DRESDEN

I growled while pacing the floor. My wolf was agitated, I was agitated and it seemed like no amount of whisky could calm me down.

Five days. Five days since the Full Moon Festival began. Five days since the illusion of Mara was no longer an illusion.

Five days since I saw her again. since I felt the bond fill the hollow part of me. since I heard those words.

‘Mate.’

She was my mate again, or still. It didn't matter anyways.

When I started dreaming of her I thought it was a punishment to remember what I didn't and couldn't have. Turns out I was wrong. It was a sign. Even after the bond had been broken for a whole decade she was still my mate.

She was mine. She was always meant to be mine.

If only it was that freaking simple.

Because since then I'd never seen her and it was driving me crazy.

All the luncheons, meetings and dinners, she was never there. The only person that came was That Freaking Alpha called Matthew.

Matthew, her apparent new mate.

I wished it was the lack of a bond, but the way he talked about her said otherwise and damn it if it didn’t make me enraged.

“Keep pacing like that and you'll wear out the floor.”

I spun at the voice to find Charles entering the room with a frown.

“I don't know what the hell has gotten to you but it has to stop. We're in the midst of other packs. You can't keep locking yourself in to rampage as the host.

“Shut up,” I snapped,

“You still haven't seen her again?” he asked and I stopped in place. Immediately it happened I told him everything.

“You'll have to let go of her now, especially when she's officially mated to someone else.”

“She's not his Luna,” I snapped. I'd heard every little news about it and seen how women approached him. Even though they were mates, he hadn't married her yet.

“It doesn't matter. If they are truly mates, then it doesn't matter what you want. She's not yours-”

I cut him off as I slammed my fist into the desk, cracking it loudly .

“She was mine before! how the hell was I supposed to know that she would find another man so quickly?!” I roared letting out all my rage.

I breathed in heavily to cool down and Charles looked at me unimpressed.

“It's been a whole decade. It didn't happen quickly. Were you expecting her to stay alone the entire time and wait for you?” he asked.

I didn't know what the hell I was thinking. Yes?

“Fuck,” I cursed out loud.

The Moon Goddess was punishing me. I was sure of it now. Her returning was one thing but now she was with someone else now, someone who was apparently also her mate and had been her mate longer than I have.

And now I was stuck on the wrong end of the stick, forced to watch her with someone else while the bond drew me to her.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was…

“I need to see her,” I said,”the bond… this attraction is killing me. My wolf can't rest.”

It felt like torture.

Charles sighed, “The Full Moon run is coming up two days from now. she can avoid every other event, but that one is mandatory for everyone.”

My breath hitched as I understood what he meant. Of course, the full moon run, why haven’t I thought of it before?

“That's probably your only chance to see her. Good luck.” he said. I murmured thanks to him before he turned away. When I was alone again a rush came onto me. I'd have a chance to see her again.

All I had to do was wait.

….

“Why the hell are you so excited?”

Irritation filled me with Bella's words.

“What kind of question is that?” I snapped

“ Is it because Mara's here? I'm still your wife.”

And didn't I know it. I sighed.

“Are you done?” I asked, “Stop asking those questions and let's prepare for the Full Moon run okay?”

“I’m not going.”

My irritation spiked at her words. When I turned, I found her face impassive as she wore her jewelry.

“What the hell is this now Bella” I screamed..

“It's what it is.” She shut down the conversation, completely ignoring me as she focused on her jewels. I clenched my fist to hold back the bubbling hot rage.

For me to be there without my Luna was humiliating. Even more was that this was supposed to be a mandatory event all members of the pack were taking part in. For a member of mypack to not be there, especially an important one, was disrespectful and all eyes would be on me to be responsible for it.

I looked at her ready to fight but I could see that her mind was up. Any attempt to push further will end up in a screaming match or her throwing a tantrum, and that was the last thing I needed when there were eyes of other packs around us to witness everything.

I let the room fuming, taking deep breaths to calm myself.

It was okay, I realized. If she wasn’t there I could meet Mara without any interference.

Suddenly my anger faded and things were looking up again…

By night time I was ready . After I transformed into my wolf form I carried my clothes with me to change and look for her. Howling filled the air while I traced her scent.

By the time things turned quiet, I transformed back and wore clothes to look for her. Only a few steps in did I find her in the distance, also in her human form.

She didn't notice me as I creeped up on her until the last moment. She helped the moment I spun her around and my wolf purred.

Finally,

A low rumble of satisfaction filled me the moment her eyes locked with mine. Her eyes were wide, looking more doe than wolf. It made me smile wider as I spoke.

“Long time no see…Mara.”