Monday
11:56 AM
Zachary's POV
The scent hit me like I had crashed into a tree.
Blood.
It was everywhere.
On the trees.
On the torn bushes heavy with berries.
And from the corner of my left eye… I saw a twisted leg.
"No. I can't let my mate see this."
The wolf inside me snapped:
"Get her out of here now, you idiot!"
I snapped back:
"We're in your form right now, moron!"
Before Lilian could look closer, I pushed my nose gently into her stomach, trying to make her step back.
She didn't understand the signal and tried to move forward.
So I grabbed the back of her dress with my teeth and started pulling her away from the place.
"Wait! What happened?" she asked while being dragged.
You should never see something like this, my love.
Once I managed to get her far enough, I felt my Beta trying to reach me through the mind link.
I already knew what he was going to say.
"Alpha! The Red Moon Pack killed six of our men and polluted our food sources with blood. What are your orders?"
"Attack them, damn it! I've had enough! I'm busy with my mate right now. But remember—do not kill the pups!"
The Beta agreed, and I cut the mental link.
They started this.
I will finish it.
She started crying, tears streaming down her face.
"Why didn't you let me look? I saw something… it looked human. Maybe I could have saved them!"
Gods… what an angel.
I released her dress and gently nudged her stomach again, asking for forgiveness in the only way I could.
I just wanted to protect her from that horrible sight.
She looked at me for a moment, then smiled sadly and softly stroked my head.
"I understand… you felt danger and wanted to protect me. But still…"
She bent down to my level and whispered quietly:
"…If that really was a human, maybe I could have saved them. I can't stand seeing anyone suffer. Don't worry, I'm not angry at you. I'm just confused by what I saw… The worst thing I'd ever seen before was an axe stuck in someone's shoulder—and trust me, it wasn't pretty at all."
She sighed softly, sadness returning to her eyes.
"And now… I won't be able to get the best berries for my pie."
She was sad twice—once for what she saw, and once for her pie.
No. No. No!
Why does everything in this world make my mate sad?!
I swear, if the Red Moon Beta's head isn't on a spear by tonight, I'll do it myself!
To bring her smile back, I gently licked her hand, then lightly jumped on her.
With the size difference between my massive wolf form and her small human body, she fell easily to the ground.
I leaned over her and started licking her face from every angle—just to hear her laugh again.
Her soft laughter filled the forest, and my chest flooded with happiness I hadn't felt in years.
I did it.
I made her happy.
Laughing between breaths, she said:
"Oh my God… I've only just met you, and yet… I feel like I really love you."
What?!
She… loves me?!
"She loves us, you idiot," the wolf muttered inside me.
Overcome with joy, I ran circles around her, spinning like a happy child—tongue out, tail wagging wildly.
She really loves us!
She laughed while watching me and said brightly:
"I can tell you love me too, Alexander. Oh! I should go now—if I'm any later, Matt will think I got eaten!"
My happiness faded, anger mixing with sadness.
The wolf inside growled:
"Damn that Matt! Why haven't we killed him yet?!"
"It's daytime," I replied sharply.
"We'll do it when our mate is asleep—along with everyone else."
Gods… I miss my human form, if only to shut him up.
"By the way," the wolf added calmly,
"I can hear your thoughts, Zachary."
"I know."
I followed her quietly through the forest.
As she moved branches aside, she said:
"We're almost there. If anyone sees you, they won't like it. I don't know if I'll see you again, so… goodbye, my cutie."
I chose to ignore cutie.
I gently grabbed her hand between my teeth and pulled her slightly away from the town.
I didn't want her to leave.
I really didn't.
My wolf form was the best way to stay close to her for now.
And with the berry field gone, she might never come back here.
"Alexander," she said softly but firmly,
"I have to go. I have work."
I tightened my grip just a little, stubbornly refusing to let go.
She was smart enough to know pulling back would hurt her skin, so she didn't resist.
The last thing I want is for her to get hurt.
The only mark I ever intend to leave on her skin will be my bite—my claim.
Maybe more, someday… if desire overwhelms me.
But not now.
First, I will earn her heart.
I will wait until she's ready.
I will never force her.
She deserves only love and gentleness.
When she realized she wouldn't win against my stubbornness, she surrendered quietly and walked with me—her hand still gently held between my teeth.
When we reached our destination, her eyes sparkled.
I had brought her to a hidden garden filled with even more berries and breathtaking scenery.
She looked like she had stepped into another world, and her wide smile completely melted my heart.
"Oh my God! It's beautiful! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Alexander! I love this place!"
If I were human, I'd be grinning like an idiot.
Actually… I am smiling.
You just can't tell in wolf form.
She rushed toward the berry bushes and started picking excitedly.
I wanted to help—but how does a wolf help?
Then I had an idea.
I started biting branches and pulling them down.
Suddenly, I heard her sweet laugh.
I turned to her with a broken branch in my mouth.
She laughed harder, took it from me, and said warmly:
"Thank you, Alexander."
Seeing the gratitude in her eyes, I decided to bring her an even bigger branch.
I ran lightly to a blueberry bush and shoved my head inside to grab more.
Instead of berries… something stuck to my nose.
I pulled back quickly.
A spider.
A cursed spider!!! 🕷️
I ran in every direction trying to get rid of it, terrified it might bite me.
"Alexander! Stop! What's wrong?!" she cried.
Every part of me screamed to keep running—but I stopped instantly.
I can't disobey her.
She approached carefully, then burst out laughing when she saw the spider.
Why is she laughing?!
What is funny about this?!
She picked up a leaf, gently moved the spider onto it, and placed it back on the ground.
Smiling warmly, she said:
"I never thought I'd see a huge wolf like you afraid of a spider! And it wasn't even poisonous!"
I'm allowed to be afraid too!
I lowered my head, embarrassed.
I thought she might be upset—but instead, she gently lifted my head and kissed my forehead.
"It's okay. That's completely normal.
I'm afraid of snakes myself.
Why don't you just sit and watch me for a bit, hmm?"
I licked her face softly to show I agreed.
And then it hit me…
Oh my God.
She kissed me.
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