Everyone and everything seemed to fade away when I pressed my snout to the ground and began following the faint scent trail of dianthuses. My surroundings blurred into a mess of green. Time passed quickly as I sprinted through grass, dirt, and mud without taking a single break.

‘Alpha, are we there yet?’ Oliver mindlinked me for the seventy-sixth time. 

‘You’re turning this search party around?’ He asked hopefully, interrupting me. The rest of the group quickly bombarded me with more requests to go back to the packlands.

‘Why does it feel like I’m running a pack of four-year-olds?’ I snarled, making almost everyone shut up. Keyword almost...

‘My feet hurt!’ Oliver continued to whine, deciding now is the best time to test me. 

‘Suck it up and stop contacting me!’ I snapped, blocking him out. Finally, peace and quiet-

‘Are we there yet?’ Axel taunted.

‘Don’t you start too.’ I redirected my attention to the incredible smell I was tracking, instead of the annoying voice in my head. I want to see her, even if it’s just for a second. She’s far from perfect, which is probably why I like her so much. All her flaws just seem to enhance her beauty. The mate bond caused those thoughts about her, right? I’m not falling for her that hard.

‘Yeah sure. You’re totally not falling hard for the she-wolf who tried to murder less than 24 hours ago. I definitely am, though,’ Axel chimed in proudly. He probably daydreamed about her more than I do. Well, I don’t daydream about her- ‘Yes, you do,’ Axel interrupted.

‘That’s a weak insult-’ He stopped mid-sentence and let out a howl. I was about to ask why when it hit me. I lifted my snout up and saw her sleeping peacefully.

‘She’s the one who nearly killed you?’ Oliver questioned, staring at the pink fluff-ball that is my mate.

‘She’s stronger than she looks,’ I defended my poor, over-inflated ego.

‘Of course she is. Now that I’m really looking at her, I can see how terrifying she is.’ He rolled his eyes.

‘Let’s just bring her home.’ I slowly approached her and picked her up by the scruff.

‘Are you sure about this?’ Oliver blocked my path.

‘Yes, if we don’t bring her back, then she will be in danger.’ Anyone who knew Alpha Zane knew he would do anything to get what he wanted. And right now, he wants her locked away in the darkest dungeon he can find. Obviously, I will not let that happen to her.

‘Alright, but I’m not helping you carry her,’ He stated.