Mate, I found You

Awakening

Chapter 2: Awakening

Fred’s Perspective

The sound of shattering glass echoed through the packhouse.

I didn’t have to be there to know what was happening.

My mother was at it again.

I made my way down the hallway, the heavy scent of anger and submission thick in the air. When I turned the corner, I found Ethan standing stiffly in front of my mother, his head bowed, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

Mum stood before him, her expression cold and unforgiving. A broken glass lay at her feet, its contents staining the wooden floor.

“You’re making a mistake,” she hissed. “You have no idea what you’re throwing away.”

Ethan lifted his chin slightly, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders. “I’m not throwing anything away. I found my mate, and I intend to be with her.”

Victoria’s nails dug into the armrest of her chair. “You’re being foolish. You think mating with some weak she-wolf and running away will make you happy? You belong here”

Ethan flinched, but he didn’t back down. “I’ve done everything you asked of me. I trained. I fought. I stayed. But I won’t give up my mate. She’s my future.”

Vey mother let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Your future?” She took a step closer, her voice dropping into a dangerous whisper. “You have no future outside here, Ethan. Without my protection, without my guidance, what do you think will happen to you?”

I had heard enough.

“That’s enough, Mum.”

Her cold gaze snapped to me, irritation flashing in her eyes. “Fred, stay out of this.”

I stepped between them, staring her down. “No.”

Her lips curled in displeasure, but she said nothing.

Ethan looked at me in surprise, but I ignored him for the moment. I turned my full attention to my mum, lowering my voice so only she could hear. “You can’t control everything. And if you keep trying, you’re going to lose more than just Ethan.”

For the first time, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty. But it was gone as quickly as it came.

She turned away.

I didn’t wait for her to change her mind. I grabbed Ethan’s shoulder and steered him out of the room.

*

Ethan sighed as we stepped onto the training grounds. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking exhausted. “She’s never going to accept it.”

“Then stop waiting for her approval,” I said firmly. “Live your life, Ethan. She’ll never be happy unless she’s in control. But that doesn’t mean you have to let her control you.”

For a long moment, he was silent. Then, finally, he exhaled and nodded. “Thanks, Fred.”

I clapped him on the back, offering a small smile. “Anytime.”

Just as we were about to leave, a voice called my name.

“Fred.”

I turned to see My father, Alexander the Alpha of our pack, standing by his office door. His face was as stern as ever, but there was something in his eyes that made my stomach twist.

“Come inside,” he ordered.

I glanced at Ethan, who gave me a sympathetic look before walking away.

I followed my father into his office, shutting the door behind me.

The moment we were alone, he sighed heavily and sat down behind his desk.

“You’re getting sloppy.”

I tensed. “What?”

“In training,” he clarified, rubbing his temple. “Your focus is slipping. You’re distracted. I can see it, the warriors can see it, and your enemies will see it too.”

I clenched my jaw. “I’ve been training harder than ever.”

“Not hard enough,” He snapped. His voice softened, but the weight of his words was no less heavy. “You don’t have time to lose focus, Fred. I’m not as strong as I used to be. My injuries are catching up with me.”

He gestured to his arm—the one that never fully recovered after his last battle.

“I need you to be ready. I need you to be strong.”

The pressure settled heavily on my chest. I had always known that one day I would have to take over as Alpha. But hearing him say it now, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes, made it feel real.

I swallowed hard. “I understand.”

“Good.” He leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Then prove it.”

***

I stormed out of the office, my hands shaking.

Alexander’s words echoed in my head.

“Prove it.”

It wasn't enough. Not yet.

I needed to be better.

I needed to be stronger.

I headed to Daniel’s place, he’s someone I trust, he always know how to comfort me no matter what.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, after seeing my pale face

I let out a rough exhale. “Nothing. Just stress.”

Daniel studied me for a moment, then nodded. “You wanna talk about it?”

I hesitated. Then, against my better judgment, I said, “My father thinks I’m slipping.”

Daniel frowned. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” I clenched my fists. “I feel like I’m losing control, Daniel. Like something inside me is—”

A sharp growl tore from my throat.

Pain shot through my body, sudden and overwhelming.

My vision blurred. My skin burned.

My wolf, Tyr was awakening.

Daniel's eyes widened. "Fred—"

But I didn't hear the rest.

I lost control.

My body moved on autopilot, shifting as I ran into the forest, running hard. Trees flashed past me, my paws thudding against the ground in hard strides. The beast inside me had taken over, and I had no way to stop it.

I ran until my muscles shrieked.

Until my lungs seared.

Until everything darkened.

I woke to the scent of herbs and something soft.

Pain coursed through my body. My eyes were still fuzzy, but I could tell that something was wrapping around me.

Bandages.

I lifted my arm, running my fingers over the neatly wrapped material around my waist.

Whoever had done that had taken care to bandage my wounds.

And then I felt it.

That scent.

That heat.

Comforting, like all things in my life when I wasn't a shapeshifter.

My wolf stirred restlessly.

The person who'd rescued me….

They were not just strangers.

They mattered.

And I had to look for them.