Dario's P.O.V

2 years later...

Some people hate waking up before the alarm, but not me. I loved it. It was the only way I could stare at him uninterrupted. The way his chest moved up and down rhythmically. The way his nose twitched ever so slightly was adorable. His eyelashes were so long that they touched his face, and I envied them for being so close to his skin. I wish I could caress his cheeks as well, but then he'd wake up, and I don't want that. His long, curly hair was tied neatly into a bun. He looked absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to keep staring at him since it was the only time I ever felt like he was entirely mine.

His face looked so peaceful. Unlike his usual scowl, he walked around with. Then again, I loved that too. It made him look like an angsty teen who was mad at the world for no reason. I giggled at the image, and he steered in his sleep, halting any sound or movement from me. He was such a light sleeper that the slightest sound or movement would wake him up, but I guess it was required for his line of work.

After a few more minutes of my mindless staring, the alarm rings. His eyes opened up slowly as he looked around the room before they landed on me.

"Morning Dot." He spoke in his raspy morning voice, and I wanted to melt at the sound. It was better than any music or melody in this world, and I yearned to hear it all the time.

"Morning." I smiled at him as he got up and went straight to the bathroom.

I laid back down on the bed with a sigh. I guess it's time to start the morning. Usually, I'd go back to sleep after he left for work, but it seemed like today I was wide awake. What would someone do at 5 in the morning? The house was already clean since I went all out yesterday. Maybe I could bake? Oh, that's a good idea! I'll make some cake and cookies and share some with the pups. I heard the bathroom door open, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I got off the bed and walked behind him, hugging him. My hand slid to his stomach, meeting in the middle. I can feel him stiffen, and I know it made him uncomfortable, but the pull from our bond is too strong for me to ignore, so I just enjoy that he indulges my urges.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?" I said as I nuzzled into his back, inhaling his delicious scent. He smelled like roses and fresh rain - such a sweet and calming scent.

"I have to patrol tonight, so I'll be coming home late, um, so don't wait for me." He turned around in my arms to face me. Holding my cheeks and caressing them gently, he kissed my forehead like he always did.

"Okay, be careful." I gave him a final squeeze before letting go so he could finish getting ready.

This was a typical day for us; he woke up early to patrol and take care of pack business, and I ended up alone doing random things throughout the day. I tidied up the bed because I couldn't stand leaving it messy. People should always start their day by tidying up the bed. It's productive! (A/N why is he calling me out like that 😢)

I looked at the calendar and noticed the day circled in red. Damn, it's here already... Yay me! (Note the sarcasm if you can). I turned around as Jaylen walked out of the closet.

"Jay," I called out to him.

"Yeah," he answered without even looking at me.

"It's almost time," I said, which halted his movement. Well, that got his attention.

He stared at me for a while before his poker face made an entrance. "I'll have them prepare the cabin for you." He spoke before going back to fixing his hair.

Jaylen loved his hair, so every morning before leaving, he'd spend 10 minutes ensuring it was nice and healthy. This is stupid because it'd be ruined when he shifted, but who was I to judge?

"Or I could spend it here... with you," I muttered, his muscles tensing yet again. That is not a good sign and I felt all the hope leaving my body.

"Dario, we talked about this," he sighed. "It's not time yet. I'll get the cabin ready for you and everything you need."

My heart ached. Why do I keep putting myself in this position? Always hoping, knowing it's not going to happen.

"When will it be time then?" I asked, steadying my quivering body. "How much longer do I have to wait, Jay? When will it be time?"

"I- I don't know." He dropped his gaze to the floor. "I'm trying, okay? I really am. Dot, please try to understand."

I stayed silent at his plea. I do understand. I've been understanding for two years, after all. At the time, I promised him that I'd be patient and wait. I just didn't think it would take this long.

"I understand," I said before walking out and heading to the gym, the only place that would calm me down.

..........

I delivered a powerful blow, which made the bag fly into the wall. I did this to deal with my frustration and punch the poor bag until nothing was left. Drowning in my thoughts, memories of me and him started flooding into my head. After the failed attempted murder, kidnapping, or whatever you would call that a couple of years ago, Jaylen started talking to me more. He took me to dinner and asked questions about my life. It was nice; it seemed like our relationship was starting to move forward. Months passed after that, and all I would get from him was dinner and a conversation. We were stuck in a routine that neither of us dared to change.

That was until my heat decided to make an appearance. It was nature's way of asking me to hurry the fuck up and mate. I had only gotten my heat once so far when I presented as an omega, and well, due to stress, I guess it never came after that. Talk about bad timing. I was out on my usual dinner with Jaylen when it hit. I was already feeling feverish and tired, but I didn't want to waste the only time I could be close to my mate. That day was the second time I experienced that gut-wrenching pain called rejection. What was it he said? Oh yes...

"Get him away from me."

That was the last thing I heard him say before I was dragged away to be locked up in a cabin in pain, calling out to him, begging for him and crying for him to come and make the pain go away. He never showed up. And it's been like that ever since every 2 months I spend my heat in the cabin waiting for my mate.

"Damn boss, what did the poor bag ever do to you?" A voice from behind me intruded on my sacred time, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"What do you want, Raymond?" I asked, annoyed, hooking the bag back on before continuing to punch my way out of this feeling.

"I just wanted to see how you're doing. I know you only use the punching bag when Jay pisses you off. What has my stupid best friend done now?" He sat down on the bench that was located beside me.

"Nothing."

"Come on, Dario. You can talk to me." His voice was gentle, which was comforting on a level.

Raymond is Jaylen's beta and best friend, basically his right-hand man. When I was found and it was revealed that I was the Alpha's true mate, Jaylen's immediate reaction was to walk away, leaving me standing with crushed hopes, dreams, and a newly shattered heart.

On the other hand, Raymond took care of me and helped me settle. You can say he is my only close friend.

Flashback 2 years ago...

Thirst, hunger, exhaustion, and pain. My whole body hurt. I'd been running for a couple of days straight, and I was running away from a group of feral rouges I stumbled upon while wandering the woods. As much as I loved killing those bastards, dealing with six at the same time was not the reason I wanted to leave this earth.

Maybe we should've kicked their asses. We can take them! Kylo boasted proudly. That wolf of mine was always oddly optimistic.

Seriously? Do you think we can take six crazy-ass feral rouges? Did the mushrooms we ate today mess with your wolfie head?

First of all, how rude! Second, you know we can take them. You're just too lazy. I could feel him pouting, which was annoying. When Kylo sulks, he's like a little child, very hard to please.

I'm sorry. I know how much you love fighting, but we've survived on our own for years. Let's not end our good streak because you want an ego boost. I argued, hoping the truth would get to him.

You're right, Hermano. Better alive than having fought six ferals at the same time on our record, though that would be badass. Anyway, do you have any idea where we are? He questioned, which made me realise that I had lost our sense of direction with all the running.

No, we were at the New Mexico border the last time I remembered. That was before we ran into those stupid rouges.

You know you're a rogue yourself, right? He sassed.

Yeah, but at least I know how to shower. I replied.

Right, because that's the only difference. Kylo crackled before disappearing.

"Asshole."

I kept walking for a couple more hours. I was honestly enjoying the scenery along the river. It was a beautiful day today. That was until I realised I had stepped into a werewolf pack territory. That's when their howls started. I began to run, but I could already hear them coming from every direction.

Fuck I was so screwed. I should've taken my chances with those rouges.

I told you so. Kylo's voice came into my head.

Now is not the time for this, Ky.

Right, shit. What are we going to do? He asked, panic setting in his voice as he paced.

Let's just hope we don't get caught.

I had spoken too soon because wolves had surrounded me before I knew it. No matter what direction I ran, they kept popping up. It seems that this is a large pack. I stood in a defensive stance in case anyone decided to attack first. I don't know how packs work in the U.S., but back home, it was kill first, ask questions later–not that they could after.

A few seconds later, two larger wolves entered this special gathering. They must be the higher-ups in the pack. Lovely, this day just got even better. Before the situation could get any worse, I decided I had to speak to them. It might have been a dumb idea, and I could get killed either way, but it was worth a shot. I shifted into my human form, kneeling on the floor so as not to impose. I looked up at the two wolves, avoiding eye contact.

"I am very sorry I stepped onto your land. It was not my intention. I was running away from a pack of rogues that were trying to attack me and ended up here. I mean no harm." I pleaded with my smallest voice, hoping to gain some sympathy. My small stature usually helps.

"Aren't you a rogue as well?" One of the bigger wolves had shifted.

Hah, he said the same thing as me. Kylo laughed. I ignored this idiot.

I glanced up to see that one of the bigger wolves had also shifted, which was a good sign.

"True, but at least I know how to shower. Haha..." I laughed awkwardly.

What the fuck are you doing? Are you trying to get us killed? Kylo asked, horrified. I can't blame him, to be honest. I don't know what I was thinking.

"Um, what I mean is I'm not feral," I corrected.

"Right, anyway, we must wait for the alpha to decide your fate. As much as I love your sense of humour, it's out of my hands." The handsome man spoke. He was tall and had beautiful grey eyes. Those abs, though dripping with sweat... Yummy.

You horny human, get it together. We may die today! Kylo scolded.

If we are, don't you think we should enjoy the scenery while we still ca-

Before I could finish the sentence, I was hit with the most mouth-watering scent, and my whole body shivered at the smell of roses and fresh rain. As the beautiful smell got closer, a large black wolf walked in. He was larger than the rest, strong, and had the most gorgeous, glowing blue eyes.

Mate, mate, mate. Kylo chanted like a broken record, unable to believe that we'd found our true mate.

The Alpha shifted, and my heart soared with pride at how gorgeous he was. He was the most handsome man I've ever seen. He spoke to his beta before his eyes met mine, which sealed the deal. Our bond has connected. He froze for a second before speaking.

"Mate," his raspy voice came like a beautiful melody in my ears, sending electric shocks down my spine. Everyone around us went dead quiet, shock evident on their faces. Even the man who spoke to me looked... I couldn't read the look on his face, to be honest. It was strange, but no time to waste that my beautiful mate was right before me.

I guess the stories were true; it was love at first sight. Well... for me, it was. Happiness filled my body. On the other hand, he did not look as thrilled as I was. His body went rigid before he turned his back towards me. I was so confused, and I had finally found my mate. I found a place I could belong to and finally be loved.

"Lock him up." My mate spoke before he started walking away.

What? Lock me up? Did he not want me?

"Jaylen, you can't be serious?" The man, whose name I don't know, stopped my mate by the arm, looking seriously into his eyes. They seemed to have a secret conversation. Right, the pack link. I'd been alone for so long that I had forgotten.

Stabbing pain came shooting through my chest, sending me to my knees. I looked up, hoping to find my mate running towards me to comfort me, but all I saw was his beta running towards me and his back disappearing into the distance, shattering my heart and shortly found joy before I passed out.

End of flashback...

"Dario," Raymond called out, pulling me back to reality.

"I'm fine, Raymond. I just need some time alone." I reassured him before going back to punching the bag.

"I know. I just hoped you'd talk to me this time. Also, can you call me Ray like everybody else? I hate it when you call me Raymond."

"I know," I smirked, walking away and leaving him dumbfounded. Messing with Ray was the other thing that calmed me down. It was fun. 

------------------------------------------------

Hello everyone, Happy new year. I am so excited to start a new journey with this story. I hope you all enjoy it and I will see you all in the next one. 

Izzy Out :)