The prickling sensation has gotten worse. He could feel it all over his upper body and his entire back. And every prickle hurts like hell. He tried to shift but somehow his wolf isn’t communicating with him. He has been wandering in the woods with his mind debating whether he should go to his father and ask about his situation or not.

Apparently, his mind settled with the “not.” But it is desperate in gratifying something inside him that he doesn’t even know what. He had that craving since he first saw Allen and it got even worse when the air in the pup grounds was filled with Allen’s scent. Albeit he knew that his cravings has something to do with Allen, he repudiates the thought.

Then all of a sudden he felt something. It seems that there is an unseen force that thugs him. His heart rate quickened. His yearning for that something intensified. And somehow, he could feel his wolf emerging inside him but he didn’t let it take over. But the heightened senses and the grayscale color of surrounding indicated that his eyes have changed. It didn’t matter to him because it helped him see the silvery, thin, thread-like, line.

His heart just performed what is clichéd to as “skipping a beat.”

Could this be?

He stared at it intently and he could not be mistaken. This is the thread-line that leads one to his mate! He found his mate!

Without hesitation, he followed it. And with every step, his excitement increases. And as he took the path, a sweet lingering scent is taking over the air and he thought, nothing smells better. His wolf is getting antsy to the extent that it started to talk to him to get faster. Kendrick groaned because he himself is getting impatient.

He was surprised to see that the silver line has led him to the cave. However, it didn’t stop him. He knew that there were people inside, his nose told him. But there is one that stood out. His wolf is growling inside him the moment he lay his eyes on the white wolf standing near the pool.

It’s beautiful. He thought. He could imagine himself touching those white fur. He wondered how it would feel against his hands or how it would feel against the fur of his wolf. There is only one way to find out. He thought.

He didn’t mind the people around. He just walked straight to it. Hell, he seems to have been running with the swift pace he made. His father patted him in the back and handed him a white robe. He just took it without even bothering to look on his father or to other person inside the cave. His eyes were fixed on the white wolf whose blue eyes were now staring back at him.

He didn’t know but it seemed like his breathing stopped. No, he could still smell the sweet scent. But all he could hear is the deafening sound of his heartbeats. He slowly reached out his hand towards the head and relief washed over him when it nuzzled close.

It even closed its eyes. And the warmth that he could feel seems to be unequaled. The touch-the connection he had with it brought him deep satisfaction he never thought he would feel.

“Who are you?” He muttered. He wanted to see his mate. He wanted to see her.

With the robe on his hand, Kendrick put it around the white wolf. Then it shifted back into human form.

He stopped the urged to engulf her with his embrace. He wanted to see her face.

She looked up. No, he looked up.

“I’m Allen.” It looked at him with the same blue eyes he just stared a moment ago.

Upon realizing who his mate is-no. Certainly not. Allen could not be his mate.

“No.” he muttered as he stepped back. His mind is a fuzz. Added with his wolf who wants to come out to mark what’s his. But he can’t let it.

“There seems to be a mistake.” He said.

“Wait. Please don’t go.” Allen pleaded and his wolf is getting insane upon seeing the look on Allen’s face. He wanted to cajole him and comfort him inside his arms but he can’t because it’s not supposed to be that way. Allen could not be his mate!

“No. You’re not the one.” Kendrick whispered and took all his strength to walk away from Allen.

He could feel his wolf getting angry for not giving what he wanted.

“He’s not our mate.” He said intently to his wolf and to himself as well trying as much as he can to convince himself that what he did is the right thing.

He dared not look back for he feared of what might happen if he would. His wolf is going crazy and if it could, it would smack him.

As he distanced himself away from the cave, he could feel the prickling sensation again. And even how hard he try to deny, the pain is worsen by something inside-something he doesn’t want to admit.

After Kendrick disappeared into the darkness, my gaze dropped at the cave floor-oh, not just my gaze, even the liquid in my eyes dropped too.

Stupid. You are stupid Allen.

“What a fool of you to think that he would accept you as mate?” I muttered, castigating myself. “I didn’t even realize it was him. I didn’t even had a single thought that it would be him.”

“Great. I’m getting crazy.” I said.

I heard a whine. It didn’t take a second before I realized that my wolf was talking to me. “So, you finally decided to come out huh.” I muttered.

It growled. And I understood what it was trying to say. “No. It’s clear that he doesn’t want us. I’m not going to force myself into him. He rejected us.”

That’s right, he rejected us.

“It’s going to be hard, I can sense it. But we have to deal with it. So behave yourself and stop whining over it.”

I heard it whine again. I took a deep breath and wiped my tears with the back of my hand. It’s not like I will stop breathing if he doesn’t accept me.

I grunted with my thoughts. Who am I fooling, anyway? I feel like dying. My chest hurts. Everything is numb. But I refuse to give in to these feelings. I don’t want to shove myself to someone who doesn’t want me. I have to learn suppressing my feelings. I have to learn to mask them. Because if I won’t be able to do that, I would end up crying.

Then flashes of white came into my view. They were like still images showing me what I can do. But the strangest thing is seeing me touching Kendrick’s chest and markings in his body retreated and disappeared.

I shook my head and stood from the ground and clutched the robe to cover me. And even if it hurts, I’m determined to live on. I know I have my purpose, I won’t obsess myself with that mate thing.

I hushed my mind, refusing any thought about mating or Kendrick or what happened tonight.

…

Drake’s smile was palpable when he saw me inside the pack house doing the usual thing-cleaning. I’m not sure if he’s happy to just see me or happy to see me cleaning.

“Allen!” He exclaimed as he rushed towards me and was about to jumped at me just like the usual. But he stopped in the middle of it and he bowed while baring his throat.

I rolled my eyes. “What has gotten to you people? I’m still me. Nothing changed.” I exclaimed.

“Really?” Drake asked as he stood straight from bowing.

“Duh.” I said and was about to roll my eyes again when he literally jumped at me and closed me into a tight embrace that caught me off guard.

“It means, I can still do this to you.” He said huskily beside my left ear as he nuzzled closer. “I’m so proud of you and so thankful.”

His warm breath sent shivers all over my body and somehow it triggered me to take me back to consciousness. “And I can still shove you.” I answered as I pushed him away. However, he tightened his embrace and nuzzled even closer.

“No, you can’t.” He uttered in a manner foreign to me. There was something in his voice. Pain?

I swallowed as if there was a large lump on my throat. “Uhm Drake, it’s not funny.” I uttered.

“It’s not meant to be funny.” He said as he cupped my head and spoke to me. His eyes were staring right into mine. He then shook his head. “You found your mate.” He whispered. “I heard Kendrick-“

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I said and shook my head.

“I’m sorry.”

There was regret in his tone. He put his forehead against mine and sighed. Then in a matter of seconds, he just laughed and just like that, his mirth was back. Though I’m a little bit taken aback by his actions, it’s hard to maintain a confused expression for his laughter was very contagious. Added with him tickling me by the sides.

“Stop. It.” I exclaimed in between gasps of laughter. With him tickling me, my strength seemed to fade away along with the pain that lurks inside me.

Then the door burst open and the air was immediately filled with the scent I don’t want to smell. Drake and I froze and our eyes were set on the man standing on the doorway. His eyes looked straight at us. My wolf snarled at the sight of Kendrick. He wanted to break free.

His lips were set into a thin line as he continued to stare right into us. His eyes bore into the arms of Drake around me. Then he looked at me in the eye for one more time before turning around and slam the door as he went without a word.

Drake and I stared into each other and then he awkwardly removed his arms around me and ran a hand over the back of his head.

But I never realized nor Drake, that my hand was filled with the silvery mark again. And as Kendrick moved away, the marks faded.