New day

*Nathan POV*

I tapped my fingers on my desk, my mind deep in thoughts.

I kept thinking about my mate and what she said. I know she ran from something but this is as far as my knowledge goes.

I can't just ask her about this bluntly. She would know that I followed her and listened to her conversation with her roommate.

She would think I'm some creep.

I cringed inside, face slapping.

I can't believe I actually stalked her.

It all would be just Mitch easier if she was a werewolf or any supernatural creature. Why did the Moon Goddess pair me with a human? What plan does she have for me?

I turned on my chair and looked out the window.

The border guard reported sighting of rogues near the border last night. As they chased them, they realized that the rogues may have a camp near the city outskirts. Which didn't help my sleep. Savy's apartment is close to the woods and she often goes by bus late at night. I sent my trackers this morning to find these rogues, and as soon as they are located, I'll be personally leading a small squad to wipe them off. I can't risk Savy coming across them.

I know how I always used to say that I can't focus on my mate, even if I find her, but honestly? I have no regrets focusing on her right now.

I heard a knock on the door and let the person in.

My old, trusted pack sorceress walked in, looking fed up.

"I swear to you, the coven leaders are getting stupider, every assemblage." Daphne sighed and sat in front of me.

"Good morning to you too." I scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were back."

"I came back last night. You weren't home yet. I was so tired dealing with those stupid baboons that I went straight to bed." Daphne rolled her eyes. "Where were you, anyway? It's not like you to go out anyway."

"I'll tell you in a sec. First, why are you so irritated by the Sorcery Assemblage?"

"Only some of the coven leaders arrived, most of them sent their inheritors. A bunch of young, pretentious, know-it-all, kids that have no idea about what we are supposed to discuss during the meeting." The old sorcerer stood up, all riled up. "Some of them had an absolute nerve to tell me that the rogue problem is not their to worry about. That only shifter packs should be responsible for settling it."

"Ridiculous. Many covens had already been attacked, some of them were almost completely wiped out. Not to mention witches are spotted working with them as well. Sorcerers need to step up if we want to bring all the rogue leadership down." I growled and Daphne nodded.

"I know. My old coven is on your side as well, but it's hard to convince others. I'm afraid the only way for them to wake up is to get attacked." The sorceress sighed, walking closer to the window and looking out.

I looked at my longtime friend.

Daphne is a sorceress in her late 40's, she could have been my mother honestly. My father never kept a pack sorceress, because it would require maintaining an allyship with her coven, and for some reason, he never wanted to do this. As I was training on the Camps before taking over, I stumbled upon Daphne. She left her old coven after her mate died. We started talking and I quickly realized how valuable sorcerers are to the pack. They help during fights, aiding the warriors with the powers of nature, but also they tend to be extremely smart and well educated, making them incomparable advisors.

I kept in touch with Daphne and as soon as I took over, I invited her to become my counselor and she agreed. We can engage into heated discussions, but I value her opinion and experience.

"What now? Do we give up on alliances with covens?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"We shouldn't, I'll think of a way to convince them." She said and turned to face me. "Meanwhile, what is wrong with you?"

"Pardon?" I asked, taken aback.

"Your aura clearly suggests that you are worried and anxious about something. What is it?" She raised an eyebrow, folding her arms.

I chuckled and motioned for her to sit in front of me.

"I met my mate yesterday." I said, sincerely.

Daphne made huge eyes, her mouth slightly agape.

"Did you… did you reject her?" She asked carefully.

The sheer thought of rejecting Savy made me growl uncontrollably.

"Why does everyone assume that?" I asked with a huff.

"Because you've been pretty open with your reluctance towards meeting your soulmate. You made it clear, you know."

"Fine, I guess… No, I haven't rejected her." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Then where is your mark?" Daphne asked, looking at me intensely.

"Because she is a human. Marking is probably weeks from now. That is, if she accepts me." I sighed.

Daphne looked at me wide-eyed for a second before bursting in laughter.

"What's so funny?" I growled with a warning.

"You got played, my friend. The Moon Goddess, did you dirty." Daphne kept laughing, wiping the tears from her eyes. "You were indifferent about having a mate, not sure if you are going to accept her. And now that you found her, it's you who may get rejected."

I closed my eyes, sighing.

"I did deserve it, didn't I?"

Daphne stopped laughing and smiled at me warmly, motherly almost.

"Nate, she will accept you. I'm sure of that. Just show her that she can count on you and that you will be devoted to her forever."

"I may have a chance to prove it. I uhm… I listened to her conversation with her friend. She seems to be running from something. Her past may be difficult and I can feel that she needs help. I want to protect her. Even if she won’t accept me, I want to help her, to make sure she will be safe even without me near.”

“Okay, from the beginning. How did you even find her?”

“Kaiden and Trinity met her a couple of months ago. They were in a bar and she was harassed by two werebears. They helped her and in return, she invited them to her show last night. The musical premiere. All four of us went and I recognized one of the actresses as my mate. We went to grab something to eat and as she went home by bus, I… Uh… I followed her to her place.” I explained, blushing slightly as I mentioned my stalking escapade.

Daphne chuckled.

“First off, I never took you for a person who would go to see a musical.” She smirked.

“Me neither. That’s why Trinity told me that only after I arrived.” I chuckled, shaking my head.

“I always knew she was a smart woman. But more importantly, you followed her to her home? Nathan, even for you that is kind of crazy?” She lifted an eyebrow and I chuckled.

“Trust me, I know. But my wolf couldn't let me leave her alone. She didn't want me to give her a ride so I needed to be sure that she came home safely. She lives near the forest and I'm so agitated about her safety, that I'm seriously considering having a warrior near her place at all times. I sent trackers to find the rogue commando camping nearby and I'm waiting for the news so I can go on and kill them, and I'm purely motivated by my mates safety.” I sighed.

And like a charm, a warrior knocked on my doors.

“Alpha, the trackers came back, they've found a small rogue camp near the south city border.”

“South border?” I stood up abruptly, Daphne followed suit. “It's where Savy lives.”

“Do you need me there?” Daphne asked.

“No, I'll be fine. Can you inform Kaidan? I'm leaving immediately.”

The old sorcerer nodded and put a hand on my arm.

“Be careful, you have a person to live for.”