"Her name's Terra?" I asked Maggie, who I now know is Terra's best friend... And that my mate's name is Terra. Wow, what a beautiful name for such a beautiful person. . . or so I feel.

"Yes. And that's all I'm telling you about her. I'm still her best friend and what we share in that friendship is sacred and mustn't be broken. Even telling you her name and that she's your mate is really pushing it," she responded, worried.

Maggie, Evan, and I were in a coffee shop at the outskirts of town. It was the day after I had met her at the ice cream shop with Evan, and after she confessed to me she knew who my mate was. It took everything in my not to demand her to let me see Terra in that very moment. I mean, my wolf was all but howling at the thought. But Maggie convinced me that it was a bad idea and that she had a better one, a plan that will allow me to finally catch my mate without ever letting go.

"The only reason I'm telling you is because I want Terra to be happy more than anything," I knew she was a good friend who was torn between her friend's trust and happiness. She really cared about Terra and I was grateful she was not only in Terra's life but throwing me this bone.

"I totally understand, Maggie. And I can't thank you enough for doing this. I really appreciate it. I want her happiness more than anything too." I say. . . even if she might not be happy with me.

A pain started to grow in my chest. My wolf exclaimed.

I didn't like the thought either, obviously, but there is a reason Terra is running and I just want to understand her, to get to know her, all of her, both body and mind, to love her, to care for her, to know she'll be safe in my arms, to convince her that we were literally made for each other, to-- okay, need I go on?

"You're welcome," she took a sip out of her coffee. "Now, that being said, I know you're the Alpha's son and everything but I'm warning you, if you ever so much as decide to hurt one little hair on her curly head, I won't hesitate in ripping you apart, limb from limb and feeding it to my wolf for breakfast." She said, leaning forward with a raised brow and stern look.

Geesh, this girl wasn't kidding. "Trust me. I wouldn't even dream of it." If she only knew that I would run in front of traffic before I would ever even think about hurting Terra.

"Wow, that was sexy, babe. I love it when you get all bad ass." Evan was admiring Maggie, with love and lust in his eyes.

"Well prepare to have a boner all the time babe, because I'm a bad ass 24/7." She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before she turned to me with her game face on and said, "Okay, now it's time to get to business. So about my plan."

"What did you have in mind? And why couldn't we meet somewhere closer to home? I mean, I've been waiting for too long now, Maggie. Tell me, please." I demanded.

"Slow your roll, big boy. I needed to know you were serious about her first before I told you anything. Now that I know you have good intentions, I can finally tell you my big plan. And we couldn't run the risk of Terra seeing us now, could we? Drum roll please." Evan started to drum his fingers on the table while rolling his tongue to make the drum sound.

"Next week there's a party. It's the last hoorah before school starts and I was thinking there is where you two could finally meet without her escaping. Terra hates parties so the first thing she'll do is find an escape," Big surprise. "Somewhere she can be alone. She hates feeling socially awkward. Then when she finds that somewhere, that's when I'll introduce her to Evan. The distraction. Next, Evan will come get you and you two will finally meet on the dance floor, where you will have your first romantic dance and ride off into the moonlight together." She laughed.

"Oh yeah, and it's just going to be that easy?" I asked.

"Well yeah. You have two lovebirds right here who have your back in case anything goes wrong, which I'm sure it won't." she rested her arm on Evan's shoulder. "Oh and you have to call off the search party."

"Why?" I asked, worried.

"First, it's freaking her out. You want to lure her to you not make her flee the country. And second, you found her already. All you have to do now is wait a week for that party and boom, she'll be running in your arms as opposed to away from, well, your arms. Damn, that sounded better in my head but you get it." She shrugged her shoulders.

A week. I could wait a week. I've been waiting a whole damn near month. I think I can wait a week. And I know the wait will be rewarding. This might just work.

Okay, Terra. Get ready. I'm coming for you baby and this time I am not letting go.

* * *

It was the night of the big day, and to say I was feeling nervous was an understatement. I was also feeling excited and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. As I was finishing tying up the laces on my sneakers, I heard a knock on my door. "Yeah, come in." I said.

"Hey man, you ready?" I heard Evan say as he walked into my room.

I smiled. "Yup. Is Maggie in position?" I asked.

"Driving Terra there now as we speak." Oh Terra, the name still made my heart skip a beat and I haven't even officially met her yet.

"Perfect." I got up and took one final glance at the mirror. I smoothed over my tight black t-shirt that I paired with dark blue jeans and my favorite pair of white sneakers, that, of course, were ready for running. "Lets do this." I said with confidence as we walked out the door and into separate cars as per Maggie's orders. I can almost hear Maggie in my ears saying, 'Separate cars, just in case we all get there together.'

We get to the house and it looks like we get there before Maggie and Terra. We park the car and Evan waits outside for the girls and I go in. And when I do, I'm immediately met with the smell of warm, sweaty bodies pressed up against each other and the smell of alcohol in their breaths. Maybe that's what I need. A good shot to calm the nerves. I don't usually get nervous but a runaway mate will do that to you, I guess. I head over to the drinks table and pop open a bottle of beer, taking a sip and looking around. Normally, I would join in tonight's festivities, drinking nonstop, dancing with any girl that came my way. But none of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was getting Terra to at least talk to me. I walk up the stairs to the bathroom when I get a text from Evan.

The message read.

My heart almost skipped a beat. That means Terra is here. I took another sip of my beer and downed the rest of it down the sink. I needed to have a clear head for this. I washed my hands and splashed water on my face to wake me up. It's game time. As I walk out of the bathroom, my phone chimes again.

'Just met her. Where r u?' Evan texted.

And just when I hit send, I look up and see Evan heading out of some place.

"Evan!" I called out. He looked at me and started walking towards me.

"Hey, so she's on the balcony. Maggie is telling her to meet her on the dance floor, where you can make your move and finally catch your mate." He said, happily.

I smiled. "I can't believe this is really happening."

"You deserve it man. Terra seems like a really nice person and I'm sure she has her reasons for constantly runni--" but I couldn't hear another word because I felt it. My body stiffened and I felt a million electrical currents ride up spine, my wolf howling with joy, which can only mean one thing. Her.

As I turned around to look at the source, I only managed to see a flash of curly hair that belonged to the love of my life as she ran.

She didn't get very far before I wrapped my arms around her waist and threw her against the wall, effectively trapping her. Finally. Finally. I have her.

"Where do you think you're going, mate? Do you know how many times I've dreamed of this day? To finally catch you and hold you in my arms? Why have you been running from me, love, why?"

"I. . . I. . ." she stammered.

I couldn't take it anymore. I was so angry, not at her directly but my wolf was so restless. "You what? Terra, answer me." I said.

She looked dumbfounded. "How do you know my name?"

"That's not important. I need to know why you've been running from me. Do you not want me? Are you planning on re-- rejecting me? God, please answer me, Terra. I need to know."

"Terra." I said softly, urgently.

It looked like her walls finally broke down because she sighed then said, "Alright fine. I admit it. Yes, I'm scared. I'm scared you'll come into my life and lie to me. I'm scared you'll say you love me but just play with my emotions. And I am most definitely scared you'll break the most fragile thing I was hoping to never give away: my heart." She started to tear up then looked down. I didn't want her to cry. It hurt too much to see her hurt.

I wiped away a stray tear and then another. I lifted her chin up to look her straight in the eye, so I can profess this loving confession. I can feel my eyes glazing over.

"Terra, I could never do that to you. I'd die before hurting you. I can't even fathom that idea. It hurts too much to think about it. What hurt the most, though, was having you run away from me without an explanation. I was here thinking the worst. Thinking you'd reject me when in reality you were worried of being rejected all along. Well I promise you that I would never do that. You have to believe me. Trust me."

She seemed conflicted, like she didn't know what to do. "I don't know if I can trust you yet. You need to give me time. I'm. . . I'm sorry."

I placed my forehead against hers. I didn't want to hurt her. I also didn't want to be apart from her. . . "I can't lose you, Terra. I haven't even gotten you yet. Please don't reject me."

"I'm not going to reject you. I just need time. That's all I'm asking." I felt relief when she said these words.

I nodded and just held her in my arms. Her scent was amazing. Vanilla and Coconut. My last tears surfaced and she wiped them away.

I took a long breath, sighing blissfully. I pulled away from her a little and said, "I know I said I would give you time to open up to me but you can't deny this feels amazing. I can't be the only one who thinks so." I cupped her soft cheek.

She chuckled, what a beautiful chuckle. "No, you're not. I actually agree with you." I smiled at that.

Then an idea popped into my head. "Tell you what, Terra. Instead of being apart from each other, can we just start over as friends? Then work our way up?"

She had a smirk on her beautiful face. "It doesn't sound like you're giving me time to think." She crossed her arms.

She looked serious. My eyes widened. I didn't want her to be upset with me. "Oh, no, um, I'm. . . I'm sorry. I don't want to-to pressure you into anything. Just-- forget I even asked, okay." I shook my head to prove my point.

I heard her chuckle again, gosh that chuckle... and felt her grab my hand. "I was just teasing. . . ."

When she said that, I had a smile on my face so big it stretched from ear to ear. I gave her a hug. She was so warm and fit perfectly in my arms.

Today was the day. The day I finally caught my mate. I couldn't believe it!

I was so caught up in the moment I didn't realize I was hugging her for a long time until she said, "I usually don't let strangers hug me for more than a minute. . . actually I don't hug strangers at all."

I let her go despite my wolf's orders. "Sorry, um, my name's Collin Mitchell." I extended my hand out for her to shake it, which she did. "And you are. . ." I chuckled.

"Terra. . . Terra Fern. It's a pleasure to meet you, Collin."

"The pleasure is all mine," I said.

She smiled and let my hand go. "So. . . Collin, I think we should go back to the party. My friend must be wondering where I am."

She started walking away from me but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. I couldn't let her leave me again. "Actually I think Maggie isn't really that curious as to where you are." I said.

She gave me a skeptical look. "How do you know my friend's name is Maggie?"

I tried to save myself by saying, "Because you said it," but, I don't think it worked.

"No, I didn't."

"Yes you did. . ."

She took a step towards me, crossed her arms and said, "No. I. fucking. didn't. Collin!" Each pause she took equaled one step she came towards me. I was up against the wall.

"Mind telling me how you know Maggie," she said threateningly.

I looked down. "I rather not say."

"Fine, then I guess we're done here." She said and was about to walk away but I spun her around so fast she probably had whiplash. My wolf was in command now.

"Fine! I'll tell you just stop running away from me!" I didn't use my alpha tone because I knew that would scare her but I used enough power in my voice so she can stay put and listen to me.

"I'm listening." She said.

I sighed. Maggie is going to be mad. "Maggie helped me catch you."

"She what?" To say she was mad was not the right word, more like. . .livid?

"She helped me. . ."

"No, I heard you the first time. I just can't believe it. Well. . .actually, no, I can believe it because I knew she was planning something." She let out a frustrated growl.

"Look, please don't be mad at Maggie. She was just trying to help. And it looks like her plan worked. We're. . .friends now and maybe soon to be more. . ." I stopped talking once I saw that she had a murderous look on her face. She was coming towards me again, my back against the wall. I gulped.

She got into my face and said, "Well I guess I should thank her then." She laughed afterwards. Probably laughing at the fact she got me to squirm.

I ended up laughing with her. Her laugh was like music to my ears. I vowed that I would let her make me look like a fool anytime, any day, just so that I can hear her melodic laughter. I can't wait until I make her mine forever.

We went to the balcony and talked for the rest of the night, under the moonlight. I found out about her likes and dislikes and she found out about mine.

I would smile every time she told me a story about her grandmother, back when she lived with her, and her mom, who both are human by the way. I thought cross-mating was only a legend. Her favorite color is blue, favorite animal is a giraffe and draws and paints as a hobby.

I noticed she didn't talk much about her father but I knew that was a sore subject to bring up so I'll just wait until she's ready to talk about it. It was weird though. I can distinctly smell Alpha blood in her. Was her father an Alpha?

I told her my favorite color is green, favorite animal is a tiger and I play sports as a hobby. Not that I want to pursue it as a career. My destiny is already decided. I am to be the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack once my dad resigns. Terra is to be my Luna and help me lead the Pack. I left that part out so I wouldn't scare her away. When the time is right, I'll tell her.

We continued talking until she fell asleep in my arms. She looked so peaceful when she slept and a light smile was on her lips. I didn't want to let her go but I knew she needed to go home. So I carried her to Maggie's car, where she was giving Evan a goodbye kiss. I laid her down on the passenger seat gently and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, my love." I said.

Maggie finally pulled away from Evan and got into the driver's seat. She looked at me and said, "Mission accomplished?"

I nodded and chuckled. "Mission accomplished. Thank you, to both of you. Especially you Maggie." I said, looking at her.

They both smiled and nodded. "No problem man. Anything to finally get you out of this sad funk you were in." Evan said.

"Yeah and to prove to Terra mates aren't bad. I'm glad she finally accepted you." Maggie added.

"Only as a friend but when she's ready, she will be my mate." I said, confidently.

"It's better than nothing," Maggie said. "I'm happy for you guys." Terra began to snore lightly which made us all laugh. "Alright, I think I'm going to sleepover at Terra's tonight. See you Collin. Bye baby."

"Bye baby. See you tomorrow." He retorted. She gave Evan a long kiss on the lips before getting in her baby pink Volkswagen Beetle.

"See you tomorrow, man. I'm happy for you." Evan said as he got into his car.

"Bye. Good night." I said. I waited until Evan drove off to get into my car and drive home. Wait until my parents find out. They will be ecstatic.

That night I felt relieved.

Relieved. That's the feeling I felt earlier. The one I couldn't put my finger on.

Relieved at the fact that Terra didn't run away from me, not that I gave her much of a choice, and she didn't reject me. She actually gave me a chance. We're friends and I'll accept that. . . for now.