Twelve hours.

That's what it took me to turn already insane about being separated from my mate.

I feel sweltering and only want to return home to touch Alec. I've not seen him for more than twenty-four hours, and it feels like a month.

Darn mate bond.

Even if we spend most of the time laughing, reading gossip as Kate loves it, watching TV, playing games, sunbathing, or swimming, my body is still out of energy.

As we are on the couch trying to play some card games, the awful impression that something is wrong with me can't get out of my mind.

We should call Alec. His voice will ease us.

Selene utters in my mind.

"I got it! You want to call him! Did you even think this bitch could be by his side?" Kate looks at me as I yell.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" She puts her cards down on the table.

"I'm sorry. It's just Selene who says we should call Alec even if I disagree because of Amber, who must be stuck to my mate," I roar as jealousy, hormones, and need to mate all boil in me simultaneously.

"The heat. The marking process. Even if Ares marked her, Alec did not put his mark on you. You're gonna be a pain in my ass now that he is not here by your side. But I will deal with you. Come here." She moves closer and takes my hands. It quickly helps me to be released from my emotions, even if it's not perfect.

"Thank you, Kate," I say to her.

"How do you deal with that? Being away from Caleb. The lack of... flesh?" I ask her, my cheeks turning red.

"When you find your mate, your bodies react. The two of them are looking for each other. That's because or thanks, choose what you want, of your wolves. We are animals with basic instincts. And sex is one of the major ones for us, werewolves." Kate smiles.

"I need Caleb. I don't deny it. But we are werewolves when you are two powerful lycans. From what we all could hear, sex sounded vital to Alec and you." She starts to laugh.

"Well... all wolves are horny when they meet. Lycans must have bigger needs." I try to defend myself. As if it was necessary to explain myself.

"I'm sure you two...." I start before she interrupts me.

"Nothing like you two...." Kate stops me, laughing even louder.

"Even for lycans, you are pretty... bustling...." I've never realized that anything was "more than normal." Although, since the gym, I have to admit that we were intimate, like, very often. I need my everyday dose of Alec, and I haven't for a few days now.

I sigh, trying to think about something other than my naked mate.

"I'm gonna make myself a cup of tea. Do you want something?" I ask Kate.

"Yep, I'd like some hot chocolate, please." Kate lies on the couch and puts her legs up against the backrest. She takes her phone and laughs as she reads something. From the kitchen, I overhear her voice as she talks to Caleb.

I take some cups from one of the cupboards, put some water in the kettle for my tea, and put some milk in a pan for Kate's hot chocolate.

The smell of hot chocolate makes me nauseous. I run to the bathroom to empty my stomach.

As my phone vibrates in my jean pocket, I pick it up without looking at the screen to check the income caller's identity.

"Are you okay?" The hottest voice I've ever heard. My whole body reacts. Warmth grows inside me, and my stomach cramps seem to lessen even if I don't feel totally fine.

"Liv, honey? Are you okay?" He really seems worried.

"I'm okay," I answer after cleaning my mouth and flushing the toilets.

"I'm a little queasy, in fact. I think one of our little ones does not like Kate's hot chocolate. But it's good to hear you." I smile as I answer his question. Although he can't see me, I hope he can sense how appeasing he is to me.

"Great. Well, at least I can help you feel a little better," Alec says, relief in his voice.

"I had to call you, anyway. Amber told one lycan she would soon be marked by me as you were gone and almost dead. He warned us. Taylor and Jackson are going to pick her, and I am going to question her. Your brother will be here. In a few more hours, we will be together, little wolf," he announces. Even if I'm not by his side, I sense he is smiling.

"Seriously? Already?" I almost shout.

"Yeah, little wolf. Seriously," he answers, chuckling.

"I won't be available for the next hours, but when we are ready, I'll pick you up myself, so you don't have to drive back. So enjoy your night with Kate doing whatever girls do when their mates are not here," he says lovingly.

"That sounds good to me." I can't prevent myself from smiling. I actually can't wait to see him.

"Can you bring some watermelons? I really need to eat some watermelons."

"Of course, little wolf," he laughs.

"Just take care of yourself. Rest and relax. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Alec," I answer him.

"I love..." He can't finish his sentence as the network is out. I'm disappointed, but that is not unusual when you are deep in the forest.

"No more network, Olivia. Do you realize what it implies?" As I return to the living room, Kate peeks at me with frantic eyes.

"That you will have to wait until they come tomorrow to speak with Caleb again?" I answer, faking a question with a grin.

"Yes, exac... What?" Kate looks at me with her wide eyes open.

"What do you mean by 'tomorrow'? Do we go back to the packhouse?" She seems more enthusiastic than a kid at Christmas.

"They're coming on tomorrow. Well, Alec is, but I'm sure he will bring Caleb. They will question Amber tonight and drive here as soon as they're done." She flies into my arms as I explain the current situation at the packhouse.

"Thank you, Liv." She finally lets me go.

"I hope Caleb will catch me as I run to jump in his arms," Kate says with a giant smile on her face.

I never imagined Kate would be so romantic when she got to find her mate. She relished her single she-wolf's life and had a lot of good times. I could hardly suspect that a mating bond could transform a person so much. She was the perfect incarnation of the mating-bond higher power. And they haven't officially mated because of our potential war situation.

"You look so content. I'm so glad you have Caleb. Mating two of my favorite werewolves together, Moon-Goddess couldn't make a finer choice. At least I know you'll be fine when I have to go...." I say, my voice torn between the happiness of having Alec and the sadness of leaving my pack behind when I go to Alec's.

Kate takes my chin and looks right into my eyes.

"You won't leave us behind. You only do what a leader must do to ensure their pack's safety. You are destined with the first prince, heir to the Crown of all the lycans and werewolves... You were, are, and will be the most powerful she-wolf this world will have the chance to get." Her eyes are getting soaked with joy.

"I'm so happy and privileged to be the one who grew up by your side. And I intend to visit you anytime I want to... you won't get rid of me that easily," Kate adds with a grin.

I kiss her forehead.

"I will summon you to visit me, dear werewolf. Like my princess' authority allows me." I look at her with gleaming and playful eyes.

"Or at least I guess I can do that." I put my finger on my lips, my eyes rolling as if I were thinking deeply.

"Your wish is my command, future Queen," she says as she bows.

"Does your majesty want to eat something while I'll go to shower?" She asks in a posh tone.

"No thanks, I still feel a little sick. But go. I will swim while you eat," I answer with a smile.

"Okay, as you want. I'll call you when I'm done so we can relish our first and last night together here," she says, running straight to the bathroom.

I go to the bedroom, put on my swimsuit, and go to the pond. Then, I enter the water.

It's neither hot nor cold. It seems just like the perfect temperature. After wetting my neck and shoulder, I dive deeper underwater.

Everything is so quiet underwater. It feels like every fear, inch of pain, and doubt have left me.

I lift back to the surface and pass my hands in my hair. Then I lay back on the water, floating. I close my eyes, and there he is.

Ares.

Except I appear to be a child, caressing his soft muzzle. His dark green eyes are staring at me, questioning me, as if he was trying to understand how I could be here, right now.

You are a beautiful wolf, mister wolf. You have beautiful fur. I'm happy we are friends.

My voice sounds so childish. Why do I even call him a friend?

Ares changes and becomes Alec. His figure is as distinct as if he was by my side. It makes me smile. I simply feel better as I imagine him and his warm embrace.

The sensation seems so real, like his arms are actually closing around my waist. Except that he lifts and holds me all against him. I look like a little girl in a grown-up man's arms. My head lies on his shoulder. There are all these looks on us.

As I move my head, I notice Jackson and her beside him.

Why does he even keep this child with him? She is nothing.

Amber.

Why does Amber have to be in my dream?

He likes her. I don't have the slightest clue of why, but she makes her feel good. Happy. She seems to appease Ares, and he asked to keep her with him during the ceremony. Anyway, you're just here as a guard, so don't act like a jealous mate because you're not. Deal with it.

Jackson smiles at me before he turns to Amber again.

Let a five-year-old believe she found her charming prince for one night.

I don't care if she is nothing but a childish fool. Alec is mine.

They can see us. They can hear us. But they don't understand what we are. They don't know about us being mates.

I wish I could move from my dream, but I'm just stuck in it. Like everything was frozen in time and that I could change anything.

Frozen in time. Like a memory.

Minutes seem to last hours with her icy gaze fixed on Alec and me. Until I feel tired. Extremely tired.

I am now in bed. I am so tiny in this enormous bed.

When will I see you again, mister wolf?

Besides me, a little Elijah is sleeping in the enormous bed. He does not look over four or five years old.

I don't know, little wolf.

I know when I am going to see you again. That's what I want to scream at him. Tomorrow, I will see you again, Alexander Joshua Grayson.

But these are not the words that get out of my mouth.

So sad. I like you very much, mister wolf. I will miss you.

That's all I can answer. Why do I call him mister wolf? He is the one who used this nickname.

And thus, it strikes me. He gave me the answer. He told me to remember when I was five. That's a memory. This is why I can't change a thing.

Amber was here fifteen years ago.

I forgot, but I already met my mate before. I may have forgotten, but I understand Amber did not. It explains why she hates me so much. She understood from the start that he would find his true mate when he came to my pack. Ares told her before Alec left the Capitale, and she solved the puzzle before Alexander.

In the end, she is a clever woman.

Someone else had to remember. Someone else was there and understood that Alec and I were going to find one another.

I need to remember. Who was there? Where did it take place? What was the event?

Before I can think more, my whole body is covered with goosebumps. Not the one you feel when someone drives you crazily aroused. The ones you experience when you're scared out of hell or when your instincts yell for you to run as danger are all close. I get out of the water and put on Alec's oversized white shirt that I found in my bag when I dressed in my swimming suit. Everything is quiet around me. Far too much quiet.

I walk back to the house, and it is lifeless. No running water. Not a single sound can be heard. I try to catch some scent as I am close to the large open window of the living room.

3 scents. 3 heartbeats.

Kate's blood, an unknown scent, and one I recognize far too easily. One I wish I didn't have to breathe right now.

I should have known everything seemed too easy. I glance at my phone on the table. Why was I so stupid?

Run. Run now. And don't stop.

Selene's voice shoots into my head.

I need to tell Alec. He needs to know.

I think, addressing my wolf.

Just do.

She screams as we start running on our two legs. I'm familiar with the place and race through the branches directly, deeper into the surrounding woods. If I run North for three miles, I can find some isolated wolves. I used to visit them with my parents when we came here. They can help us.

How am I supposed to do it, Selene? Can't you do it with Ares?

I scream at her internally.

I need to be ready to turn whenever they get too close. You're two powerful lycans. Marked or not, you've already created a stronger bond than most the mated people will ever do. So focus, mind-link Alec, while I take control for us to escape.

I nod, and then I experience it. My consciousness is stepping back, and my wolf spirit fully controls my body.

Alec, can you hear me?

I try to focus, but I'm so tense. I need to relax and copy the rhythm of Selene's breathing, who still appears to stay calm despite the situation.

Little wolf, you need to run as far as possible. They are coming for you.

Alec's voice shouts, and I perceive he is currently running and screaming orders while he talks to me. Then suddenly, he stops like he realizes I called him first.

Liv, what's going on?

He is here, Alec. He found us. You need to get here as soon as possible. He got Kate, and he is not alone.

My cheeks are getting wet with a mixture of sweat and tears of rage and fear.

Little wolf, focus.

Alec says, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.

I'm on my way. Eva and Joey are closer to you. They moved to get some networks when it got cut, but they're close.

Despite his hard attempt to keep cool, Alec seems irate and worried at the same time.

Stop and face him. He won't hurt you, and it will buy us some time. I promise you we will be here in no time. I love you, little wolf.

I love you, Alec.

As I finish saying it, we stop, trying to listen and find out where the danger will come from. I catch no sound but some animals and the wind in the leaves. And finally, I feel it.

A hard fist against my right cheek, with full lycan force. That must be the unknown scent I caught in the house.

I fall to the ground as I pick up footsteps and his awful scent coming closer. The lycan's foot on my neck prevents me from getting up.

Stay still, Selene. Let's act like we are not about to move. We need some more time. That's what Alec wants.

Even if she growls inside, we don't move and wait.

As he crouches beside me, I see his face.

"Here you are, little Princess. Look at what I had to do to stop you. You shouldn't have run away. I'm gonna take care of you, my Luna." His thumb touches my bleeding lips. He kisses me. I feel so bad as his lips touch mine, like I'm gonna vomit my all being.

Before I can make a move to escape them, I feel another hit on my head.

I did not see that one coming.