The Lost Werewolf's Mate

Midnight Stroll.

Gabriel looked around at the flowers and plants, admiring the work that had gone into the garden. “My mother handles this garden,” he said, looking for a way to continue the conversation. “She has a genuine talent for gardening.”

The she-wolf couldn’t help but notice the warmth in Gabriel’s voice as he spoke about his mother. “She sounds like a wonderful person,” the she-wolf said softly.

Gabriel smiled. “She is. I imagine you will get to meet her at some point.” He paused. “I hope that one day, my Luna will be half as amazing as she is.”

The she-wolf’s heart raced as she watched Gabriel speak passionately about his mother and future Luna. She couldn’t help but feel envy, wishing she had someone to care for her that way.

Gabriel sensed her discomfort and turned to face her, his expression softening. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he said, his voice laced with concern.

The she-wolf shook her head, feeling guilty for making Gabriel worry. “No, it’s not your fault. It’s just that... I don’t know if I’ll ever have someone who cares for me like that,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t enjoy showing her vulnerability to the Alpha. But his words struck a chord with her. How could she be loved if she could not even remember who she was?

Gabriel’s heart broke at her words. “Hey, it’s going to be all right.”

The she-wolf’s eyes met his, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder toward him. Although they had only known each other for a short time, she felt as though he genuinely cared for his pack members. She could understand why her pack members were loyal to him.

“Thank you, Alpha Gabriel,” she said.

Gabriel looked at her. Why was she so formal? “I want you to know I’ll do everything possible to help you and ensure your safety.”

The she-wolf felt her heart swell with emotion at his words. That worried her. She was rapidly growing attached to him, too much, too quickly. He was the Alpha. He would not be interested in her like that.

“Thank you, Alpha,” she mumbled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “For having taken me in and for having saved me.”

As she showed an interest in the garden, Gabriel offered, “Do you want me to give you a tour of the garden? I know it’s nighttime now but with the moon… I’m sure the garden is amazing.”

She nodded, accepting his invitation.

Gabriel and the she-wolf walked together in the gardens, their steps silent on the grass.

Serendipitously, their hands gently brushed against each other. The she-wolf felt little sparks of electricity when his hand touched hers. This caught her off guard and completely surprised her. She’d felt nothing like that before. She tried to push the thought away, but it lingered in her mind.

Her wolf, sensing his confusion, chimed in over their mind link. “You’re worried about the tingles. Don’t be. They’re normal for our kind.”

“Are you sure? I’ve felt nothing like that before. It’s odd.” The she-wolf replied to her wolf.

Her wolf hummed and retracted herself.

As they walked, Gabriel couldn’t help but notice how her hair caught the moonlight and how her eyes sparkled in the darkness. Gabriel couldn’t help but marvel at how graceful she was, how she moved with a natural elegance that reminded him of his mother. It stirred something profound within him, a feeling of nostalgia and admiration.

The she-wolf was equally intrigued by the Alpha. Gabriel’s presence captivated her. His aura seemed to radiate with magnetic energy that drew her in. She hung on his every word as they talked about the flowers and plants in the garden, their colours and meanings coming to life in her mind. Something about him made her feel safe, even though she didn’t know him. However, she didn’t want to know him or like him. He was her capture, wasn’t he? She was apprehensive of this pull but couldn’t help how she felt.

As they made their way around the garden, Gabriel stopped in front of a small pond. “This is my favourite spot in the garden,” he said, looking out at the water. “I like to come here and just… think.”

“What do you think about?” she asked softly. Gabriel’s presence had a calming effect on her. She was feeling less and less frustrated. Her wolf came back for a slight second, just the time it took for her to snicker sarcastically, then she was gone as quickly as she came back.

Gabriel turned to face her, his eyes locking onto hers. “I think about the future and what it might hold,” he said. “I think about my pack and the responsibilities of being an Alpha.”

The she-wolf nodded, understanding the weight of his words. “It must be hard.” Sympathy filled her voice.

Gabriel nodded, a sombre expression crossing his face. “It is sometimes, but it’s a responsibility I willingly embrace. I would do anything to protect my pack, to ensure their safety and well-being.”

His words moved the she-wolf, and her eyes locked onto his. She saw the vulnerability in his gaze, the weight of his duty, and his unwavering determination. It made her heart ache, and she stepped closer to him, drawn to his presence.

“I can see how much you care,” she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s admirable.”

They stood there by the pond, their emotions raw and unspoken, but their connection was undeniable.

Gabriel’s emotions were in turmoil as he walked alongside the she-wolf, lost in thought. Despite his rational mind telling him she couldn’t be his mate, he couldn't shake off his strange feelings toward her. He needed to understand everything, so he turned to his wolf, Zeus, for counsel.

“Zeus, what do you make of her?” Gabriel asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

“She seems gentle and kind, Gab. She’s been through a lot, that’s for sure,” Zeus replied, his tone sympathetic.

Gabriel sighed, his brow furrowing. “I can’t imagine what she’s been through or that she’s a criminal like Victor claimed. She might be someone else. How could Victor keep someone like her prisoner?”

Zeus growled in agreement, his frustration with Victor clear. “He’s a power-hungry fool who doesn’t understand the meaning of compassion.”

Gabriel nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for the she-wolf. “I wish I could know more about her, Zeus. I wish I could understand her,” he mumbled.

“Is the big bad Alpha smitten?” Zeus teased gently.

Gabriel frowned, his conflicting emotions swirling inside him. “Perhaps I am,” he admitted. “But I can’t be. However, there’s something about her that draws me to her. I can’t explain it. Maybe I’m looking too hard, hoping too much to find my Luna.” He paused, his heart heavy.

“Zeus, I have to stop myself. I can’t let myself go there with her. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “But she is NOT my Luna. She doesn’t smell different to me like a mate would. Does she smell different to you?”

Zeus replied, puzzled by the situation. “Indeed, our scents complement each other. When we find our mates, their scent will be like a missing puzzle piece, fitting perfectly with our own. It’s how we know we are meant to be together. She doesn’t smell different to me. She barely has a distinctive smell. That’s curious, come to think of it.”

Zeus didn’t have an answer for Gabriel, and they continued walking silently, lost in their thoughts, alongside the she-wolf. The conflict between his growing feelings for her and his duty as an Alpha to his pack tore at Gabriel’s heart. He couldn’t deny his pull towards her. He wanted to ignore the nagging feeling that she couldn’t be his mate. Emotions swirled within him, creating a storm of confusion and longing.

Gazing at the moon was an awe-inspiring sight, illuminating the entire landscape. The colours of the garden seemed to be amplified by the moon’s light, the flowers and foliage vibrant and alive. The moon hung low in the sky, seeming within arm’s reach.

As Gabriel walked with the she-wolf through the gardens, he couldn’t help but share stories of his mom. He spoke about how she would spend hours every day tending to the plants and flowers and how her love for gardening had inspired her to design the pack gardens.

“She saw how the gardens should look,” Gabriel said, his voice filled with pride. “She wanted to create a beautiful and functional space where the pack could come to relax and connect with nature.”

Gabriel described how his mom had trained him and his siblings in gardening, teaching them how to care for the plants and create new designs. He hoped to find a Luna half as impressive as his mom.

The moon seemed to cast a spell over everything, making the garden feel like a magical place. The moonlight danced around them as they walked, illuminating their faces and casting deep shadows behind them.

“It’s getting late,” the she-wolf spoke up. “Maybe I should get back to the hospital so they don’t send a search party for me.” She said with a crooked grin.

Gabriel laughed, “Let them. What are they going to do? Get you in trouble because I was showing you the gardens?” He felt a bit more relaxed with the she-wolf.

She shrugged. And he realized maybe she was getting tired, and he was getting ahead of himself, thinking they might become friends.

“OK, let’s head back,” he offered.

As they walked towards the hospital, the she-wolf stumbled, and Gabriel instinctively reached out to catch her, his powerful arms wrapped around her delicate frame. He felt a sudden electric tingle at the touch, something he’d never experienced. Surprise and confusion washed over him, but he tried to conceal it as he held her steady.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice laced with concern and yearning.

She nodded, her eyes darting up to meet his. There was a moment of silence between them, a sudden tension that neither could explain. Gabriel and the she-wolf stood in the moonlit garden, the cool night air swirling around them. Their eyes met, and the air seemed to crackle with electricity.