Chapter 2. Diving Into Each Other's Eyes

"Did you feel it too?!" The man named Altair Enzo could clearly hear the voice, full of enthusiasm. Instead of answering, Altair sighed heavily.

"Why? I know you felt it too. That girl... she has what we've been searching for all this time," the voice spoke again.

"Can you be quiet, Cygnus?" Altair's voice sounded authoritative.

Apparently, Cygnus was Altair's inner wolf. Yes, Altair was an alpha werewolf. Behind Altair's captivating pale white skin, sharp jawline, pointed nose, sharp eyes, and perfect physique, he had another form, that of a majestic white wolf with clean fur.

Cygnus growled softly, what he wanted was to bring the girl he met earlier in the forest border this afternoon, the girl who was none other than Enne, who possessed the aura that Cygnus had been searching for all this time, his mate's aura.

"We haven't confirmed it yet. I want to be cautious," Altair calmly stated.

"I—it—we've been holding back for so long. You don't know how frustrating it is to restrain this desire. When I looked into her eyes, I could already imagine how I would 'pounce' on her in a warm den." Cygnus persisted.

"Stop it before I put you to a long sleep," Altair warned.

Cygnus fell silent, he truly obeyed. Altair always had full control over their body.

When Altair no longer heard his inner wolf's voice, he resumed his journey to investigate Enne's tracks. Altair had to confirm it himself, whether Enne was indeed his potential mate. Cygnus could feel it, and if this went on for too long and Altair ignored Cygnus's request, it was possible that the white wolf within him would rebel and forcefully take over his body. The strong desire to have a mate could make Cygnus do that. Before that happened and as long as Cygnus was still under his control, Altair had to ascertain it clearly himself.

Altair's sharp sense of smell enabled him to track Enne's scent well, leading him to a familiar house.

"Lyra's house?" Altair murmured softly. His sharp eyes could see the girl in a brown cloak looking at the moon through her bedroom window.

Beautiful... one word could represent Altair's first impression of the girl. Previously, Altair couldn't see Enne clearly because Cygnus was taking over his body and transforming into a wolf to confront the rogue pack, the enemies of werewolves. But now, Altair could see Enne clearly, her petite face, blue eyes, cherry-colored lips... truly beautiful.

At that moment, Altair heard the sound of something falling not far from him. Altair's face immediately became alert, and when he turned around, he could see the silhouette of someone trying to stand up after hitting the snow.

Altair recognized this scent, the scent of rogues or feral wolves without a pack. They were very dangerous and liked to destroy small packs. They could also become wolf hunters if requested.

Altair was about to chase after the silhouette, he thought it was related to the rogues he had eliminated at the forest border. However, Enne's voice stopped his steps.

"Who's there?" Enne shouted, squinting her eyes towards Altair's silhouette standing among the trees in front of Lyra's house.

Altair decided to come out of his hiding place, and the moonlight made him clearly visible. Enne was surprised, she had never seen a man like Altair before. He looked perfect. However, the perfect man didn't make Enne lower her guard.

"Was the voice earlier from you?" Enne asked without diverting her gaze from Altair's brown eyes.

Altair nodded in response. "Yes," he lied, not wanting Enne to know about the presence of the rogue earlier.

"What made you peep into someone's house in the middle of the night like this?" Enne questioned, her facial expression still emanating caution.

The corner of Altair's lips twitched slightly upon hearing Enne's accusation. "I am responsible for this territory. I just wanted to make sure someone's arrival in my territory," he retorted.

Enne furrowed her brow, contemplating whether to trust Altair's words. "You seem young to hold such a position," she finally voiced her thoughts.

Altair chuckled softly, his low voice even sending shivers down Enne's spine. "I'll take that as a compliment," Altair said.

Enne fell silent. Truthfully, she was confused because she couldn't read what Altair was thinking. He was different from the people she usually encountered. "Who are you?" Enne asked at last.

"If you want to get to know me, come closer," Altair made an offer. In truth, Altair just wanted to smell Enne up close. He wanted to confirm if the girl was truly his mate or not. Altair didn't want to act rashly in a situation like this.

Enne seemed hesitant, but her curiosity outweighed it. She turned around and left her room.

Altair patiently waited for Enne's arrival until he saw her descending the stairs of the house and approaching him.

Altair was momentarily stunned. Enne looked even more beautiful up close. Similarly, Enne held her breath as she stood before the man taller than her, as if he possessed something that made it hard for Enne to avert her gaze.

"Altair Enzo," Altair introduced himself first, his eyes still fixed on Enne's.

Altair's low voice sent another shiver down Enne's spine. "Aquila Etienne," Enne replied.

For a moment, silence enveloped them. Enne and Altair seemed to be delving into each other's souls through their eyes. But, to no avail... they didn't find anything.

"So, Miss Etienne... would you like to take a stroll with me?" Altair offered.

Enne raised her eyebrow.

"I can take you around. The people in the Southern region enjoy throwing parties every full moon night," Altair continued.

Enne appeared unsure. "Lyra wouldn't mind," Altair mentioned Enne's grandmother's name.

"Do you know my grandmother?" Enne asked.

"Everyone knows her," Altair replied straightforwardly.

Enne almost forgot Altair's earlier claim about being someone responsible for the territory, like a leader?

"Alright." In the end, Enne accepted Altair's invitation.

**

Enne's eyes sparkled as she saw the multitude of lanterns adorning the streets and houses in the Southern region. Some of the people she encountered smiled warmly and seemed to show respect to Altair, who walked beside Enne.

It made Enne start to believe Altair's claim. "So, you're a man of influence," Enne said.

"You're just realizing it?" Altair teased, turning his gaze towards Enne.

Enne didn't say anything, her eyes once again scanning the surroundings. The people seemed happy, especially when the music started playing, and everyone began dancing joyfully.

"Does my grandmother come here often too?" Enne mumbled.

However, Altair's keen sense of hearing allowed him to catch it. "She prefers spending time alone," Altair answered.

Enne reflexively nodded. "True, she even lives in a secluded neighborhood," she mumbled again.

"Would you like to dance with me?" Altair offered, extending his sturdy arm towards Enne.

"I can't dance," Enne said.

Truthfully, Altair wasn't skilled at it either. He just wanted to get closer to Enne to find the scent he was searching for from her body. So far, Altair hadn't caught any scent, and he had to make sure before their last dance.

"I'm a terrible dancer too," Altair said without removing his hand from Enne's.

In the end, Enne accepted Altair's extended hand. For a wolf who had never mated, Enne's touch on Altair's hand made the wolf inside him go wild.

"I want her," Cygnus growled.

"Hold on," Altair communicated with Cygnus through his mind.

"I can't." Cygnus's growl became more pronounced.

Enne could see Altair's brown eyes starting to turn golden, and at the same time, she felt something pressing on her body.