Chapter 1 – The beginning

Sab couldn’t bear it anymore. She found herself running through the grounds and into the place where the Alpha’s family lives.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ice told her that Clyde has decided to mate with the daughter of a neighboring pack’s Alpha. In a way, to strengthen the ties between the two packs. But for the most part, it’s to allow Clyde to take on the role of the Alpha. He’s twenty-one now and his father, the current Alpha, can only transfer him the title if he’s mated.

It’s a pack law in the Snow Mountain Pack, their pack. The next Alpha must have his Luna to rule the whole pack. Without a Luna, he’s not allowed to.

When Clyde turned eighteen, he didn’t find his mate within the pack. After visiting other packs, he still failed to find her. He probably felt that it would be difficult to find her and he can’t keep waiting, so he considered just choosing a mate. It’s not unheard of. The world is so wide, many wolves have been unable to find their mates.

Except… Sab was just there. Clyde is older than her by a few months. When she turned eighteen and sensed her mate, she was bewildered and dumbfounded. Because the scent and the bond have led her to him. But he’s not reacting to it. It was as if he’s not feeling it at all. He wasn’t affected by her presence and proximity. She didn’t hear him say “Mine” or “Mate” when he smiled at her that night. Instead, he approached her to give her his gift. And then, he returned to chat with a group of his friends.

There was no recognition at all, much less an acceptance that she is his mate. She couldn’t understand it and it took all of her control to keep her distance from him and not call him as her mate.

And she has kept this a secret to everyone. No one else knows. Not even her mother. Or her best friend. She did ask about it, to a few mentors during their training, but their answers were all the same. It’s not possible, they said. Because it was how it’s been from the very beginning, both mates would feel the bond that binds them together. When she insisted her question, they said they never heard of such a situation. Where only one feels the bond, while the other is ignorant of it. Because it didn’t take her long to realize that’s her situation.

Initially, she thought he must not like her. Or he must not want her to be his Luna. She waited for his rejection, but he never did. What’s more, his treatment of her never changed. They’re still friends. There were times he would hang out with her and Ice. Ice is his twin, and he’s much closer to her than Clyde. Mainly because when she started liking him, she became conscious of herself and avoided him when she feels she’s not her best. Ice noticed her little actions and figured it out. That’s how they became close and he would tease her about it.

And then, Clyde would still talk about his mate. How he hopes to find her soon, how he plans to treat her and how the rest of the pack should welcome her. He would bring it up from time to time because he’s worried someone in the pack would antagonize her. He’s being sweet but it made Sab realize he’s not really feeling the bond.

But why? That’s the question she can’t find an answer to. She’s quite known to his family, so she even asked the Alpha and the Luna, Clyde’s parents, about it. Both of them don’t have answers to offer as well.

So, yes. She’s on her own, experiencing this shit alone.

Three years she endured it, keeping the secret to herself. But now, he plans to mate with another? Her inner wolf can’t accept it and she has been restless since Ice told her about it. Hours later, she couldn’t bear it any longer. She run out, finally deciding to tell him. She’s not sure what would happen, but she simply wanted him to know before he goes to mate with another. Would he still do? Or would he choose her? Would he believe her? Or would he think she’s a liar? The possibilities are endless, but she knew her chances are so low. Her heart ached just thinking about them. She can’t make him believe. She has no proof. It was simply her own words, her claim that she feels a bond towards him. That the bond is telling her Clyde is her mate.

Sab knocked on his door, already breathless from running.

When he opened the door, he was already frowning. It’s already late in the night, who would come to see him? His frown deepened when he saw Sab crying in front of him.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” His first thought was that something happened to her mom, but then, why would she come to him? She should seek the pack doctor or maybe his father, the Alpha.

Sab shook her head as she continued to cry, her tears staining her face.

“Are you really going to mate with an Alpha’s daughter?” She managed to ask between sobs.

He couldn’t understand why it’s any of her concern, but he still answered with a raised eyebrow, “I’m considering it.”

Her heart broke upon hearing, “But what about me?”

“What about you?” He’s slowly finding it difficult to understand her.

“I’m your mate.” Sab directly stated and this pronouncement made him feel incredulous.

Say what now?

Sab knew what his expression meant, so she continued, “Don’t you really feel it? The bond? I’ve known you were my mate since I turned eighteen. It’s been three years. Even now, I’m still feeling it. But why don’t you? I’m your mate. You’re my mate. How could you go and find someone else? I’m just here.”

She finally let out all her grievances in those statements. 

She’s not exactly a quiet person. And with all her crying, her tone was a bit louder than her normal voice. The other wolves in the house already felt someone’s presence that don’t belong to their family. It was Ice who first came to look at the commotion. He heard everything. Also, they’re wolves. He’s sure their parents also heard it all.

She saw his confusion, but mostly, she could see his doubt and it hurts her greatly. Her legs gave out. She’s tired from running, and she’s mentally exhausted. She dropped to the ground in front of him as she continued to cry.

Ice hardened his expression, giving his twin a look, before sitting next to Sab.

“Sab, get up.” It took him a while to get her to stand up.

Clyde just stood there watching them, still processing what she said.

“Take her to the dining hall.” Their father’s voice reached them and Ice obeyed.

Their mother went to her other side and assisted her as well. Sab feels embarrassed. She knew she just made a scene but she knew it’s something she needed to do, or else… she would regret it for the rest of her life.

Once everyone has moved to the dining hall, the Alpha faced her to ask questions. It was just their family and Sab.

“Is what you said true?” The Alpha asked and his tone wasn’t friendly. After all, he’s the one who suggested that Clyde should simply choose his mate if he can’t find one.