Chapter 5

Jesse

I never thought I would see the day. And yet it came in the most unexpected way. 

I stood on the packhouse balcony, holding a glass of scotch. The golden liquid sparkled in the fading sunlight, matching the warm feeling inside me. It had been two days since I first saw the girl who stole my heart, and ever since then, my whole world changed.

Before that special night, my life was ordinary. Leading my pack, Silverfang, and taking leisurely walks in the woods were my main concerns. Finding a life partner wasn't something I thought about much, except when my mother reminded me of my duty.

But now, everything was different. My mother's words echoed in my mind, urging me to find the woman who would be my Luna, my destined mate. Her words mattered because, as the pack leader, it was my responsibility to fulfill this duty. So there I stood on the balcony, with the lingering taste of scotch, knowing that my life would never be the same.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a fair share of daydreaming about who my mate would be. My mom and dad had a blissful marriage, which opted me to seek for my own. 

Normally, a male werewolf would find their mates once they reached their morphing age. But in my case, it was different. For years, I had waited for her but she never came. I even traveled far and wide to search for her but my efforts were futile. 

It was like finding a needle in a bunch of haystacks. 

In the end, I gave up finding her, letting fate completely take its course. But that didn’t mean I totally forget about her, rather, I had entrusted our fate to the deity who weaved our fates together. It gave me a lot of lonely nights and failed expectations. My sister even proposed I seek a prospective bride, as she thought that I may not find my actual mate in this lifetime. I did, but eventually, I couldn’t get myself to do it. Somehow, something inside of me was telling me that I need to be patient as I would finally meet her when the right time comes. 

Who would have thought that of all the places, I would find her at the annual Moonlight Gala? I never liked this party. For me, going here was just a waste of time. Nothing productive was ever achieved in attending to this other than a show of wealth and influence. While I had both, it was never my thing to show them around. Apart from this, I was reminded of my failure of finding my own mate by looking at the alpha pairs around me. It was a horrible party to attend if you were still mateless. In fact, I already missed attending two years in a row but somehow, something pulled me to dress up and go this year. I am glad I did for that was the moment I saw Carrie James for the first time. 

I was minding my own business, trying to kill the night with some alcohol and boring conversations when my nose caught on something. At first, I just thought I smelled fresh lemon but the scent was not that sharp. It was zesty yet at the same time, sweet like that of an apple. But as the smell traveled inside my system, it became softer and more pleasant. It reminded me of the first burst of ocean air or the warmth of the first summer sun. I was still under its spell when my wolf shouted “Mate” inside my head. 

“Son, I was told by one of our Sentinels that our visitors entered our border. They will be here any minute now. Shall we go downstairs?”

I turned my head backward and smiled at my mother. She stretched her hands and draped them in my arms as we both descended the stairs. 

Minutes later, the omegas and servants started to line up outside. I took a deep breath, as I heard the car stop at the entrance of the packhouse. I smelled four scents and unloaded the vehicle, with one that I swore I would never get tired of smelling. 

My wolf Vigo leaped in joy. He was normally quiet and snob but this time, I saw enthusiasm in him for the first time. He was literally over the moon the same as I was. 

Then, my mate revealed herself. It was magic all over again. 

Her eyes, a mix of grey and blue, had a captivating coolness that seemed out of this world. They drew me in, enchanted by the mysteriousness of it.. She wore a black dress that hugged her figure gracefully, highlighting her elegance and subtle charm. Her wavy brown hair flowed down her shoulders, framing her face in a natural expression of beauty. 

With light makeup, her features were accentuated, allowing her inner radiance to shine through. And when she smiled, it felt like a moment of pure enchantment, as if time itself paused to highlight it. But it was her eyes, those mesmerizing grey-blue orbs, that truly took my breath away.

As our eyes locked, everything stood still. I felt a deep connection as if her beauty surpassed every earthly standard. She was truly a masterpiece. Every curve and detail whispered tales of perfection.

I couldn't help but be amazed by her sight before me. Somehow, it made me conscious of my own features. Does she like what she was seeing? Does she find me attractive as well? I am always confident in how I look and carry myself but not with the sight of her beauty. I knew I had encountered a woman beyond comparison, a woman whose presence would forever leave an unforgettable mark on my heart.

I watched in silence as my mom chatted with her family. I couldn't help but stare at her, like a love-struck teenager. Suddenly, she looked up and smiled at me.

"Mate," we both said at the same time.

And in that moment, everything changed. I was overwhelmed with emotions, as if time had frozen and the whole world was holding its breath.

And there, I fucking lost it!