Chapter two

Drew had not expected to stumble into his mate on the second day of his quest.

He had become uneasy after hosting and attending balls, parties, brunches, and what have you to find his mate, without any luck.

His pack made matters worse. He could feel their anxiety. It was only a matter of time before they began to demand a Luna that'll solidify his reign as Alpha.

This uneasiness made him seek the lonesome quietness of the forest to distract himself by training his wolf, Silver.

Before he set out, he entrusted his pack to the hands of his best friend and Beta. Then sprinted into the woods allowing the winds to lead him to an unknown destination. He had completely left his pack's territory when he heard a piercing howl. He stilled his movements and scanned his surroundings. The howl came from far off meaning that he wasn't in danger but Drew knew he'd have to be careful because it signaled that a pack was hunting.

He carefully covered his tracks and masked his scent. A hunting pack was the last thing he wanted to encounter. He sniffed the air and tried to use the winds to judge the direction they would be headed. But they were still too far. Silver became unusually skittish, making it hard for him to move forward.

In the early hours of the next day, he set out again. The winds told him that the hunting pack was heading in an opposite direction from him.

Give me control. Silver said excitedly as he pranced around his subconscious.

Let's run free in the forest. He said again.

Silver behaves. Drew cautioned.

There's a pack hunting. We have to be careful.

We can easily defeat them. Silver argued. Let's run, I want to feel the winds on my fur.

Silver now's not the time. Drew said finally.

He was about to surge forward when a tantalizing scent hit him. He stood still trying to pinpoint its source. Drew sniffed the air and found it hard to concentrate. The scent seemed to be everywhere and nowhere. Silver wasn't helping either, he seemed pleased with the scent and Drew's confusion.

Let's run and we'll find the source of the scent. Silver said.

Drew wasn't sure he wanted to find the source of the scent. It soothed his senses, so much so that it scared him.

It's a trap. He warned Silver, who laughed at his stupidity.

He forced himself to walk away from the scent, annoying Silver.

He tried shaking his head to clear his thoughts when he sensed someone watching his movements. He spun around and faced the intruder.

She stood in front of a tree, studying him pensively.

Mate. His wolf yipped joyfully.

Give me control, let me see her. Silver begged, coming close to the surface.

Drew's heart beat faster as he took her in. She was tall, lanky, and delicate looking with fair skin that contrasted with her jet black hair that was matted with dirt and blood. She had the brightest and most beautiful gray eyes he'd ever set his eyes on. They seemed to beckon on him and he found himself drowning in them. His gaze fell on her lips. There was blood on it, it seemed to have come from the deep gash on her forehead...

Blood. Silver growled. Who hurts her?

Taken aback, Drew scrutinized her appearance closely. Her clothes had been torn apart. She was panting heavily and scanning her surroundings like she expected something to jump out and attack her. She must've been running away from something. He thought to himself.

Rogue? Silver asked heartbrokenly.

Drew moved closer to her and noticed her squirm.

He sniffed her. She smelt different. Puzzled, he tried to place her scent.

She has no wolf. He thought as he unraveled her scent. Disappointment washed over him.

He frowned, stopping himself from coming to a quick conclusion. His heart ached, if she had no wolf, she'd be too weak to become Luna. She would need a lot of training to become stronger or he'd lose her.

She broke the silence with a sly grin.

"Where have you been all my life? Seems like I've finally found the love of my life." She gushed.

Swoon. He loved her voice.

Concentrate. He admonished himself.

"Who are you?" He asked harshly, allowing his disappointment.

She scanned his appearance again. Astonished at his tone. Then she lowered her eyelids. Without uttering a word.

A wolf howled at a distance, her eyes darted in the direction of the howl. She rubbed her arms, and her lips quivered. Realizing that she was the hunted prey, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into an embrace. Not understanding why he was driven to protect her.

Mate. Silver said stubbornly.

Shut up.

"What's your name?" He whispered as he patted her head, in a bid to soothe her nerves.

"Laura." She replied, relaxing in his arms.

The wolf howled again, shattering their cocoon. Drew carried her up and sprinted in the direction of his pack.

His sudden arrival stunned his pack members, but they welcomed him nevertheless. He quickly ordered the pack doctor to tend to Laura's wounds and directed the Omegas to clean a room for her in his house and take her there, once she had finished receiving treatment. He also ordered guards to watch her every movement and ensure that she was protected. He then forced himself to leave her in their care. He needed to think and she was muddling his senses.

The next day, while he was sparring with his warriors, she approached him.

He sighed angrily. He'd been trying to avoid her.

He lashed out his anger at the omegas he'd put in charge of her.

"Stop shouting at them." She defended. "I was the one that persuaded them to let me out."

Drew grunted. No one in his pack dared to raise their voice at him. He dismissed them grudgingly. Despite his anger, Silver seemed pleased that she was able to check him.

Let me see her. He begged.

Drew rubbed his temples, he was going crazy.

"You're my mate right?" She asked confidently.

Drew froze. His chest burned with anger.

"How dare you? Do you think you're worth it?" He barked.

He expected her to run, but she stared at him defiantly.

"Is that a yes or no?" She asked.

He didn't reply.

"Will you be my mate?" She asked again.

"Not. It's not possible," He lied with a straight face.

Laura's face fell, and her lips quivered like she was about to burst into tears. But she didn't. Instead, she sprinted away from him.

Silver clawed aggressively at him. He wanted to comfort her. Immediately she was out of his sight, he fell to the ground groaning. He had never felt as bad as he felt before.

Follow her, make sure she's safe. He commanded the guards he had earlier assigned to her through a mindlink.

Drew found that he couldn't concentrate. He avoided his house all day and tried to attend to packing business. When night fell, he contemplated checking on her but dismissed the idea. Silver continued bothering him until he agreed to check on her. When he arrived at her room, she was nowhere to be found.

Without thinking twice, he shifted into his wolf form and went in search of her. His huge pure white wolf sped through the forest, following her scent. After a few hours, he lost her scent. Drew searched for hours with no luck. He was about to lose his mind when sounds of laughter drifted through the air. He paused and listened. He had missed them because they had masked their scents. He chided himself for being careless, then shifted back to his human form and began tracking the voices.

"Let's get going," One of the voices suggested.

"No, let's have our fun with her first. Aren't you jealous that only Jerry gets her to himself? This might be our only opportunity." Another voice replied.

"No, Alpha commanded that we bring her back immediately." A voice with a higher authority commanded.

Drew stiffened as he moved closer. Silver growled, and Laura was sprawled on the floor looking half-dead.

Drew inhaled deeply, taking in their peculiar scents.

8, there are eight buffoons. Silver growled. Taking control, Silver charged forward and beat them to a pulp.