My fear increased with every second as I stared at the gray wolf standing a few meters away. I thought my heart was coming out of my chest because I could feel it beat so fast as the adrenaline in my body pumped. I was alone and with no protection whatsoever; either way I thought of a way out of this, nothing looked promising. For once I wanted to go back in time, had I listened to Liam I wouldn't be here.

I had done the one thing I had been warned the most, walked into the woods when I couldn't shift, and at this very moment, I hated even more the fact that women weren't able to shift until they found their mate and completed the process. Even more so in situations like this, when that stupid nature law stopped me in every way to protect myself. As a result, I found myself scared and defenseless.

The wolf growled, the guttural sound ringing through my body and I knew he was going to attack. A moment before I knew he would lunge at me, I turned around and all I did was run. I didn't know where I was going, but if I stayed put, I knew I would die. So, I didn't look back and my feet kept moving with all I had.

"Help! Please help!" I screamed out of breath as I ran scared.

I quickly glanced at the wolf so close behind me that when I turned back again, I didn't notice what was awaiting me on the other side. My eyes widened in surprise and I tried to stop, but instead tripped and fell. I was on my knees and my hands met the humid earth beneath me as I looked up slowly. I gasped when my eyes met a bigger wolf standing in front of me with the same feral look the other one had. It took me a moment to notice this wolf was different though. His fur was darker, pitch black, even darker than the night and was paired up with rare blue color eyes that pop in the night like sapphires.

I stood up carefully, aware of the dreadful situation I was in. I couldn't back away and this time for sure I wouldn't have the chance to outrun both wolves. One behind me, one ahead, and I was right in the middle of both.

I closed my eyes as I prepared myself for the worst, for my death, but the growls that arose from their throats, startled me and I realized they were gazing at each other, almost as if I had been forgotten. Neither of them was chasing me, I was just in their way.

They circled me, preparing to fight and I knew at any second they would kill each other, and I had a chance to get away from this. I gasped and moved when the gray wolf lunged at the black one and both became a tangle of jaws and scratches followed by deadly growls as they fought.

I turned and ran, trying to get away. I didn't know where I was heading to, I was still lost and needed help. I stopped for a moment and tried to remember where I had come from or if something looked familiar, but it was useless. Nonetheless I needed to move, get as far as possible from the wolves because if one of them decided to come for me, I wouldn't be so lucky this time. I was about to run again when I heard a shivering growl followed by a cry. I turned to the sound and I heard footsteps, someone was walking through the woods not far from me. I couldn't see anyone and the only thing I thought I could do was to stand behind a tree and hide.

I stood still for a couple of minutes, my breathing coming in short gasps and my body trembling in fear. I couldn't hear the wolves fighting anymore and the steps had ceased. As I decided my next move, I knew I had two options; to run away or take the risk and find out who was out there. I took a deep breath trying to calm down and turned to peek around the tree, but I couldn't see clear I slowly walked in the direction I had heard the steps come from.

"Ah, ah!" I heard someone gasping in pain and I froze. I was close for sure. I started to walk again and that's when I saw who the groans belonged to. Resting against one of the trees, I could barely see the shadow of a man.

I stepped forward just enough for me to see him as the moonlight softly shone on him, underneath the shadows of the trees. His eyes were closed, his breath faltered, and he was completely naked. I felt my cheeks heat up at his sight, but as my eyes scanned his body, I noticed the long gash across his ribs. He was bleeding.

"Oh my god..." I muttered unintentionally and his eyes opened immediately. They moved like he knew exactly where I stood, and his eyes met mine. He stared for a minute with a longing gaze before it drifted all over my body as if he was looking for any threat. His eyes moved back to my face and stared deeply before he brought a hand to his wound and whimpered, closing his eyes in pain.

I slowly walked towards him, counting each step and thinking of whether this was a good idea or not. I was still scared, had no protection at all and I didn't know if he would attack me. All thoughts dissipated as I knelt beside him, making a decision and leaning close. I took a look at his wound and I felt my insides turned. I hated blood.

"Help me ... p-please..." he pleaded frowning.

"Er... What can I do?" I asked, my voice shaking, and I wasn't sure if it was because of how close I was to him or because I feared the situation.

"Stop my bleeding." He answered gasping for air as if he couldn't breathe, his chest rising fast as he inhaled deeply. I saw him pressed his hand a bit stronger on top of his wound, but it didn't cover it all and he was still bleeding so much.

I raised my hand and noticed it trembling as I draw it near his body to help him stop the bleeding. Shit, I couldn't do this, I couldn't do this...

I touched him and then I felt it.

It was like a spark, a pull and a current of electricity running through me. All at once. First in my fingers, then all over my body as my hand came in contact with the stranger's skin, like I was a magnet to him. I didn't know how to describe the feeling because I had never felt something similar. Air left my lungs as a calloused, bloody hand touched mine. I lifted my gaze and found the bluest irises gazing at me and I felt another pull, this time ten times stronger than the first. And for some reason, I couldn't look away and all my senses felt overwhelmed.

What was I feeling? I didn't know but when I saw his eyes, a burning sensation touched every part of me, like a wave of emotions crashing into me, dizzying me.

"Here." he sighed with difficulty and then yelped when he placed my hand over his wound, pressing it with both of our hands. "Don't let go."

I nodded, still fixed on his eyes. For a moment I felt my eyes closing still lost in the tingling unknown sensation. I leaned on the tree, right by his side keeping my hand firm on his wound.

"Who... who are you?" I whispered before everything started turning blurry.

I didn't know how much time I laid there but my eyes felt so heavy, I wasn't sure I would be able to stay awake even though I was really trying to. One moment I was laying down next to him and then I felt a tight grip on my legs and waist, my head resting on a hard yet smooth surface. I didn't know what was going on, the heat was still there, the sparks and the low burning sensation. I wanted to scream, say something however I didn't because deep inside me, I felt calm.

"It's okay, I'll keep you safe." A deep voice softly murmured close to my ear. Then everything faded away.

A grey wolf. A balck wolf. Leila needing help. The bleeding man... Everything came to me in blurry episodes and the urge to run made me open my eyes as I vaguely remembered the night.

I was in my bedroom, laying in my bed. I looked around slowly, trying to take in if I was really here. The thick blanket over my body was keeping me warm, the window was closed, and everything was in its place.

What had happened? The episodes of the night blurred again through my mind as I tried to piece everything together, wondering if it had been just a dream or if I had really lived that.

Suddenly my bedroom door opened and Rebecca stood there. "Serena?" she asked surprised and stepped forward into the room. "Thank God you are awake; we were so worried." She sat on the bed next to me and gave me half a hug.

I leaned back and frowned still confused. "What...happened?"

She furrowed her brows. "You don't remember?"

"I..." I shook my head as nothing seemed particularly clear. "No. Can you tell me?"

"Yes, but are you sure you're okay?" I nodded and waited patiently for her to talk as her eyes filled with worry. "Well, we were at the bonfire having a good time, you were dancing with Liam and then there were some screams, and everything became a chaos. I was with Eric when it happened. Everyone was supposed to go back to the village, and we did, but you were nowhere to be found. We waited for everyone to be back, but you never came. The Alpha send the soldiers to look out for you and jeez...you should have seen Liam, he was so worried because he was so sure he had seen you leave, but no one else had." She finished out of breath and waited for me to say something, but I took a minute. Everything had happened; I had not been dreaming, but how had I returned? What about.... Leila!

"Leila. Where is she? Is she okay? Is she hurt?" I babbled worried as I remembered why I had gone into the woods in the first place. I needed to know my friend was okay.

"Wow, easy there. She is fine." she replied with curiosity. "Why are you worried about her? You were the one gone for most of the night."

"Sorry... I thought something bad had happened to her because she isn't here with us, after all." I lied. I was certain I had heard her voice in the woods the previous night, but I couldn't quite place everything just yet.

Last night had definitely changed something in me, I could feel it. There were still so many questions that had no answer; however, I'd have to leave them for later. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to mention to anyone what I had lived the night before.

"Okay, anyways..." she continued. " After a few hours, Liam and other of the fighters told us that it was a misunderstanding and we could go back home. Everything started to clear, even though you were still missing. You should've seen our Alpha; he was crazy worried." I raised my eyebrows surprised. He was probably worried about the fact that if I died there would be no leader for the pack. "Everyone was, and the weirdest thing was that after so many hours of looking for you in the woods, one of the soldiers found you right here."

"What? Here in the Alpha House?"

She nodded and shrugged. "You were laying on your doorstep, sleeping like a baby." She chuckled.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Nobody knows how you got there. Last time everyone checked, you weren't near the Alpha territory and no one perceived your scent. It was so odd because even the guards missed you until one found you. Anyways, I'm glad you're okay.

"I am." I sighed still wondering the same as her. I had no idea how nobody had seen me or him...?

"I know, you got us pretty worried." She smiled and hugged me again. "You need to rest though. You were so pale and weak. I'll let the guys know you are okay, and we'll come and see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Becca." I said and as soon as she closed the door, all kind of thoughts were running through my mind. All I could remember was helping the wounded man, but then... I was home and I believed he was involved with it.

He wasn't from the pack, so who was he?

I felt a pinch of electricity on my fingertips and stared at them. All kind of emotions flooded my body as my thought were invaded by him. The spark, the pull, the attraction...

. Those . I remembered.

Mate. I heard a whisper. I shifted my gaze to the door, but it was closed and there was no one else in the room.

Mate. I heard again. That's when I realized the voice had come from my mind, but it hadn't been me.

Mate.

It had been my