Chapter four

Adam's POV

I go to stand by my window, looking out to the vast spread of trees around us. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a dewy haze over the surrounding forest.

During normal times, observing the moon this way brings me a sense of calm, but I can't help but be filled with worry and unease for my people, as the time for the full moon is fast approaching.

The full moon which should be something to be celebrated by werewolves, is a time that fills members of my pack, the skyline pack, with fear and trepidation. The curse on our pack, tied to the full moon, has already began to rear its ugly head, claiming the lives of five members of my pack already in just a day.

My father, the alpha, has gone to witches to see they can reverse the curse, but despite their efforts, it only seems to grow stronger. I fear that if it isn't revoked soon enough, it would lead to all our demise.

Taking the sick ones to the hospital isn't an option, as they might manifest signs that are abnormal to humans. And the human methods we employ to treat the sick, don't do much to help.

A pack member was admitted to a human medical facility yesterday. He was unlucky to be under the influence of the curse, while surrounded by humans.

I had let my wolf out for a run, when I got a mind link to go check up on the admitted, Alex. Impulsively, I ran there, still in my wolf form. it was a reckless decision, but I don't regret it one bit.

On getting there, the window was locked, so I shifted to my human form, before opening it and getting into the room. While I watched him, he had a seizure that ended up claiming his life. I was overcome with grief at the loss. Alex was a good man, and a very loyal pack member.

I quickly got out and shifted back into my wolf form, but there was an inexplicable pull that kept me from going away. Instead, I retreated into the darkness. That was when I locked gazes with her, the allure I felt to her holding me in place. My mate.

I wasn't sure then, but seeing her again, and the feeling we both got after making contact, helped me to confirm that.

That is the reason I don't regret going out with my wolf. I found my mate I had been searching for for eight years.

Although I had always imagined what my mate would look like, and never in my wildest imagination had I assumed that she'd be as witty and feisty. I never expected someone so petite, with such delicate features to be as feisty as she is.

I must admit, it only adds to the allure, making her even more sexy.

I'm happy to have found my mate. Now I just have to find a way to get her to agree with my plan and accept me. It wouldn't be an easy task, though, as she's human and has no knowledge of our world . I would accept her, regardless. I haven't taken a mate in all these years, and rejecting my mate because she's human, would forfeit the purpose of my patience.

I had thought of making her an offer as a part of a ploy to get her to be with me, but she refused hearing me out.

Humans and their unjustified stubbornness.

She wanted me to know her name first. I had already discovered it through Mrs Roseline, a friend from a neighbouring pack who works with my mate. I just chose not to reveal that, knowing fully well that humans have a way of retreating once they feel uncomfortable. Besides, I enjoy the thrill from knowing that she wants me to chase her.

And chase her, I will.

As I walk through the forest, finding comfort in the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs, I sense the presence of someone around me. I choose to ignore it, continuing in my stroll.

I take walks like this whenever I need to think and clear my head. It is not always convenient, but it is very much effective.

The presence grows stronger and I recognize the scent immediately.

"Adam," my best friend and younger brother calls to me, making an appearance beside me.

I acknowledge him with a nod, "Eric."

"Father told me you went to see Alex, and you were with him before he passed," he says, his eyes lit with curiosity.

I hadn't told him about the events of yesterday and today. It skipped my memory, as my mind had been filled with the excitement of finding my mate, and making plans to claim her.

"I was," I reply. We fall back into silence as we walk, our steps in sync. I return back to my thoughts, going over how I imagine my next interaction with my mate would go.

I feel the weight of his stare on the side of my face and I tilt my head slightly to face him. "What's going on? You aren't telling me everything. Something else happened, didn't it?" he probes. I remain silent, prompting him to ask further, "What is it? It must be something big, if you haven't told me by now."

"I found my mate," I tell him, giving in to his interrogation.

He pauses mid-step and looks at me wide-eyed. "Your mate?" he repeats. I nod, and he lets out an incredulous laugh. "That's huge, bro!" he adds, his eyes sparkling with excitement. For a moment, it looked like it was him who had found his mate.

Eric has always been the more expressive one, whereas I struggle with showing emotions most of the time. It has always been like this with both of us. And the training I have had to undergo as the future alpha, has taught me to keep my emotions in check.

I let out a short laugh. "Yeah."

Eric's expression turns to mock-hurt. "How could you discover something so big and not think to tell me?" he pouts, his eyebrows shot up and lips curled downwards.

A laugh erupts from me, at the look on his face. "Quit it with the expression, you look like a constipated pup," I tell him, the amusement evident in my tone. He sticks his tongue out at me and I shake my head, smiling.

"I wasn't hiding it from you. I wasn't sure she was my mate at first, I had to confirm it before letting you know," I explain to him, not wanting him to feel like I'm trying to leave him out of this new development.

He nods, his expression turning serious. "If you say so. Is she a member of our pack?" He inquires, his eyes lighting up again. I say nothing, looking at him with a raised brow. "Oh, yeah. If she was, you'd have known before now," he mutters to himself. He takes a moment before asking, "what pack does she belong to?"

"She's human," I inform him. It doesn't pass my attention, the way the sparkle in his eyes die down.

I totally understand his reaction. Only a few members of our pack have been mated to humans, and most of them reject their mates, rather choosing a new one or staying alone. And as the one who's next in line to be alpha, a human mate is not ideal.

"Okay," he says, his voice measured.

"And I will not be rejecting her," I clarify, answering the question I suspect is coming next.

Eric furrows his brows, his expression turning thoughtful. "So how do you plan on getting her here then? Don't tell me you are willing to move to the human world to be with her?"

"She doesn't know she's my mate. And I am still trying to figure that part out."

I give him a rundown of everything I had planned out earlier to get her here.

He lets out a low whistle when I'm done. "Well, good luck with all that. I hope that your plan works out," he comforts me.

I sigh, sharing his concern. "I hope so too."