I shifted anxiously as I waited for my Dad, Ben and Liam to come out of his office. They had been there for at least an hour and I couldn't take it anymore. All my father had said was that he was going to chose my mate. I couldn't even imagine how was he supposed to know who was better for me. Damn Liam and Damn Ben!

This all had started because of them. Didn't they understand I couldn't chose? And even if I did, it would never be one of them. In my mind the only man suited for me was Mathew.

God! All different kind of images of the passionate kiss we had shared hat night flooded my mind.

The office door flew open and I stood. Liam and Ben came out with their heads down and my Dad directed towards me.

"Serena, can I talk to you?" he asked and I gave a quick glance at the two boys before nodding. This was not good.

"Yes, dad." I stepped into his office and sat nervously as I waited for him to speak.

"Well Serena, you do have nice contestants that are willing to do anything in order to win your hand." he said and I frowned. I just wanted to get to the real point of this little meeting, to what he had finally decided. "I have thought about everything and I believe those poor wolves need an answer fast so... They are going to fight to dead for you. The one who wins, keeps you." He muttered firmly.

"What?" I screamed, standing from the chair. "You can't make them do that, Dad! Are you cra..."

"Silence!" He silenced me up with his Alpha power. "This is the best way. I don't want any more disturbance created by those two and sweetheart, just think about it. The one that wins will definitely be the best for you. The strongest, and that is what the pack needs. An Alpha worthy of my daughter."

Oh.. what had my dad made? He was willing to make me watch lose my best friend or my soon to be Beta? Could he really do that? Tears began streaming down my cheeks and I couldn't hold it any longer.

"Are you serious?" I asked with defiance and for the first time in years, I saw my Dad shocked. "Don't you know this will hurt me? I'm supposed to chose my mate. I'm the one who should decide what I need, who's worthy of my love. This isn't just about power, but I guess you just don't get it."

He didn't answer but also stood, looking at me with no expression at all. "The winner will take your side at the Luna ceremony."

I shook my head, knowing he had probably ignored all I had said. "Dad, don't do this!! Please!" I pleaded.

"Go to your room! Now!" He ordered but I couldn't move. "Peter!" he asked for one of his officers. "Take Serena to her room!"

I only felt a pair of arms grabbed me and before I knew it, I was in my room. Alone and with no other option but to accept what was coming.

⌘ ⌘ ⌘

I didn't know how much time I had spent locked up in my room but when I woke up I noticed the bright crescent moon lighting up my room. Jeez! My head ached and I knew for sure my eyes were all red and puffy. I had cried to sleep.

I hugged my pillow and tried to fall asleep once more, after all only in my dreams I could have some peace and I could avoid reality.

"Serena." I heard a whisper and opened my eyes.

I sat and looked at the window. It was opened and I knew I had heard something. I stood and walked to it, but only saw the dark night embracing the woods, nothing more.

I sighed, wondering what it would be like to run away.

"Serena." I gasped and tripped but before I hit the floor a pair of arms held me.

I instantly knew who they belong to. The warmth and intense pull were there, surrounding me.

I turned and looked at Mathew's piercing blue eyes, watching me with a hint of joy. Oh how I had missed him! I didn't think twice and wrapped myself around him, breathing his scent. He stumble a bit but hugged me back.

He breathed my scent too, and his nose grazed the back of my neck. He was all I needed.

"Hey, are you okay?" He softly whispered. I nodded not wanting to show my emotions and I felt him tense up. "Serena, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." I said still not looking at him.

"Please.." He whispered and lifted my chin, his thumb caressing my cheek. I relaxed under his touch and leaned into his hand.

"I had a fight with my dad, he.. he is a a..v-very hot-headed man."

He lifted me and sat on my bed, immediately placing me on his lap. His hand traveling up and down my back in a soothing touch.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"You won't believe me, but something was off. I felt it and I wanted to see if you were alright." I frowned and he smiled, he leaned so close until his lips touched the corner of my mouth. "I could feel you, you were sad."

"How?" I asked surprised.

"Our mate pull." he explained. "If you concentrate enough you can feel me, here." He took my hand and place it above his heart. "If I think of you, picture you, I can sense what you are feeling or at least have a vague...idea." He trailed off.

I was thankful he had done it, his presence was a relief. I cupped his cheeks and pressed my lips to his, moving my lips in synch, slowly and caring. His hands grasped my hips and he bit my lower lip.

"Love, you need to stop before I.."

I backed away, shocked and feeling my heart beating with happiness. "What did you just say?"

He blushed and didn't answer. "Mathew, tell me." I pleaded, waiting for those words to come out of his mouth again.

"Love, you are making me blush." He whispered and I laughed. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked but I shook my head and pressed my lips to his once more. I circled his neck with my arms and pour everything I felt for him in the kiss.

We separated to take a deep breath and an idea popped in my head.

"Mathew."

"Yeah?"

"Take me somewhere, take me with you." I said and he didn't hold back the toothy smile that appeared on his face before lifting me on his arms.

I chuckled as he pecked my lips. "With pleasure, love."

⌘ ⌘ ⌘

"I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure we are going the right way?" I asked with a small smile on my lips. Mathew and I had been walking for at least an hour. He had taken me to his cottage and from there we had started our long walk.

"I'm sure. I've only come here a couple of times, but I'm certain this is the right path." He assured me, intertwining his hand with mine and bringing it up to his mouth. He pecked it and smiled to me.

We stopped for a moment and Mathew pulled me closer. I couldn't help thinking how much our relationship had changed. The first day we had met he was almost dying and I had been freaking scared. But now, all I wanted was to kiss him. It was as if our mate pull was growing, getting stronger with every day we spent together.

"Are you ready?"

I looked around but only trees surrounded us. "Yeah, but..." he shushed me with a peck on my lips.

"Come."

He led me through the woods, and as we walked I was able to hear some sound. Like water..running. Mathew pointed something and when I focused, I noticed.

There was a waterfall, it was huge but was hidden by the trees. No wonder no one knew about this place. "It's beautiful." I whispered taking in my surroundings.

Mathew's arms circled my waist from behind and he rested his chin on my shoulder. "I hope this can take your mind off any problems you have." He murmured and kiss my cheek. "I come here to think, to relax so..."

"Have you ever swam?" I asked, interrupting him.

He was quiet for a moment before answering. "No."

That was the perfect excuse. I turned to him. "Let's do it, then."

I lifted my shirt over my head and quickly continued stripping my jeans off.

"Wait, what?" He asked blushing, his gaze never leaving my body.

"Let's swim, come on!"

He hesitated. I was nervous too, but I took all the courage I had and continued.

I grasped his shirt and pulled it upwards, making him take it off. His tan skin showing, his muscles tensing as my fingers grazed his skin.

Oh! Look at that...

I bit my lip as I stared at his naked chest. It was all pure muscle and sexiness. "Don't look at me like that." He whispered, his voice sounding strained.

I blushed and turned around allowing him to strip off. When I felt his hand hold mine, I gave him a small smile. "1.....2......3!!!" We ran and jumped into the waterfall.

I felt the cold water as soon as I submerged yet it felt so good. I quickly swam to the surface and Mathew was already waiting for me. He grasped my hips, pulling me closer. "Oh my God, that was..."

"Amazing." He finished before he pecked my lips repeatedly.

As I looked at him, I knew he was my anchor, my savior. Only in a few hours he had managed to make me forget all the wrong going on in my life. He had helped me without even knowing and I knew he was my person.

I circled my arms around his neck and hid my face on the crook of his neck. "Thank you."

We stayed that way for some minutes, before he broke the silence.

"Serena.." He whispered as he softly swayed us in the water.

"Mmmhhmmm?"

"I want you to be mine."

I gasped and lifted my gaze to his. "Yours?"

My heart was beating so fast I was sure it was going to burst. "Yes, mine. Now and forever."

I had no words, he had asked me to be his. I had never given a deep thought to this but I already knew the answer. Because it had been the only thing stopping me from saying yes to Liam or Ben.

And now, I was totally sure of what I wanted. Of who I wanted to be with.

His eyes were waiting, anxiously. "Yes." I answered and our lips crashed.

All the joy and happiness, reflecting in the kiss. In how our lips move in synch, with care, with love and passion. My legs circled his waist and I didn't hold back. I gave it all, cause I knew once we were back to reality it wouldn't be easy to be together, not with all the burden I carried.