11. MIA

Chapter 11

MIA

Standing on the balcony of my bedroom, I tuck my hair behind my ear as I hear noises below me. I get onto my tiptoes, leaning over the rail to peek at the ground below.

Just as I expected, Theo and his crew of close packmates emerge from the front entrance. When they’re outside, he glances up and throws me a wink.

I can’t help but smile as heat crawls over my cheeks. Theo catches me blushing and smirks with satisfaction before turning back to his friends. I watch him intently as they disappear into the shadows.

But he steals one last glance at the ingress of the woods before rushing off.

Goddess…

I sigh in contentment as I head back into the bedroom. I’m about to flop onto the bed when a knock sounds on the door.

“Hey, Mia…” It’s Anastasia who calls out. “Are you awake?”

“I am!” I reply, slipping my gown off. “Come in.”

Anastasia comes in, frowning as she watches me climb into bed. She plants her hands on her hips like a mother who’s about to scold me. I have to stifle my amusement, cupping a hand over my mouth.

“What?”

Anastasia rolls her eyes. “Have you forgotten that my parents are leaving tonight?” she asks as she stares at me in disbelief. “You were supposed to join us for dinner. They haven’t met you yet.”

Pressing my lips into a firm line, I make myself comfortable in bed. I pat the empty side, gesturing for her to come over. She sighs with exasperation but heeds my call anyway.

“I received strict instructions from the Alpha of Nightwalker…” I begin. “... I'm not to meet your parents yet.”

“Oh…” Anastasia purses her lips. “Why”

Her question opens up to all the reasons why I'm not supposed to meet their parents yet. Apart from being a Blackclaw wolf, I am the Alpha's fated mate.

The latter being something I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Though it's something we confirmed last night, I'm still getting to grips with the knowledge that he's my fated mate.

The notion seems highly unlikely, especially for an Alpha of his caliber. Still, it's something he seems to be relishing in. But I asked for time.

That's why I'm here, back in my designated bedroom. It's better this way. Until I've fully embraced what it means to be the Alpha's fated mate.

“Since they caught those hunters at the border, it's better this way,” I repeat the rehearsed explanation. It's what Theo and I agreed on. “After all, I'm from Blackclaw. And Alpha Theo isn't sure where he stands with the Blackclaw Alpha.”

Anastasia breathes a haggard sigh as she reaches for my hand. “I really wish there wasn't this amount of animosity between our packs.” She gives my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

“I know…” I breathe. “But I trust that Theo will do whatever is best for all of us.”

The eerie crackle of fire punctures my eardrums. It's loud and sinister, the only sound that takes up the space.

I feel my brows knitting to a frown as I search for the source of the fire. The darkness that encapsulates my vision sends a shiver down my spine.

Where am I?

Looking all around me, I catch a glimpse of an orange flicker. To my left, so I begin walking in that direction.

The soles of my feet crush dried leaves as I walk forward. I'm barefooted, feeling every uncouth edge of the stones and twigs in my path. I find the reason for the darkness as a branch of leaves in front of me.

Reaching out, I push the branch aside. It opens up to the raging fire ahead of me, causing me to gasp in horror.

My vision is overwhelmed by the ensuing chaos ahead. Just then, a chunk of the thatched roof on the burning cabin snaps off and falls to the ground. Petrified, I shield my eyes as the air under my nose becomes scorching hot.

“What is this?” I murmur in disbelief as I scan the horrid scene before my eyes. I don't recognize the place – what appears to be a village.

A village aflame with giant licks of fire, lapping at every corner of the cabins forming a line. The howl of a wolf in the distance grabs my attention to the right. But I cannot see further than the fire.

As panic rises like the hot tendrils of smoke over the village, I take a step forward. But the sole of my left foot is seared by the fire creeping toward me.

“Mama!” The frail cry of a young girl rings out from somewhere between the fire. My first instinct is to rush out to help her, but the chaotic fire blocks any way in.

“Mama!” The second shrill cry sets my heart aflame with an intense urge to go forward and help. The third blanching call churns my gut with horror.

I need to help her. Whoever she is. I need to get to her. Eyes blinded by darkness when I close them, I rush into the fire. But the flames consume me…

“Gah!” I breathe out as if I'd been choking. As if my throat had been constricted by that fire.

It wasn't real… Is what I remind myself as I reach for the lampshade on the nightstand. When the room is shrouded by a faint light, I feel safer.

The frightfulness of the nightmare shudders through me like a brutally cold shiver. Dabbing the back of my hand over the sweat caught on my brow, I breathe a sigh of relief.

The immense pain I felt in my heart was so much like the night I received my wolf. Like an intense pull in my chest the moment I neared the fire.

Like the fire in my nightmare. I can't help but wonder if the stories were really true.

Growing up, I'd been told that my parents died of a strange sickness. That's why I'd been cast out like an outsider.

But somehow, I'm linked to fire. What that link means, I'm not sure yet. My gut tells me that I have to figure it out. And the only way I can do that is if I have a deeper bond with my wolf.

I have to train her.

Getting ready for the day, I head out to town.

Instinctively, I head to the training arena. The center is abuzz with activity, but that's not why I'm drawn there.

Something deeply innate calls me toward the facility. And it's only when I get near that I realize why I'm being pulled there.

It's Theo.

As soon as my eyes land on him at the weapons stand, my heart skips a beat. My breath hitches in my throat, and I'm left certain of one thing.

Theo truly is my fated mate.

That tug toward him is so powerful, my feet move of their own accord. Going as close as I can, I take to the bottom row of the bleachers.

He's already in a sparring session, wielding a sword with the dexterity of a warrior. With nimble movements and quick reflexes, he makes the whole thing look like art in motion.

Completely awed, I watch him, mesmerized. Following each fluid motion as he mans the sword like the most skilled swordsman.

When he makes his last strike, slicing through the air, he spins on his heels. His opponent steps over the line, and the round ends.

As cheers fly through the air, the Alpha waves and comes over to the bleachers.

“You're here alone…” he observes casually as he takes a seat beside me.

A trickle of awareness flows through my core, heating me with its presence. I can feel a blush creeping coyly up my cheeks. As Theo's fingertips brush my knuckles, I'm close to melting.

This fated mate bond is the strongest feeling I've ever had. An emotion all on its own, it demands all of my attention.

In those brief moments between us, nothing else matters. Everyone and everything fades, until it's just him and I.

It takes all of my strength to gather my thoughts again.

I'd come here for a reason. I need to get closer to my wolf.

“Ana doesn't know I'm here,” I admit. “I needed to speak with you.”

“What is it?” Theo asks with concern, discreetly linking his fingers with mine.

I must admit, it's quite a thrill to be sneaking around like this. My only guilt comes from not being able to tell Anastasia right now.

“I'd like to learn more… About being a werewolf.”

Theo's lips lift. “I was hoping you'd ask me.”

I smile sheepishly as I glance at him. “So you'll let me join training?”

“No,” he shakes his head. “I have something else planned for you. Meet me back here later.”

“Okay,” I concede as Theo leaves the bench for another round of sparring.

I hang by the bleachers until werewolves start making their way out. Watching the crowd only to remain incognito, I wait around the back wall until there's no one left.

When the coast is clear, I head back into the arena.

“Lock the door,” Theo instructs from somewhere inside, his voice echoing around the empty expanse.

When I've locked the door, I scan the arena for any sign of Theo.

But I find none.

Frowning, I call out to him. “Theo?”

There's no warning before a whoosh! soars through the air. I'm barely able to dodge the incoming lunge.

When I do, I tumble on the ground, using my palms to bring myself to a halt. Gasping when I look up to find Theo in wolf form, I scramble to my feet.

His dark wolf is menacing as he strolls with calculated steps toward me. Licking his lips, his head remains low as if closing in on his prey.

My training has begun.

Closing my eyes, a trickle of fear courses through me. It's enough to give me the spark I need to invoke the wolf on command.

When she comes forward, the streak of lightning bolting across her back, I open my eyes.

Theo is closer now.

‘Nice dodge,’ Theo praises through the mind link we share. He keeps stepping closer.

He's trying to get me off-guard.

‘Thank you, Alpha,’ I reply, though I remain cautious as he begins to walk around me. The sound of padded paws on the ground sounds threatening to me.

But as menacing as it is, the sudden bout of awareness I feel is incredibly intense. The close proximity allows me to soak in his scent as if it’s the only air I need to fill my lungs.

It’s sweet and mellow, distracting me when he knocks his dark head into my side.

‘Ouch!’ I whimper, losing my footing. Almost as quickly as he’d knocked me, he grabs my forearm with the teeth of the wolf and steadies me again.

‘Sorry…’ he says, with round eyes of the wolf staring at me apologetically.

Mentally smiling, I take advantage of his humility by playfully hitting him on the side. ‘I’m not sorry!’ I tease as I run off in the opposite direction.

‘Oh, I’m gonna get you for that!’ Theo taunts as he chases me into the center of the fighting ring.

‘You can try!’ I call back.