Chapter 4 : A Troubled Revelation

Ren stepped through the gates of the pack’s territory as the first whispers of dawn painted the sky with soft hues of lavender and gold. The festival’s liveliness had faded into the quiet stillness of the forest, but the encounter with his mate still thrummed through his mind, each memory as vivid as if it had just happened.

His wolf stirred restlessly, pacing in his thoughts. Mate. Ours. Why did we leave her?

Ren clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he pushed the wolf’s complaints aside. Because it’s complicated, he replied silently. She wasn’t entirely human - his wolf had felt it - but her connection to the supernatural world was faint, as though hidden beneath layers of humanity. The bond between them was undeniable, but the implications were enormous. A human mate, even a partially wolf one, was a complication he couldn’t afford as Alpha.

“Ren.” The familiar voice of his beta, Kael, broke through his thoughts. Ren glanced up to find Kael leaning casually against the gate, his sharp eyes studying him intently.

“You’re back late,” Kael said, his tone light but probing. “Or early, depending on how you look at it. What happened in town?”

Ren sighed, knowing Kael well enough to recognize that he wouldn’t let the matter drop. “Nothing we need to worry about right now,” he replied, brushing past him toward the pack house.

Kael followed, his steps quickening to match Ren’s pace. “You’re a terrible liar,” he said dryly. “Something’s off. Your wolf’s restless . I can feel it.”

Ren stopped abruptly, turning to face his beta. “Because I found her,” he said quietly, his voice laced with both wonder and frustration.

Kael’s eyes widened slightly, though his expression remained steady. “Her? You mean… your mate?”

Ren nodded, his jaw tightening. “She was at the festival. I caught her scent - lavender - and when I saw her, there was no doubt.”

Kael tilted his head, studying him carefully. “So why are you back here alone? Shouldn’t you have brought her back with you? Or at least started explaining things?”

Ren let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that simple. She’s not entirely human… or entirely wolf. Her wolf is there, but buried, like it’s trapped or dormant. She doesn’t even know what she is.”

Kael frowned, his expression growing serious. “That’s… unusual. You’re sure she has a wolf?”

Ren’s gaze darkened. “I’m sure. My wolf recognized it, even if she doesn’t. But it’s faint. And that’s not the only problem - she’s living a human life. She works at a university, surrounded by people who have no idea what she might be.”

Kael crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. “A human mate, or even a partial one, could be… challenging, especially for an Alpha. The pack expects certain things from their leader. If she’s not fully one of us...”

“I know,” Ren snapped, cutting him off. He exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. “That’s why I need to figure this out before I bring her into our world. If she’s not ready, if she doesn’t understand… it could jeopardize everything.”

Kael’s expression softened slightly. “So, what’s your plan?”

Ren hesitated, glancing toward the horizon where the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees. “She works at the university. I overheard her talking about her next classes. I’ll go there tomorrow, see if I can learn more about her. If I understand her world, I’ll have a better idea of how to approach her.”

Kael nodded, his approval evident. “That’s a good start. But be careful, Ren. If she’s your mate, she’ll feel the pull too. And if her wolf is dormant, that could make things… unpredictable.”

Ren grunted in acknowledgment, turning toward the pack house. “Thanks, Kael. Get some rest. I’ll handle the rest of this myself.”

The moonlight streamed through the window of Ren’s room as he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep eluded him, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face - Elena’s wide, startled eyes, the delicate flush of her cheeks, the way her voice had trembled when she apologized.

Mate, his wolf growled softly, a constant presence in his thoughts. She’s ours. Why do you wait?

Ren sighed, running a hand over his face. Because she’s not ready, he replied silently. And neither am I.

But even as he tried to reason with himself, the pull toward her was undeniable. The thought of seeing her again, of being near her, filled him with both anticipation and dread. He didn’t know what he would find at the university, but he knew he had to go. He had to understand who she was - what she was - and why the Moon Goddess had chosen her as his mate.

The Next Morning

Ren arrived at the university just as the morning classes were beginning. The campus was bustling with activity, students hurrying to and from lecture halls, their voices blending into a low hum of chatter. Ren felt out of place in the human environment, but his heightened senses allowed him to navigate the chaos with ease.

He followed the faint traces of lavender that lingered in the air, his wolf stirring with excitement as he neared one of the larger buildings. A sign above the entrance read Department of Anthropology and Folklore Studies, and Ren’s interest piqued.

Inside, he moved through the hallways, listening intently for her voice. It didn’t take long to find her; she was standing at the front of a lecture hall, speaking with a small group of students as they gathered their materials.

Ren lingered outside the door, his heart pounding as he watched her from a distance. She was radiant, her dark hair catching the light as she laughed at something one of the students said. She looked so at ease, so confident in her element, that it made his own insecurities about their bond feel almost trivial.

She’s perfect, his wolf whispered, a quiet reverence in its tone.

Ren couldn’t argue. But as he watched her, he was reminded of the challenges they faced. She was part of this world, this human life, and he couldn’t simply sweep her away into his. He needed to tread carefully, to earn her trust and understand her before revealing the truth of their connection.

For now, he would wait. He would learn. And when the time was right, he would tell her everything.

But as he turned to leave, one thought echoed in his mind, as sure and steady as the beat of his heart: She’s mine. And I’ll find a way to bring her into my world.