CHAPTER FIVE:MATE?

 Mate?

I couldn’t sleep. 

The air here hummed with something unnatural like the whole forest breathed in sync with the moon. Around midnight, I slipped out of bed and stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor. 

The urge to walk ,to move ,was impossible to ignore. 

I looked through the window . The moon shone very brightly. 

I crept outside, the night wind brushing against my skin like a whisper carrying secrets. The forest behind the estate was calling me. I didn’t know how or why, but I followed the feeling. 

“Don’t go near the woods. Not alone.” Bella’s voice echoed at the back of my mind ,yet I didn’t stop.  

I couldn’t , it seemed like my legs had a mind of their own. 

The trees parted for me like they remembered me. 

And then I saw him. 

A figure stood at the center of a moonlit clearing—tall, shadowed, and silent. His back was to me, but I felt the power radiating off him in waves. 

A magnificent black wolf with shiny fur. 

He turned. 

My breath caught. I drew in a shaky breath, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. 

He was beautiful in the way fire is beautiful—dangerous, untamed, and mesmerizing. 

Raven-black fur. Eyes like molten silver. A scar cut through his right brow, making him look even more ruthless. 

But it was the way he looked at me that froze me in place. 

Like he knew me. 

Like he’d been waiting. 

Something inside me snapped—panic or instinct, I didn’t know. I spun on my heel and ran back through the trees, heart pounding in rhythm with every step. 

By the time I reached the mansion, I was breathless, shaking, and confused. 

Downstairs, my grandmother sat at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of something that smelled like herbs and firewood. She didn’t look up when I entered. 

I swallowed hard, adrenaline still coursing through me. What was I supposed to say? That the forest lured me and I chased a feeling straight into a stranger’s stare? 

“You went into the woods,” she said simply. 

I froze. 

“How did you…”  

She finally looked at me—her gaze piercing. “And you met him.” 

“Who is he?” 

“That depends,” she said, swirling her drink. “Who do you think he is?” 

“Someone dangerous,” I replied ,pulling the sleeves of my jacket . It suddenly felt so cold . 

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Good. At least you’re not completely foolish.” 

I waited for more. None came. 

Instead, she rose ,picked up her cup and walked away. “Goodnight child.” 

And I was left standing alone in the kitchen, wondering if I’d just stepped into the beginning of something I wouldn’t be able to walk away from. 

______________ 

I must have fallen asleep eventually, because the dream came without warning. 

The forest again—this time, drenched in red moonlight. The trees weren’t whispering. They were screaming. 

I ran through them barefoot, thorns clawing at my legs, the sound of growling behind me. The black wolf was there. He wasn’t alone this time. Eyes surrounded me—yellow, red, blue. Dozens of them. Circling. Waiting. 

The moon above cracked like glass. 

Blood dripped from the leaves. 

And I saw myself—glowing, but broken. White fur matted with something dark. A crown of bone and ash sat atop my head, and I howled,not in power, but in mourning. 

“You must awaken,” a voice said from the void. 

I woke with a gasp, drenched in cold sweat, the sheets twisted around me like chains. My hands were trembling. 

“Phew ,it’s just a dream” I muttered to myself, sitting up slowly.  

The day was bright , it was dawn already . 

Today, I was to be introduced to the rest of the pack.  

I got up from bed , took a shower and went down for breakfast.  

The day went by in a blur and I caught myself constantly staring at the woods. I wanted to go there again.  

“Come one darling . Everyone’s waiting” My grandmother Regina called out .  

After the whole introductions were done , everyone began to make merry, dance and eat.  

The welcome party was held in a clearing not too far from the forest and every now and then, my eyes would wander ,hoping to catch a glimpse of him.  

Eventually , not being able to resist, I got up and sneaked into the forest. 

I loved the smell of the trees and the earth—which was exactly what Ethan smelt like when …no Emily ,don’t think of that bastard .  

I shook my head as if that would suddenly take away the thoughts of Ethan that kept finding their way back into my mind every now and then.  

Taking in a deep breath, I decided that I’d had enough strolling and I turned to go back 

 Suddenly, I heard rustling in the bushes.  

“Who’s there ?” I spun around , my voice alert. 

I could have sworn I’d seen someone or something. It definitely wasn’t just the cool night breeze. 

I gradually picked up my pace when I heard the same rustling again.  

I turned to see a thing emerging from the shadows, its eyes fixed on me with a menacing glare. 

It was a wolf .  

Oh my goodness, definitely a rogue. 

Instant regret hit me . I should have listened to Bella. 

I turned on my heels and ran immediately , this was one of the times I wished that I could shift .  

 The figure lunged at me, and of course caught up with me. 

Another wolf came out of the bushes and they both surrounded me .  

“Please …don’t kill me” I sobbed, my tears choking me . 

One of the wolves growled impatiently and made to lunge at me  

I let out a shrill cry, falling to the ground and covering my face with my hands ,waiting to feel the sting of claws and teeth digging into my skin but it never came  

I looked up slowly to see that another wolf had jumped in to save me .  

They seemed to be engaged in a deadly battle , biting and scratching each other  

But my rescue Wolf seemed to be stronger and bigger 

In no time , the two wolves laid still in a small heap. 

 I felt a rush of relief as I realized that I was safe.  

The wolf that saved me was shielded in the shadows . He had shifted back to a human and I couldn’t see his face .  

“Th…thank you for saving my life sir “ I said , still shaking from what had just happened  

My life had just flashed before my

eyes.  

“You’re welcome mate “ he replied in a husky voice  

Mate? 

Ethan?