Chapter 5 Fated or a Mistake

Lily sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the soft blanket beneath her. Her mind was a tangled mess, replaying the moment she had brushed against Fred's hand. The warmth, the tingling sensation-it was impossible to ignore.

She had read stories of mates and the instant connection between them, but she had never thought it would happen to her. Not without a wolf.

Her heart pounded as she turned to her mother, who sat in the wooden chair by the window, calmly sipping tea. Eleanor had always been graceful, a true Luna even after losing her title.

Lily swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mother, how do you know if someone is your mate?"

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down. A small smile played on her lips. "That's an interesting question. Why do you ask?"

Lily hesitated, then sighed. "Something happened today. I felt... something when I touched someone. It was strange, like a spark. I don't know what it means."

Her mother leaned forward, studying her closely. "Who was it?"

"Mr. Fred."

Eleanor's expression shifted, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Fred, the history teacher?"

Lily nodded, biting her lip. "I don't know if it means anything, but it was unlike anything I've felt before."

Her mother was quiet for a moment before she spoke. "The mate bond is a gift from the Moon Goddess. When you meet your mate, your wolf recognizes them instantly. You feel drawn to them, and your souls become connected."

Lily swallowed. "But I don't have a wolf. How could I feel something?"

Eleanor's gaze softened. "It's rare, but not impossible. Some wolves are born with weaker wolves or ones that take longer to awaken. And in very unique cases, the bond can still exist even if your wolf hasn't surfaced yet."

Lily's stomach twisted. "So, you're saying it's possible Fred is my mate?"

"It's possible," Eleanor admitted. "But before you get ahead of yourself, you need to be sure. The bond isn't just about a feeling-it's about instinct, about knowing deep in your heart that they are meant for you."

Lily exhaled slowly. "How did you know with Father?"

A wistful smile crossed Eleanor's face. "Oh, your father was... something else." She chuckled, her eyes glazing over as if reliving the memory. "The moment we met, I knew. He was strong, kind, and he carried himself like a true Alpha. But it wasn't just that-I felt safe with him. My wolf called for him, and his for me."

Lily's heart ached at the mention of her father. "Did he know immediately too?"

Eleanor nodded. "Of course. He said the moment he caught my scent, he knew I was his Luna. There was no hesitation, no doubt. It was as if the Moon Goddess had whispered it to his soul."

Lily let the words settle. "And what about pack rules? What if someone's mate is from another pack?"

Eleanor tilted her head. "It depends. Some packs are strict and forbid inter-pack mating unless it's beneficial for alliances. Others respect the bond above all else. When I mated your father, there were those who opposed it, but the mate bond is stronger than any rule."

Lily hesitated. "What about Morgan?"

Her mother's expression darkened slightly. "Morgan does not believe in the mate bond the way your father did. He believes power is more important. If he thought your mate was a threat to his control, he wouldn't hesitate to intervene."

Lily clenched her fists. "Then why are we still living with him?"

Eleanor's expression grew distant. "I had no choice but to accept his proposal after your father died. He never remarried after the death of his first wife, Lucia's mother."

Lily clenched her fists. "So, if Fred is my mate, Morgan could try to stop it?"

"It's possible," Eleanor admitted. "But a true mate bond is not easily broken. It would take something powerful to sever it."

Lily felt her chest tighten. "And if I don't have a mate at all?"

Eleanor reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Lily's face. "Then you will still be strong, my love. Mate or not, you are more than what people think of you. Never forget that."

Lily swallowed hard, nodding. "Thanks, Mom."

Eleanor smiled warmly. "Now, tell me, what exactly did Fred do to make you think he's your mate?"

Lily hesitated before telling her everything-the touch, the way he had always been kind to her, the way he looked at her like she was more than just the wolfless daughter of a fallen Alpha.

Eleanor listened patiently, nodding. "There's only one way to be sure," she finally said. "The next time you're around him, focus on your instincts. If the bond is real, you'll feel it deepen. And if he is truly your mate, he will feel it too."

Lily nodded, her mind racing.

---

On the other side of the territory...

Fred sat alone in his small home, staring at the flickering candle in front of him. His hands trembled as he ran them through his hair.

How was this possible?

Lily was his mate?

He had always been drawn to her, always felt the need to protect her, but he had never expected this. The daughter of Alpha Charles... how could she be his?

A cold wave of dread settled over him.

If Morgan found out, things would turn deadly.

And worse-if Lily knew the truth about him, would she still accept him?

Fred clenched his fists.

He couldn't let her find out. Not yet.

Not until he figured out what to do.

Lily had asked him earlier about mates. She had been looking for answers.

Tomorrow, he would give her one.

Even if it meant revealing the truth about where he really came from.

Fred let out a heavy sigh and reached for his phone. His fingers hovered over the screen before he finally pressed the call button.

The phone rang for a few seconds before Lily's soft voice came through.

"Hello?"

"Lily," Fred said, his voice lower than usual. "I need to talk to you. Can we meet tomorrow morning before school?"

A brief silence. "What is it about?"

Fred hesitated. "There are things you need to know about me. Things I should have told you earlier."

Lily's breath caught in her throat. "Alright. I'll be there."

"Good. I'll see you then."

As the call ended, Lily sat frozen, gripping her phone tightly.

Her mind spun with questions.

What could Fred possibly want to tell her?

What secrets had he been hiding all this time?

And most importantly...

Was he really her mate?

She lay back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts in turmoil.

Tomorrow would bring answers.

But was she ready to hear them?