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CHAPTER 3- Mate

Ava's POV

I stumbled through the dense woods, my body heaving with each labored breath. I had been walking for what felt like hours, my strength slowly fading away. I knew I couldn't keep going for much longer, so I decided to sit down and catch my breath.

As I rested, my mind wandered to the last words of the old man who had died in my arms. He had warned me that they were coming for me and that I needed to be prepared. But who were "they", and why were they after me?

I shuddered at the thought and tried to push it out of my mind, but the fear lingered. I had no idea what was coming, or how to defend myself. All I could do was wait and hope for the best.

But as I sat there in the woods, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves in the wind, I knew that I had to keep moving. I couldn't stay in one place for too long, not when danger was lurking around every corner.

I wandered over to the way the man had died. It was strange and new. I was never involved with combat in the pack, but staying in the streets long enough had taught me my lessons.

I stumbled forward, pushing myself to keep moving despite my tiredness. As I walked, my senses perked up as I caught a whiff of something delicious - the smell of food. I followed my nose until I came across a clearing where a small fire burned and a makeshift shelter had been set up. But as I stepped closer, I saw that I wasn't alone. A lone werewolf stood guard, snarling at me as I approached.

I froze, unsure of what to do. The werewolf's growls were low and threatening, and I knew that any sudden moves could be dangerous. But as the wolf looked at me more closely, its eyes widened in recognition.

"Wait," the werewolf said, lowering its guard. "I know you."

I looked at the wolf, unsure of what it meant. How could a werewolf know me?

"It's me, Jake," the werewolf said, stepping closer. "We went to high school together."

Recognition dawned on me as I looked at the wolf more closely. I remembered Jake - he was always a bit of a troublemaker, but he had never been aggressive towards me.

"Jake, it's good to see you," I said, my voice shaking slightly feeling overwhelmed by seeing a familiar face after so long.

Jake relaxed even more and motioned for me to come closer. "Come, sit down and eat with me. It's not much, but it's better than nothing."

I approached the fire cautiously, still unsure of what to expect. But as I sat down and shared a meal with Jake, my stomach grumbled in hunger.

Jake chuckled and handed me a piece of rabbit meat. “It's been so long Ava, how have you been?”

I shrugged. “I am still alive, that's a plus isn't it?”

Jake chuckled. “Indeed. That's true. You seem to have grown a bit more than the last time I saw you. Guess the streets is treating you right”

“I manage myself well,” I said, cleaning my fingers on the napkin. “What about you? Why are you so far away from home? On a mission?”

Jake shook his head. “Not really. I left”

I raised an eyebrow surprised by the revelation. “Left? Why? I thought you wanted to be a soldier. You were always bragging about it back then in school”

Jake shrugged. “The pack doesn't feel the same way anymore. Jayden just does everything his wife wishes for him to do. The pack is starting to feel more like politics rather than home”

I lowered my eyes as I heard his name once again. A pang of pain went through my heart. “Is his wife Vanessa?”

“Yeah. Please don't tell me you are still jing over him?” Jake said.

“I just…. never mind. It's hard, you know. I still haven't got my wolf. I am mateless and wolfless. Life can't get any worse can it?”

And now I was being pursued by goddess knows who.

“I understand.”

“Anyways, let's not bring down the mood of seeing each other after so long. Where are you headed?” I asked smiling.

“Crescent pack. My parents are now members of the pack. I was hoping I could get a chance to get in”

“Why didn't you leave with your parents?”

Jake chuckled. “Stubbornness. You know me and Jayden were kinda close before but he changed you know. And things got different with him.”

I patted his shoulder sadly. I also experience that change. “The alpha got into his head”

Though I and Jake were not close friends, he was someone I saw often. Being someone without parents, it was always nice to have someone to make you laugh back then making you forget about your loneliness.

As I lay on the ground staring at the starless sky, I thought back to my happy days before eventually sleep took over me.

Xavier's POV

“Where are you going?” Marcus asked.

I shrugged. “Nowhere”

“Really man? Nowhere? Do I look twelve to you?” Marcus asked.

I chuckled. “I am just going for a run. Need to stress my wolf legs. He seems so cooped up, let him enjoy this nice morning weather”

Marcus watched me for a bit before nodding. “I should probably go with you. I need to run myself” He said, starting to take off his shoes.

I quickly stopped him. “No. I want to go alone.”

That statement made Marcus more suspicious I know that but I needed to find my mate and I can't discuss this with him until I find her.

“You are acting weird, man. Just be careful and don't get yourself killed. If you do, I will eat your lunch”

“Yeah I get it,” I said chuckling.

With that, I took off into the woods in my human form.

As I ran deeper into the woods, my heart began to race with excitement and anticipation. I could feel the energy building inside of me, the transformation process already beginning. I stumbled to a halt and dropped to the ground, gritting my teeth as the first waves of change happened.

My bones began to shift and stretch, my muscles expanding and contracting in ways that felt unnatural. Aura howled out as he was set free, my voice mixing with the sounds of the forest as I shifted into my true form - that of a dark werewolf.

As the transformation was completed, I felt a rush of exhilaration coursing through my veins. My senses were heightened, and the world around me suddenly became more vibrant and alive. The joy of my wolf being free was indescribable, and I let out a triumphant howl as I raced through the forest.

With each step, I felt more alive, more powerful. The world was mine for the taking, and nothing could stand in my way. I ran until I couldn't run any further, my body soaked with sweat and my breath coming in ragged gasps. But even as I slowed down and returned to my human form, the feeling of being a werewolf stayed with me, filling me with a sense of confidence and strength that I had never felt before.

The deeper I go, the more I could feel her. I followed the familiar scent of the girl I had been searching for, I began to sense another presence nearby. My senses were heightened, my instincts kicking in as I drew closer.

And then I saw him - a man standing next to the girl I had been searching for.

I let out a low growl as the man placed a hand on her shoulder smiling at her.

Aura didn't like that and we dived into action, knocking the man off her straight to the ground. The man looked at me with fear before stumbling up and bowing.

He could have sensed that I was an alpha, I huffed before turning to the girl. She looked so beautiful face to face. But she was scared of him and she was shaking as he stepped closer.

I decided to change back to my human form and said the first words that came to mind.

“Mate”.

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