Her dream Mate

chapter 3

We made our way through the busy streets toward Lily’s home.

Even though I hadn’t been in Wolf’s Creek long, Lily was the first person I met. She was the one who helped me get my job… the one who never questioned why I stayed in, why I avoided crowds.

She understood.

I was afraid if I went out too much, someone from my past would see me… and drag me right back to where I came from.

And I refused to go back.

As we walked, I tried to focus on anything but the unease settling in my chest.

The trees were full and green, leaves shifting softly in the breeze. Flowers pushed through the ground wherever sunlight touched. Birds darted overhead, squirrels chasing each other along the branches.

It should’ve felt peaceful.

It didn’t.

Fifteen minutes later, we reached Lily’s cottage.

Small. Quiet. Exactly how she liked it.

Brown siding, ivy climbing up one side. A tiny porch with two chairs and a small table. The front door sat slightly ajar.

The windows were open.

Too open.

My wolf went still.

Then started pacing.

There were no sounds.

No movement.

No sign of her.

And then—

I smelled it.

Blood.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I took a step forward, ready to run inside—

—but Kyra’s hand shot out, stopping me.

“We have to wait,” she said quietly. “Help is coming.”

I stared at her.

“What? No—if she’s hurt, I need to see her!

Now!!"

She shook her head, her gaze fixed on the cottage.

She didn’t say anything else.

But the look on her face—

fear, anger, something deeper-

made my stomach twist.

I felt torn.

Every instinct in me screamed to run inside, to find Lily, to make sure she was okay—

but Kyra didn’t move.

And then—

footsteps.

Three men approached us.

Huge. Solid. Powerful.

You could feel it before they even reached us.

They introduced themselves quickly.

Alpha. Beta. Gamma.

Beta Jacob wore a pale blue t-shirt and dark jeans. Gamma David had on a dark green shirt, his posture just as rigid.

But the Alpha—

I couldn’t look away.

Black shirt stretched across broad shoulders. Muscles defined under the fabric. Dark jeans, strong stance, presence that filled the space without trying.

And then—

I caught his scent.

Pine.

Musk.

Warm.

My breath caught as I looked up.

Not that it took much—everyone was always taller than me.

Even back in my old pack… back where everything went wrong.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

Forgot why we were here.

His eyes met mine.

Smoky amber.

And I felt like I was drowning.

I shook my head slightly, trying to focus, trying to listen—

but he was already moving toward me.

He took my hand.

A spark shot through me instantly.

Warm. Electric. Real.

His thumb brushed against my skin, slow, grounding… calming something inside me I didn’t even realize was spiraling.

Then he leaned in.

Close enough that I felt his breath against my ear.

“You are mine,” he murmured.

“My mate.”

Everything stopped.

Before I could even process it, they turned and moved toward the cottage.

Kyra and I followed immediately.

Alpha Adrian turned, his expression sharp.

“Stay back.”

We didn’t.

I lifted my chin, meeting his glare head-on, and kept walking.

I needed to know.

The closer we got, the worse it felt.

Fear crept in slowly.

Then all at once.

We stepped inside.

The living room looked untouched.

A light brown couch. Matching chair. A darker coffee table. Books neatly stacked. A vase of white and yellow flowers still fresh.

Normal.

Too normal.

Then we reached her bedroom.

And everything changed.

Blood.

On the wall.

On the bed.

Too much.

My vision blurred as I forced myself to look away, focusing on anything else—

The window.

Wide open.

Curtains moving softly in the breeze.

A growl ripped through the room.

“GET OUT. NOW.”

Alpha Adrian.

That was all we needed.

Kyra grabbed my arm, and we ran.

Out of the cottage. Off the porch.

Tears blurred my vision as the reality finally hit.

Something was wrong.

Really wrong.

And Lily…