My Nerd-Mate

It was midday and the ruffling of scrub could be heard through the entire woodland as wolf fighters raced to their pack boundary. They had been notified about the rogues that had come to disturb the serenity of the pack. They howled, making a long, loud cry expressing anger. The howlings creak like the sound of wounded animals whose blood spurted from the gash.

Taking the lead was Aurora's wolf. Her wolf scooted as she gave a lengthy distance from the shifters, indicating she was faster than them.

Apart from her speed, she was also a wolf tracker prompting her to earn the leader of the wolf fighters. Although her wolf was a little bit fragile and wasn't as strong as the male shifters, one could tell she was brave and so was her wolf.

Getting to the border of their pack, they stopped at their track when they felt the presence of the rogues. Aurora roared and the rest did the very thing since they couldn't catch sight of rogues, only their scent.

"Stay put." Aurora mind-linked her adherents and they all gathered, surrounding her, while they walked gradually to the end of the border. "I can smell them, make a ring circle!" She commanded and they did as told. They made the ring circle and Aurora was left to meander around the circle, trying to get a stronger feel of the whiff she was sniffing.

Just about time, a rogue jumped out from his hiding position and the rest did the same. They came out in circles, surrounding the rest of the shifters. He made his first attack on Aurora's wolf who was already fully prepared. He nudged on her neck but she was fast enough to scuff his face with her claws. Not giving him a chance to regain his stance, she clenched tightly on his fur and made a straight stance on her paws before dragging him harshly to do the same while he struggled under her grip since her long claws tingled into his fur. Within a few seconds, she'd taken her canines down to his neck and dug into it.

He roared with other shifters that had been stung just like him and fought with his claws to release Aurora's clasp on him. Nevertheless, Aurora wouldn't give in to him. She was yearning to make brutal damage to him since they had always been warned, him and his groups. They were always the same rogues coming to disturb the pack and she has always taken pity on them when a fight erupts but it was the opposite for them at the moment as Aurora was already tense with their games.

She bit on his core again and he dropped down to the floor, vulnerable. Aurora wolf roared when another attacked her from the back. The rogue had torn her fur with its claws and blood was oozing out from the injury. She turned immediately to attack it but a tall dark brown wolf who seemed to have been watching her fight was already biting down the rogue.

Aurora's wound healed almost immediately while she stood to watch the wolves in a vicious fight. She calculated with her eyes how many rogues there were and she was able to count twelve of them but she wasn't sure since some of them were already brought down. She howled again and her voice echoed throughout the entire forest.

Some minutes later, the sound of the wolves had stopped, only arduous breathing could be heard as some wolves were already strangled to death while others were fighting for their last breath.

Aurora moved through them as she began to inspect if her pack shifters had been hurt. Thankfully, none of them was hurt since they were more than the rogues and had made a great collaboration in winning the rogues. Aurora was satisfied.

"Bring them to the dungeon, they had been bothering us for too long." She ordered through the mind-linking and the shifters roared in agreement. She veered to the dark brown wolf who was now a few meters away, his body stained with so much blood looking like he had been hurt yet, he wasn't, he just seems to have killed most of the rogues.

"Good job, Fennick." She applauded, while he wiggled his tail. "You're a jerk, let's head home." She told him and beckoned to the rest to leave. Soon they were out for a run, this time, earning their way home.

She got back to her cottage located beside the pack building, still in her wolf, and went through the back garden into the garage. The garage was where she always made her shift either when she was going out in her wolf form or when she needed to change back to human. The garage was well-designed and clean since not only cars were in it, but a wardrobe full of wear was neatly placed in a corner.

She shifted back, put on a simple dress, and made her way up the stairs that led to the main house. The first thing that welcomed her was the aroma of fresh meat filling her nose and she sniffled in desire. It has been a long day for her and she hasn't had enough time to eat.

She carried her legs down to the sitting room and down to the kitchen.

"Mrs Sora Horatio must be tired now." She teased her grandmother who had perceived her scent the moment she walked into the cottage.

"And you must have been happy to finally do as you please, Rora." Mrs Sora conveyed and Aurora laughed at her gesture.

She strode to Sora and stood beside her grandmother watching how she sliced the meat into chunks. "This is how we were able to defeat those rogues." She explained, collecting the blade from her grandmother, crashing on the meat, and in seconds she was done.

"Very good, wolf fighter." Mrs Sora mocked.

She tugged the pieces of meat into the available clean pot and added water with other necessary ingredients before placing it on the gas.

"I know you would have gotten injured." Mrs Sora mumbled

"A little granny but Fennick took revenge on him."

"Revenge, you say."

Unknowingly, Aurora moved beside the oven and the scent that filled her nose made her chuckle. She galloped over to her grandmother and gave her a back hug. "I love you, Mrs Sora!" She blurted.

"I know you do but I have no idea why you won't listen to me."

"I never imagined getting a cake for my present this birthday since you told me you don't know how to prepare it again."

Mrs Sora didn't make a statement and Aurora knew she had lied to her.

"I told you to teach me how to make and decorate cakes but Mrs Sora, you're so mean to me." Aurora pouted and loosened her grip on Sora.

"Said by the naughty daughter of mine who wouldn't listen to me." Sora bellowed.

Aurora cringed. She has no idea why her grandmother kept stating that she didn't listen to her. Sora knew she was the leader of the wolf fighters and must fulfil her duties. "Granny, you know I always want to listen to you."

"I know, darling," Sora said and turned to her. "But your birthday is up by tomorrow, you can't just go around, injuring yourself."

Aurora scoffed. "It's my duty."

"Fine, do as you please," Sora said and moved to check out the pattie.

She brought it out and placed it on the kitchen counter to cool off. Aurora reached to snip a piece of cake by the side when Sora hit her hands away.

"Granny!" She yelled, stomping her feet on the floor, "The cake is mine."

"Oh, sorry dear but I've decided to make it a feast, not your birthday anymore."

"You are not going to do that." Aurora conveyed knowing fully well her grandmother was always serious with her statements.

"I bet, I will."

It was an hour before midnight and Aurora had just finished wearing down her dinner since she and her grandmother had made sure they designed her birthday cake in a glamorous layout to indicate her twenty-first birthday. She looked across the dining table to see Fennick engrossed in playing games while he dipped into a burger beside him. He had been in her cottage for the past an hour, helping them out with gifts and decorations.

That had always been her birthday routine every year and she had always had fun. She stood up from her harness and strolled to the sitting room to meet her best friend.

"It's almost midnight," Fennick uttered sniffing her beside him, his gaze on the motor game he was playing.

"I know, I need to rest a little bit." She conveyed hugging the couch pillow to her chest.

Fennick stole her glance and returned to his game. "This is your first time complaining on the night of your birthday. What's up with you?" He inquired.

Aurora shrugged, "You're ethical, I feel weird." She pouted and adjusted herself comfortably on the couch. She wasn't herself ever since she remembered her wishes since the first day she started making them. However, she was glad they always came true.

Fennick pushed away the gamepad from his hand and stood up towards Aurora. Unawares, he carried her up in a bridal style ignoring her wails at it. Then he headed down to her room for her to change her clothes.

"You aren't going to watch me dress, are you?" She asked, bracing him. She was trying to pick out the best dress to wear out of the beautiful dresses Fennick had bought for her a week ago.

"What are you hiding, your blossom? Curves? Or what?"

"Fennick?" She shuddered, twisting her head over her shoulder to give him a glimpse. How could he have mentioned such dirty words?

Fennick laughed and bit his lower lips, "You don't have to worry, you aren't my type."

"Yeah, I guess because I don't have all the shit you're babbling about." She bellowed and returned to checking her wear.

Fennick smirks, "Thank goodness you know."

"Yeah, now will you get out!" She yelled while Fennick chuckled and left her room.

"Holy shit! These dresses are way too hot. I'm only going into the spring. Why would he get something like this for me?" She thought as she pulled out a pleated white gown with a red rose design on it. It was way too sexy but beautiful and with another thought, she decided on it.

"Granny love, we're leaving now, bye!" She called to Sora who was already in her slumber but Aurora's voice echoed in her compassion.

"Take good care of yourself, Rora." She uttered through mind-linking and Aurora agreed.

Fennick pulled her hands as they raced out of the cottage into the forest and down to the mountain. They headed to the spring where Aurora always made her yearly wish but this time she was nervous, thinking of changing her wish to something else. It had been the same wish ever since she started making them and it looks absurd to her making it again.

Standing and gazing in front of the waterfall, listening to the waves of the water, she decided not to change it.

It wasn't midnight yet, so she and Fennick had a chat. "I hope you have another wish this time," Fennick mumbled as they sat on a huge rock beside the spring.

Aurora shook her head. "I want to change it, Fennick but I just couldn't get it off my mind. I fear something might happen." She mumbled, grimly.

"You're twenty-one Aurora and granny said you can change it." Fennick persuaded. He didn't know why Aurora still had to wish for the same thing every year which was awful to him. He hoped she could change it and move on with her life rather than having emotions that might not even come to pass and even if it does they will find a way to let it go. "Your wish has always come to pass, I don't know why you keep on making such a wish. I bet you better stop now and ask for something better."

"Hell, no." She muttered.

"You're twenty-one in just a few minutes and you still behave like a child," Fennick complained and shook his head, earning a soft smack on his face. He returned his face to Aurora who was now on her feet, poking out her tongue at him.

"Don't ever call me a child, dumbass!" She protested and ran across the little rock sensing he would run after and he did. The two started to chase each other around the spring until they were exhausted, not minding how late it had become at dusk. They both sat down back on the rock and Fennick helped Aurora check out the time.

"Two minutes to go, Aurora, it's time." He bellowed and grabbed her up immediately. They both trudged toward the waterfall and waited for the time to click midnight.

Aurora's hands were already clasped together in front of her chest and her eyes closed when it clicked twelve.

"Happy Birthday to you..." Fennick sang merrily to her, swerving around her while she stood in a firm position. After he was done singing for her, he whispered, "Say your wish now, Aurora."

She breathed in and out, trying to savour some air, she uttered, "I wish I_" She paused and tried not to open her eyes to meet Fennick gaze because she knew she might have a change of heart. "I wish not to have a mate! I wish I had no mate! I wish I won't find my mate and I wish he doesn't find me either!"

With her final statement, she plugged her eyes open, staring sadly at Fennick who was having the cutest grin on his face.

He brought out his hands for her to take and led her into the spring water like how all Lock Hearts pack shifters do, she knelt while Fennick said some rites about her having a glorious and peaceful life after her twenty-first birthday then, he used his manly hands to hold up the water from the spring which was referred to as Safe water and dropped it on her head while it slipped to her whole body. He did it again and again while she chuckled at his actions. Thanks to him, she always has a tremendous birthday.

Fennick stopped when he had fully soaked her gown with water and he pulled her out of the water back to the rock. "Happy birthday once again, Rora." He complimented and she wrapped her hands around his waist for a hug.

"Thank you so much, Fennick. Thank you so much." She comprehends. He had been a lovely brother to her ever since they became friends and she loved him for being part of her life.

Standing at the far end at the top of the mountain, Sage could see his mate, playing and laughing together with another person. He was in pain. He felt like something had just been stung into his heart and he couldn't pluck it out. He was trying hard not to believe what he just heard.

For the past five years being out of his pack, he'd always craved to return home and find his precious mate, maybe he had her at his home. However, he'd returned and he'd found his mate the moment he came back which has been the easiest way ever but then, his mate didn't want him.

He had come to visit his favorite place which was the spring after missing it for so many years. But, while enjoying the blowing breeze and atmosphere, he smelled the tastiest cherry he had ever smelled. His wolf dangled in his head at the scent and he knew instantly that the scent had come from his long-found mate. He sprang up immediately from where he sat and headed down the mountain where the scent was coming from, hitting him so nicely that he felt like savoring her. He tried figuring out what she was doing so late at that hour and hoped she was safe where she was.

Striding down the mountain and with the ability to see, hear, and scent from a distance, he heard voices. He walked hurriedly and the voice became clearer. It wasn't a female voice but a male voice singing a birthday song that had taken him by surprise. Eager to find out what was happening, he ran trailing the scent.

Aurora was making her wish the moment he caught sight of them and her wish echoed inside his head, making him come to an abrupt end. "What did she just wish for?" He thought. "She wished not to have a mate?" He was dumbfounded. Like why the hell would she wish for something like that? Was she going to reject him? The thought of rejection made him pace backwards. "No, She can't reject him!" With his last statement, he veered around and left. He wouldn't let her reject him.

Sage ruffled his head thinking about Aurora's wish as he roamed around in his room. "Fuck!" He cursed and bit down on his lower lips. "Why must she make such a wish?" He inquired aloud, talking to no one in particular. She didn't want her mate? Why won't she? Was she joking or what? Is she mated to someone else?

Then, his reflections went to the guy he had seen with her. Was he the reason for her wish? She didn't want her mate because she was dating him?

Different sorts of thoughts clouded his mind. He had fallen for her the moment he smelled her scent and she was his mate but she had wished he never came to claim her. He was disturbed. He needed to do something about it.

He made his way down the stairs to meet his father, the beta of Lock Hearts, to explain the situation to him.

"Father?" He called Beta Craig whose focus was on the TV watching the news.

"Yes?" Beta Craig answered and twisted his head over his shoulder to his son. "What's wrong? You don't look good." He acknowledged gawking at Sage.

"I can't look good, Father. I found my mate!"

"You did?!" Beta Craig yelped, astonished.

"I did but I'm not happy. She didn't want me. She didn't want her mate!" He cringed now standing in front of his father.

Beta furrowed his eyebrows at him, shunned by his outburst. "She rejected you?!"

"Damn! Father. I'm not going to let that happen. She wished not to have a mate."

"Wish?"

"Yes, father. At the spring this midnight. She did her birthday rites and her wish was, ``she didn't want me." He groaned trying hard to fight his wolf who was angrier than he was.

Beta Craig stood up to him and pulled him by his shoulders. "You need to calm down Sage, you need to keep your wolf at the bait." He warned, caressing his arms. "I know it isn't easy but could you take things lightly?"

Sage heaved a troubled sigh and moved over to the sofa his father nudged him to sit.

"Did you meet her? What do you plan to do?" Beta Craig solicited and bent over to him.

"I don't know father, I don't know." He muttered. "Presently, I'm thinking of meeting with the healer. Maybe, he could help me out."

"You want to request an Avatar (A potion for hiding scent)?" Craig inquired, staring keenly at his son who nodded his head. "Why?"

Sage looked up at his father, "I want to find out why she made such a wish. A guy did her rites for her." He lamented.

"Really? What are you thinking? That she is mated with another?"

Sage didn't reply, he just lowered his head to his clasping fingers.

"The king won't allow that." Beta Craig informed him and he was right. King Alpha of the Lock Hearts pack was a good friend of Sage. Even when their age difference was too vast, the king loved and cherished him and wouldn't let him hide the scent that could send him off the earth.

"I'll inform the king." He assured his father.

"It still looks weird that she had to make such a wish. Do you know her name or where she stays in the pack?"

"I have no idea but I'll find out as soon as possible." He said.

"What if she wasn't serious and you just took her words wrongly? What if she was joking?"

"I thought of it too but you could see her seriousness when she was saying it." He conveyed, angrily.

"Okay, maybe you should meet with the king to allow you to visit the healer."

He sprang up on his feet. "I need to go out and meet with the king." He implied and strolled away towards the entrance of their house with his father's eyes straining after him.

"Make sure you take things slightly, Sage, and control your wolf." Beta Craig instructed through mind-linking. Although, he knew his son knew how to control his anger and wolf, yet, it was his mate in the picture. His wolf could act up and take things too harshly.

Beta Craig went back to his news but he couldn't concentrate on it any longer. He felt pain for his son. Sage had just returned to his pack only to end up intensifying himself. He needed to do something too. He stood up and steered into his room as he intended to meet his best friend, King Alpha.