Chapter 2

LINA'S POV

I skipped ahead of Trixie, my best friend, as we made our way through the woods. The scent of wild flowers and pine filled the air. The sunlight filtered through the trees, as if making a spotlight for me. Yes, I could be that delusional. I breathed in the air deeply, feeling carefree. Today was my eighteenth birthday. I couldn't help but feel excited. A female werewolf's eighteenth birthday was the most important day of her life. It marked my start as an adult in the community. It also meant that I was closer to finding my mate.

"Lina, come on!" Trixie called out in front of me. Her voice was laced with excitement "We need to go deeper if we want to find the good stuff,"

By 'good stuff', she meant wild berries. The wild berries could only be found deeper inside the woods. I didn't want to wander too far. I had heard all sorts of creepy stories about bad things that happened deep inside the forest.

I hesitated for a bit. My eyes scanned the surroundings.

"I don't know, Trixie. I have a bad feeling about this."

Trixie rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! You're not going to let a little fear hold you back on your birthday, are you?"

"You just want to get high, don't you? Don't put this on me"

Trixie had a way of mixing wild berries into a concoction. I didn't know how she did it but it was really good stuff.

She grinned evily "Yes but that's not it. You're eighteen now. Live a little"

I thought about her words. She was right in a way. I was always the careful one. Trixie was more adventurous than I was. I wished I could live life that way without any fear.

"Fine" I muttered.

I followed her deeper into the woods. I kept looking sideways, jumping in fright at any little sound. Trixie on the other hand whistled as she walked, swinging her basket in her hand. The difference between us was clear. As we walked deeper into the woods, the trees grew taller and the underbrush got thicker. I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling I felt.

"How does it feel to be eighteen?" Trixie asked "Do you feel different? I felt a bit different when I turned eighteen. My wolf felt more awakened, if that makes sense"

I didn't feel different and it made me worried. I still felt the same as I did yesterday.

"No, I don't" I told her.

"Don't worry. You'll get it soon. What do you think your mate will be like?"

I couldn't help but feel anxious about finding my mate. Trixie hadn't found hers and she wasn't bothered. She was currently dating my twin brother, Ken. They weren't mated but they both didn't seem to care. Sometimes, I wondered what would happen to them when one of them found their true mate.

I'd always been scared of not finding my mate. I always had this fairytale fantasy in my head. I wished to find my mate almost as soon as I turned eighteen. Starting a family was one of my greatest desires. For that reason, I knew I would be broken if I didn't find my mate on time. Not finding my mate soon would have a lot of risks. He could find someone else and fall in love. If that happens and I end up finding him, he might reject me. I've heard of those kind of cases a lot.

"I've thought about it" I said with a smile "I hope he'll be strong, kind and compassionate"

"What's wrong?" she looked at me "You sound upset"

"I'm not upset. I'm just scared"

"There's nothing to be scared of, love"

"I know, Trixie. It's just... what if I don't find him? What if I'm like the Alpha, searching for years and still coming up empty-handed?"

Trixie chuckled. "Oh, Lina, you're not going to be like him! I mean, can you imagine? Five years and still no mate in sight? Poor guy."

I giggled, feeling a little better. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

I heard that Alpha Jax still hadn't found his mate after five years. I felt sorry for him..

Just then, a rustling in the bushes caught our attention. We both froze. I could hear my heart racing. To our surprise, a massive bear emerged from the underbrush. Its eyes fixed on us.

"We're in so much trouble" Trixie muttered.

"It seems so. What do we do?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

Trixie's eyes were wide with fear, but she tried to sound calm. "Just stay still, Lina. Maybe it'll lose interest and wander off."

The bear didn't seem to lose interest. It took a step closer. It growled lowly, never removing his eyes from us.

I swallowed hard. My mind swirled with endless thoughts as I thought of a quick escape plan. We were miles from home, and no one knew where we were. Ken wasn't at home when we left and I didn't bother to leave a text for him. I thought it would just be a quick trip to the forest and back.

I thought of us shifting to our wolf forms but the bear could kill us mid shift which wouldn't be good. We couldn't outrun it either.

That's it. We're screwed. I'll most likely die on my eighteenth birthday. That's the coolest thing ever right? Right?

The bear's growl grew louder. Suddenly, it charged towards us. I reacted instinctively, shoving Trixie away from me.

"Run, Trixie, go!" I screamed.

The bear swiped its massive paw at me, and I felt a searing pain in my arm. I winced in pain. Blood poured out of my arm. I stumbled backward, trying to escape, but my ankle twisted beneath me, and I fell to the ground.

I screamed in agony, clutching my arm as the bear loomed over me. Trixie's cries echoed through the woods. I was a bit relieved because I knew she was safe, at least.

Just as the bear raised its paw again, I faced the ground, getting ready for another hit. Surprisingly, nothing happened. I looked up and saw a man come out from the bushes. He placed himself between me and the bear. I couldn't see his face but from what I could see, he was tall and broad-shouldered with bulging muscles.

The bear swiped at him with its claws but he dodged it easily. The man protruded bis claws and slashed the bear's neck. Without thinking, I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the pain in my arm and ankle. I spotted a rock nearby and snatched it. I threw it at the bear with all my might. The rock hit the bear's nose, distracting it long enough for the stranger to land another slash. .

The bear yelped and retreated, running away into the woods. I heaved a sigh of relief.

The stranger came towards me. Our eyes met, and I gasped at the sight of him. He was the most beautiful man I had ever laid my eyes on. His piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through me. I felt a flutter in my chest.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes not leaving mine.

I nodded, still in shock "Y-yes, I think so."

I couldn't help but stare at him in awe.

Who is this stranger? Where did he come from?