MATE

ANDERS

Now I had to face the crocodiles since running was no longer possible; better the predator than the prey. I was just about to swim deep into the water to find the crocodiles when I saw the werewolf come up from under the water. I stared at her in awe as she held two arrows in her hands. They seemed to be stuck in something and a few seconds later the heads of the two crocodiles became visible, an arrow stuck in the head of each while she kept holding on to them.

The crocodiles were by her sides only this time, their mouths were shut and they seemed to be floating. It was at this point I noticed that a few arrows were strapped to her back. She had lost her bow in the undertow and I had concluded that she was defenseless but she proved me wrong.

She briefly made eye contact with me and I could see from the look in her eyes that she was proud of her achievement. She pulled out the arrows from the crocodiles at once and returned them to her back before swimming towards the bank of the river. I did not need a soothsayer to know that those arrows were poisoned, good thing I was very skilled at catching them.

I suddenly recalled the first rule of the lycans; "all werewolves are enemies and should not be spared." Forgetting that I was earlier ready to fight for her life, I began chasing and swimming after her, determined to put my duty above any sentiments.

I saw her swim out of the water and stand at the river bank. Any other Werewolf would have taken the opportunity to run for their life but she stood, waiting for me, obviously ready to carry out her duty as well.

I noticed the injuries on her arm and leg and she was still bleeding but as I got closer to the bank, I realized she was healing. Werewolves healed faster than Lycans, it was one of the advantages they had over us.

She seemed to be more ready than ever as she took out two arrows from her back and assumed a fighting stance, once again waiting to plunge the arrows deep into my heart, if she ever got the chance.

I quickly came out of the water and stood on the bank as well. I showed my fangs and claws as I faced her, ready for battle. I saw that she had healed completely at this point but it was quite unfortunate that she was destined to die today. Then, my eyes caught hers, a shade of beautiful blue pools. I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and for the first time in my life, I felt time stop.

ZARA

This was not how I expected my day to turn out. I am Zara Wright, daughter of the Alpha of the Black Arrow Pack. I am well-trained in archery and combat and I'm a source of pride to my father which is why he choose me, one of the strongest warriors in my pack to become the future alpha.

I lost my mother to the evil lycans when I was a pup and my dad remarried. My step mum and brother hate my guts and wish I wasn't born but they can do nothing about it because I am stronger than both of them combined.

I turned eighteen a week ago but I am yet to get a mate. My father has fixed my alliance though, with Brandon, a beta in my pack. Like me, he is fierce and strong. He rejected his mate because he wants to marry me but I haven't given my consent yet.

I decided to give myself a month to see if I will be blessed with a mate. If I got one and he turned out to be capable, I will keep him because, in my opinion, Brandon was too proud. He might be the best warrior among all the males but I hate arrogance. I might change my mind though, I wasn't certain yet.

Before I left for the forest early this morning, my dad praised me with sweet words, as was his usual practice. After suffering an undertow in the boundary river, I got attacked by crocodiles. I'm sure the lycan who had fallen into the bigger river with me was happy. He probably thought that was my end but if I were that easy to defeat, I would not have earned the position I occupy in my pack.

As I waited for the lycan at the bank of the river, I felt my wounds heal and I heaved a sigh of relief. Now, I was in one piece, poised to carry out my duty. I gave the lycan a chance to come up out of the river because I believed in fighting honorably.

I would never spare a lycan, not after how brutally my mum was killed by one and this lycan in front of me was about to find out just what I was capable of but then, something happened.

Our eyes met and suddenly I was hit with a scent, the most pleasant I had ever smelled. I stared at the lycan in surprise and right at that moment, I heard my wolf, Viola, say, "mate."

ANDERS

When I left my house in the morning as I did every other day, I did not expect to have the most eventful day of my life. And now, I was staring at the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I knew the rules, no werewolf should be spared, I should have killed her right then but why did she smell so nice?

She looked about 5'9" tall, with midnight black hair. Her lips seemed to be blossom soft and her brows were finely carved like the crescent moon. She had a dainty nose and for some reason, I could not look away from those beautiful pools of hers.

The once confident expression on her face had now changed into one of confusion but I could also see fear in her eyes. Was she afraid of me? I suddenly felt the need to hug and assure her that she was safe with me.

I began walking toward her but she shook her head, "no, this can't be," before taking to her heels. I watched in surprise as she ran toward the neutral grounds and then it hit me; she was my mate.