Chapter 3
1034 Words
Miles walks beside Casey, matching her slower pace as the gravel crunches under their feet. The air between them hums with unspoken tension. He keeps his hands shoved deep into his pockets, fingers curled into fists to resist the urge to reach out and hold hers. Every brush of her shoulder makes his pulse jump.
Casey notices. How could she not?
“I know this may be hard for you,” she says softly, glancing at him. “But whatever this is between us... I need it to go slow. This is all too fast, too much.”
Miles swallows hard and nods, though his chest tightens. “We’re mates, Casey,” he says quietly. “Don’t you feel the pull?”
She stops walking, turning to face him. The breeze carries the fresh scent of pine between them. “I do,” she admits after a moment. “But I’m not the kind of girl who just throws herself at a guy.”
“I’m your mate, Casey,” he interrupts, his voice rougher than he means it to be. “Not just some guy.”
Her eyes dart away, and she starts walking again, staring straight ahead. Her voice drops low, almost lost in the wind.
“This must be hard for you—since girls seem to throw themselves at you. Maybe...” she hesitates, biting her lip. “Maybe you should reject me and take a chosen mate.”
The instant the words leave her mouth, she feels their sting deep in her chest. The silence that follows is heavy.
Miles is stunned. He quickly steps in front of her, blocking her path. “What?” His voice cracks with disbelief. “Hey, no. Casey, I can’t control what other girls do. But I don’t want them.” His eyes search hers, intense and sincere. “I want you. The question is... do you want me?”
The vulnerability in his voice makes her heart twist. “What girl wouldn’t want to be with you?” she says, barely above a whisper. “I just... I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“Casey,” he murmurs, stepping closer. “You could never disappoint me.”
For a moment, everything stills—the forest, the air, even her breath. He looks at her, his gaze flicking to her lips. “Can I kiss you now?” he asks softly. “Because all I can think about is kissing you.”
She doesn’t answer, doesn’t move away. That’s all the permission he needs. He closes the distance slowly, giving her every chance to pull back. When she doesn’t, his lips meet hers—gentle at first, testing. Then deeper, warmer, the bond between them flaring to life beneath his skin. When they finally break for air, she can still feel the steady rhythm of his heart, strong and sure.
He grins, boyish and utterly disarmed. Without another word, he laces his fingers through hers and tugs her gently toward the pack doctor’s clinic.
Inside, the clinic smells faintly of antiseptic and cedar.
Dr. Harlow looks up from his desk as they enter. His sharp eyes immediately take in Casey’s pale face and the small swelling near her hairline.
“What happened?” he asks.
“There was an attack at the party,” Miles says, his tone shifting instantly to protective seriousness. “Rogues got inside. She hit her head when she fell.”
The doctor rises at once. “Sit down, Casey.”
She obeys while Miles remains close beside her.
Dr. Harlow checks her pupils, shining a light into her eyes. “Any dizziness?”
“A little earlier. Not now.”
“Blurred vision?”
“No.”
“Nausea?”
She shakes her head.
The doctor presses gently at the back of her head. She winces slightly.
“Minor concussion at worst,” he concludes. “You’ll have a headache tomorrow, but you’ll be fine.”
Miles exhales quietly in relief.
“There’s something else,” he adds, his voice lowering. “She’s my mate.”
Dr. Harlow’s brows lift slightly, but he doesn’t look surprised.
“I see,” he says calmly. His gaze shifts to Casey. “And how does that feel?”
She hesitates. “I feel… something. But I am not sure.”
Miles looks at her, confusion flickering across his face.
“How old are you, Casey?” the doctor asks.
“I’m twenty. I turn twenty-one next month.”
Something in the room subtly changes.
Dr. Harlow nods slowly, as if confirming a private suspicion. “That explains it.”
“Explains what?” Miles asks.
The doctor folds his hands. “In some bloodlines the mate bond does not fully awaken until the wolf reaches maturity.”
“Maturity?” Casey repeats.
“Twenty-one,” he clarifies.
Miles frowns. “So that’s why she doesn’t feel it the same way?”
“Yes.” Dr. Harlow looks directly at him. “You are already of age. Your wolf recognizes her completely. Hers, however, is still waiting.”
“Waiting for what?” Casey asks quietly.
“For maturity,” the doctor replies. “When you turn twenty-one, the bond will settle fully. Yous should be able to shift for the first time. Until then, you will feel a slight pull especially when Miles is near you.”
Miles processes that slowly.
“So I just… wait?”
Dr. Harlow gives him a knowing look. “You will need to be patient, Future Alpha.”
Casey blinks “Future Alpha?” she had forgotten he will be the next Alpha.
Miles stiffens slightly.
Dr. Harlow’s expression grows serious. “If she is truly your fated mate—and I believe she is—then when the bond completes…”
His gaze moves to Casey.
“She will stand at your side.”
Silence stretches.
“At his side?” she whispers.
“Yes,” the doctor says calmly. “As our future Luna.”
The word hangs in the air, heavy and undeniable.
Casey’s heart begins to race.
Luna.
She hasn’t even shifted yet.
And in one month… everything will change.
- Writer
