A mate? No thanks

Drews POV

"Are you sure you're ok?" I asked her for the 5th time. The whole pack was gossiping about the wolf who threatened the human. I see her roll her eyes at Katie, who just laughs. "Yes, as I've told you multiple times already, I am fine! I had everything under control!" Sara insisted.

Katie chimes in "She did you know. She told that big, big bully what for." She howled, choking on her own joke, and I couldn't help but crack a smile, while Sara pulled a sarcastic mocking face and pushed Katie on the shoulder. To which they both burst out laughing, leaning on each other. It was clear to see they were becoming good friends. It was refreshing to see Katie open up to someone outside the family. Ever since we were young she has kept the pack at arm's length under the impression they would only be kind to her as she was the Alphas daughter - she was convinced they would only be her friends to get something from it. I don't know what changed with Sara - maybe she felt, that because she was human, she had nothing to gain.

"I'm glad Katie was there for you, but I should have been there - I told you I would be there for lunch but ended up being distracted again." Truth is, I wasn't needed. I ran the length of the border and all was well. I have no idea why Addison and Ezra were in such a tizzy - I will have to ask them later where they heard a rogue was on the border. "Let me make it up to you, let me take you somewhere tonight. I think you will love it. What do you say?" The girls are still nattering between themselves but Sara breaks the conversation to answer me. "It's totally fine Drew, you don't need to do that, there's nothing to feel guilty about."

"It's not that Sara. I want to. What do you say, spend the evening with me?" Silence fell on our group, Sara's eyes glued to mine. When our eyes lock, it's like the world just melts away leaving only us in it. I can see her mulling it over and I have no clue what she is thinking. A small smirk falls on her lips and she agrees. "When do we leave?" Internally, I cheer as if I have just had a small victory. My hand involuntarily comes up to a fist pump - yes. I looked up to the sun and determined it was about 4 pm. "Give me one and a half, maybe 2 hours." I saw in my peripheral vision Katie is sitting with her mouth open, excitement on her face.

I clap my hands together, gave the ladies a quick smile and nodded - jumping off the porch to get to work.

"Drew!" Katie shouts to get my attention, jogging over, leaving Sara on the porch. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean, I've just got a few things to sort out?"

Raising her brows, "I like Sara, I like her a lot - I hope you aren't playing a game here, you know you're due to bond with Addison in a few months." She all but spits Addison's name. She's never much been a fan of Addison and although I'm not in love with her, I've never understood Katie's dislike. "It's just spending time together Kate - it'll be grand, don't you worry."

"Mhm... and you're a fool if you can't see how she feels about you." My heart jumps at the possibility, could she really have feelings for me?

Saying nothing, I steal a peek at Sara, she's in a world of her own. Smiling, I plant a kiss on Katie's forehead before running off to get sorted for our night.

The sunset informed me it took closer to two hours to get everything ready. I raced back into the house, up the stairs until I reached our floor. A quick pit stop in the bathroom to freshen up and change my top. I confidently knock on Sara's door, heart in my mouth as I wait for a response. "Who is it?" I hear her call teasingly.

"It's me," I replied gently, I know she knows who it is.

"Oh, the big bad wolf. No sir I will not let you in..." Her words are full of playfulness - this bodes well, though I have no idea what she's talking about. I heard her footsteps near the door. Consequently, the door unlocks and creeps open. Her footsteps backed away from the door again. Confused, I gave it a little push to see inside. Her back turned to me as she pinned her long auburn hair into twists on either side, with just a few loose strands framing her face - stunning. "No need to huff or puff, you can come in" She smiles with an I know something you don't know look on her face. I hadn't been in the room since we brought her here, yet it looked almost unlived in - she had kept it immaculate, nothing was out of place. On the bed laid open the book we had found earlier in the day at the library, she had clearly been reading. The bed was creased slightly where she had been sitting reading. She quietly walked over without fuss to straighten. She takes one last look around the room, her flowing dress spinning as she does catching my eye. She is most definitely not wearing my clothes now. I feel a pang in my chest at this - I get great pleasure knowing my clothes are on her body. Nevertheless, the dress she is wearing hugs her body perfectly, an off-white dress with a rounded neckline, showing just a peep of her breasts and ends just above her knees flowing as she walks - she looks like perfection. It's a dress I had never seen before, leading me to ask "You look beautiful Sara. I like the dress. Where did you get it?"

"You like it..." she twirls, showing it off, clearly pleased with it herself "... I got it today with Katie. She took me shopping. She said it's about time I stopped stealing her brothers' clothes! Thank you for that, by the way, you've been more than generous."

"For you - anything." We stare into each other's eyes, and each time it feels harder to look away. "Shall we?"

Walking out of the house, I see my father coming back from running the perimeter. I put one finger in the air to indicate I would just be a moment before jogging to meet him. "You off out?" He asks out of politeness, as it is clear we are.

"Yeah, going to take Sara to the Mothers Lagoon - I think she'd really love it." He takes in my words but says nothing, briefly pausing, thinking before he decides to speak. "Do you want my opinion as your Alpha or your Father?"

Curious about what he was thinking, I asked hesitantly "Both?"

"Well, Drew, as your Alpha, I want to remind you that you have duties and responsibilities. You are intended for another..." My heart sinks, I know it's true, but hearing it out loud makes me wonder what the hell I am doing. I glanced over to Sara, my mood already dipping. Just as I consider telling her we will have to raincheck, my father continues placing one hand on my shoulder. "... However, as your father, I would tell you nothing in this world is more important than your happiness. Happiness is fleeting. I should know, I never got long enough with mine. Enjoy your evening Son."

With my father's blessing I had no hesitation, I smiled and jogged over to her.

"Hey sorry about that, I promise no more distractions. Listen, I know you may feel like it's too much if you do that totally fine and we can walk. It's a journey but doable, buuut... if you're willing, I can get us there quicker - what do you say?" I asked her knowing she has yet to see my wolf since the night we met. She mulls this over before deciding that she would rather get there sooner. I pull off my t-shirt first, she immediately starts to blush and averts her eyes, then, drop my jeans, casually stepping out of them and throwing them to her, catching her off guard. Swiftly, I transform into my wolf form, shaking out my black fur. "Woah!" She stumbles back before catching herself. A small whimper leaves me involuntarily "Drew, I'm sorry. I got caught off guard. I don't know why it didn't occur to me what you meant. I'm okay if you are still okay too?" Remorse hangs on every word. Relief floods me that she's not fearful of me in this form. I lean down, time to hop on. "I know, I know - hop on." She repeats as if she read my mind, and I try again to test it. Attempting to send her thoughts, I think of something foolish to say - I'm a silly wolf. I pause, waiting to see if she mimics me, but she does not, much to my disappointment. However, she does hop onto my back, setting my body alight - electrifying.

Testing the waters, I started off slowly, gradually speeding up. We run past many pack members and although I know many would think this to be shameful, I have nothing but pride in carrying her on my back - it is like she belongs there, with me. She presses her chest into my back as I pick up speed. We are so close I can feel her heartbeat through my skin, my own keeping rhythm like they have their own private song.

When we are at the place, I stop while Sara hops off, then promptly transform back to my human form, reaching a hand out to retrieve my clothes from Sara. She turns away, allowing me to dress - not that I asked her to. "So we've come to a rock?" She quizzes me.

"We have." I elongate my fangs and nip my finger to make it bleed, touching the rock's rough surface. "I, Drew Madden, son of the Alpha blood, seek entry with the company of Sara Glover." As my drop of blood is sucked into the rock's surface and entryway begins to take shape. I offered out my hand to Sara to say "come on". After entering, I raised my hands to cover her eyes. " No peeking", I insisted I wanted it to be a surprise. The further we enter, the world changes, the dirt that usually lays on the ground is replaced by sand and after a few minutes, we reach it - mother's lagoon. I removed my hand from her eyes, allowing her to take it all in. It is truly a magical place. The crystal clear blue water was catching the moonlight from above, making it appear to sparkle, only appearing more magnificent by the pure white sand at our feet. The trees surrounding the area are no longer woodland trees, these are more tropical, with moss creeping up their strong trunks and various different vines decorating the scenery. It is a picture perfect place. My heart leaps watching Sara as she takes it in, her eyes dancing with admiration. When she speaks finally, her voice is filled with delight, "It is transcendent."

Looking directly at her, "I could not agree more." Her eyes danced with excitement as we held our gaze. Just ahead, behind some vines, I had pre-set a picnic for us to enjoy- on the colourful picnic blanket I lay out freshly squeezed, cold lemonade, sandwiches, berries and, of course, her favourite tangelos. I led her through the curtain of vines to the picnic. She seems thrilled and I can only say her happiness is making me feel the same way.

"So tell me, can anyone come here? She asks curiously.

"No, this is somewhere only my family can come. My father had it sealed by a sorceress so my mother and himself would have somewhere private to go - it's not known by anyone else in the pack. My families own private sanctuary if you will." I replied.

"...But I was able to come in?" She delves deeper

"True, but only as you were invited."

She twists her face slightly before asking "Do you invite many people here with you?"

Is she jealous? A smile comes to my face at the possibility. "No." She says nothing but looks at the ground, her fingers trailing in the sand. I fear I have made her unhappy so elaborate further. "You are the only person besides my family who has been here, the only person I have ever wanted to show this place to." I divulged. This seemed to do the trick as she was smiling and relaxed again.

We continue chatting for a while before she asks if it would be alright to go for a swim. She stated the waterfall was calling her - which I happily agreed to. We, of course, did not bring swimming outfits so we just braved it and went in naked - although it was tempting, I turned my back, giving her privacy to undress. I did, however, watch her walk into the water - her beautiful auburn hair skimming the top of her perfect bottom, sending my inner wolf into a tizzy. I sit in the water, my back against the edge of the rocks, just watching her in awe swim about. "These stones are so beautiful, I have never seen anything like them - they would be perfect for some nighttime reading!" She declares. The stones she is referring to are marvellous. They are actually crystals of all different colours, turquoise, violet and emerald, which give out this amazing illumined light at night. "I noticed you started reading the book we got - what have you learned so far?" I explored.

"Oh Drew, it's fascinating!" She swims up to me with her elbows resting on the rocks beside me. "So the first wolves were actually a coven of elemental mages, who prayed to the moon goddess to become pure, strong and eternal. It's said they did not know what they were asking for. However, the moon goddess blessed them by becoming wolves - at first, they would only be able to turn on a full moon, but as time passed, they learned to control their transformations and could take wolf form whenever they wished. It says the moon goddess blessed each wolf with someone who could complete their soul - a soul mate if you will... and if those wolves found each other and bonded, they would forever be linked. It's also said that wolves who find their soulmates will have longer lifespans in order to give them much more time together." She paused looking doe-eyed. "That's all I had time to read, unfortunately, as it had become too dark in my room, but I cannot wait to read some more tomorrow."

"That is the history we are told." I didn't have it in me to tell her that a few hundred years ago wolves actively stopped looking for or rejecting their soulmates if they found them for fear of becoming vulnerable - I haven't heard of anyone that has actually found their mates in my lifetime. She gave me a quick smile and then began diving to the water floor looking to see what treasures she could find, returning to the surface every 30 seconds or so to take a breath. She was so excited, telling me to look at and I quote "all the cool things she's found!" She shouted excitedly to tell me she had spotted a white glowing stone before heading back under the water. 30 seconds passed and she had not returned to the surface. My wolf was on edge and I wasted no time swimming over to her, by the time I arrived my heart was pounding out of my chest in fear. She had still not resurfaced. I plunge myself under the water, my eyes stinging as I look for her. She is frantically struggling to release her foot caught between 2 large rocks. Her eyes were wide with fear as her naked body thrashed in the water - interested in only her safety, I threw one rock aside using my strength and hastily pulled her to the surface where she took in a desperate breath of air, her arms clinging to my neck. I hold her while she calms. Holding her close helps to calm me too. My every cell went into a panic at the thought of something happening to her. I look at her, reach my hand into her fiery, wet hair and pull her in until our mouths meet passionately. She responds to my kiss by opening her mouth to let me explore, our tongues dancing together. Our naked bodies touch and the kiss has my body responding in a way that feels all too natural with her - before I lose all self control I remind myself of my duties and slowly, begrudgingly end the kiss. I placed one final kiss on her forehead, my heart grateful she was safe. "Come on, I think that's enough swimming for one day."

We redress and head back to the house, we notice some of the pack at a bonfire and I ask Sara if she would like to stay and dry off some - she agrees happily. I leave her for a few minutes to go and fetch some drinks. When I turned to come back, I saw Ezra has stolen my seat beside her, he was just a little too close to her for my liking. An involuntary growl left me, as I headed back over to continue the amazing evening Sara and I had shared.