chapter 2

Ava

When we reached the human town it was already afternoon, so Zade and I decided to have our meals before we went shopping.

“ Ava,” he said, walking by my side.

“ Yes,” I said looking at him as I waited for him to continue. He finally stopped and looked at me.

“ Can we go somewhere?” He asked.

“ Yes, but where?”

“ You will know,” he said, smiling.

He took my hand in his and began walking towards a designer store.

“ Hello, Mr, Carter,” an old lady said as we entered the store.

“ Bring everything from the latest collection of her size,” he said.

“ Come with me, dear,” the old lady said as she led us inside. I was amazed by looking at the setup this store has. Zade sat up on the couch in front of the trial room and told me to go in.

After trying dozens of clothes and shoes he ended up buying everything that he liked. I looked at the bags which were lying on the counter top and few on the floor. Shesh, I really hate to spend money, I thought , shaking my head.

“ You know this is my birthday. And I was supposed to pay,” I whispered, tapping my finger on the counter impatiently.

“ It is my gift to you,” he said, smiling at me.

“ You are a lucky girl to have such a considerate boyfriend,” the man said as he scanned the last item.

“ what? Oh no - I was about to explain our relationship when he cut me off.

“ yeah. You are a lucky girl,” he said, smirking.

Rolling my eyes I walked out of the store and waited for him to come out. The sun will set in an hour and I need to get out of here soon.

“ Stop being angry,” he said, coming behind me.

“ I am not angry. I just don't like to spend on me,” I said in the last part in a low voice.

“ Alright, now get in. We have to leave,” he said as he looked around. I did as I was told and got into the car. He followed me in and started the engine.

After two hours of driving he stopped suddenly in the middle of the forest.

“ Where are we? Aren't we supposed to go back to the pack house?” I asked, forgetting his words he said earlier.

“ Yeah. We will but not now,” he said. Opening the driver side of the car he got out and so did I.

Looking around at my surroundings I was confused. I didn't know what part of the forest we were in.

“ Come,” he said.

“ It's dark,” I said. I know he will be able to walk even when it's pitch dark because of his wolf but I won't as I yet to have my wolf and abilities.

“ Who said you will be walking there,” he said, coming in front of me in a blink of an eye, making me gasp. I was about to take a step back when he held me by my waist.

“ Don't be afraid of me, princess,” he said. He took out the key locking the car and the lights before he picked me up in his arms in a bridal style.

“ Oh my god!!! Zade,” I exclaimed, holding onto him.

“ Hold tight,” he said and without a warning he began running.

“ Open your eyes,” he whispered.

“ Don't let me fall,” I said, opening my eyes and looking at him. I could see him clearly now because of the moon which was shining brightly above our heads.

“ Never,” he said, placing me in my feets.

“ Wow,” I said, looking at the beautiful scenario in front me.

It is a clearing with a lake and stream. There were flowers everywhere and they all were blooming. The place looked nothing but majestic.

The water looked crystal clear and was shining under the moonlight. This place is glowing.

“ It looks like fairies created this place,” I said softly.

“ It's beautiful, Zade,” I said.

“ Yes, it's beautiful,” he said. I looked at him only to see him already looking at me. His eyes locked in mine as he both looked at each other. I looked away immediately from his intense gaze.

“ What is this place? How did you find it?” I asked.

“ I don't know. I had a dream when I was 10 and followed the institution of the lady in my dream. It led me here,” he said.

“ It's amazing zade,” I said, couldn't take my eyes off of the surroundings.

“ Ava,” he said, and I looked at him again.

“ Maybe after tonight you will find your mate and I won't ever be able to express my feelings,” he said, taking a step towards me. My heart skipped a beat at his words. He took a sharp intake of breath, closing his eyes before looking at me again with determination.

“ Zade,” I whispered his name.

“ sshh,” he said, placing his index finger on my lips.

“ I have always had a soft spot for you, Ava. But past these years I didn't know when I…… I….. I fell for you,” he said.

I gasped looking at him but I wasn't surprised at all maybe because I knew he had feelings for me, I thought.

“ I know that i shouldn't but this is something that my heart wants even Ivan, my wolf he is drawn to you,” he said, coming closer, closing the gap between us. Grabbing me by my arms he pulled me flush to his chest.

“ I have thought of rejecting my mate and chose you as my chosen mate but I don't want to steal your happiness.”

“ I don't know how to respond,” I said honestly.

“ Maybe when we go back you will find your mate and that's why I am telling all this to you now. I can stay as your friend if you want after this,” he said.

“ You will always be my friend no matter what,” I said honestly. He looked at the sky before looking at me again.

He left my waist and took a few steps back from me. I was surprisingly disappointed when he stepped back.

“ Thank you, Ava. For listening to me and for not judging me,” he said, putting his hand into his pockets.

“ this place is amazing, zade. I would love to visit this place again with you,"I said looking at the lake.

“ Sure princess,” he said.

“ A few minutes and it will be your birthday. You will be able to shift just like others,” he said.

“ Yeah. I wonder what my wolf looks like,” I said looking at the moon.

“ And I wonder who the moon goddess had chosen for you,” he said looking at the sky.

“ We should head back,” he said.

“ Yeah.”

“ Wait, I have a present for you,” he said, coming right behind me.

“ You have given me enough,” I said and was about to turn around when he stopped me.

“ Stand still,” he said, forcing me to face the lake.

“ Now close your eyes,” he said. And I did as he told me.

“ Ava,” I heard someone calling my name. It was faint but I heard it.

“ Ava,” I heard again. It was louder this time. Before I could ask anything, that feminine voice spoke again.

“ I am your wolf Mia.” She said,

Then I felt something cold against the skin on my chest.

“ Open your…….. zade trailed off. I immediately spun around and looked at him to see what happened only to see him looking at me.

“ What is it?” I asked in confusion.

“ The smell,” he said.

“ What smell?”

“ The floral scent with the hunt of chocolate,* he described.

“ He is your mate, Ava. And when the clock hits 12 he will find out. Because I came to you early your scent is leaping out,” my wolf said in my head.

Looking down on my chest where I felt cold earlier I saw a beautiful pendant with a platinum chain hanging around my neck. It was made out of sapphire and looked like a stone heart and around that heart there was a vine and a flower wrapping it protectively.

The wind was blowing a little stronger than before and just as I lifted my head up I was hit by a smell of strawberry and lavender.

I took a deep breath looking at the source of the smell and I knew the clock hit 12.

“ Mate!!!” We both said in unison. And then a beautiful smile spread across his lips.

“ Can I hug you, princess? Please?” He asked and I nodded my head, unable to express anything. He hugged me tightly and as soon as our skin made contact I felt a spark. A delicious kind of spark which is leaving fireworks under my skin.

“ Wow, never in my wildest dreams have I thought that you would be my mate,” he whispered before pulling away.

“ I can't tell you how happy I am,” saying that he picked me up before spinning me around. I am happy as well to find out he is my mate out of all the pack members.

“ Now it's time to shift, princess,” he said, putting me down.

“ Ava, listen to me. Don't share with anyone that you have gotten your wolf,” Mia said in my head.

“ Why?”

“ Except your mate,” she added.

“ I am going to shift right? It will be my first shift,” i said

“ Not now, Ava,” she said again.

“ Ava, what happened?” Zade asked me to pull away.

“ I have something to share with you as well,” I said.

“ My wolf,” I said.

“ What about her? Did you get a wolf?” He asked, looking at me with concern.

“ Yes and her name is Mia. She is telling me not to tell anyone that I got my wolf,” I said.

“ Ava, I am leaving for now. I will talk and when it is the right time I will come back,” she said.

“ What? No, no, no. You can't leave like that,"I said.

“ I have to order, otherwise your life will be endangered, they will know. I will come back, I promise. Don't be scared and don't be afraid to accept new people in your life,” she said and I felt her presence vanish in my head.

“ What did she say?” Zade asked after a moment.

“ She will talk to you and that my life will be in danger that is why she has to leave for now but she promised me to come back at the right time,” I repeated her words.

“ I have had my wolf and just like that I lost her as well,” I said.

“ it is going to be okay,” he said, rubbing my cheek with the back of his hand. Then I saw his eyes glaze over for a moment.

“ We should head back now,” he said.

“ Is everything alright?”

“ Luna Abigail said that i should bring the princess back,” he said, teasing me.

“ ok, come on then,” I said, turning around and walking to our car. Zade followed me.

“ Zade, will you keep this a secret for tonight?” I asked.

“ what? That you are my mate?” He asked.

“ Yes.”

“ Why?” He asked.

“ Open the door and I will tell you on our way back,” I said, stopping by the car.

“ Ava!!!” Zade said as he looked surprised as well as confused.

“ You can see?” He asked to make sure.

“ Of course I ca…… I trailed off looking around. Yes I am seeing in the dark. My wolf left me my ability.

“ May I ask one thing?” He asked to come in front of me using his speed.

“ What?” I asked, avoiding his gaze.

Before he could say anything, both of our heads snapped at the direction of the mountains when we heard howls of wolves.

We looked at each other before Zade tore his clothes and shifted into his grey wolf. He will take us to the pack house way faster than the car. Hoping on his back he ran towards the pack house through the trees. We both know those wolves will not be friendly at all.