For a moment, I was too aghast to speak. I just stared at Kendrick with him staring back at me. Well, it was actually him who was staring first but I was just too surprised with what he said. I didn’t know how to react. This is Kendrick I’m facing after all.

But what he wanted is just way overboard. Does he really mean it? Drake is such a good guy and he makes me laugh all the time. And to think he never does anything wrong, well as far as I know. And why does Kendrick meddle with who I wanted to see? He doesn’t have any right to, besides this is Drake we are talking about here.

“I presume you understand what I said.” Kendrick said that took me out of my silent contemplation.

“Yes, I understand very well.” I uttered and cut the connection of our eyes. “But I’m not going to do it.” I said and spun around to walk out the door.

“What did you say?” He asked, raising his voice. I cringed but snapped out of it immediately. This is not the time to be scared of him when I am on the right side.

I took a deep breath. “I’m not gonna stop seeing Drake. You can have whatever condition you want but not that. Drake is good to me.” I paused to tilt my head to face him. “I can’t stop seeing the person who makes me happy.” I uttered and without any further ado, I walked out the door. I didn’t even bother looking his reaction.

I finally had my nerves calmed down the moment I entered my room. Who could have thought that denying Kendrick would require such courage? I took another deep breath.

…

He stared at Allen walked out the room. “Damn he’s stubborn.” He cursed.

He was pissed off. Deep within him, he is battling over with something that resulted to his impulsive decision of asking Allen to stop seeing Drake which leads to Allen’s stubbornness. He was so pissed off because he realized that he has been denied of his request. An alpha was denied.

Was it really a request or it was what he really wanted?

“Damn.” He muttered as he put on his shirt and exited his father’s quarters.

…

I have just placed my bag on the couch when the door of the pack house opened. “Allen Gerard Mackendrei Green!” Loraine burst out as she put her hands over her waist.

I stood in attention. “W-what did I do this time?” I asked stuttering. Well, of course, this is Loraine and she just called me in my full name.

“Why did you not tell me?” She snapped as she approached me.

“What did I not tell you?” I asked.

“That Kendrick is your mate!” She said as she raised her left brow.

I fidgeted with her words. “Well, I didn’t know until last night.” I said in defense.

“You should have told me!” She snapped again as she towered over me while I cowered in the couch.

“Well, I thought you were at the cave last night?” I asked.

“I was on duty.” She said and she slumped beside me. “And you already shifted!” She exclaimed and clasped her hands on mine. I swear I could see her eyes twinkling. “And that reminds me…” She trailed off as she bowed, baring her throat.

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. “Oh, please stop that.” I muttered.

“It’s natural for me to do that.” She insisted. “You are the white wolf.” She said as she giggled with excitement beside me.

“What’s so great about it?” I asked. “I’m still me.” I uttered.

“Idiot!” She snapped. “The clan has been waiting for you for a long time.” She said.

“And until now, I still don’t know the reason why you were waiting for me.” I uttered, rolling my eyes.

“Well, I think it was to bridge the gap that has happened between our sister clan.” She said.

“Bridge? The gap? You know I’m not good with people. How am I supposed to do that?” I asked.

“Well, it’s for you to figure out.” She said and laughed. “Anyway, it’s not happening soon. Now, what matters is that you and your mate will reconcile and finally admit to one another that you need each other.” She said rather dreamily. “You and Kendrick will make a very cute couple.” She exclaimed as she took my hands again.

I sagged my shoulders even more. And I didn’t intend for the sigh to come out but it did anyway. “He doesn’t want me okay? If there’s a way to get rid of this mate thing, I would gladly do it.” I said matter-of-factly.

“I’m sorry but there’s none. The will of the moon is absolute and the bond of mating is sacred and it cannot be undone. Kendrick will be your mate and you will be his.” She said putting up that dreamy façade again.

I just sighed. “If that’s the case, why are there rejected mates?” I asked. Well, I’m one of them.

She put her right hand under her chin as if she was thinking. “Well, I think that the other half is in denial even if both of them are suffering. Although, it rarely happens but rejection can cause death to the rejected half then the other half followed with the pain of losing his half. Well, I guess it really teaches us that we cannot find someone’s worth unless it’s gone.” She said.

I gaped at her with what she said. So I’m going to die. I thought.

“But,” she continued, “Rejection is not the only reason of death for the mates. Sometimes, it’s also caused by external intervention. Those people who oppose the union of the two souls, separating them from each other until they grow weak and die. It happened here, once.”

“Really?” I asked.

She nodded. I was about to ask the details but the door opened again and Drake materialized.

He stood there with his eyes wandering around the room and they finally settled when he saw me. He stared at me and I cannot seem to decipher what his expression was telling me. Then he smiled. It didn’t reached his eyes.

“Is something the matter?” I asked and returned the smile.

Loraine was silent in her seat. It was a little unusual but well, it’s Loraine.

“I heard you are leaving.” Drake muttered as he walked closer.

I nodded. “It was the alpha’s orders.” I said.

“What? You’re leaving and you’re not telling me?” And there it was, Loraine’s shrilling voice disturbed the air.

“I was about to tell you but you were talking so, I wasn’t able to.” I explained.

“And where are you going this time?” She asked.

“I don’t know exactly but it is a house somewhere. Kendrick and I will live there for the moment.”

And she gasped. “Oh my goodness. This is going to be exciting.” She exclaimed.

I just rolled my eyes at the way Loraine was acting.

“Will you be okay?” Drake asked with a concerned tone. “I mean, with Kendrick.”

I nodded. “I will manage.” I uttered. And I thought I saw something off with Drake. He seemed to be unhappy which is not so like him. “How about you?” I asked him.

“Huh? What about me?” He asked.

“Will you be okay? You seem not you today?” I asked.

He snapped and just like every time I caught him, he just changes back into his normal self with that knee-wobbling smile. “Of course I am happy.” He said.

“Why did you even bother asking? It’s Drake for crying out loud. He is always merry.” Loraine uttered beside me, completely oblivious with Drake’s sudden change of mood.

Drake just chuckled.

“Well, I’ll leave you two. I’ll be back when you are leaving.” Loraine uttered as she walked towards the door and before she closed it behind her, she said, “by the way, your pack house stinks.”

I laughed with Drake. The when the laughter subsided, Drake was the first one to speak.

“So, you are all ready huh?” He said as he stared at my backpack.

I nodded. “It can’t be helped.”

He just smiled again. “Please bring souvenirs when you get back.” He said enthusiastically.

“Okay.” I said. I stared at him and was really thankful that I have a friend like him. And it made me wonder why Kendrick wants me to stay away from Drake. But he can tell me that as many times as he wants but I’ll say no every time he does.

…

Drake and I were both laughing and so engrossed in our hilarious conversation. The memory of his sadness just a moment ago was long gone. It really feels great to have him around. The next moment, he was teasing me “corn head” because of my hair with color that looks like the tiny white strands of corn.

I ended up punching him. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot land a blow. And every time I hit his arms, it seems that I’m the one that’s hurt. And what’s frustrating is that, he was laughing at me. I slumped in the couch beside him, sulking. And the nerve! He was still chuckling.

I rolled my eyes and in my periphery, I saw him lowered his arms and I saw an opportunity. I instantly moved to hit him again but it was disappointing and I definitely regretted it because he caught both of my hands. “Gotcha.” He said.

I grunted in frustration. But I wasn’t able to anticipate his next move because he put my hands above my head as he used his body to push me against the couch. I was caught off guard with what he did. I wasn’t able to utter a single word as he eased my hands around his neck.

I was staring at him. He was staring back. His eyes were full of emotions but his smile, they were mischievous. “I finally got you.” He uttered huskily. “Like this.”

With no idea what to do, I resorted to laughing. “Yeah, you got me. Now, could you please get off?” I asked, half-laughing. He stared at me for a while before removing his body over me. I instantly sat straight from my awkward position.

“Sorry about that.” He said apologetically as he ran a hand on his hair behind his head.

I was about to answer when suddenly all the hairs of my body stood up and my senses heightened. My nose caught the scent of Kendrick. Then I heard someone cleared his throat behind us and it didn’t need for a wise man to say that it was Kendrick. The way my body reacts gave it all away.

I looked around and saw him standing there. And why does he have to look that handsome? But his eyes were boring straight at us. If only looks could kill, I would’ve melted.

Drake tilted his head as well and when he saw Kendrick, he stood. “Ken.” He greeted.

Kendrick just gave him a sharp gaze which was rather unfriendly then he looked back at me. “We’re leaving.” He uttered then his lips were pressed back into thin line.

I smiled at Drake and then turned to take my backpack but Drake was faster than me. “I’ll get this for you.” He said.

“Thanks.” I smiled and headed towards the door.

However, I realized that he wasn’t following so I spun to have a look. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

He just smiled. “None. I just thought I’m going to miss you.” He said.

And this time, it’s my turn to smile. “I’m going to miss you too. But we’ll be back in no time.” I said.

“Yeah.” He agreed while nodding.

I turned around again and headed outside. I found out that the Alpha was there together with Lady Margaret. Loraine was also there, smiling.

Behind them was Kendrick tending to his big bike. I sighed. Why do I get the feeling that this isn’t going to work?

The alpha approached me and handed me a silver necklace. “It will protect you from the unwanted people.” He said.

“Thanks.” I uttered and was about to put it on when Drake stopped me. I looked at him with question.

“Let me do it for you.” He said and smiled.

“Sure.” I shrugged and handed him the necklace. I could feel his hands against my skin and it felt as if he was purposely touching me. But I discarded the thought the moment I saw Kendrick boring a hole through me as he stared at us.

What’s wrong with this guy? I thought and looked away.

“There.” Drake uttered.

“Thanks.” I uttered and gave him a smile. But I could still feel Kendrick’s eyes on me. Thankfully, Lady Margaret fussed around and it was the distraction I needed.

“Allen, I’m going to miss you.” She exclaimed.

Why do people say that they’re going to miss me? How long exactly am I going to live with Kendrick?

“I’m going to miss you too, mom.” I said “Especially your cooking.” I added which made her laugh although her tears were on the brink of falling.

She hugged me so tight. Then Loraine approached with her hands on her waist and cocked up eyebrows.

“You better take good care of yourself there.” She said. “I’m not gonna be around anymore.” She said.

“I’ll be fine.” I guess. I smiled to reassure her.