Tripartite Mate || 18+

Chapter 2

"Call us if there is any problem, and I will be there in a heartbeat," Jason, my Big Brother, said, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Eat your meals on time," Mom added, adjusting my collar unnecessarily. "I don't want to see my baby looking like a skeleton when she comes back."

"And Vi," Dad warned, his voice low and serious, "don't have s*x, even if you find your mate. You can never trust men, pup. They only ever want one thing."

His comment immediately earned him a dagger-sharp side-eye from my mother.

"What happened, sweetheart?" he asked Mom innocently, pretending he had absolutely no clue why she was glaring daggers at him.

"Would you just hush and let our daughter choose for herself?" Mom scolded him gently, placing a hand on his arm. "I understand you're concerned she'll be taken advantage of, but she is big enough to decide for herself. You always say she is smart, so let's trust her and give her our unconditional support as a parent."

I immediately wailed, throwing my arms around her. "You are the only one I can count on, Mom!" I gave her my best puppy eyes, which always worked.

"And yet you never listen to your mother," she teased, tweaking my nose in that familiar, adoring way, making me smile sheepishly.

"Still," Dad insisted stubbornly, "no s*x until he gains my trust."

I groaned dramatically at my father's comment. Ever since Mom had mentioned the possibility of me meeting my mate, he had turned into a broken record with his "no s*x" rules. I shifted my gaze toward my younger brother, Jack, who was the only one who hadn't weighed in with a warning.

"Call me if you see any hot chicks," Jack said smoothly, his eyes already gleaming with anticipation. "You know my preference: tall, slim, and blonde."

"Of course. What else can I expect from the pack's Casanova?" I rolled my eyes at him playfully. "Dad, are you hearing your son?"

"He is not my son," my Dad growled, glaring fiercely at Jack. "No son of mine would w***e himself like him."

"Excuse me! w***e?" Jack cried out, genuinely offended, and instantly shed his Casanova image. "Whom exactly did I w***e myself to? You all know I am more virgin than a nun!"

"Finally, you're admitting you're a virgin," I snorted, which made Mom burst into a laugh.

"Are you laughing?" Jack whined, pointing a finger at Mom. "If you cared even a little bit about me, you would find me a wife!"

"Oh, my sweet baby brother, I don't care about you that much," I commented dryly, making him narrow his eyes at me.

"Fine," he huffed, crossing his arms. "But if you get into any trouble, I won't be helping you from now on."

I simply rolled my eyes at his empty threat and turned my focus back to my mother.

“My baby!” She exclaimed, pulling me into one last, impossibly tight hug.

“Mom, I’m only going for a month,” I reminded her, trying to reason with the drama.

My mom can be dramatic sometimes. Well, most of the time, I conceded silently.

"A month or a day, I will always worry about you. You'll understand it when you become a mother one day," she sighed, pulling back to look at my face.

"I know you're worried since this is my first time going away from the pack territory," I assured her, "but Mom, I promise you I will come back to you unharmed."

"I will take you for your word, baby. You better come back without a single scratch on you," she warned, though her eyes were filled with love.

"Of course, Mom! I promise," I smiled, feeling genuinely touched by their fierce protection.

Hugging everyone one last time, I hurried behind the massive oak tree at the edge of the clearing to remove my clothes and carefully place them in my duffel bag. Taking a deep, centering breath, I closed my eyes and let the wild, powerful essence of my wolf take over.

The shift was sudden and glorious. Dark gray, almost black, fur burst rapidly from my pores. My back arched high as my nose lengthened into a muscular snout. The sound of bones cracking and reforming filled the air, a loud, rhythmic snap-pop-crunch as my body reformed itself from human to beast. The transformation was less painful and more intensely uncomfortable, like my body was aggressively molding itself into a new, stronger vessel.

When I opened my eyes again, I was looking through my wolf’s senses. The world instantly seemed clearer and crisper, like a television switching from standard definition to breathtaking 8K.

The trees were richer, deeper green, and the plants looked vibrant, almost glowing. The chirping of birds sounded incredibly close, right next to my ear.

A deep, contented purr rumbled in my chest as the wind rustled through my thick fur. I lifted my snout high into the air and inhaled deeply, taking in the complex, fresh smell of the damp earth and pine, my wolf's contentment growing.

Thank Goddess, the weather is perfect for travel!

Twisting my powerful head towards my back, I used my teeth to check that my duffel bag was secured tightly across my flank. Satisfied, I looked skyward and let out a long, loud, resounding howl, letting my family know my departure was final. I knew I could just mind-link them, but what was the fun in that? We wolves loved to howl, it was our instinct, our joy!

My wolf was thrilled to run, especially after a week of confinement and human routines. Crouching low, I launched myself forward. My fur streamlined with the speed as my massive paws hit the ground, kicking up satisfying sprays of dirt behind me. As I sprinted into the lush forest, I ran over my semi-plan. I knew it would take me approximately one full day to reach the Storm Forest pack. To reach it safely, I planned the journey thoroughly: run for as long as I could, take a short, strategic break, then cover the rest under the cover of night.

Running at a relentless full speed, I felt the first pangs of exhaustion set in. I looked up at the position of the sun and realized I had been running hard for about half a day.

I hope I've covered half the distance, I thought, slowing my pace to a controlled walk as I strained my ears to listen to my surroundings.

As I moved stealthily through the brush and trees, I listened intently for the tell-tale signs of prey. I was hungry, exhausted, and desperately needed a rest and fuel.

After only a few minutes, a delicious, coppery smell hit my nostrils. I looked around and spotted a young doe grazing peacefully in a small, sun-dappled clearing.

Moving with the silence and grace of a true hunter, I crept through the trees, closing the distance. I watched patiently as she lifted her head and glanced around, sensing the slightest shift in the air, the faint ping of danger. I smiled wolfishly when she relaxed and lowered her head to eat once more.

Crouching low to the ground, I waited, listening to the frantic rush of blood flowing through her veins. My mouth began to salivate, and the predator inside me stirred. The instant she lowered her guard, I exploded from the bush, leaping onto her back.

I tore my large canines through her neck in one swift, efficient movement, instantly snapping it. The doe dropped to the ground, dead. I didn’t waste any time and began to devour my hard-earned dinner. As I slowly consumed the fresh meat, I made sure to keep my ears constantly strained and swiveling for the sounds of any possible threat.

When I was finally full and satisfied, I glanced around for a safe place to rest. The best place I found was a remarkably tight space between two enormous, ancient trees. They were so close they were practically growing together, but there was just enough room for my wolf body to curl up. It was perfect for resting without fear, as the dense, low-hanging branches would hide my dark fur from any prying eyes above.

Before entering the tight, dark space, I rolled thoroughly in the cool, loose dirt and scattered pine needles, coating my scent and masking my tracks. Satisfied that I had covered my trail, I curled up deeply between the trees and drifted off instantly.

A few hours later, I blinked my eyes open. The rest wasn't enough to fully replenish my energy, but it was enough to ensure I could make the final, crucial push to the Storm Forest pack.

Crawling out from my hiding spot, I stretched luxuriously and heard my joints pop and crack loudly. I quickly checked my bag to ensure it was secure before resuming my travel. Night had officially fallen now, and deep shadows were cast across the forest floor. This gave me a distinct advantage, the ability to utilize the darkness for camouflage. Making absolutely sure to avoid any moonlit clearings, I broke into a run, maintaining an incredibly fast speed. I was faster than an average werewolf, almost as fast as a Lycan.

I was able to maintain such a high speed because I used to run with my cousin, Lola, whenever she visited my pack. Lola was a Lycan, and she always challenged me to keep up with her. I pushed myself relentlessly, running farther and faster than any other werewolf I knew. It was incredibly difficult and took a lot of time, but I managed to dramatically increase and improve my speed and stamina. I was genuinely proud of this achievement. If there was one thing I could brag about, it was my strength and speed, making me a challenge for even a Lycan.

Back in the present, I continued to sprint through the cover of the shadows, vigilant against any possible danger. The mud and dirt from my earlier roll still cloaked my scent, effectively masking me from any threats with sensitive noses.

With excitement bubbling up in my chest, I reached the boundaries of my Aunt’s pack territory just as the first rays of morning light touched the sky.

~•~