YOU CAME TOO?

ANDERS

As I watched her run away and realized she was my mate, I felt an indescribable pain in my heart. Why did it have to be her? Perhaps, she also realized that being mated to me was the worst thing that could happen to her. we needed to reject each other because this bond was not possible. Until then, I dared not shift because once I changed form, it would no longer matter that she was the enemy.

For now, I needed to get back to my pack. My whole body felt weak but I knew that it wasn't because of the undertow. My unfortunate situation must be taking a toll on me. Even though the werewolf was gone, I could still perceive her scent and it made me feel strange.

I followed the same track she used and went to the neutral grounds but I turned in the opposite direction which led to my pack. It was a six-hour's walk back and I wasn't in the mood to run. It would be easier if I shifted but that wasn't the best option right now.

I arrived at my pack when it was sunset, after walking for a long time. I ended up surprising myself because I never thought it was possible for me to walk so slowly.

When I got back to my pack, I was greeted with bad news. First of all, someone had spread the news that I had drowned. Ethan, the only lycan I considered a friend, had gone to the boundary in the company of our beta's only son. They both encountered the werewolves and were attacked with arrows. Ethan did not survive it because of the poison and the beta's son was going to be crippled for the rest of his life.

I felt very upset when I learned that Ethan had only gone to the boundary to search for me. He and the beta's son were good boys and I had promised to make them my betas when I became the alpha.

Our pack had just one beta and he hated me a lot. Our alpha only had a daughter and wanted to make sure that the lycan who would succeed him was capable and strong. His beta who was also his friend had thought that he would be chosen as the next alpha but he was surprised when the alpha held an open contest.

Even the omegas were qualified to join the contest, it was free and fair. The lycan who was able to remain victorious to the end would be the next alpha.

I was so excited about the contest because I knew I stood a chance. I wasn't always a gamma, in fact, I was once an omega.

When I was little, my parents belonged to a different pack but the war between them and the werewolves was too intense. Too many lycans died every day and our numbers kept dwindling. To protect me, my parents decided to move to the forest mountain pack. It was one of the strongest lycan packs and they had a boundary which meant that the werewolves could not attack so easily.

My parents were peaceful lycans and wanted a life where they would not have to fight every day so, when I was ten, they took me with them and began the journey to the forest mountain pack. We had gotten very close to the pack when we were attacked by rogues. The werewolves were so brutal that they didn't even want to spare me. I watched my parents die in front of me, I would have also been killed but the pack warriors arrived at that time.

My mum's screams had attracted them because she was more concerned with saving my life. The lycans killed all the rogues but I became orphaned from that day. I was taken by the lycans and allowed to become the pack's omega.

I served so many lycans at such a young age. When I wasn't working, I was training. I promised myself that I would never be so helpless again. The more I grew, the stronger I became.

I eventually became one of the pack's warriors and when the leader of the warriors was killed by werewolves, I became the new leader, the pack's gamma. It was a highly coveted position but whoever felt he was more qualified had the right to challenge me to a duel.

No one did, everyone respected me, and those who didn't, hid their dislike for me, except the beta. It became worse when I was chosen to be the next alpha and coincidentally, I stole the heart of the alpha's daughter, Riley, at least, that's what she said.

I've never really been interested in girls. I initially thought I would get a mate at eighteen but when it didn't happen, I gave up. I have already planned out my life and I was hoping that I would take a mate when I became an alpha and make her my luna. Riley seemed like a likely candidate since she was persistent but now, I didn't know anymore.

The werewolf whom I saw at the boundary seemed to have taken over my thoughts, but I was determined to rid myself of every connection to her. I stared at the beta whose face showed unrestrained anger and hatred toward me.

He must be blaming me for what happened to his son. I already felt bad enough, I did not need him to make me feel worse.

The alpha observed me for a while and said, "you don't look too good. I know you must have gone through a lot since a lycan claims to have seen you drowning in the boundary river because it was disturbed.

Whatever, the case, I am happy that you made it back in one piece. Get as much rest as you can but you must take revenge for us. If they kill one of our own, we kill three of theirs. I am counting on you, Anders.

I nodded, "yes, alpha, I will not fail you."

I walked back to my tent which was located on the outskirts of the pack, closer to the gate. I choose to set up a tent there to avoid distractions each time I wanted to train but, just as I got in, I smelled a familiar scent.

I was not in a good mood and this was the wrong time for Riley to play cheap games with me. I noticed her crouching behind some bags in my tent and barked, "get out."

Riley wasn't moved by my anger. She knew I couldn't hurt her since she was the alpha's daughter and this fueled her persistence. She came out of hiding, walking on her four legs in her wolf form until she was right in front of me.

She shifted back to her human form without caring that she was now in her birthday suit. She rubbed her hands seductively around her breasts and said in an almost inaudible voice, "don't you like what you see, Anders? I heard you have been through a lot today, give me a chance to make you feel better."

As I stared at her, my mind went back to the werewolf I had met today, my mate. I imagined that she was the one standing in front of me and suddenly felt blood rush to my head. Without second thoughts, I ran out of my tent, leaving Riley to her schemes.

I stood outside my tent and the memory of my mate's face kept flashing into my mind. This was so frustrating, how could I live like this? I suddenly realized that she may be going through similar torture. Being a werewolf, she would agree with me that rejecting each other was the best solution.

If I went back to the neutral grounds would I find her? She was bound to be as restless as I was and would likely be there. This could all be a waste of my time but I was willing to fight for my freedom. Just as Riley came out of my tent all dressed, I ran out through the gate and began my journey back to the neutral grounds. I ran as fast as I could, determined to shorten my journey to the least time possible.

I arrived at the neutral grounds almost three hours later and to my surprise the atmosphere was filled with her scent. I thought it was from before but then I saw her, sitting on a hill. She seemed to have been there for quite some time and quickly came down from the hill, ready to leave. I moved much closer to her and she turned.

The stars illuminated her beauty and as I stared at her, I didn't think I would ever get used to it. I had a lot of things I wanted to say but in the end, all I could ask was, "you came too?"