Chapter 3

I had been waiting for this day for years, ever since I first heard about the werewolf community's mating ceremony. It was the day when those of us who were coming of age would finally be able to smell and recognize our mates. And today, on my 19th birthday, it was finally my turn.

I tried to push aside my nerves and focus on the excitement as I made my way to the clearing in the woods where the ceremony was being held. The air was thick with anticipation, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I approached the bonfire.

The pack had gathered together, and I could see familiar faces all around me. But as I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if I didn't find my mate tonight? What if I was destined to be alone forever?

As I approached the edge of the clearing, the scent of burning wood and wildflowers filled my nose. The sound of excited chatter and laughter mixed with the soft rustle of leaves in the wind, creating a cacophony of noise that filled the air.

I could see the other wolves around me, their eyes shining with anticipation and excitement. Some were bouncing on their toes, while others stood still, noses lifted in the air as they tried to catch a whiff of their potential mate's scent.

As I scanned the crowd, I couldn't help but feel a sense of envy for those who had already found their mates. I watched as they stood close together, their bodies almost touching as they basked in each other's presence.

I at least was going to be meeting my mate today. I couldn’t wait. It was the only thing that was going to make sense in my already messed up life.

Although, a part of me was scared.

I took a deep breath and tried to shake off my worries, but I couldn't help feeling like an outsider among my own kind. I watched as the other werewolves mingled and laughed, eagerly searching for their mates.

I wandered around the edges of the clearing, feeling lost and out of place. I watched as couples found each other, their faces lighting up as they recognized their mate. It was a beautiful sight to see, but it also made me feel even more alone.

I was lost in thought when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned to see my mother, who had a concerned expression on her face.

"Sira, are you okay?" she asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I tried to force a smile and nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You're not like yourself," she said, her voice softening. "I know how important finding your mate is to you, but it's not everything. You have your whole life ahead of you, and who knows what adventures and experiences you'll have."

"I know, Mom," I replied, feeling guilty for worrying her. "I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed."

"It's okay to feel overwhelmed," she said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Just remember, you are loved and valued, no matter what."

I took a deep breath and nodded, feeling a little better. It was true that finding a mate was important, but it wasn't the only thing that defined me.

As the night wore on, I tried to enjoy the festivities and socialize with my packmates. I even danced a little, letting the music and the warmth of the fire fill me with a sense of joy and belonging.

It wasn't until the end of the night that I started to feel a little discouraged again. I hadn't caught even a whiff of my mate's scent, and no one had approached me.

I was about to head back to my cabin when I heard a voice behind me. "Excuse me, Sira?"

I turned around to see a handsome young werewolf standing before me, his eyes bright and curious. He was someone I hadn't met before, but I could feel a strange pull towards him.

"Yes?" I asked, feeling a little nervous.

"I couldn't help but notice you tonight," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "You seem different from everyone else, and I find that intriguing. My name is Cancil, and I was wondering if you'd like to talk?"

“Hi, Cancil.” I said, a bit weirded out that someone was speaking to me.

“Hi. I’m from the infinity pack. Here for the mating ceremony, but it seems as though I won’t be finding a mate today, again.”

The infinity pack was the closest pack to our neighborhood. Some of them attended the same high school, I did. So I wasn’t surprised seeing someone from there, the only question was why he was talking to me.

I noticed how his brown hair was tousled, as if he had just come out of a strong wind. His hazel eyes were warm and comforting, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

He wore a simple white t-shirt that hugged his muscular frame and black jeans that were slightly torn at the knees. Despite the casual attire, he exuded a sense of confidence and strength that was typical of werewolves.

As he spoke, I noticed a faint scar above his left eyebrow. It looked like it had been a deep cut that had healed over time, but the mark remained.

I realized I had been staring and quickly averted my gaze. "I'm Sira," I introduced myself, feeling self-conscious.

He replied with a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Sira." His voice was deep and soothing, and I found myself relaxing in his presence.

We stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, watching as the others mingled and searched for their mates. I didn't know what to make of Cancil, but I couldn't deny the way my heart raced when he looked at me.

Someone called him as he smiled back at me.

“I’ll be back.” He smiled again, jogging away from me.

The noise was getting too much for me, so I decided to move to a calm place, which was in between the woods and the bush.

I was yet to settle down on the floow when all is a sudden, my nose was attacked by something delicious. It made my skin itch, it was something I wanted to find. My wolf stirred in me, purring at the smell, and I knew what was about to befall me.

I had just found my mate.

looked around, trying to locate the source of the scent. It was strong, almost overwhelming, but at the same time, familiar. My heart was racing, and my palms were sweating as I followed the trail, getting closer and closer to the origin.

My heart started racing as I tried to follow the scent. It was overwhelming, and it was difficult to pinpoint the exact direction it was coming from. But I knew I had to find them.

I got up and followed the scent, my wolf leading the way. It was like an instinct, one that I couldn't ignore. The closer I got, the stronger the scent became, until I finally saw a figure standing among the trees.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready to face my mate. What if they didn't feel the same way? What if they rejected me? But my wolf was insistent, and I knew that I had to at least try.

Out of nowhere, I felt a figure approach me from behind, a feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. A hand grabbed me shoulders, turning me to look at them and immediately our gazes crashed, I choked on thin air.

It couldn’t be. I didn’t want to believe it.

I was staring at no one other than him. The him i has sworn to hate ever since that incident in the hallway.

I was staring at Eros.