Follow your heart

Todd's POV:

My wolf was howling inside me.

This strange, fierce urge was building up. It was wild and

restless, like it wanted to break free and run wild deep inside my soul.

A human woman had just stepped right into my territory. carrying this faint mix of antiseptic and a weird, sweet smell. It was like the fresh dew sparkling in early spring or soft moonlight on a warm summer night. That scent grabbed all my attention and woke up the wolf I'd kept locked away for so long.

"Our destined mate... "my wolf growled inside my mind, filled with disbelief and a strong sense of possession.

A human? Was the Moon Goddess messing with me?

For centuries, werewolves and humans had lived side by side, though most humans didn't even know we existed or thought we were just myths.

Naturally, bloodlines were mixed sometimes.

Hybrids happened. Some with enough wolf blood could wake up their wolf spirit, becoming Betas or Omegas in our pack.

There were even cases where Betas or Omegas found their destined mates among humans with diluted wolf blood- rare, but it happened.

But an Alpha's destined mate? Never a full human! Especially not someone like Bella. Her wolf scent was almost nonexistent. She was practically pure human.

An Alpha's Luna needed a strong wolf spirit and pure blood. She should be someone who could stand beside me, lead the pack, and have powerful pups.

I was the future leader of the Thunder Pack. How could my mate be such a fragile human?

She looked like any other professional-stiff suit, hair pinned up, tired, and a little annoyed.

But when she looked up, her eyes wide with surprise and panic, something pulled at me like never before.

My Alpha instincts whispered that maybe she was different.

"Hi, I'm Bella Shane, 28. I'm an andrologist and make about 300 grand a year. I'm not in a rush to have kids, but I'm open to starting a family later on."

She actually sat down across from me and seriously laid out her "terms".

Three hundred grand a year? Compared to the Thunder Pack's wealth, that was nothing. Andrologist? With our superhealing powers, that job seemed pointless.

My wolf purred softly at her being close, but I pushed it

down hard.

I was Todd, the Alpha of the Thunder Pack and its future leader. How could my Luna be a weak human?

"Tm Todd." I kept my voice steady, trying to sound like the Alpha I was supposed to be Tm... Age doesn't really maner to us. I'm the Alpha of the Thunder Pack. And when it comes to money, well, the forests and mountains of Northlane are mine."

I caught the shock and confusion on her face. She looked like she was trying to get what I was saying but totally missed the point-and honestly, I found that kind of funny.

She probably thought I was delusional.

She kept going on about marriage duties, dividing chores, managing money-all honest and sincere. Not like the fake, calculating Omegas or Betas I'd dealt with.

Her scent grew stronger-a sweet smell like fine honey wine, tempting my wolf. It paced inside me, aching to mark her, to claim her as mine.

"Ms. Shane, you're a good person!" I finally said, ready to end the game even though my wolf protested. "But you've got the wrong idea. I'm not here on a blind date."

Seeing her flush and look embarrassed made me feel something like sympathy.

"Yes, this is Table 8. But it's the VIP section's Table 8. Your Table 8 is to the left when you go back out."

She basically bolted.

The sweet scent that pulled at my soul faded, and my wolf growled low in disappointment.

"Quiet," I told my wolf. "She's just human."

But was she really "just human"? Why did my heart and wolf react so strongly, then? Not long after, Grandma appeared at the door of the VIP section. She looked simple, but her eyes were sharp and full of wisdom.

"Todd, how do you feel?" she asked, her voice teasing.

"Grandma, you set this up?" I knew right away. That fake accident outside was probably her doing too.

"Heh, I just wanted to see if there are still kind young people left." Grandma sat down across from me. "Bella's different. Kind, clear-eyed... and you noticed her scent too, right?"

I said nothing. Yes, I noticed. It had this deep, irresistible pull. The Moon Goddess's guidance was clear as day.

"A human... but her wolf blood is so faint it's almost gone." My voice cracked. That part was hard to accept.

"So what if she's human? Or has a weak bloodline?"

Grandma sipped her tea calmly. "The Moon Goddess doesn't lie. We need a strong Luna, yes, but more than that-a pure heart. Bella might be the gift she sent you."

"She's too weak." My wolf growled with pride and the demand for a strong mate. "She can't even handle my scent, let alone rule with me."

"But her spirit is strong, right?" Grandma smiled gently "And she doesn't know who you really are. Isn't that a clean start? You're tired of those fake people who only like you for power. This young lady just saw a strange man at Table 8"

Her words struck a chord inside me

Yeah, I was tired-tired of fake smiles and self-serving closeness. What if someone just wanted me, not the Alpha? What would that feel like?

"She has a special scent that calms my wolf but also excites it," I admitted at last.

"That's proof she's your destined mate." Grandma set down her cup, eyes serious. "Todd, werewolves believe in destined mates. She's here. You can't run from it. Being human might make things hard, but when has the Thunder Pack's Alpha ever backed down from a challenge?"

I looked at my wise and battle-tested Grandma, the pack's most respected elder. I couldn't ignore her words.

"I'll think about it," I said quietly.

"Don't think about it-fight for it." Grandma stood up, still strong for her age. "The Moon Goddess's guidance is clear. Find her, Todd. Follow your heart. Your wolf knows what to do."