage. It is not mentioned in any book or legend. It is possible, as with Cassius, for a hybrid to marry a pure lineage, but that person would not be his mate. We all know that Daneris's mate is of the same pure lineage. This is the law of the Moon Gods."

Every word he spoke was true, but I was also certain that she was my mate. One does not mistake their mate...

My father asked, "Which pack does she belong to?"

The fact that she is from a pure lineage makes me feel uneasy, but I answered my father, "The Gray Wolf Pack... she was on duty at the Silver Moonlight Pack when I met her."

It was now the elder's turn to provide an explanation. Surely someone had an answer for what was happening. He responded with firmness: "There is no clear explanation. There are exceptions to every rule. You know that some ancient werewolves have experienced events that defy the laws, and perhaps you are one of them."

I interjected: "I am not a pure werewolf, Elder!"

The elder stood and continued with certainty: "That gift and trait do not belong to you, Gamma. She is your mate!"

I laughed derisively, interrupting their discussion: "Or perhaps a curse, Elder. This mate's fate is tied to Gamma, the ruthless Alpha."

Yes, Seeg, your fate is dire. On the first day you met me, you began suffering, suffering to the point of death, and your fate hangs in the balance...