Chapter 7 Tristan's POV

I toyed with the night lights of my pack bedroom, first pressing the switch button on the remote and then shutting them off after a few seconds, watching the room flicker between brightness and darkness simultaneously.

I turned around in bed, my head going from resting on my arms to the pillow to the bed itself, with my eyes closed I tried to get in at least 2-3 hours of sleep after working the whole day. Usually, after my busy day working 14 hours, I would be out succumbing to darkness but for the past 2 days, it has been the opposite. I've been struggling to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of the weirdly attractive human girl I met in the woods behind Moonlight Haven.

I can hear the raindrops falling against the glass wall which gives a picturesque scene of the whole pack. ShadowClaw pack. This very pack became mine too early and probably would have an alpha born of a loveless marriage after me. It's a shame that my father got ill and can't continue his pack duties, hence why I'm leading a pack at the very young age of 24.

Maybe if I had matured enough at the age of 18, Willow wouldn't have rejected me and I wouldn't be here mateless and depressed. I wish I had more time to win her back if she were still alive. Surely I'd have my mate and Luna by my side at the very moment. I don't know if I've been cursed by the moon goddess.

I still remember the day as if it happened yesterday.

6 years ago

After completing my 3-hour long run in the woods, I rushed back to the pack house itching to get there before the ceremony tonight.

Thanks to my werewolf speed I weaved through acres and acres of land with various giant oak trees, grasses, and vines with ease. Aside from the violent pounding of my heart against my chest, there was nothing else I heard.

It was the full moon tonight, I had finally clocked 18 and I'd be able to find my mate today. The full moon ceremony is the one that helps werewolves to find their mates.

"I can't wait to find our mate", my Wolf said in my head. "Me too", I said back.

When I got to the clearing leading up to the pack house, I quickly shifted and put on a pair of shorts stocked up behind the big oak tree where most pack clothing for after shifts is kept.

I started jogging to the house after dressing.

Walking through the corridors, I looked at my surroundings and opened my mouth in awe. The decorations were so beautiful, there were various rose petals scattered all around. They created various sections where each pack member that finds their mate tonight would have his/her very own section to themselves and their loved ones. There were loads of fairy lights and cute little love lamps. It looked like a scene out of a newlyweds surprise concocted by their family and friends.

Smiling I raced up the stairs to my room, I had to take a shower before it was time. There was only an hour left before the moon was in full view.

"Wow!!" I gasped when I entered my room. They outdid themselves with this one. My bed had been adorned the hundreds of rose petals, fairy lights, and....is that a swan??

They had made caricatures out of towels and placed them on the bed. Leaning down I decided to sniff the bouquet placed on the bed for my mate. They smell heavenly. I can't wait to give them to her.

Smiling, I rushed into the bathroom for my shower. I got out and was almost done getting dressed when I heard a knock at the door. My mother walked with a knowing smile on her face, "Tristan dear, your father would like to have a word with you".

As I made my way to my father's office, I wondered what he possibly wanted to discuss at this very crucial moment. It better be worth disturbing my preparations for looking good for my mate, a frown appearing instantly on my face at the thought.

As soon as I entered his office, I noticed my father sitting behind his huge desk. He stood up and walked to give me a fatherly hug when he noticed me walk in with my mother shortly after.

"My son, today you'll get your lifelong mate. How do you feel?" he asked in a strong manly voice. "Excited" I replied.

"Hahhhahahaa" Dad laughed, "I can tell, you can't seem to hide your excitement but I also smell fear in you son. What could be troubling you?" Dad asked instinctively.

"Nothing can ever be hidden from you old man," I said with a fond smile on my face. "Of course, you're my son if I can't read you no one can" Dad stated with affection.

"I'm scared I'll get rejected. What if she doesn't like me? What if she already loves someone else? Or worse, what if she's dead?", I told Dad in a panicked voice.

"Tristan dear, you're too perfect to be rejected. You're worth the love of the whole world and more. I'm sure your mate won't reject you, have faith son" Mom said in that loving way only mothers can talk.

"Amethyst is right Tristan. Believe in yourself, you're the future alpha there's nothing to be scared of" Dad declared with loving authority.

Sighing I said, "Okay, I guess you're right. I love you guys so much". Mom and Dad hugged me and with that I ran back to my room to apply some perfume, a little seductive scent wouldn't hurt anyone.

It was finally time... as the full moon appeared I went downstairs to the common room where everyone was already waiting. We all gazed at the moon and various howls could be heard across the room as our wolves were reacting to the moon. Before long we had all shifted. Suddenly I perceived a very sweet scent, it smelt like cinnamon and lilies. I had never smelt something so amazing. Before I knew it I was running out the door and there just a little bit to the left of the oak tree I saw a beautiful blond Wolf, she had alluring Brown eyes that made me swoon with affection.

"Mate" my Wolf called out in my head, shifting back to my human self I ran to her. She shifted back and I handed her a t-shirt I had been holding on to before putting on some shorts myself.

She was breathtaking, slender curved body blond hair, and brown eyes. She had very inviting full lips with high cheekbones, I had never seen anyone more beautiful. I couldn't wait to make her mine.

I slowly took one step toward her, too enamored of her beauty. "You are even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined" I heard myself say.

She started crying, I raced up to her and held her in my hands. "What's wrong my beautiful Luna?" I asked worried to death.

"Willow", she murmured. "What?" I questioned.

"My name is Willow and I would never be your Luna!!!" my mate shouted in an angry spur.

"What do you mean?" I questioned back thrown off by her outburst.

"I am rejecting you Tristan, I don't want you as my mate". Suddenly I felt an invisible thread being torn apart as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I fell to the ground in shambles. Looking up I saw Willow running away with tears in her eyes.

My father ran up to me, "Tristan my boy, it's okay you're gonna be fine".

"Liar, you lied to me". I screamed at Mom when she joined us. "I'm not perfect and I am not worthy to be loved". I spat out before running into the woods in my Wolf form leaving Mom a sobbing mess in Dad's arms.

Present Day

I was brought back to reality by a very loud thunder sound. I sighed, it's been three long years and I'm still haunted by the events of that day.

After that day, I became a very ruthless and quiet Wolf. It served everyone best to avoid me for I was a ticking time bomb. Being unmated is as good as being a dejected Wolf who has no purpose on earth.

Still, why are my thoughts going back to that human girl I met at Midnight Haven? She's so alluring, I can't get my mind off her.

"What is she doing to us?" I voiced out loud, hoping to have a conversation with my Wolf but I met silence. This has been ongoing for a while now.

After Willow rejected us, my Wolf fell into a state of depression and anger. He barely talks to me and is always quick to kill before assessing the situation. So yes, he is the reason why we're feared.

Sighing, I closed my eyes hoping to finally be able to get some sleep. I drifted into the unknown with bright blue eyes staring right into my soul. Who could they belong to and why couldn't I stop thinking about them?