"Silveen! Where are you headed?

Lady Freya called out to me, and I could see she was confused. I disregarded her. I was not going to let myself be embarrassed by opening my eyes. One lifetime's worth of humiliation in front of the whole pack was enough.

Eric must have heard her yell because just as I started to consider escaping, I heard brisk footsteps behind me and felt his hand grip mine. I didn't look at him, but gasped as electricity shot through my whole body from the point of contact.

"Please stay Silveen." My heart melted at the sound of my name on his lips, but I knew I couldn't stay before giving in.

"I can't Alpha Eric I have to ......" He firmly grabbed onto my hand despite my attempts to get it away.

"With me, Silveen. Continue to stand at my side while I control these people.

I cautiously turned to face him and was startled by how intently he was staring into me.

He really meant it!

"Stay by my side as my partner. He said, "Silveen," as if he were aware of all my concerns. Perhaps he did, but how could he be sure?

How was h...

"Allow me to defend you. Silveen, I would risk all to safeguard and keep you secure. Simply... remain with me. As he continued, his voice faltered, and he took my hand in his, pulled it up, and pressed his lips to my knuckles while shutting his eyes.

I didn't know how to respond, so I simply stood there and stared at his face and its distinctive characteristics. My gaze shifted to his brow, where a fear I never wanted to see was suddenly arched there.

Despite myself, I reached out and caressed his cheek. His eyes shot wide and, perhaps in response to the spark that stayed after our contact, he turned to face me. Expecting.

I once again abandoned all rational thinking and merely smiled regretfully.

"Is the rose for me?"

He raised it to me while beaming. I gathered it up and inhaled the aroma as I held it near to my nose. Like him, it had an oceanic scent. He drew me along as we walked to the picnic area, and as we held hands and I realized for the first time in my life, I grinned with delight.

I was content.

I was content with the guy I was attempting to flee from. I was attempting to give up everything and leave, leaving this euphoria behind.

"Have fun Silveen." As we passed by Lady Freya, I could hear her voice in my thoughts.

I abruptly turned to face her, my shocked eyes widening. How on earth was it possible? Why would she object to attaching me? I had never before been mind-linked by anybody. Not that anybody, not even my parents, ever had a private conversation with me. They had all just assumed that I kept my walls up and kept them out even though I had no idea how to do it. Up until now, I had believed it to be impossible since I lacked a wolf.

She gave me a wink before turning to go, and I let out a sigh. I abruptly came to a halt and gaped in disbelief as I saw her withdrawing self. Since I didn't know how to mind-link her back, I was unable to ask her how she accomplished it.

"Is there a problem?" Eric questioned me when he too stopped moving.

"She.... she mind-linked me!" I said, my voice displaying my amazement. Now, he merely grinned.

Naturally, she can. You are now a member of our pack.

But I had never heard of it. I thought to myself as perplexity and exhilaration rushed through me. We started to walk again when he pulled on the hand he was holding, but now I was lost in my own thoughts.

Was I ever a member of my previous pack? Is this the reason I never heard them? Was he to blame for it?

I caught his eye.

Was it a result of my being with him? Possibly if I stayed close to him, my wolf might emerge. Must I have hope?

I thought as a grin danced over my lips that this in itself was a miracle. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I enjoyed myself at the picnic; we stayed there for hours admiring the sunset and its reflection in the lake. It was unquestionably the most stunning sight I had ever seen. The cobwebs of dread and anxiety had long since gone, and I clutched to the large teddy bear he had previously given me, clutching it close to my breast, which was now filled with the light of pleasure for the very first time.

As we grew to know one another better, I chuckled at his jokes. When he described what growing up was like, I couldn't help but feel jealous of him. Despite the absence of his father, his childhood was full with wonderful memories; mine, on the other hand, was quite different.

I had led a routine life that consisted of getting up in the morning, going to school, returning home, and then spending the rest of the day in my room studying. My parents made sure I spent extra time with my books since I wasn't a very academically gifted child. Now that I think about it, my parents may have used this as an excuse to keep me from spending meaningful time with them since it never helped in any way. They may have confined me in my room, but I may have been mistaken.

Kids at school thought I was unusual and avoided me as a result, so I grew up without friends or playmates. When I left home, my siblings—two older sisters and an older brother—who were all happily married shunned me at school and mistreated me at home. Our parents constantly dismissed it when I brought it up, claiming that all older siblings were like that.

At Estradol, I exclusively shared the positive aspects of my life with Eric. I didn't tell him about my upbringing or the fractured connection with my family that led me here. His mate was the kid who was unable to shift on her eighteenth birthday. I just followed the instructions my father had given Lady Freya.

I smiled, even though I was a bit disappointed that I had lied to him since "you don't look to me like the troublesome type," he remarked.

was going to cling on to this euphoria I was feeling, even if it was false, and shield him from the suffering of having a mutant partner while it lasted.

The wonderful grin on his face caught my attention, and I moaned inwardly as I glanced at him. I wanted to shelter him from the anguish of who I am by keeping that smile on his face. I just knew he felt the same way about me from the way he looked at me whenever I laughed.

The fireflies started their nightly dance, filling the lake with the most romantic air, and the sun soon set, departing to her resting place and being replaced by the stars. The moon then shone down on us, even she looked happy at the match. I pondered, desiring to remain here indefinitely.

We need to go back, he said. "Before Freya starts getting worried."

He arrived fast, grabbed my hands, and pulled me up as my grin wavered a little as I nodded and began to stand.

As I stumbled near him, I chuckled a little. He responded by kissing my forehead. I flushed and purred from the tingle it had left behind.

We started to go back when he grabbed my hand.

I said, "The clothes," but he grinned.

"Someone would come for it."

He held onto my left as I nodded, rising with my teddy bear in my right hand. I could tell he enjoyed holding hands, or maybe it was just my hands? I questioned myself while blushing at the idea.

We approached the hamlet discreetly, enjoying each other's company while oblivious to the glances we received from onlookers who didn't appear to notice us at all. They probably simply imagined we were a couple out for a moonlit stroll.

I glanced up to see that we were in front of Gamma Dilan's home when he abruptly came to a stop. He gave me a wistful look that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it still made me flush.

Only when we were too far away to hold hands did he let go of mine as I started to go in the direction of the home. In a shocking moment, I could feel everything, right down to the touch of our fingers.

I grudgingly said, "Goodnight," but it was loud enough for him to hear, and then I started to go towards the door and go up the steps to the porch.

"I had a great time today Silveen." In my thoughts, I clearly heard him remark. This was occurring to me for the second time today, and I was at a loss for words.

Before entering the home, I turned back and smiled at him the most gorgeous grin I could manage.

I rushed to the window as soon as I arrived at the home to see him go and admired his attractive features.

He was mine, and he was gorgeous.

I answered to him in my head, "Me too," not knowing whether he could hear me.

Hey folks, do you think Silveen can maintain this secrecy for a while?