Forming plans

*Nathan POV*

I ran back to the bushes where I left my clothes. Looking around to see if there was no one around, I shifted back and got dressed.

Getting into my car, I leaned over the steering wheel and sighed.

I knew that meeting my mate would change my life and I was afraid that I would lose focus on things that were my priority. I still have all the issues in mind, but…

I want to focus on her, on winning her heart and most importantly, on helping her with whatever issues she has.

That means finding anyone that threatens her.

I took a phone from my pocket and texted her.

Nathan *Hey, returned home safely?*

I tapped the steering wheel, waiting impatiently for her text. After a few more seconds, I heard a sound.

Savy *Hey! Yeah, I'm home. I'm getting ready to go to bed. Thank you again for a meal. :)*

Nathan *No problem. I had fun talking with you today. I hope we can go out again?*

My heart thumped in my chest, waiting for an answer. I almost crushed my phone in my hands.

Savy *Well, yeah, sure. If you want to. My perf starts at 7PM tomorrow in Beetlejuice. I hope to see you there. Goodnight!*

I grinned widely, laughing at myself like a madman.

Nathan *I wouldn't miss it. :) Goodnight, Queen.*

I started the engine and went straight to the pack house. I was counting on some good rest, but as soon as I entered the Alpha suite, I was met with an overly excited Trinity and only a little less excited Kaiden. Caleb was sitting on my couch with whiskey in his hand and with an unreadable expression.

"How did it go?" Trinity asked, jumping around me.

"Okay, I guess." I shrugged, getting a whisky from my desk.

"Okay?" Kaiden asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you rejected her?!"

He gasped and Trish covered her mouth, staring daggers at me.

"What? No! Of course not!" I huffed, the thought of rejecting Savy causing me to growl. "I would never! I want her."

Pregnant she-wolf exhaled in relief and plopped on the couch, next to unmoved Caleb.

"She is a wonderful girl, very hardworking." Kaiden said with a nod.

"Yeah, do you know anything more about her?" I asked, leaning over my desk.

"Not really." Trinity shook her head. "She seems like a really closed person."

"Apparently she escaped something bad and she is scared that it will follow her here." I sighed, sipping my drink.

"She told you that?" Caleb asked, finally speaking.

"Eh, not really…" I trailed off.

"Nathan!" Trinity squinted her eyes at me and got closer.

"I… uhm…, she didn't want me to give her a ride so… I kinda followed her in my wolf form to make sure she came home safely and listened to her conversation with her roommate?" I stuttered, scratching the back of my neck.

All three of them looked at me quietly for a moment and then roared with laughter.

I rolled my eyes.

"You stalked her?!" Caleb wiped his tears, holding his stomach with another hand. "Seriously dude?"

"What? She is my mate! My wolf couldn't leave her alone." I whined, knowing deep inside that I fully deserved this.

"You are something else, Nate." Trinity said, rubbing her belly. "I think even my pup laughed at you."

"So what did you hear, stalker?" Kaiden asked with a chuckle.

I told them everything I'd heard, omitting the part when Savy and her friend discussed my hotness.

Trinity hummed, Kaiden's hand made circles on her stomach.

"I don't know, Nate. It sounds like something serious." She sighed. "Maybe obsessed ex?"

"You said she mentioned that they both escaped, right? So I don't think it's an ex." Caleb said, refiling his glass.

"Are you willing to take her burden on yourself? As her mate, it would mean that whatever is after her you are going to fight. Are you ready for that kind of commitment?" Kaiden asked me, looking me straight in the eye.

Am I?

"Yes." I said without a hint of hesitation in my voice. "No matter what it is, I'll be there for her. Whatever it is, I'll protect her."

"Then it'll be okay." Trinity stood up and put her hand on my arm. "Take it slow, get to know her and make her trust you. Then she will surely open up."

They all said their goodbyes and left me with my thoughts.

I leaned in the open window of my bedroom and breathed deeply.

The full moon shines brightly above the woods that surround our pack territory. Little sparkles, that are most likely fireflies, flew low over the ground.

I always loved looking through this window. It shows the border of my pack, an endless sea of trees. Whenever I had a fight with my parents or something went wrong and I needed a space to think, I sat there, looking at nature. It always helped me to clean my head of thoughts.

And tonight I have the biggest anxiety in my life.

I'm not scared of Savy's past. Whatever it is, I can fight it. But the only thing I can't solve with my strength is make her fall in love with me and accept me. What will she say when she finds out? Will she be scared? Disgusted? Angry?

Tomorrow I'll start winning her heart, a little step by time.

She said she would sing tomorrow evening. I'll make sure to bring her flowers this time and to ask her out on a proper date.

I need to show her that I don't care about her past and that I don't mind that she is not as wealthy as me. I don't want her to be uncomfortable around me, so I should start with simpler things. I'll have a chance to take her to the fanciest place around here later. Now I just want her to trust me and my intentions.

I should take Trinity and Kaiden with me tomorrow. She will maybe feel more comfortable with them around. She knows them after all.

They saved her once.

I growled, anger starting to rise in me.

If I ever see someone trying to lay a hand on her, they had better say goodbye to their limbs.

*Caleb POV*

As soon as I left Nathan's apartment, I went straight to the gym. I needed to punch something. Hard.

I tore off my shirt and went straight to a punching bag, not even bothering to put on gloves, I started to furiously punch the bag.

Sweat rolled from my forehead, I was biting my lower lip so hard that soon my mouth filled with blood.

I feel so bitter, I don't fully understand why.

I am happy for my friend. Of course. And seeing the instant change in his approach towards mates is incredible. He had barely met her and he was ready to burn the world for her.

It's amazing, it's really great.

But, why not me?

Why don't I have my mate yet?

I always wanted him, even though I was afraid.

Fuck!

"Caleb? Are you here?" Trinity's voice brought me back from my thoughts.

I stopped punching and turned to her. She had a worried expression.

Trinity came closer to me with a towel and she gave it to me.

"Thanks. What do you need me for?" I asked, trying to force my voice to sound nonchalant.

"Come on, Cal." She scoffed and sat on the mat. "How long have we known each other?"

"Very long." I chuckled and sat across from her on the floor.

"I could see that something was bothering you earlier. I'm worried. Talk to me, Cal." She said, grabbing my hands.

"I… I've been having a secret. From all of you." I sighed, feeling that if I didn't tell someone, I'd explode. "It's about my mate."

"You found your mate?" Trinity gasped, covering her mouth.

"No, unfortunately not yet. It's about who my mate may be." I said, lowering my gaze.

"Oh, honey." Trinity smiled, cupping my face. "Caleb, I know."

"What?" I inhaled sharply. "You know what?"

"That you are gay." She said calmly, like she wasn't talking about my biggest secret.

"What? How? "Does Kaiden know?" I panicked, feeling my heart beat rising.

"No sweety, I figured it out by myself. It wasn't that hard honestly." She shrugged, smiling.

"Since when do you know?"

"Since we were teenagers, I think."

"What? Why didn't you say anything?" I whined.

"I was waiting until you were ready." Trinity said, holding my hands. "Why is it worrying you?"

"What do you mean why?" I asked, standing up and pacing around. Trinity was following me with her eyes. "Let's start. What will happen when they find out? Will they accept me? What about the pack? Won't they mind that their Gamma and lead warrior is gay? And let's not mention that same-sex matches are not that common. I have never seen two men mated to each other."

I was silent for a couple of minutes, pacing around.

Trinity sat for my whole outburst quietly, rubbing her pregnant belly.

I got tired and plopped next to her, leaning my head back.

"You done?" She asked, yawning.

"Yes." I huffed, covering my eyes with my arm.

"So let's start with that." She sighed. "You are an idiot."

"Excuse me?" I looked at her side-eye.

"You really think that Nathan and Kaiden, your two best friends, men that took care of you after your mother died and when your dad left, would abandon you? Because you are gay? They love you Caleb. We all do. They would never give you up."

I snorted, the song filled my mind immediately.

"You just Rick Rolled me." I chuckled.

"Not on purpose." she giggled. "As for the pack. They would never say anything bad to you. Not only Nathan wouldn't allow anyone to disrespect you, but more importantly, you can pretty much wipe out anyone who would try to tell you something bad."

I shrugged and Trinity just scoffed.

"You are a Gamma, Cal! You are the strongest wolf in our pack, apart from Nathan."

"You have a point." I huffed. "And what if my mate won't be a man? What if I can't get mated to a guy and it will be a woman?"

"That… I don't know." "She sighed, thinking hard.

She gasped at some point, her eyes lit up.

"What if…? We ask the source?" She said, smirking mischievously.

"Trinity? What do you mean?"

I feel like I'm going to regret it.