My parents really made sure that I'd be arriving in style at the guest packs.

Before me stood a pitch-black, shiny Tahoe SUV with dark-tinted windows, the latest model, fully loaded. My bags were already in the back. On the passenger seat was a food bridge packed with snacks, as well as a cooler holding various brands of drinks.

The pack knew I loved our own brewed Parbo Radler or Parbo Chiller, they were better than all those international brands that humans made.

Mom opened the car door, and the Alpha just picked me up like I weighed nothing and dropped my giggling self in the driver’s seat. I loved VIP treatment and they knew it. Dad digitally started the car before handing me the key. I shifted to Drive, slowly exiting from the packhouse entrance with one hand dipping into a bag of rose petals.

As I left, I tossed the roses into the air as a token of my deep love for my pack family. As I looked in the mirror, I saw them all smiling and waving at me. I cherished them so much, this was not the last they’d see of me.

I was driving on the hard road now, still within pack territory.

My mood was lifting. I rummaged through the car's dashboard, looking for some CDs that matched my current state of mind. Ah, here we go! Michael Bolton would do perfectly. Yes! I inserted the CD and in no time, the love song began playing. I sang my lungs out along with it.

As this was an old song, I knew the lyrics by heart. I never imagined how these words would perfectly describe my life and emotions in the past.

<You are the candle, love’s the flame>

<A fire that burned through wind and rain>

<Shine your light on this heart of mine>

“You are the one, you are the oneeeeeeee,” I screamed at the top of my lungs with one hand lively stretched out of the car window. Michael Bolton, do you know where my mate is?

It would take me at least half an hour to get to the border of the pack land. No, I wouldn’t go rogue. The Alpha had demanded that I stay connected to the pack until I really found my mate. Only then could I join his pack. Therefore, after crossing the border, I would not sever ties with Moonlight.

I took in the woods on both sides of the road. Every tree and bush, no matter how small, was crucial to us werewolves as we needed them to let our wolves run free and reunite our beastly and human halves. Our wolf represented the other half of our being.

Moonlight was one of the most feared packs on this side of the world.

We consisted of more than two thousand members and were continuously expanding our numbers. Both men and women underwent training to ensure that we were capable of defending ourselves from frequent rogue attacks. Our steady growth could also be the result of our fierce intimacy. Yes, werewolves tended to be passionate creatures, possibly explaining why we produced a lot of pups. We were also known for our cases of multiple births.

Most interesting, though, was our love life in total. Once mated, we were monogamous.

We didn’t have multiple pups with different fathers; rather, we remained faithful to our destined partner until death. Males could only impregnate their mates, and if one died, the other could become insane or even suicidal and eventually be killed for their own good. Weird, but true. For that reason, every mate had the responsibility to keep their other half happy and healthy.

Therefore, to ensure that mates were compliant with this obligation, the Moon Goddess had created a mate bond. It was a strong emotional and physical connection. Mates would constantly crave their partner. We could do the deed for hours, nonstop. Our ‘instruments’ were custom-made. Unlike humans, after hours of use, the flower settled back to the same tightness that our mate enjoyed. We didn’t need steam or hot herbal baths as a fix to get ready for the next round.

It was no surprise that lots of packs had steady population growth. Yes, of course, there must have been a lot of mates finding each other. As for pack members like me who couldn’t find their fated, it was a no-go.

Getting close to the border at present, I sensed someone watching me.

I exhaled deeply. I wasn’t afraid of rogues; they were scared of me. Pretty sure it must have been a pack warrior on surveillance. I took some speed off, just to make sure I had a positive guess of my stalker.

Yeah, there he was.

Johnston was the most wanted hottie in the pack. Adonis by sight, strong as Delilah’s Samson, and an amazing romantic lover. But he was not my fated. Surely, we tried hard to force a mate bond to no avail. We were the proof that the Moon Goddess couldn’t be persuaded in this matter. The Almighty God gave her the ultimate permission to forge the mate bond for her own good purpose and match up whoever she wanted.

Johnston and I, how outstanding it would have been! The pack's sexiest with the unrivaled beautiful girl. Our potential mating had already prompted people to start guessing what our pups would look like.

Johnston had white blonde hair with forest green eyes and a fair coffee-colored skin tone as if he had just enjoyed the Caribbean sun. On the other hand, I had fair skin along with red hair and unique gray eyes. People were really busy mixing up our physics to portray the many pups that Johnston and I would produce. But on his eighteenth birthday, this dream was shattered. Well, all were disappointed. No mates, no pups. Sorry.

“Jooooohnston,” I stretched his name to Michael Bolton's rhythm. With a smirk on his face, he closed the gap to my car.

“What’s up, Johnston?" I inquired, tilting my eyebrows at his sheepish grin.

“I just wanted to say goodbye in private once more,” he explained.

"Do you really want to do this, love?” he inquired with a straight face. “We could become chosen mates. Your fated may not be alive anymore or might already be committed to some other girl. Pursuing him would simply lead you down the path of being a homewrecker, then."

"We can make it work, hon," he almost begged as he tenderly took my hand.

Johnston is two years younger than me and has not found his mate either. To be precise, he never made any effort to look for her. For as long as I can recall, he only had eyes for me, and all of his emotional investments were in our relationship. We bumped into each other in kindergarten, and after that encounter, he never left my side. When I took a tumble and scraped my knees, he helped me up with care before planting a gentle kiss on them and cleaned my dirty hands like a real gentleman. At the age of four, he had already decided to make me his mate and made sure everyone was aware of this fact. His father held an important position within our pack as Gamma, which only added fuel to the speculation regarding the possibility of us becoming mates one day.

Negative.

“Johnston,” I sighed, eyeing him displeased. “We’ve already been there and done this. You're aware of that."

I am tempted to succumb to his pleas, believe me. Nothing is more certain than that accepting this man would lead me to a safe and fulfilling life. But this is not about me only; I have to consider my fated when making a radical decision like this.

“I really love you, babe. But it's hard for me to overlook the possibility that there could be someone out there who is meant just for me and waiting patiently. Additionally, consider the trouble we would face if he shows up in the future, after we have completed the mating process,” I reminded him. "It would cause immense pain for all three of us."

However, there is no sign of resignation on his face.

“Or your own mate may appear. Don’t forget that you also haven’t yet found your other half. What if...” I attempted to illustrate to him all the potential risks associated with defying our traditions and making choices on behalf of ourselves.

Similar cases had occurred frequently in other packs before. Werewolves who couldn’t wait any longer gave up on finding their fated mates. Once they went through the mating ritual with another partner of their choice, destiny intervened and presented them with the long-awaited true mate. Although rejecting your fated is an option and may seem like a viable choice, it is easier said than done. When the bond between fated mates is potent or one party is not willing to accept the rejection, that is when trouble in paradise starts. The chosen one will have to keep a distance, watching the pull go all out and accept being the third wheel in the relationship. Such catastrophes could result in suicide on the side of the one left behind or even pack wars.

In my case with Johnston, no drama is expected as we are from the same pack and no one has shown up yet to claim one of us. Moreover, our age is close to the point where werewolves believe that one had better accept they will never find their fated mate anymore.

“I have to do this, Johnston. Please don't make this difficult for me," I pleaded earnestly. “Since he hasn’t shown up, I feel obligated to go out looking for him. He may be detained or stressed out wondering why I haven't reached out to him.” I tried to make sense. “I’m on my own. It is me who has to step out of my comfort zone since he seems not to be able to come to me. Please understand.”

As we maintained eye contact, I discerned the thoughts racing through his mind. Johnston is an amazing person; we began our official relationship when I turned eighteen, while he was only sixteen. It was passionate kisses and eager touches, and I know his body like no other. But we kept drawing the line there, wanting to keep our relationship pure until our mating ceremony.

When I turned eighteen and didn't experience the same emotions Ezra described, I already knew it was hopeless. Johnston and I were not fated, all the plans we had for our future would have to involve other people. Nonetheless, there was one last glimmer of hope, so we stubbornly continued the relationship until he turned eighteen himself two years later.

It came as no surprise to me when even with him, the mate bond did not activate. Not with me, nor with any other she-wolf. This provided a small consolation since it only delayed the inevitable outcome. We were very attached, and saying goodbye and going our separate ways was not an option. As a result, we continued with our relationship. But now, two years later, I realize that something needs to be done. We cannot keep burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the situation.

Last night we said our goodbyes; I wanted to shield him from having a total breakdown when he saw me leave. But this stubborn guy persisted and even trailed after me.

My heart is now hammering against my ribs. What if I really do meet my destined mate in one of these packs and Johnston has to witness him running up to me, kissing and holding me against his body? My desire is to spare him from such agony, the ache and devastation that comes with losing me forever.

But this scenario also applies to me. Johnston may find his own other half, and I could be left empty-handed. A sudden sharp sting at the thought of that cuts off my breath. Johnston with another woman!

No, that's not possible!

Johnston’s Point of View

She means the world to me; she is my everything!

The love of my life, the very purpose of my existence. I am not sure if she comprehends the extent of my emotions towards her. It has been eighteen years and my love for her has never diminished a bit. As I stand here in the woods, watching the distance between us grow larger, my heart just can't stop screaming, "I love you, Erica."

I have nothing in hand and cannot do anything to prevent her from leaving. It is beyond my control. It would be the end of me if I never saw her again. That is why I offered the Alpha to be her undercover protector. He knows that I would give my life to keep her safe, and being close to her means that I would always get a whiff of her delicious scent.

I love this girl, and I am one hundred percent sure she is my fated mate. However, the Moon Goddess has not yet revealed this to us through a mate bond; she has her own divine timing and plans for us; there's no doubt about that. Until then, all I can do is practice patience and keep my cool.

I sprinted towards a nearby tree to undress and turn into my wolf. In wolf speed, I will be able to stay in sync with her rapid driving pace. This young woman definitely has a need for speed, and I can vouch that the car is well-maintained as I inspected it myself. My wolf, Tax, eagerly desires to remain by his mate Era's side at all times. Yes, Tax adores Era. They are inseparable best friends, although neither has fully acknowledged that they are true mates. Tax has warned me several times to take it easy and wait for The Sign. He has not yet experienced the bond that comes with finding a mate.

‘Don’t go ahead of yourself,’ he growls at me once again, feeling my eagerness to be with Erica, never losing sight of her. From afar, I can hear her voice belting out the next track on her car CD. Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald's song "On My Own" reflects my current state of loneliness. Ironically, while the lyrics describe their personal struggles with solitude, I also find myself in a similar situation as my beloved started her journey through life without me by her side. As I listen to her celestial voice, I follow stealthily along at a rapid pace through the forest. I could listen to her singing my whole life.

‘So many promises never to be spoken’

‘Now I know what loving you costs,’ she cried out the words of my own broken heart.

These lyrics throw me back to memories of the past six years. When I was only sixteen, while Erica was already eighteen, I made my first romantic advances toward her. This happened during the grand ball held in celebration of her birthday, which represented a significant point in any werewolf's life as they may find their mate at that age. As she was used to my touch, scent, and presence, she agreed to let me gently grasp her jaw between my fingers and pull her lips towards mine. It was just the two of us on the balcony in the backyard, surrounded by scents of beautiful roses.

Confidence was key, as I had been taught the art of deep, sensual kissing by none other than Stella, a highly skilled member of our pack known for her promiscuity. That first mind-blowing kiss with Erica made the expensive investment worthwhile as Stella’s fee was not small. ‘Even loose girls do consultancy,’ I thought to myself with a disgusted smirk on my face.

Erica and I shared a passionate kiss as if it were our last moment on earth. We totally lost all our senses as we enjoyed that crazy feeling of intimacy, only breaking apart to catch our breath. Her taste was addictive, and it seemed like she felt the same for me.

Later that night, she even allowed me to unzip her dress and bare all of her sexy curves to my eyes. I removed her bra so I could worship her boobs to my content. What an amazing feeling it was! At that precise moment, I pledged to myself never ever in my life to touch any other female like this again. All my passionate caresses belong solely to Erica!

That was not the last time we enjoyed these explosive emotions for each other. It was mutual, and we agreed to embrace our intense sexual chemistry. The only condition was to refrain from touching that one most sensitive part. This boundary was crucial in preventing us from losing control at some point and destroying all the traditions we believe in. Until we received a definite indication that we were destined mates, we decided to hold off.

Believe me, dry-fucking for so many years was not easy at all. Overcoming her lustful moans and feeling her beneath me was quite challenging.

"Johnston, Johnston," she used to softly call my name, pulling me closer until I teetered on the brink of madness. Many times, I couldn't endure any longer and released myself right then and there, wasting my pants. But no regrets, it was all for my baby.

Yet, the sparks of the mate bond were not there, that scent which would drive my wolf crazy, burn our bodies with an unbearable desire, was nowhere to be found. Yes, I felt an attraction to her, strongly, but I could sense that something important was missing.

Now, after driving for two hours, my beloved pulled into a rest stop that offered both takeout food and gas station amenities. I changed to my human form and chose to wait for her outside. As she came out of the shop carrying an order consisting of a medium pizza, fried chicken smothered in barbecue sauce, and a large cherry lemonade drink, I leaned against her vehicle, carefully observing every detail.

As she saw me standing there, a sunny smile lit up her face. Standing close to me, she pecked my lips.

“Share?” she offered.

“Certainly,” I replied.

Werewolves are always hungry. We are high energy burners and need to refill frequently. We never say no to food.

After taking our seats in the car, we used the food bridge to place the food. I waited for her to pick out all of her favorites, admiring how gracefully she used her slender fingers to pop a slice of pizza between her lush lips.

“Erica,” I started. “I want to make a deal with you.”

She lifted her head in confusion. “A deal? Why? What's it about, Johnston?” she asked hesitantly.

“Please, babe, don’t instantly dismiss what I’m about to suggest now. Take some time to consider it before reaching a decision," I pleaded.

“Johnston, what is it? Get to the point! You’re killing me with that stern look on your face,” Erica pressed.

“Erica, I want you to promise me that at the end of this expedition, if you don’t find the mate you’re looking for, you will come back to me,” I pleaded with her. “We will officially accept and claim each other, mark and marry, and build our own little family. I can assure you that I am capable of keeping you happy and being a good mate as well as a father to our pups. I swear on that, Erica.”

My breathing hitched as I waited for her answer. She maintained a steady gaze on me, never breaking eye contact.

“Erica, I can be everything you've ever wished for in a mate. You won’t even notice that we are chosen mates. There will be no difference in our relationship,” I urged, yet with lots of tenderness.

Her eyebrows furrowed, displaying a range of emotions playing out on her face. I still wasn't breathing. Pressure was building inside my chest where my heart resides.

‘Moon Goddess, please……,’ I started praying in silence.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally broke her silence.

“Johnston, from the beginning, my plans were all clear to you. I never hid my intentions for this trip from you, nor my feelings for you.”

"I do love you a lot, Johnston. Never think for one moment that I didn't take our relationship into consideration when deciding to start this search for my mate. In fact, it was a significant factor in my decision," Erica explained. "This is just something I need to do."

"But don't wait for me. Start your own search for your fated mate, Johnston. Open yourself up and embrace the idea of meeting and accepting her into your life. Only then will I agree to this arrangement. And if I return still single while you haven't found yours yet, we'll be together forever."

"Agreed?" I inquired, my face beaming with pride after this small victory.

Erica: "Deal!"