Anticipation: Leo POV

The last week of summer. The fucking last week! And where am I? Not hunting or sleeping. Not even swimming. Nope. I'm sitting in the middle of a pack administration meeting listening to Nikolai, the pack's accountant, read out expense reports. For the love of The Mother Spirit! I swear I'm going to actually die from boredom. I felt eyes on me and glanced around 'til my gaze met my Dad's. He was trying to look at me disapprovingly, but it was clear to see that he was amused by my attitude towards the situation.

I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling before leaning back in my seat and staring at the wooden table. After what seemed like hours, the meeting finally adjourned. I took my leave and headed downstairs towards the living room. I heard the television going and as I entered and saw my best friend, and Beta, seated on the couch, staring at his phone. He looked up indignantly as my fingers flicked him in the back of the head,

"The hell was that for?"

"For finding a way to get out of the meeting without me. Bastard."

I sat on the other end of the couch, my arms crossed in mock anger,

"If I heard one more thing about the price of toiletries for the guest suites this year, I was going to start ripping my hair out. I forgot how boring those things are."

"Being an Alpha is more than just peace treaties and territorial disputes. It's also taxes and stock reports."

"Shuddup. I didn't ask for a voice of reason. Anyway, you're supposed to be on my side. Plus, I still have a few more cities to add to my road trip."

"Hmm, I appreciate the dedication."

"To find my mate? I'd travel the globe...Shit."

"What?"

"I might have to."

Josh rolled his amber eyes, laughing, before looking at me with amusement,

"Have a little faith, would ya? I doubt the Mother Spirit would have you country hoping to find your other half. Let's be serious. They're most likely in the next state over if anything. You just can't see the forest for the trees."

"Well, I'm glad both of us are overly optimistic."

"Shut up."

We continued watching whatever came on 'til the scent of food lured us to the dining hall. The hall was in an entirely separate building and housed, what would usually be considered, an excessive amount of tables. But considering that we had a pack of 1000 strong, it only made sense. The scent of good food filled the room, overtaking our senses immediately. My mouth watered as I made my way to the buffet that had been set up. Josh followed close behind and we proceeded to both pile our plates high. I hadn't realized how hungry I'd been until I was full.

After giving our plates to those on kitchen duty for the month, Josh asked me if I wanted to go on a run. My wolf had been restless since Thursday, for no apparent reason, so a run would probably do us good. I nodded and started to head towards the forest surrounding the main Pack buildings until I felt a yank on my arm, dragging me in the opposite direction. Turning around caused Josh to let me go, but he continued walking. I followed confused,

"I thought we were running?"

"We are, but let's do it in Peace Valley woods. Then we can get ice cream afterwards."

I shook my head as we reached his burgundy Camero,

"You and your sweet tooth."

"I have nothing to be ashamed of."

''

We both stood on the forest line in our wolf forms. I shook out my golden brown fur while Josh's light brown wolf darted into the woods. As I start after him, an intoxicating scent filled my nose. Jasmine and honey. My wolf pulled me towards it, screaming only one thing,

Mate

You didn't have to tell me twice. I ran hard, following the scent. The deeper in I went, the stronger it became. The scent of my mate made my heart pound. For the love of The Mother! I wish this forest was smaller! I wanted them near me. I needed to hold them in my arms. There was water up ahead. Maybe I'd finally reached a clearing. Hopefully, they were there. As I broke through the trees into the clearing, I caught only a glimpse of my mate as he disappeared into the opposite tree line.

His dark black fur caught the last of the sunlight, causing him to seemingly have a gentle blue sheen before exiting the clearing. My heart ached as he slipped out of sight and into the shadows. Why did he run? As if to answer my question, Josh tore through the trees and bushes into the clearing as well. Considering the noise he'd made alone, and the fact that I hadn't tried to be too quiet either, he must have been startled. Josh came over, his tail wagging as he spoke through the pack link,

Man, that felt good. What's wrong, were you still hungry? Couldn't wait for a sweet dessert?

I tilted my head in confusion as I followed my mate's trail to the edge of the water, where it stopped. Josh gave a soft growl, bringing my attention to a deer carcass. Or should I say, what was left of it. It was damn near stripped clean. I made my way over and realized it was my mysterious mate's handiwork. Josh looked to me before continuing to examine it,

Seems like whoever ate this must have been starving. Smells like a rogue alpha as well. Wonder what led them here? Did you see them? Is that why you look like someone kicked your puppy?

He's my mate.

Wait, what? Seriously, man? Let's look for him. Maybe we can catch up to him. From the state of this deer, I think he'd be happy to see us.

We can't.

What do you mean? His scent is-

He broke his scent trail before running off. I doubt we'd be able to find him and something tells me that he has a lot of experience in disappearing.

Josh looked at me questioningly but said nothing else on the subject. I walked around the carcass, committing his scent to memory. Sure enough, he had the blood of an alpha and no pack scent. He'd been traveling for a while too, his fur still carrying the remnants of scents that weren't from the local flora and fauna. Underneath it all, though, was the slightest tinge of fear.

Had we actually scared him that badly? Enough to make an alpha fearful? It's not as if he was small, from the brief glimpse I saw at least. He might've been a little thin, but I bet our wolves would probably stand shoulder to shoulder. There was also something else bothering me, besides the fear scent. My mate's wolf had been covered in scars from nose to tail. I'd paid no mind to it when I saw him, but now I couldn't stop thinking about it. Especially with the state of this carcass and the scent of travel and fear.

We had shifted back and were heading into the city. The scars still weighing on my mind. The only way to scar wolves was with silver, a hunter's weapon of choice, or from deep enough wounds from another wolf. Hunter's usually only hunted ferals, and he didn't seem like he'd lost his humanity. Also...the way the scars were positioned...it looked more like a result of torture, not battle. Last I checked, hunters, even illegal ones, preferred a dead wolf to an injured one. Josh knocking on the passenger window pulled me out of my thoughts. As I got out of the car, I hoped that I'd be able to find him in those woods again.