CHAPTER 4

When I was eighteen, I was completely obsessed with the concept of mates. I had just broken up with my high school boyfriend and was about to transition to living with the pack. I was going through a lot and didn't have the time or energy to explain what was happening to him. In hindsight, I guess the breakup was inevitable. I wanted someone who would love me unconditionally, and that sounded like a dream come true.

While I was staying with my dad, I did a lot of research on werewolves and learned about mates. The Moon Goddess was said to have gifted a mate to every wolf. Being with them was supposed to be the most amazing experience ever. I was a bit skeptical about the intensity of the feelings one was supposed to have for their mate, considering how my parents' relationship had ended. But I still hoped that my mate would be different.

Apparently, once you find your mate, it's hard to stay away from them. They become the only person in the world that matters to you and you can't stop thinking about them. Once you are marked by them, a mate bond is formed which allows you to share your mate's feelings and even communicate with them telepathically. I never really learned how to mind-link. The Blood Moon Alpha allowed me to stay in his pack, but never let me officially join it as a member.

When I turned twenty-one, I expected to find my mate like all wolves did at that age. But it never happened. Eventually, I gave up on the idea of mates, thinking maybe because of my bloodline, I didn't have one. Then, Jade ambushed me with the news about my mate, and I rushed back to my apartment, not knowing what to do with the information. Chloe still wasn't home, so I changed into sweatpants and went to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I decided to study and try to keep my mind off of the events of the day.

I met my mate and don't even know who he is. I wonder if I'll ever see him again. The next morning, I got up to get ready for my day, still not sure what the future holds. On the last day of medical school, I can't believe it's all over. I'm planning on taking some time off to travel and have some fun before I start looking for a job. After all these years of hard work, I think I deserve it. Then I remember that I have a mate now, too. But I'm sure we won't ever see each other again and we can just go back to living our own lives. I don't want to join a pack and I'm sure he doesn't want a mate that's not a pure werewolf.

I make it to the classroom just in time. Even though none of my friends are in this class, I know almost everyone after spending so much time with them. As I'm climbing the stairs to find a seat, I'm interrupted by a deep voice behind me. I turn around to see Louis grant. I'm confused because I've never talked to him in all my years of school and he's finally decided to acknowledge me on the last day? I point to myself and mouth "me" with a questioning look."Yeah, you," he says, chuckling.

"Oh, hey," I reply awkwardly.

"I'm Louis," he says as he sits down next to me.

"We've been in the same class for four years, Louis. I know who you are," I say while rolling my eyes and getting my notebook out from my bag. I raise my eyes to look at him and see he's giving me a look. "I'm Matilda," I add, trying to sound a little less snarky. He smirks and replies, "I know." I smile a little bit.

The professor is here and starts his lecture and we both listen quietly. The class doesn't last very long since we've already finished the entire course and consisted mostly of the professor saying goodbye and saying the same old stuff about how we were about to enter a new chapter in our lives etcetera etcetera. Once it's over, I grab my things and get up to leave.

"Hey, do you wanna grab a cup of coffee? We have plenty of time before our next class since this one ended early," Louis interrupts.

"Are you asking me out?" I raise my eyebrow to look at him.

"God no, I would never," he replies. I don't want to go on a date with him either but that was just offensive. I mean, sure he's hot but it's not like I'm ugly. He notices my uneasiness and quickly continues, "I mean, you're very pretty but you're just not my type."

"Are you gay?" I ask him. I mean I have never seen him around with a girl.

"What? No. Of course not. I mean not that there's anything wrong with being gay. But I'm not. I like women," I can see that he's getting flustered.

"Relax Louis, I was just messing with you. And gay or not, I don't wanna go on a date with you anyway," I say while laughing.

"Okay so how about that coffee then?"

All my friends are probably still in their classes and I don't have anything else to do. Plus, I could ask Louis about my mate. I mean, not that I care, but like, I should at least acknowledge his existence. Yes, keep telling myself that, Matilda.

"Okay, let's go."

We both walk to the cafe across campus. It's quiet at this time. We get our drinks and sit at a table by the window.

"So, you're a werewolf too," Louis says out of nowhere.

"Getting straight to the point, are we?" I say smirking.

"Might as well," he replies shrugging.

"Yes, I too am a werewolf, kind sir," I say jokingly. "But if you already knew that, how come you never tried talking to me before?"

"Your scent is different. It's confusing."

"What do you mean?"

"Well first off, your scent is different from that of a pack wolf. But you don't smell like a rogue either. On top of that there are days when you smell almost... human," he says while deep in thought, trying to figure me out.

'And what do I smell like today?" I say laughing. It's funny to think he's so confused about what I am.

"Well today your scent is extra strong which is new. Some days your wolf scent would be strong and on other days you could barely tell that you're a werewolf. But it's never been as strong as today."

"Damn, are you saying I smell?"

He laughs. "No no, I'm just saying something is different today."

"Well I talked to my wolf for the first time yesterday," I say musing. "Maybe it's because of that.""Wait, you've never spoken to your wolf before?" I asked, surprised.

"No," he replied. "I guess it's because I can't find the right words to explain my situation to him. So, I just settle for the next best thing: 'different.'"

"Interesting," he said, sounding intrigued. "What do you mean by 'different'?"

I hesitated, trying to think of the best way to explain it. "I've always been kind of alone and I don't really know how everything is supposed to work. So, I don't know," I said, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions.

We were both quiet for a few seconds, and then I decided to ask him about the stranger who was also my mate and who he had been with the day before.

"So, uh... who was the guy you were arguing with in the parking lot yesterday?"

"Ah, I was wondering when you were going to ask me about him," he said, smirking.

I was shocked. "Well," he continued, "the guy arguing with me yesterday was my brother, and I believe he just so happens to be your mate," he said with a huge grin on his face. That explained why he had looked so disgusted at the thought of asking me out.

"Gosh, wipe that stupid look off your face," I said, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "If he is your brother, then it's not a big deal if you know about it."

He still had a smug look on his face. I rolled my eyes. "So..." I trailed off, giving him a questioning look, hoping he would tell me more about him.

"So, it's time for our next class," he said, looking at his phone to check the time. He was right. I groaned. "There's a party tonight at the pub to celebrate the last day. Why don't you come and I'll tell you all about your beloved mate," Louis said, winking at me.

"I'm sure my friends would have dragged me there anyway, so I guess it's a deal," I replied.

We both walked back to the campus, talking about random things, and then went our separate ways to our respective classes. As he was walking away, I called out to him, "Hey Louis!" He turned around to look at me. "You never told me your brother's name," I pointed out.

"Why don't you ask him when you see him?" he said.

I smirked. "I'm sure he told you mine, so I think it's only fair that I demand to know his," I said.

He rolled his eyes. "Harvey. His name is Harvey," he said, and then walked away.

Harvey.