CHAPTER 5 – Plans

DAVID

I missed her on Sunday. When I arrived at her home in the morning, their car was already gone, so I returned to the hotel and decided to hit the gym. With the constant search the previous days, I hadn’t had a proper workout in days.

Yesterday, after I returned to the hotel, I came up with two possible plans.

Plan A was to persuade her to talk to me in private so that I could explain that I’m a shifter and that she was my mate. I couldn’t just talk to her about these things in open areas or a café where people around us could hear us. I needed her alone.

I could see three outcome alternatives from Plan A.

First, she could leave her family and choose me as her mate. She would come to my territory, and we could have our happily ever after. But because I knew that these things happen only in fairytales, I also knew that it was too ideal and could never happen.

So that brings us to the second option, which is to take her children and come with me home to try our common life together. I didn’t know what could happen to her husband, but we could find a solution together. I really hope she chose that one and just gave me an opportunity to show her my world and the life I could offer her. I really wanted us to be together. And of course, I would treat her children as mine. Raise, protect, and love them as well.

The third and last thing, I could come up with was a rejection. We could reject each other and continue with our lives. I didn’t like that course of action at all, but I also wanted her to be happy. If she wanted to reject me, I would stand my ground and accept it. I know it would hurt. And I hoped that the Goddess would give me a second chance to find another mate.

Zeus was adamant that Selene gave us Ariadne for a reason. I couldn’t think of a specific reason I had to be mated to a human, but I embraced it wholeheartedly from the start. I would do everything to avoid the rejection. It was the last thing I wanted. And I really hoped I didn’t need to succumb to it.

Plan B, on the other hand, was a cruel one. I would do it only if she wouldn’t give me a chance to speak. It was ruthless and unacceptable, and I wasn’t proud of it. Yet it was the only way I could think of which guaranteed my happiness with Ariadne. It needed strategic planning to manage whatever I had in mind, and I needed to start preparing from now on, even if in the end I would go with Plan A.

So, after I trained the whole morning on Sunday, I spent a few hours on the phone arranging stuff. By afternoon, I was ready, but I left the date of the plan’s execution open. It could happen anytime soon or not happen at all.

I decided to call home to notify them that I had found my mate. Cell phones were still a new technology, and we used them only while traveling. While in the territory, we didn’t need them because we could mindlink with each other. Perks of being a wolf.

I called from my mobile phone at the packhouse, and after a while, my Beta answered.

“Hello.”

“It’s me.”

“Oh, hello, Alpha. How are you? Any luck?”

Silence.

“Don’t worry, man, you will find her in the next few days. I’m sure...” My Beta knew about Agatha. He wasn’t surprised I went to her. So desperate was I to find my fated, I guess. He also insisted that I should make this journey alone. So that no one has to even wonder where or why I was here and how I knew she was there should I find her. And I’m glad I heard him. Because what I encountered was nothing like what I was expecting. He didn’t even know where I would go, just that I had a location.

“I did find her.” I cut him.

 “Yeah? ... Finally! I knew it.” he started laughing. “Congratulations, man!” he chirped.

“Thanks.”

“So, how is she?”

“She is perfect!”

“Yeah, I’m sure she is. Our mates in our eyes are always perfect, no matter what. I mean her features, age, name, you know that stuff.”

“She’s 30, with long, light brown hair and piercing turquoise eyes.”

“Turquoise? Rare eye color. So, what now?”

“Yeah... I haven’t seen that eye color anywhere either. I don’t know what’s next. I have to win her over, I guess.”

“Why? Didn’t she acknowledge the bond?”

“It’s complicated...” My cellphone started making a beep, notifying me of another call. It was my mom.

“Hey, you informed the entire pack already. My mom’s calling.” I chuckled.

“No, just Christianna. You know she felt my happiness through the bond. She’s with the Luna and Ian at the park.”

“Ok, I’ve gotta hang up, or she won’t stop calling. Is everything okay with the pack?”

“The usual stuff. We had rogues yesterday. Two, to be exact. They didn’t manage to cross the border. Nothing else. Everything is in order.”

“OK. I’ll call again, soon. Call me if anything happens.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout us. Conquer our Luna’s heart and bring her to us soon. It’s been a while. It’s time for you to be happy at last.”

“Yeah. Wish me luck then, ‘cause I’ll need it.”

“I wish you all the luck in the world.”

“Before you hang up. I need a favor. Call the bank tomorrow morning and transfer 7 million to the witch’s account.”

“Seven? I thought you agreed on five.” My beta asked, puzzled.

“We did. But she deserves it. She indeed helped me find her.”

“Ok. I’ll do it...”

“Thanks. Bye.” I hung up and answered the incoming call.

“Hey, mum...”

“Morning son. Aaaaah I’m so happy. Tell me about her.” She shrieked from the other side of the line. She was ecstatic.

“It’s afternoon here, but anyway, good morning to you, too. What do you want to hear, mοm? Isn’t the fact that I found her not enough?”

“No! It’s not. What’s her name? Age? Is she good? Is she beautiful? What did she say about your bond? When are you coming back?”

“Hey, slow down. Easy with the questions. Are you asking me when I plan to make pups, too?”

“No, I don’t want to pressure you on that matter. I’m fine with Ian right now. Even if he’s not my grandchild. I love him like he’s mine.”

I chuckled. “OK, I’ll tell you everything I know. But it’s not much. I didn’t have the chance to get to know her properly.”

“And why is that son?” she sounded concerned.

“Mοm? Have you ever heard of a wolf having a human for a mate?”

She took her time. I knew she was contemplating her answer.

“I haven’t heard such a thing, David. Why are you asking? Is she...?” Ηer voice faltered.

“Yes, she is human. She didn’t even recognize me as her mate. Well, I sensed that she felt something, but not such potent feelings as I did.”

“David... I... I don’t know what to say, son. The Goddess sure knows what she does. I believe there is a reason for pairing you with a human.”

“Zeus agrees with that as well,” I told her.

“So, tell me what you know, David. And I’ll try to find answers about your situation. I’ll ask my Luna friends in other packs. Perhaps they are aware of something.”

“Thank you, mοm. Well, her name is Aria...” I preferred not to tell her real name. I had my reasons.

“Oh, such a nice name. How old is she?”

“Thirty.” I breathed out.

“Thirty?” She sounded sad. “That means...” She trailed.

“Yes, twelve years wasted. I know. I feel like I’m too late. But I’ll make every day from now on count. I swear.”

“Too much time gone. Unfortunately... So, does she...? Does she have a family?” She asked. Unease was obvious in her voice.

Oh, no... She asked the question I feared the most. The last thing I wanted was to lie to her, but I didn’t have another option. It was better she didn’t know the truth.

“I don’t really know. I just met her yesterday, and we just talked for a few moments.”

“Ok, so how is she?”

“Perfect. She’s simply perfect. Of medium height, a pretty face, long hair, brilliant eyes. She’s unique.” I stated.

“I’m sure she is. She is mated to you. So, she must be nothing but perfect.”

I laughed lowly. I knew my mom was happy that finally my search was over but also confused about this whole situation I was in.

“Well, I don’t know anything else. I hope I’ll meet her again soon and get to know her.”

“I wish you luck, son, and I hope that we will see both of you here soon. I promise you, I’ll ask around, and if I find something, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you. I hope we’ll be back soon, too. Bye, mom...”

“Have a good night, son. I love you. Take care of yourself.”

I hung up the phone and dressed up. I wanted to see her. Just a glimpse of her, and I would be satisfied. I headed to her house. Their car was there. There were lights in their house. At some point, her husband and children returned, and then I understood that she was alone all that time I was outside.

I decided to leave. It was dark already. I didn’t expect her to get out at that time. I just hoped tomorrow would be a better day and I would get to see her beautiful eyes again.