Felix's Point of View...
I had gone out to hunt and found myself drawn to the clearing. I couldn’t explain it. I felt compelled to go. The most delicious scent of bergamot and rosemary wafted towards me in the late autumn air. It was so comforting and yet alluring at the same time. I found myself searching for the source only to discover it was a beautiful young woman drinking from her water bottle and eating what appeared to be a protein bar. This was quite far for a hiker to have ventured.
She was petite and athletic, and her long chestnut brown hair fell past her shoulders. It looked soft, and the warm, reddish-brown hue was lovely. Her hazel eyes looked deep in thought, and how she moved made me think she was worried about something. Was she lost? As if she sensed me, her eyes narrowed in my direction. How had she heard me? I was renowned for my skill in surveillance and hunting. The attractive hiker shoved her water bottle and wrapper in her bag, quickly put it on, and ran in the opposite direction.
We should follow her. She doesn’t look steady on her feet.
I agreed with Conall. Something about this woman made me want to chase after her, make her mine, and protect her from all harm.
Mate. She’s our mate.
I doubted that. We’d been looking for our mate for the last seven years without success. Why would my mate suddenly appear in the clearing at the border of our pack lands? She didn’t seem to be one of us and was unaware of how close she was to the Dark Moon pack. I followed her at a distance as she ran, determined to ensure she returned safely to wherever she was headed.
I realized that she was headed toward the Armstrong Corporation development site. It was far enough from our lands not to encroach on our lands but still too close for my liking. I scowled, thinking about the wealthy family behind the development of ancient forests located near packs throughout North America. Our existence was a closely guarded secret, but I wondered if Lennox Armstrong knew what we were and where we were located. A small group of hiking enthusiasts had been protesting his latest development here, but I knew they had been dispersed by the company’s security team earlier in the day. Was this young woman a part of that group? If so, what was she doing that close to our border?
My beta linked me to tell me that my Dad was asking for me. s**t. He had seemed to be having a better day, not as weak or in as much pain.
Is he in pain again? I linked my beta, Jacob.
No, he’s just concerned. You’ve been gone longer than we anticipated. You left several hours to go on a run. Your Dad is worried because of the Armstrong Corporation and all the commotion earlier in the day. Jacob responded.
I’m good—no need to worry. I linked my Beta.
I decided to monitor the attractive hiker until she safely reached her destination. Dad had turned a corner with his illness and was no longer bedridden but remained in a weakened state, a shadow of the man he once was. The sickness that had quickly incapacitated him and forced me to step up sooner than planned as alpha was a mystery. Dad had gone into the city to meet with someone regarding a threat to our land and fallen ill shortly after. I’d always thought he’d been poisoned somehow but had not been able to prove it. The pack doctors and elders had no idea what had afflicted my once mighty father.
I’ll let your Dad know. Are we still on for our pickup game of basketball later? Damian was asking. My Beta inquired.
I lost track of time. Sorry about that. Can you let Damian know? I asked.
No problem. It’ll give me more time with Clara. Jacob answered.
Enjoy. I’ll see you tomorrow. I linked my friend.
Jacob was lucky. He and Clara had been childhood friends, and the two progressed quickly once they learned they were mates. They were suitable for one another and very much in love. I don't know what I did to piss off the Moon Goddess, but it was frustrating to be the only one of my friends without a mate.
I ran my hands through my dark brown hair and looked at the beauty before me. At a different time and place, I’d approach her and make conversation. She was intriguing, and I found it hard to look away from her. Thankfully, the young woman had not noticed my presence since the clearing. She was no longer running but walking briskly, determined to get to wherever she was going as soon as possible. It was getting dark, but she seemed to be fine now. I turned and began to make my way back home.
I heard a piercing scream moments later and raced back to where I had left the young woman in the forest. I found her unconscious on the unforgiving ground. It appeared she caught her foot on a protruding tree root, fell, and hit her head on one of the surrounding rocks. In her haste, the young woman wasn’t mindful of the terrain in the darkness, causing her fall. I couldn’t leave her; truthfully, I didn’t want to. Now that I was so close to her, her scent overwhelmed me, and Conall insisted that this beautiful woman was our mate. I reached down and scooped her up in my muscular arms, feeling sparks and tingles everywhere our bodies came into contact. I held her close to my body while I picked up her bag, placed it over my shoulder, and began the trek back home.
I chuckled softly to myself. She must have hit the ground quite hard to sustain such an injury. The woman’s clothes were torn, and leaves and twigs were stuck in her hair. Although unconscious, she instinctively felt safe with me, turning her body in towards mine. Her captivating fragrance was immensely intoxicating, capturing my attention and making it difficult to focus on anything else. It added a further mystery and intrigue to this woman, making me more drawn to her. My heart skipped a beat as I gazed at her rosy, full lips. I wondered what it would be like to kiss them.
Aksara