We don’t stand a chance at winning this war with fifteen thousand warriors, so we stop at Mist Falls and Wolfwell, recruiting everyone able to fight and increasing our number to eighteen thousand.
After a few days, we reach Thornwell, a town halfway between our packhouse and the forest border. We decide to train the recruits for a few days there. Thornwell is a decently-sized village with a river running through the forest border and into human lands.
For the past few nights, I’ve had the same dream of my mate. I see only the back of her long dark hair, and every time I try to get closer, she vanishes.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. The war should have my full, undivided attention, and yet, here I am, pining after a girl I don’t even know. I yearn for her: to touch her, to kiss her, to smell her violet and honey scent, to hold her in my arms.
My wolf has been uncontrollable because our unspoken mate bond is driving him insane. I haven’t been sleeping well, and I’m always frustrated. I’m constantly on edge and unable to regulate my emotions. I shift and let my wolf out for a run, making him less agitated during the training we must do the next day.
Returning to camp after my run, I walk past a tent and overhear some of my comrades discussing my recent emotional state. Some call me absent-minded, some haven’t been affected by my behaviour at all, and some sympathise with me.
Those who suggest replacing me temporarily with another Alpha, they state who has his head screwed on, anger me.
It was easy for them to say all this when they found their mates years ago. They don’t know the pain I feel each day, and it gets worse as time goes on without her. My wolf is always fighting me for control. And the pressure of not only being Alpha, but a King as well – no one in their right mind would cope.
I mind-link my close circle and tell them I’ll be back tomorrow. I shift and follow the river and run as fast as possible in the moon’s direction.
After a few hours of running, I find a nice spot by the river and collect sticks to make a fire. The wind suddenly picks up, bringing a waft of violets and honey, a scent so alluring and intoxicating. I drop the bundle of sticks.
‘Mate!’ I say, sniffing the air around me.
The moon glows brighter, and I see her not far from me, washed up on the riverbank. Knowing she is within my reach makes my heart beat quickly, but I’m soon filled with dread as I run toward her and her still body. I kneel on the ground beside her.
She has the same long dark hair that I dreamed of. I brush her hair aside to see dried blood on her forehead and cheek.
I pick her up and hold her in my arms, feeling chemistry and magnetism I have never felt before. Despite her wet clothes, her body is warm, and this warmth radiates through me like magic.
My heart feels it’s combusting with love. I’m elated and euphoric. It’s like no other feeling I’ve ever felt. I feel complete and whole for the first time. I’ve lusted for no one this strongly. Of all the villages I’ve been to, of all the lands I’ve seen, I’ve not come across such beauty. I can’t take my eyes off her.
I lay her down on the dry ground and light the fire to keep her warm. I then inspect the wound on her forehead and wash the dry blood from her face, drying it with my shirt. With my eyes narrowing in on her nape, I want to mark her, but being a gentleman, I wouldn’t dream of marking her while she lies unconscious on the ground. Instead, I nuzzle my face into her neck and hair, holding her close and drift off to sleep with the smell of violets and honey.
Maia
I’m so warm and comfy that I don’t want to wake yet. I just want to lie in this warmth and enjoy this feeling I’ve never felt before. I feel warm tingles all over and butterflies in my belly.
The events of the day before come crashing down on me, and my forehead throbs with pain. I open my eyes, squinting, and wait for them to adjust to the sunlight.
My arms and legs have a few minor scratches and bruises. A fire beside me has only recently gone out. My dress and cloak are dry.
I’m not alone: a tall, well-built, attractive man lies on the ground asleep. I freeze, and he lets out a cute whimper.
I dare not move, afraid of waking him. I find myself in a trance, staring at his handsome features. Sculpted by the Gods, surely. He has a chiselled face, short brown hair, a straight nose, and full lips with a possible hint of dimples if he was to smile.
My eyes lower further to see a very large bulge under his breeches. I don’t think men have the same anatomy as women. I want to touch him and caress him. I don’t know what to make of this feeling because I’ve never experienced it before.
He yawns and stretches his arms into the air as he wakes. Then, finally, his brown eyes open. I quickly stand and run back a few metres. The handsome man stands up and looks at me.
He takes a step toward me with a big smile. I take a step back, and he then frowns. I begin to breathe heavily. I start to panic.
Who is this man? Why is he staring at me like he knows me? I pull my olive-green cloak around myself tightly.
‘It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Damon,’ he says, ‘Your eyes are so beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone with violet eyes before. The Moon Goddess has blessed me.’ he smiles.
I don’t know what he means about being blessed, but I’m gradually feeling more relaxed.
Minutes pass, and I realise we have been staring into each other’s eyes: my expression changes to worry and confusion.
‘It’s ok. It’s just the bond,’ he says, reassuring me.
I tilt my head in confusion. Realisation dawns on his face.
‘Are you human?’ He asks. I shrug my shoulders to indicate I’m not sure.
He scratches the back of his head as if in thought and smiles at the fact I gave a response.
‘That’s ok. I’m sure we’ll figure it out in time,’ he says, smiling.
I’m confused. Why does he want to help me? What does he mean by in time? I’m going home to my cave and to Ember.
Feeling more comfortable, I have a weird need to sit on his lap and let his huge arms hold me. I decide to sit down after taking a few steps closer to him.
‘I’m Maia,’ I say. My cheeks flush, and my body feels hot.
Damon stares at me intently. One hundred thoughts are going through his mind. He steps closer and sits, closing the large space between us.
‘Maia. How did you end up in the river? You’re injured. You could have drowned,’ he says, concerned.
‘Some soldiers in the forest chased after me. My only choice to get away was to jump off a cliff into the river,’ I explain, my hands clasped in my lap. ‘If I didn’t jump, one man would have touched me again in ways I did not like.’ I add, remembering how disgusting the man’s hand on my thigh felt.
‘I’m sorry that happened to you. I’ll kill anyone before they try and harm you again,’ Damon says protectively. He says it as though I’m his responsibility. I nod in agreement and wait for him to speak.
‘What happened after that?’ He asks.
‘I remember being knocked out by the water. Then I
woke up here and saw you,’ I say. It’s almost twilight.
‘Where do you live?’ He asks.
I don’t know if I should answer or not.
‘Where am I?’ I instead ask.
‘Near Thornwell,’ he says, smiling.
‘Thornwell. I’ve never heard of it before,’ I say.
‘You’ll love Thornwell. It’s a beautiful village. Everyone will be so excited to meet you,’ he says, grinning.
‘It would be nice to meet your friends, but I need to go home.’
I stand and look around, trying to figure out the way home to the cave, and decide if I follow the river in the opposite direction, it washed me in, I should find my way home.
‘Thank you for helping me. It was a pleasure meeting you. We might cross paths again,’ I say. Damon takes my hand, igniting fuzzy warm sparks throughout my whole body when his skin touches mine.
‘Maia, your home is with me now,’ he says. ‘We’ll visit your old home soon,’ he adds sincerely. I step backward, taken aback by his words.
‘I can’t live with you. I don’t even know you,’ I say, taking more steps backward, away from him. He quickly and gently takes my hand and puts it on his chest.
‘You feel it too,’ he says, and I feel his heart beating under my hand. Warm, crackling electricity consumes me, and I wonder if he refers to his heart or the bursts of tingles and sparks.
‘Your heart?’ I wonder.
‘No, this,’ he says, cupping my cheek with his hand. I instantly swoon and feel lightheaded. What is this feeling
‘The Moon Goddess has chosen you as my mate,’ he says assuredly. I freeze. Mate? Only werewolves have mates.
My heart racing, I ponder this could not be true, that Damon could not be a… werewolf!
