Chapter 1- A Risk To Take

ERICA’S Point Of View

Excitement is all I feel when waking up. Today marks the day when I’ll leave my precious pack, the people whom I’ve known and loved all my life, to go into the wide world searching for my fated mate.

To ensure I was well-prepared, I did my research among couples in my pack.

In particular, we discussed how to find and recognize your mate as well as the special signs. I have heard many stories about a breathtaking and unique scent that only mates can detect from each other. Mated females were very open in describing the feeling of sparks and electricity coursing through their bodies leading up to the steamy, wet intercourse that's part of the bond. Weird thing.

I wonder how much truth these tales hold. But if it’s true, I want to experience every aspect.

 Yeah, all of it, from the touching to the intimacy. Ezra, my bestie, who is mated to the hot six-pack body and newly-appointed Beta Richel, lectured me that high-ranked wolves, once they find their destined mate, proceed to mate and mark.

“Make sure to be marked at your peak when he mates you," Ezra would remind me repeatedly. “Girl, that feeling!! You won’t know what will come over you,” she told me, excited.

As I listen to Ezra spill details about her mating, a rare occurrence for my shy girlfriend, I can't help but question what caused this sudden openness. Although being mated to Richel for over three years, Ezra still retains an innocent air. On second thought, there has always been something unusual about her scent. At least, most of the time. So this couple must go to it a lot.

I’ll be on a mission today, equipped with the whole arsenal of theoretical information about mating.

My "mission bag" contains a map of the eight packs that I intend to visit. However, werewolves are notoriously private regarding their territories, so relying solely on online maps may not be the way to go.

Mind that, I do not want to risk accidentally passing by my mate’s pack or even not being able to recognize him or even mistreat him. That would be a disaster. Here is where my uncertainties creep in. ‘What if he has already given up on finding me and accepted a chosen mate?’

"I am already twenty-four," I murmured. He is likely one or two years older than me, considering werewolves discover their mates at the age of eighteen. Waiting for seven-plus years may have been too much for him to bear.

‘Get yourself together, Erica,’ I instantly heard my wolf Era reprimanding, ‘Those who don't dare to risk, won't win.’

Era is the best part of me and has always been a great help. We never disagree, so she is all up with this mission. ‘It is a risk you have to take to move on in life,’ she urged me.

So, that is today. My life motto is to always stick with Plan A, as I don't believe in second-guessing and having a backup plan. Plan B seems like an excuse for failure rather than a viable option. If need be, I'll revise Plan A until it works instead of giving up on it entirely.

Sprinting out of bed, I rush to the bathroom to freshen up. Packing has been completed since I started it a week ago with the help of my wonderful friend, Ezra.

“Whoooooottttt,” I let out, thinking about the nagging of that girl.

Last night was a tearful scene since she struggled to handle my departure. Afraid of never seeing me again, she clung to my shirt, holding tight. If only she weren’t already mated, surely it would be the both of us on the road today.

“Why do you have to pack all of your stuff?” Ezra complained too many times as I folded one of my sweaters and tried to fit it into the overflowing bag. "You're definitely coming back, you have to. And make sure to tell Mr. Right that I demand he ensure your return!" she stressed.

I let out a sigh. This is not going to be easy for either of us. We have known each other our whole lives; we practically came into this world at the same time. Our mothers were side by side in the delivery room, pushing us out. Pack doctor Janet even told us once that between contractions, our mothers had enough energy to agree on matching us up if one was male and the other female. The Moon Goddess saved us in this. Two flowers were born that day, after all. Lucky for us, no arranged marriage here.

I took my time to finish my business in the bathroom. No, I really have to go, I promise. But still, it is not an easy task to leave behind the life that I have lived for so long. In spite of this internal struggle, I took the clothes I selected for my departure from the walk-in closet and put them on. I’ve selected an outfit suitable for the journey ahead, a white tank top paired with olive green leggings and a black sweater draped over my waist.

‘You go girl,’ I mustered up my courage, looking in the mirror for the last time.

Back in the bedroom, I crashed on the couch and took out my phone. Ezra is the first I must inform that I am ready. My parents, the Alpha and Luna of the Moonlight pack, are probably already waiting for me in their office.

“Best friend, I am ready to roll,” I told her as soon as she picked up her phone. “Make sure to be at the entrance of the packhouse in fifteen. No way am I leaving without bidding you farewell properly.”

“I’ll be dead if I’m not there,” Ezra replied. I can perceive her efforts in trying to hold back her emotions. This will be hard on her, I know. Nonetheless, I have faith in the fact that she is rooting for me, wants me to find my mate, and also experience the strong bond she shares with Richel...